An open office layout is not just desks in a big room. It is a set of decisions about density, circulation, noise, power and budget that all affect each other. Get the order right and the furniture choice becomes easy. Get it wrong and you end up with stations that block aisles or panels that do not reach the floor boxes.
This guide walks through the planning sequence, compares benching and cubicles, and explains how the liquidation-grade, remanufactured and new tiers change the budget for the same layout.
Start with the floor, not the furniture
Before you pick a station style, gather four things:
- A dimensioned floor plan. Include columns, windows, doors, restrooms and the core. Columns are the most common reason a row of stations comes up one seat short.
- Power and data locations. Note floor boxes, wall outlets and any ceiling feeds. Panel systems and benching both need a path for power, and moving a floor box is expensive.
- Headcount today and in 18 months. Plan for growth now. Adding a station to the end of a run later is simple. Reworking a whole row is not.
- How each team works. Count who is on the phone all day, who needs file storage, who is hybrid and who collaborates at the desk.
Plan circulation before seats
Aisles are what make an open plan feel open. Lay them out first, then fill the remaining zones with stations.
- Primary aisles connect entries, exits, the kitchen and restrooms. Plan these at roughly 5 to 6 feet so two people can pass comfortably.
- Secondary aisles run between rows of stations. Plan at least 42 to 48 inches so a seated person can push back while someone walks behind them.
- Accessible routes must meet current ADA and local code requirements. Check with your building and your permit reviewer, since egress rules can override a layout you like.
Benching vs cubicles
Most open plans use one of these two families, or a mix of both. Here is how they compare.
| Factor | Benching | Cubicles (6'x6' panel stations) |
|---|---|---|
| Density | Highest. Seats share a spine and sit face to face. | Lower. Each station has its own footprint. |
| Privacy and acoustics | Minimal. Low screens at best. | Better. Panel height controls sightlines and some sound. |
| Storage | Usually a mobile pedestal or shared lockers. | Room for pedestals, lateral files and overheads. |
| Power | Runs through a shared beam or spine. | Runs through panel raceways. |
| Reconfiguration | Fast. Add or remove seats along the run. | Moderate. Panels and connectors must match. |
| Best for | Project teams, hybrid seating, collaboration. | Call-heavy roles, paperwork, focused work. |
A practical pattern: put benching near the windows and collaboration zones where people move around, and put panel stations deeper in the floor where focus work happens. Taller panels near the core also help block noise from kitchens and copy areas.
Panel height matters more than you think
Low panels around 47 inches keep sightlines open and let daylight travel. Mid-height panels around 53 inches give seated privacy while standing people can still see across the room. Tall panels feel closed and cut daylight, so save them for spots that truly need them. If you are mixing pre-owned stations, confirm panel heights and connector types match before you plan a shared run.
Budgeting the same layout three ways
The tier you choose changes the budget far more than the layout does. Office Station offers a 6'x6' workstation in three tiers:
| Tier | Typical lead time |
|---|---|
| Liquidation-grade | As little as 72 hours when in stock |
| Remanufactured | Usually 7 to 14 days |
| New | 4 to 6 weeks |
Liquidation-grade is the lowest-cost route, remanufactured sits in the middle, and new costs the most. Within a tier, station size, panel height, finishes, power and quantity move the price, and larger orders are quoted together with your quantity reflected in the written quote. Budget separately for the lines that sit outside the furniture:
- Installation: based on the number of stations, building access and the complexity of the layout.
- Delivery in Greater Phoenix: based on your address, building access and the size of the order.
- Delivery elsewhere: freight is quoted per project, nationwide.
- Electrical: hire a licensed electrician to connect panel or beam power to building circuits.
Every project is quoted individually. Request a free quote and free space plan.
Mixing tiers on one floor
You do not have to pick one tier for everyone. A common approach is liquidation-grade stations for a fast-growing team that needs seats this week, remanufactured stations for the main floor, and new pieces only where a specific finish or configuration is required. Keep finishes and panel heights consistent within a single run so the space still looks planned.
Open office layout checklist
- Dimensioned floor plan with columns and core marked
- Power and data locations confirmed with the building
- Primary and secondary aisle widths drawn before seats
- About 3 feet of chair clearance behind every work surface
- Teams zoned by work style: collaboration, calls, focus
- Panel heights and connector types matched within each run
- Storage counted per person, not guessed
- Tier chosen per zone based on budget and move-in date
- Electrical, delivery and installation budgeted separately
- Growth seats planned at the ends of runs
What pre-owned condition means
Pre-owned stations are graded A like new, B very good or C good. Office Station sells pre-owned designer furniture from manufacturers such as Herman Miller, Steelcase, Knoll, Haworth, Teknion, Allsteel, Kimball, AIS and Friant as an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer. Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture, so ask about condition and parts before you order. You can browse more options on the pre-owned office furniture page and pair stations with pre-owned office chairs.
Moving out of an old open plan?
If your new layout replaces an existing office, the old furniture may have resale value. Office Station walks it for free and recommends the best route: resale, a buy, donation or recycling, or a mix, case by case.
Frequently asked questions
How much space does an open office layout need per person?
Most open plans land somewhere between 100 and 150 usable square feet per person once you count aisles, collaboration areas and storage. Benching sits at the dense end of that range and 6'x6' cubicles at the roomier end. Your final number depends on how many meeting rooms and shared zones you carve out of the same floor.
Should I choose benching or cubicles?
Benching suits teams that collaborate constantly, move often and do not need much personal storage. Cubicles with panels suit roles that take calls, handle paperwork or need focus. Many offices mix both, with benching for project teams and panel stations for heads-down work.
What does a 6'x6' workstation cost at each tier?
Workstation pricing depends on grade (liquidation-grade, remanufactured or new), station size, panel height, finishes and quantity, so every project is quoted individually. Liquidation-grade is the lowest-cost tier and new costs the most. Electrical, delivery and professional installation are quoted as separate lines.
How fast can I get workstations installed?
Liquidation-grade stations can be ready in as little as 72 hours when they are in stock. Remanufactured stations usually take 7 to 14 days and new stations take 4 to 6 weeks. Installation is scheduled with your delivery once the order is confirmed.
Do you help with the floor plan?
Yes. Space planning is free. Send your floor plan, headcount and any notes on power locations and teams to hello@officestation.com and you will get a layout to review before you commit.
