Modern and collaborative office space, several people are working at various stations; some are seated at individual desks with laptops, others are collaborating at a larger table, and a few are using smaller, more casual seating areas.

Types of Office Layouts: Which One Works Best for You?

The way we design our offices has a huge impact on how we work, communicate, and feel throughout the day. Different office types affect us in many different ways and can be crucial for, for example, efficiency, concentration and communication. And these days there are many different options, from coworking spaces to activity-based offices. So the question remains: which office type suits your work?

Today's office has evolved enormously in recent years. There is a before and after the pandemic, but even before that, the classic office had taken on new forms. The open office landscape, for example, has broadened but at the same time also become niche. The creative, open office invites dynamic work with many people on the move, while a coworking space can accommodate many people in the same space - but where everyone works for themselves.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common office types and help you decide which setup and which furniture, will best support your team’s needs:

Private offices (Cellular offices)

Private or cellular offices are traditional office layouts where employees work in individual rooms or share a small office with just a few colleagues. Though less common in modern open-plan environments, private offices are still the best choice for certain tasks and work styles.

Benefits of a private office layout:

Lower noise levels – Ideal for roles that require silence and minimal interruptions.
Perfect for focused work – Suitable for tasks that involve detailed analysis, complex calculations, or confidential projects.
Fewer visual distractions – Helps employees maintain concentration without being disturbed by the busy environment of an open-plan office.
Private conversations – Offers a quiet, enclosed space for sensitive discussions with clients or colleagues.

Furniture tip: Choose ergonomic desks and task chairs that support long periods of concentrated work. Consider adding lockable storage cabinets for documents and acoustic panels for extra soundproofing. A meeting table or visitor chairs may also be useful for client-facing roles.

A woman working at a desk in an office sitting in a SHEFFIELD office chair. She has a laptop open and is looking at it. The desk is made of wood and has a modern design. There is a bookcase with files and decorative items in the background.

Activity-based office

An activity-based office (ABW) is designed to support a variety of work tasks by providing dedicated zones for different activities – from focused solo work to team collaboration, meetings, and even informal catch-ups or quiet breaks. This flexible, dynamic environment encourages movement and empowers employees to choose a setting that suits their task. Benefits of an activity-based layout:

Boosts productivity – Staff can select the space that best matches their current task, whether it requires concentration or collaboration.
Encourages healthy movement – Switching between work zones promotes better posture and supports ergonomic best practices.
Improves communication – Open and shared spaces help break down barriers between teams, encouraging spontaneous conversations and idea sharing.
Ideal for growing teams – Especially suitable for medium to large businesses with varied roles or project-based work.

Furniture tip: Modular furniture is key to flexibility. Invest in mobile sit-stand desks, breakout seating, acoustic pods, and collaborative tables. Lockers are a smart solution for personal storage in shared spaces, and whiteboards or glass boards support creative thinking and teamwork.

The researcher's rule of thumb for working hours

Open-plan office

The open-plan landscape is one of the most common modern layouts, offering a cost-effective and space-efficient solution. By removing physical barriers between desks, this design encourages a more connected and collaborative working culture. Benefits of an open-plan office:

Promotes team cohesion – The open space makes it easier for employees to interact, helping to build a stronger sense of community and organisational culture.
Encourages communication – Ideal for teams that rely on quick decision-making and regular collaboration.
Maximises space – Without partitions or enclosed rooms, the layout makes full use of available floor space and can be easily adjusted as the team grows.
Great for collaborative work – Best suited to roles that involve shared tasks, fast-paced projects, or high levels of coordination.

Furniture tip: Invest in bench desks, ergonomic chairs, and acoustic screens to reduce noise and provide a sense of personal space. Soft seating or breakout areas nearby can help balance the high energy of the main office floor with spots for informal chats or quiet time.

a modern collaborative open office environment where two people interact and in the background another person adjust her headphones

Hybrid office

A hybrid office blends different workspace styles, often combining flexible desk areas, quiet zones, meeting rooms and collaborative spaces. It’s an ideal solution for businesses that support a mix of office-based and remote working - a model that’s become increasingly popular post-pandemic. Benefits of hybrid office:

Appeals to today’s workforce – Many job seekers now prioritise flexibility when considering a new role, making hybrid working a key attraction.
More efficient use of space – With employees splitting time between home and the office, businesses can reduce the number of permanent desks and cut down on rental and running costs.
Improves productivity – People can choose to work where they focus best: from home for concentration-heavy tasks and in the office for meetings, brainstorming or team collaboration.
Supports wellbeing and work-life balance – Offering employees the autonomy to shape their week leads to greater job satisfaction and engagement.

Furniture tip: Choose modular furniture and hot desks that can be easily reconfigured for different users. Combine this with ergonomic seating, acoustic panels and secure personal storage to support a flexible, shared environment.

This is what 8 out of 10 people look for when applying for a new job

a young lady sitting at a desk focusing on a task in her tablet in a coworking space

Coworking spaces

Coworking has seen rapid growth in recent years, becoming a popular choice especially among freelancers and small businesses who want a professional workspace without the cost of a private lease. These shared offices offer a professional setting combined with a sense of community. Benefits of coworking spaces:

Encourages networking – Working alongside people from different industries can spark new ideas, partnerships, and opportunities.
Boosts productivity – The creative, design-led environments often found in coworking hubs can be inspiring and help improve focus and motivation.
Flexible and cost-effective – With access to shared amenities, private offices, and hot desks, coworking offers a scalable, budget-friendly alternative to traditional office rental.
Ideal for independent workers – Suited to freelancers and remote workers who want structure, social interaction, and a clear separation between home and work life.

