Booth arrangement in small, medium, and large workspaces

Acoustic booths for small, medium, large offices – tl;dr

• Booth Arrangement Tips For Small Offices. Locate booths in underused office areas, such as corridors, under staircases, or in narrow corners. You can also use their impeccable acoustic insulation by positioning them near workbenches to minimise distractions during both individual and collaborative work. With such a harmonious working environment, employees can step into a booth in their nearest vicinity to enjoy a quiet retreat or fully focus on their task at hand. Last but not least, consider positioning each booth with its glass panels facing the direction that guarantees the optimal balance between visual connectivity and a sense of privacy.

• Booth Arrangement Tips For Medium-size Offices. Position your booths taking into account departamental proximity in order to facilitate cooperation among team members working on similar projects. Foster camaraderie by locating booths to allow natural and smooth interaction and resource sharing. And try transforming the central areas of booth clusters into meeting hubs, where employees can gather and jointly choose the most suitable pod for their task.

• Booth Arrangement for Large Offices. In a multi-floor office, make sure that your pods and booths are evenly distributed on each floor. While considering the appropriate location, take into account both foot traffic and natural light. It is vital to ensure clear pathways across all working areas as well as adequate illumination throughout the office space. Additionally, each team of 10-20 people should have seamless access to at least one single-person phone booth, one booth dedicated to seated work, and one team-meeting booth.

How can your organisation benefit from introducing office privacy booths?

Privacy booths are an excellent solution for acoustic challenges that all offices face, regardless of their size. They offer workers a private, self-contained workspace and a temporary isolation they need to perform at their best. Due to their mobility, pods such as our Hushoffice collection add flexibility to the office environment and make it more adaptable to emerging needs.

Every workspace has its specific acoustic characteristics and challenges.

• Acoustic Challenges for Small Workspaces. In small offices where workstations are situated close to one another, distractions can arise from the considerable amount of intelligible speech. Sound travelling from desk to desk impedes focus. In such an environment lacking physical barriers, only introducing noise-dampening solutions such as pods can ensure adequate speech privacy. Another noise-related problem that small offices encounter is the close proximity of electronic equipment such as printers, photocopiers or air conditioners, which become additional sources of distraction. 

• Acoustic Challenges for Midsize Workspaces. Clearly defined departmental boundaries encourage more interaction between departments. As a result, noise levels may be higher if co-workers from different teams frequently engage in collaboration and communication within shared areas. Larger team structures usually equal more complex layouts. To achieve a balance between private and collaborative zones in such intricate settings, it’s vital to methodically implement acoustically adequate measures. The cacophony of various sounds, including footsteps or casual chit-chats also contributes to the overall ambient noise. Similarly, frequently overlooked transition areas, such as corridors, are constant sources of disruptive sounds.

• Acoustic Challenges for Large Workspaces. Spacious, open areas often equal echo and reverberation. In such spaces, sound waves bounce off solid surfaces, generating extended reverberation that adds to the overall office noise. Although workstations can be positioned at a greater distance from one another, without introducing well-engineered solutions such as panels or privacy screens, conversations can be transferred over larger distances, disturbing employees and negatively impacting security. Other potentially problematic areas that require attention are communal cafes and lounges. As large offices are equipped with various operational elements such as lifts or printing stations, the use of ceiling baffles, noise-reducing window treatments, and acoustically insulated flooring is essential.

The opportunity to enjoy moments of ”me-time” is the key to a successful open-plan office, and acoustic pods and booths cater for this need.

Around 80% of employees claim that their performance depends on access to private working environments. The access to a quiet retreat in a private space benefits everyone as creativity and ideation thrive in solitude. It also allows employees to recharge, alleviate stress, regulate emotions, and minimise tension, contributing to a more balanced mindset.

Periodic isolation facilities self-paced progress.

When provided with enough personal space and isolation, employees are able to perform at their own pace. Free from the pressure for continuous interaction, they enjoy a sense of peacefulness that boosts their overall well-being.

