The Different Types of Office Layouts - (Visually) Explained!

By David Murphy | September 5, 2025

Walk into an office, and you might find rows of high-walled cubicles where employees quietly focus on their tasks. Step into another, and it's a sea of open desks buzzing with collaboration and quick conversations. Neither setup is "wrong"—they just serve different missions.

As businesses evolve, so do workspaces. Today's offices must balance productivity, communication, and employee well-being—with both aesthetics and accessibility taking center stage. 

Office layouts can define how teams think, work, and connect. They can either power business growth or quietly hold it back. For instance, layouts that allow easy movement are beneficial for employees with mobility aids and essential for workplace ADA compliance and inclusive design.

This guide offers a visual breakdown of the different types of office layouts and shows how each one shapes workplace dynamics, allowing you to create a space that works smarter.

How Different Office Layouts Shape the Modern Workplace

Office layout can significantly influence productivity, employee well-being, and even inclusivity efforts. In a well-designed space, teams feel supported, and everyone—including those with mobility challenges—can navigate the environment safely and comfortably. Below are different setups to consider, each with distinct advantages and challenges.

Open office 

An open office layout features a large, unobstructed space with typically rows or clusters of desks without partitions or walls. It also often includes shared amenities like break rooms and meeting areas. Each element encourages communication, collaboration, and transparency within teams. 

Hence, it's ideal for tech companies, creative industries like advertising and design, co-working spaces, and sales or customer support teams—anywhere collaboration and a vibrant atmosphere are essential. 

For example, some of Squarespace's offices feature cubicle-free workstations, glass-walled meeting rooms, and even rooftop lounges. In the tech industry, these elements are designed to foster camaraderie and creative thinking.

On the other hand, the noise and lack of privacy in an open office layout can hinder staff from deep focus. This layout can work if your team thrives on constant communication but may not be suitable for roles that require confidentiality or quiet work.

Closed office 

Law firms, news companies, and big corporate offices are usually filled with private rooms for managers and tall cubicles for the staff—a classic example of a closed-office layout. It offers privacy and allows employees to focus without interruptions or discuss confidential matters. 

The downside is that it limits communication and collaboration. It can also feel isolating and may hinder creativity, especially in dynamic work environments.

On top of that, closed offices generally cost more: they require more space per employee, separate partitions, doors, and dedicated infrastructure like air conditioning for each room. Fit-out costs—like stud walls and added furniture—add up fast. Over time, higher maintenance needs and bigger utility bills also make this layout more expensive to operate.

Cubicle office 

The cubicle office is a type of closed layout, but instead of individual rooms, employees have smaller, semi-private workstations. Each employee has a personal desk with a certain degree of privacy yet remains part of a larger team. 

The modern cubicle originated in 1964 when designer Robert Propst created the "Action Office." His goal was to offer more freedom, privacy, and ergonomic options than the noisy, factory-style open offices common at the time. Propst even envisioned adjustable tables and more dynamic workstations long before standing desks became trendy.

Today, cubicles remain space-efficient and cost-effective, and they allow employees to personalize their workstations to feel more comfortable. However, they can also feel isolating or impersonal, especially in large offices. Noise still tends to travel, making distractions hard to avoid, and the rigid setup can limit collaboration across different teams.

Nonetheless, this system works well if you're looking to maintain order while offering some personal space.

Hybrid office 

A hybrid office layout blends various elements from different office layouts to create a flexible workspace. Employees have access to a mix of private areas, collaborative zones, and open spaces, allowing them to choose their workspace based on their tasks. It's designed for modern, flexible working styles that incorporate remote work.

Take Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California, for example. Its first floor has an open layout, while its upper floors have several quirky cubicles that allow for both focus and collaborative work. It also has spacious meeting and conference rooms and even dedicated work pods for truly getting things done.

The hybrid layout works well with diverse teams and workflows. However, you must manage it and coordinate employees carefully to maintain the space's functionality and efficiency. 

Activity-based working (ABW) 

An ABW layout is a flexible office design that tailors different areas to specific tasks. Employees work in spaces that best suit their needs at any given time. 

It often includes collaborative zones for team meetings, quiet spaces for focused work, social lounges for informal interactions, creative areas for innovation, and flexible stations for various activities. This setup aims to enhance productivity and creativity while supporting diverse work styles.

On the flip side, managing and maintaining multiple workspaces can be complex. Plus, employees may need time to adjust to moving between zones. Designing and implementing such a layout also requires significant planning and resources to ensure it functions effectively.

Co-working office 

Over the past few decades, freelance and remote work have given people the freedom to work from anywhere. But home offices aren't always ideal—distractions, isolation, and a lack of resources can get in the way. Thankfully, co-working spaces are available.

They're shared workspaces where employees from different companies, independent freelancers, and even startups work together. They offer a mix of hot desks, private meeting rooms, and amenities like kitchens and lounges. Some even host networking events to help members and visitors build connections and stay productive.

Co-working offices offer flexibility—a 2023 study found that about 47% of users come in five days a week, while 53% use the space only a few days. Many see tangible benefits from co-working spaces, too: higher income, better skills and collaboration, and improved mental health.

Similar to the open layout, the lack of privacy and potential distractions in a co-working space are not often suitable for tasks requiring concentration or confidentiality. 

For instance, sharing a Wi-Fi network with strangers can be risky. You might expose sensitive information when making financial transactions or sending confidential data. One weak connection can lead to serious problems.

Team cluster 

Some workplaces place their marketing team in one area and sales in another. IT departments sometimes even have their own rooms. This setup, known as a team cluster layout, groups employees by department to streamline collaboration and simplify project management.

Keeping teams close makes quick discussions and group tasks more efficient without always needing formal meetings. However, it can limit communication between departments and create noise and distractions within clusters. Over time, departments can become isolated, leading to "siloed thinking," where knowledge sharing and alignment across the company suffer.

This layout can also present space planning challenges. If one team grows faster than the others, reallocating areas can be complicated. Adapting to cross-functional projects may also be limited. As a result, team morale might strengthen within departments but weaken across the company if employees feel disconnected from other groups.

The team cluster layout is suitable for prioritizing internal teamwork in an organized, semi-structured environment.

Modular office 

As businesses evolve, workspaces may need to scale. However, moving to a new office can be costly and disruptive. Instead of relocating, a modular office layout can rearrange and adapt an existing space with pre-built, movable components. 

With this layout, reconfiguring space is possible as a company grows or shifts priorities. It's faster and more cost-effective than traditional office setups. Modular layouts also make it easier to accommodate employees with disabilities. Modular offices can easily adjust workstations and inclusive signs, widen paths, or install accessible features without major renovations.

However, the aesthetics might feel less polished. Plus, certain components might not be as durable as fixed structures. Still, proper management can maximize space utilization and create a flexible environment with a modular layout.

This type of office can accommodate anticipated growth, frequent changes in workspace needs, or compliance with inclusivity requirements. However, its lack of permanence might not sound appealing compared to traditional office design with its more established look.

Design an Office That Works

Choosing the right office layout isn't one-size-fits-all—it depends on business goals, industry demands, and how employees work best. Even small design choices make a significant impact. 

No matter the layout, clear and compliant office signage plays a critical role. Signs enable employees and visitors to navigate spaces efficiently, support emergency preparedness, reinforce branding, and ensure accessibility—especially for those with disabilities.

For one, custom ADA signs are essential in creating a functional, welcoming office space. That's where Erie Custom Signs can help. We provide high-quality signage solutions and sign-making tools to bring the right office layouts to life. We can support every office design while making spaces accessible to all employees and visitors. 

Browse our page to learn more.