Furniture tip: Choose high-quality shared desks, ergonomic chairs, and personal storage solutions that support and productivity. Add design-forward lounge seating and communal tables to foster interaction and flexibility.

Types of Office Layouts: Which One Works Best for You?

Private offices (Cellular offices)

Activity-based office

Open-plan office

Hybrid office

Coworking spaces

Explore our ergonomic range of office furniture:

Flatpack metal storage cabinet CLICK, 1800x916x422 mm, grey

Office chair with mesh back MILTON, black

Bisley Soho A4 filing cabinet, 3 drawer, black

Popular conference chair NELSON, 4-pack, blue fabric, chrome

Extra deep storage cabinet SPIRIT, 1900x1020x635 mm, white, blue

Mobile pedestal FLEXUS, 3 drawers, 600x400x600 mm, grey

Ergonomic corner desk FLEXUS, R/H, 1800x1200x720 mm, grey laminate

Popular conference chair NELSON, 4-pack, skai, black

High back mesh office chair SWANSEA, black

Office chair STANLEY, mesh back, with headrest & adjustable armrests, black

Popular conference chair NELSON, 4-pack, black fabric, black

Chair LANGLEY, mid seat, wheeled, armrests, black/anthracite

Mobile desk storage QBUS, with seat cushion, white, grey

Floor screen, 1800x1500 mm, blue

Fire protected cabinet ARMOUR, 1950x930x520 mm, key lock

Fire protected cabinet ARMOUR, 1950x1250x520 mm, key lock

Complete metal drawing cabinet SKETCH, single, A1, sheet steel top, white

Return desk FLEXUS, 800x600 mm, beech laminate

Standing desk QBUS, dual motor, ergonomic, 1600x1200 mm, black frame, black

Standing desk QBUS, dual motor, L-shaped, 1600x2000 mm, black frame, black

Standing desk QBUS, dual motor, straight, 1600x800 mm, silver frame, light grey

Table VERTICUS, 1800x700x720 mm, light grey/silver

Fire-resistant storage cabinet MIXTURE, 2095x1000x600 mm

Conference package deal NOMAD + MELVILLE , 1 table + 8 dark grey chairs

Standing desk converter READY, 880x400 mm, black

Package deal FLEXUS: desk, 1600x800 mm, pedestal with 3 drawers, grey

Straight desk FLEXUS, 1600x800 mm, white laminate

Conference table NOMAD, 2400x1200 mm, black & white

Height adjustable desk NOMAD, 1200x750 mm, white, black

Height adjustable desk ATTUNE, 600x520 mm, white

Flatpack metal storage cabinet CLICK, 1000x916x422 mm, grey

Draughtsman chair STANLEY, mesh back, black

24 hour office chair ARUNDEL with headrest, black

Standing desk QBUS, dual motor, straight, 1200x600 mm, white frame, white

Ergonomic corner desk FLEXUS, L/H, 1800x1200x720 mm, grey laminate

Budget wooden office screen EASE, 1480x1000x18 mm, white

Standing desk QBUS, dual motor, L-shaped, 2000x2000 mm, black frame, black

Conference table FLEXUS, 2400x1200 mm, boat shaped, beech/silver

Standing desk FLEXUS, ergonomic, 1600x1200 mm, silver frame, beech

Office chair FLEET, adjustable armrests, charcoal

Mobile conference chair DELTA, black imitation leather

Armchair COMFY, with wheels, velvet fabric, blue

Office chair CAMBRIDGE, black fabric

Side filing cabinet INDEX, A4 size, 4 drawers, 800x425x1320 mm, white

Executive mesh office chair ASCOT, black

Lockable sliding door cabinet QBUS, 4 shelves, base frame, handles, 2020x1200x400 mm, white

Standing desk FLEXUS, wave, 1600x800 mm, silver frame, grey

Storage cabinet STYLE, 1000x1000x400 mm, dark grey, white

Desk screen ZONE, black brackets, 1600x650x36 mm, fabric Etna, anthracite

Lockable office cabinet CLEO, 2000x1000x328 mm, beech laminate

Triple panel mobile screen MIRANDA, black, dark grey

Folding meeting table EMILY, 1800x800x720 mm, beech, chrome

Furniture set VARIOUS + LANGFORD, 1 table and 4 black/anthracite chairs

24 hour chair ALTON, high back, charcoal fabric

Standing desk QBUS, dual motor, ergonomic, 2000x1200 mm, black frame, black

Cabinet with sliding doors FLEXUS, 1325x1200x415 mm, white

Floor screen ZONE, 1700x800x46 mm, fabric Etna, black legs, anthracite

Popular conference chair NELSON, 4-pack, black fabric, alu grey

Bookcase CLEO, 2000x1000x310 mm, beech laminate

Standing desk FLEXUS, L-shaped, 2000x2000 mm, silver frame, beech

Complete metal drawing cabinet SKETCH, double, A0, sheet steel top, white

Chair NELSON, plastic seat, black, black

Plastic folding bar table CLARA, Ø800x1100 mm

Colourful mesh office chair NEWQUAY, black

Charging laptop trolley, wide, 16 comps, blue

Furniture set VARIOUS + DAWSON, 1 table and 6 grey/black chairs

Standing desk QBUS, dual motor, straight, 1400x800 mm, white frame, oak

Acoustic panel SATELLITE, ceiling hung, Ø 600 mm, 3-pack, black

Desk high pedestal FLEXUS, 4 drawers, 720x400x600 mm, grey

Modern conference chairs MELVILLE (x4), dark grey, alu lacquer

Large key cabinet ROWLEY, 600 hooks, 550x730x205 mm

Furniture set VARIOUS + LANGFORD, 1 table and 6 grey chairs

Executive chair SELBORNE, black faux leather