Solitude encourages individuals to make decisions more independently.

A temporary break from colleagues’ input allows employees to apply their own critical thinking to the assessment of situations or problems. Thus they make informed decisions on the basis of their own judgement and expertise, without being affected by other people’s biases. This may lead to innovative contributions to the team.

In private spaces such as office pods, workers can focus on self-directed learning.

In private spaces, team members can expand their knowledge and master their skills without being disturbed by the office hustle and bustle, thus becoming powerful, more competent assets to the team.

In a secluded environment, individuals can reflect on their work.

In isolated spaces, assessing progress and planning upcoming assignments is much more effective. Finding time to reflect on work is a vital part of both personal and professional growth.

Introverted employees thrive in more secluded workspaces such as booths and pods.

That’s why it is essential to provide employees with access to solitary working environments, ensuring that everyone has optimal conditions based on their preferences and strengths.

Small organisations notice big improvements while using acoustic pods and booths.

Typically, a small office has fewer than 20 workers occupying limited space. The structure of such teams is usually flat with employees taking on numerous roles and responsibilities. Communication tends to be less formal and the decision-making process is simple and straightforward. Good acoustics enhance the workflow.

What booth arrangement allows for the maximum utilisation of limited space in a small office?

The key is to utilise untapped areas while maintaining a balance between isolation and visual connectivity.

• Position booths in underused areas such as corridors, under staircases, or in narrow corners.

• Maximise the use of acoustic insulation that booths provide by positioning them close to workbenches. This will allow you to introduce more harmony between private and teamwork areas. Simultaneously, it will encourage workers to take five from the noisy, dynamic team workflow whenever necessary.

• Position each booth with its glass panels facing the direction that guarantees the optimal balance between visual connectivity and isolation.

Acoustic office pods are not only about functionality, but also about emphasising the strong identity of the team.

With their mobile design, booths improve the agility of the team, providing a flexible layout that can be easily adjusted to the emerging needs. The cosy, customisable interior sends a clear message to employees that both performance and well-being are a priority, contributing to an employee-focused, supportive culture.

What’s the optimal number of booths for a small business?

The general guideline is that every project team or department group of 10-20 people should have access to one single-person booth and one multi-person meeting booth. For example, a phone pod like hushPhone is recommended for every 5 workers, while a meeting pod, such as hushMeet, is needed for every 10 employees.

Which works better for a small office: single-person or multi-person booths?

Actually, both, if possible. Isolation and togetherness are two sides of the same productivity coin. But, to provide a comprehensive answer to this question, you need to carefully reconcile your team needs with layout constraints.

If your team members’ primary issue is excessive intelligible speech in the workspace, your first choice should be a multi-person booth, providing employees with a soundproof retreat, perfect for collaborative work. And all this without disturbing colleagues on the floor. In a nutshell, such a booth can be a significant progress in minimising environmental noise every day. However, if your employees complain mostly about insufficient number of private environments for urgent calls or video conferencing, your initial strategic investment should be a one-person pod. For instance, you can choose a pod such as hushPhone specially designed for private calls, unfurnished to allow its user to stand or lean, depending on personal preference. Alternatively, you can choose hushHybrid for hybrid meetings, which comes with face-illuminating light strips and cosy furniture offering sitting comfort during extended video conferences. Both solutions make excellent, bookable call spaces that contribute to making the office a successful, productive working environment

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Read more: Do acoustic booths work in smaller offices?

Midsize organisations. Ways to ensure an effective and pleasing arrangement of booths.

Within larger structures, midsize teams tend to have clearer departmental divisions. Both formal and informal forms of communication are blended. All decision making depends on major stakeholders. Such environments require a combination of relaxed, private work pods and meeting booths.

How many workers can each Hushoffice booth accommodate?

