Open Workstations vs Cubicle Systems: Choosing the Right Office Setup

The DCOA system furniture  with low partition for example are popular in creative agencies, startups, and fast-moving teams where collaboration and idea-sharing happen constantly.

Key characteristics:

• Minimal partitions or screens

• Shared or bench-style desks

• Open sightlines across the office

• Easy access between teammates

Open workstation systems work best for teams that thrive on interaction and don’t require frequent confidentiality.

Pros of Open Workstation Systems:

• Encourages Spontaneous Collaboration: No need to knock on a door or peek over a wall.

• Modern Aesthetics: A sleek, airy feel that makes offices appear larger.

• Scalability: Easier to add "one more seat" to a long benching desk than to build a new cubicle. Space efficient, making it easier to fit more staff into the same floor area, ideal for growing teams.

• Flexible Layouts: Easy to reconfigure as headcount or team dynamic changes.

• Cost Effective:  Requires fewer panels and structural components compared to cubicles.

Cons to Consider:

• Higher noise levels

• Less visual and acoustic privacy

• More distractions for task-heavy roles

What are Cubicle Systems?

Cubicle systems use partitions to create semi-private or fully enclosed workspaces. While you may imagine  "cubicles" to be gray walls like those back in the 1990s, modern versions (like the MS45 series or AM Office Pods) can be stylish, modular, and highly functional. 

Depending on panel height and material, cubicle worksystems also come in various designs that  offer varying levels of privacy and sound control, catering to various work modes.

Key Characteristics:

• Individual workstations with partition panels

• Optional acoustic or fabric walls

• Defined personal workspace

• Reduced visual distractions

Pros of Cubicle Systems:

• Deep Work: Reducing visual distractions helps employees enter a "flow state."

• Confidentiality: Essential for HR, legal, or finance departments handling sensitive data.

• Noise Reduction: Especially effective with acoustic partitions.

• Clear personal boundaries:  Employees have their own defined workspace.

Cons to consider:

• Requires more floor space per person

• Higher upfront cost due to partitions

• Can feel isolated if poorly designed

Comparison: Space, Cost, and Productivity

Choosing between these two depends on your specific priorities and work modes. Here’s a practical comparison to help you see how they stack up:

In smaller offices, open layouts help stretch space and budget. Larger floor plans often benefit from cubicles or hybrid designs that balance openness with privacy.

Choosing Based on Work Style

The "best" setup is the one that matches your team’s daily reality and how your people actually work. Consider these scenarios:

• The Collaborative Team: If your staff spends 80% of their time brainstorming or working on joint projects, open workstations prevent silos and keep energy high.

• The Focus-Heavy Team: If your team consists of developers, writers, or accountants who need silence to produce high-quality work, a cubicle system is a massive productivity booster.

• The Hybrid Solution (Often the best solution): Many modern Malaysian offices now opt for a "Blended Layout." This uses open benches for marketing and sales, while utilizing partitioned systems for management and finance. This mixed approach supports different working styles while making efficient use of office workstation furniture and office partition systems.

Why AM Office?

At AM Office, we understand that no two businesses are the same. We specialise in creating flexible workspaces using both open workstation systems and modern cubicle solutions, designed for Malaysian office sizes and budgets.

Whether you’re fitting out a startup office or redesigning a corporate floor, AM Office helps translate your operational needs into practical layouts that can evolve as your business grows.

• System 35 Workstations: Versatile partitions with various heights and finishes to balance privacy and openness.

• Genesis & AM Systems: Professional acoustic pod furniture designed to minimise distraction and maximise focus and efficiency output.

Most importantly, we have over 30 years of office furniture expertise, helping you map out your floor plan to maximize flow and efficiency, on top of our reliable delivery and installation support.

Which Works Best - Open Workstations or Cubicle Systems?

The debate between open workstations and cubicles doesn't have a "right" answer, only a "right for you" answer. By evaluating your team's noise tolerance, need for privacy, and budget, you can create a workspace that doesn't just look good but actually works.