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.

Which office type suits you best (and what furniture you’ll need)

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 - and how do you choose the right furniture to match?

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.

Choosing the right office solution is not just about the layout; it’s also about finding furniture that supports the way you and your team work. 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.

Find the Right Furniture for Your Office Style

Which office type suits you best (and what furniture you’ll need)

Private offices (Cellular offices)

Activity-based office

Open-plan office

Hybrid office

Coworking spaces

Find the Right Furniture for Your Office Style

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

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

Acoustic panel SATELLITE, ceiling hung, Ø 780 mm, white

Conference table QBUS, 2400x1200 mm, 4-leg frame, black frame, black

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

Budget wooden office screen EASE, 1480x1000x18 mm, birch

Bar table ALVA, Ø700x1100 mm, high pressure laminate, black/birch

Sofa HARMONY, 2.5-seater, fabric GAVA, petroleum blue

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

Cabinet QBUS, 4 shelves, base frame, handle, 2020x400x420 mm, oak

Key cabinet MORTON, 150 hooks, code lock, 800x300x100 mm

Chair mat for hard floors, 1200x2000 mm

Conference table NOMAD, 2400x1200 mm, black & white

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

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

Large key cabinet ROWLEY, 600 hooks, 550x730x205 mm

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

Cabinet with sliding doors FLEXUS, 925x1200x415 mm, white

Flatpack metal storage cabinet CLICK, 1800x916x422 mm, grey

Straight desk FLEXUS, 1600x800 mm, grey laminate

Extra deep storage cabinet SPIRIT, 1900x1020x500 mm, white, white

Colourful mesh office chair NEWQUAY, black

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, turquoise

Standing desk QBUS, dual motor, ergonomic, 1600x1200 mm, silver frame, oak

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

Standing corner desk NOVUS, 1200x750 mm, black frame, black table top

Office furniture package FLEXUS, 1 desk + 1 pedestal + 2 bookcases

Heavy-duty key cupboard BARKER, 100 hooks, 550x400x120 mm

Acoustic panel SATELLITE, ceiling hung, Ø 1170 mm, white

Storage cabinet with electronic lock SAFE, 1900x1000x400 mm, white

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

Standing desk FLEXUS, straight, 1600x800 mm, silver frame, beech

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

Mobile phone storage, for 30 phones

Desk QBUS, L-shaped, 2000x2000 mm, T-frame, black frame, black

Office chair with mesh back MILTON, black

Laptop table STANDBY, 425x350x647 mm, black stand, oak table top

Standing desk converter READY, 880x400 mm, black

Conference table QBUS, boat shaped, 2400x1200 mm, T-frame, black frame, black

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, black

Small storage cabinet SERVE, 580x470x205 mm, white

Chair mat for soft floors, 1200x1500 mm

Conference table QBUS, 1600x800 mm, 4-leg frame, white frame, white

Sound dampening hanging panel CIRCLES, basic set, 24-pack, incl. suspension rail, light/dark grey

Draughtsman chair STANLEY, mesh back, black

High-back manager's chair GODALMING, charcoal fabric

Conference table QBUS, boat shaped, 3200x1200 mm, T-frame, black frame, black

Conference table QBUS, boat shaped, 4000x1200 mm, T-frame, black frame, black

Office chair GUILDFORD, high back maxi, charcoal fabric

Office chair FLEET, w/o armrests, charcoal

Chair NELSON, plastic seat, black, light grey

Table VARIOUS, Ø1600x740 mm, black, white

Narrow storage cabinet SMART, 1900x530x400 mm, white

Table VARIOUS, 1800x800x1050 mm, white, oak

Sit-stand desk QBUS, single column base, 800x600 mm, black frame, black

Office cabinet FLEXUS with 1 open shelf, 1325x760x415 mm, grey

Acoustic panel SPLIT, 1600x600 mm, green

Small document cabinet SERVE, 390x550x340 mm, white

Wobble stool UP, height-adjustable, white

Desk high pedestal FLEXUS, 4 drawers, 720x400x800 mm, grey

Office cabinet FLEXUS, 925x760x415 mm, grey

Office folding table CLAIRE, 1400x700x720 mm, beech, alu grey

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

Desk NOMAD, 1200x600 mm, white, black

Small document cabinet SERVE, 780x550x340 mm, white

Desk QBUS, 1800x800 mm, O-frame, black frame, black

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

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

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

Small office cupboard SERVE, 380x470x205 mm, white

Furniture set VARIOUS + LANGFORD, 1 table and 4 grey chairs

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

Sit-stand chair, fabric, black