HushPhone is a one-person standing call booth. HushHybrid is a solo pod as well, but it’s equipped with furniture allowing for a seated position, adding comfort during extended video conferences. HushMeet accommodates up to four people comfortably, which makes it an excellent choice for smaller team meetings.

What’s the optimal number of booths for a midsize company?

As already mentioned, if your layout follows a neighbourhood-style arrangement, you will require one single-person work pod and one team meeting booth to cater for a team of around a dozen workers. Otherwise, you need one phone booth for every 5 employees, and one team meeting booth for every 10.

Arranging acoustic booths in midsize offices for optimal convenience.

An optimal booth arrangement in midsize workspaces largely depends on departmental proximity. It’s not only about having access to top-notch meeting spaces, but also about presenting them effectively. In this respect, hushMeet is an ideal choice, creating a professional impression that communicates competence and top quality to your partners.

• Locate office booths depending on departmental proximity in order to improve collaboration among teammates working on similar projects or assignments.

• Maintain harmony by carefully positioning booths to enhance smooth communication and resource-sharing for all team members in each department.

• Transform central areas of booth clusters into meeting hubs to enable team members to gather at the nearest hub and jointly decide on using the booth most suitable to their needs.

Large organisations. Adapting workspace to cater for different needs. 

Larger offices may consist of numerous buildings or campuses. Their operational activities are more complex due to the required involvement of management and stakeholders. Here, acoustic insulation of confidential conversations is a major priority. 

Provide a mix of pods (rather than numerous instances of the same model) to boost performance.

In an activity-based office, access to a variety of different workspaces positively influences results such as productivity, vitality, stress levels, and team communication. It makes perfect sense that when allowed to choose from several alternatives, workers will naturally achieve a better task-environment fit every time they switch activities.

Provide quiet zones across the scattered office space to make the floor more efficient.

Strategically located in different parts of the office, booths offer seamless access to moments of quality break. Positioned near workstations, they provide a quiet space within easy reach, eliminating the need for workers to travel far. By utilising booths for temporary breaks, you build a peaceful, supportive atmosphere fostering a steady flow of productivity.

Introducing work booths into the office area enhances workflow efficiency and meeting quality while minimising auditory distractions. In essence, a fleet of pods acts as a noise-cancelling system, containing a considerable amount of noise right at its source and ensuring more comfortable working conditions in an open-plan office. What’s more, acoustic booths such as hushMeet.L offer significant benefits for their users, allowing them to engage in conversations and activities without worrying about disturbing their colleagues on the floor. As a result, the office becomes a high-quality, universal workspace for all

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Technological integration. A booth as a miniature, moveable conference room.

All booths from our Hushoffice collection are equipped with a robust socket as well as adjustable lighting and ventilation. You can choose hushMeet.L, which accommodates large groups, or opt for a one-person pod, such as hushHybrid, offering a reliable space for the full focus that meeting hosts need.

With its premium acoustic and architectural design, hushHybrid encloses you in a bubble of focus, ensuring protection from numerous office distractions. Its adjustable lighting with additional LED strips enhances personalisation and offers impeccable face illumination, ensuring perfectly lit and successful presentations. Furnished to provide comfort during extended calls, hushHybrid is not just a workspace, but a quiet sanctuary characterised by perfect ergonomics and functionality. A robust power module ensures seamless connectivity, making the booth an independent workstation. And with a dedicated place for a monitor, it can function as an accessible, mobile conference room, allowing for effective setup and delivery of important meetings

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

What’s the optimal number of booths for a large company?

For larger businesses, the same general rule is applicable: for a layout with a neighbourhood-style arrangement, a combination of one single-person work pod and one team meeting booth per cluster is recommended. Alternatively, you will need one phone booth for every 5 employees and one meeting booth for every group of 10. Remember that an even distribution of booths among floors in a multi-level office is crucial.

The optimal booth arrangement in larger workspaces takes into account traffic flow (and natural light).

Although these aspects seem subtle, catering for them will make the workspace more accessible and user-friendly. That’s why you need to make sure that there are unobstructed pathways between workstations and other areas as well as an even distribution of natural light throughout the space.

Booths address various design challenges connected with an increasing number of employees in the office.

Designing a flexible workspace that can be adapted to future growth poses a real challenge. However, predicting the need for scalability and adaptability in the office arrangement and framework is essential. Only by making long-term predictions, will you be able to avoid costly, time-consuming redesigns in the future. Office booths are a guarantee of adaptability for a few reasons. Firstly, due to their mobility, they can be effortlessly relocated within the workspace without a need for disassembly. What’s more, selected models from the Hushoffice line may be furnished to serve new functions. Obviously, the more employees on board, the more challenging it is to achieve a perfect balance between open collaborative spaces and quiet areas. Pods and booths can contribute by isolating individual tasks, collaborative work, or focused work, and providing space specifically tailored for each activity. Once activities are adequately contained and accommodated, the office can maintain a perfect harmony between “me” time and “we” time

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Managing noise becomes more complicated as a team expands. But booths are a spot-on solution. They contain the most common source of office noise: meetings, video conferences, and intelligible speech, making the workspace more efficient and boosting employee performance. While booths are an effective, user-friendly answer for many workspace challenges, their presence in the office fosters productivity and overall well-being.

Click here to check our Hushoffice collection of booths and pods.

Office booths for small, medium, large workspaces – summarized

• Booth Arrangement Tips For Small Offices. Locate booths in underused office areas, such as corridors, under staircases, or in narrow corners. You can also use their impeccable acoustic insulation by positioning them near workbenches to minimise distractions during both individual and collaborative work. With such a harmonious working environment, employees can step into a booth in their nearest vicinity to enjoy a quiet retreat or fully focus on their task at hand. Last but not least, consider positioning each booth with its glass panels facing the direction that guarantees the optimal balance between visual connectivity and a sense of privacy.

• Booth Arrangement Tips For Medium-size Offices. Position your booths taking into account departamental proximity in order to facilitate cooperation among team members working on similar projects. Foster camaraderie by locating booths to allow natural and smooth interaction and resource sharing. And try transforming the central areas of booth clusters into meeting hubs, where employees can gather and jointly choose the most suitable pod for their task.

• Booth Arrangement for Large Offices. In a multi-floor office, make sure that your pods and booths are evenly distributed on each floor. While considering the appropriate location, take into account both foot traffic and natural light. It is vital to ensure clear pathways across all working areas as well as adequate illumination throughout the office space. Additionally, each team of 10-20 people should have seamless access to at least one single-person phone booth, one booth dedicated to seated work, and one team-meeting booth.

Acoustic office booths for different size workspaces – FAQ

How can office booths be introduced into small office spaces?

Position booths in untapped spaces such as corridors, under staircases or in narrow corners. By locating them close to workbenches, you can also use their excellent acoustic insulation to minimise interference between private and collaborative work. This arrangement also enables employees to take a break from the dynamic teamwork whenever necessary. Last but not least, consider positioning your booths with their glass panels facing a direction that maintains visual connection while still allowing for sufficient privacy.

How should office booths be introduced into midsize office spaces?

Locate your booths with departmental proximity in mind to facilitate collaboration among team members working on similar projects and tasks. It is essential to build a sense of togetherness by positioning booths to enable smooth, natural interaction and resource-sharing within departments. Finally, consider transforming central areas of booth clusters into meeting hubs, where team members can gather to collectively choose the booth most suitable for their task at hand.

What is the optimal number of booths for my office space?

It’s difficult to give a precise number as needs can vary from organisation to organisation. However, a helpful rule of thumb is: for a team of 10-20 people you typically require one single-person pod and one team-meeting pod. In general, for teams which don’t work in close proximity, one phone booth is adequate for every 5 employees, while one meeting booth is required for every 10 individuals.