Every office has a tension between people who need quiet to concentrate and people who need to talk to get work done. Office privacy workstations solve one half of that. Team stations solve the other. The right plan uses both, and the main tool you have for tuning the balance is panel height.
This guide explains how panel heights change the way a station feels, the common layouts from private to open, and how to spend wisely across liquidation-grade, remanufactured and new tiers.
How panel height shapes privacy
Panel heights are usually described by what they block, not by an exact number, because heights vary by manufacturer and product line. Think in terms of sightlines for a seated and a standing person.
| Panel height | What it blocks | How it feels | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low, around desk height or just above | Clutter on the work surface | Open and bright, easy eye contact | Team stations, project groups, short-stay seating |
| Mid, about seated eye level | Seated sightlines to neighbors | Private while sitting, social when standing | Most general office roles |
| High, above standing eye level | Most standing sightlines | Enclosed, fewer visual distractions | Focus work, confidential calls, finance and HR |
Two practical notes. First, taller panels soften sound but do not stop it, so a loud team next to a quiet one still needs distance. Second, tall panels block light, so keep them away from windows when you can and run lower panels along the glass.
You can also mix heights within a single station. A common approach is a taller panel on the aisle side for privacy from foot traffic, with lower panels between teammates.
Layouts from most private to most open
Individual privacy workstations
Each person gets a fully enclosed L-shaped or U-shaped station with mid or high panels on all sides. This is the most private open-plan option, and it uses the most floor space and panel material per person.
Paired or back-to-back stations
Two stations share a spine panel. People face away from each other for focus but can turn around to talk. This is a good middle ground for pairs who work closely.
Clusters
Three to six stations are arranged around a shared center, often in a pinwheel. Mid-height panels between seats give some privacy while keeping the group connected.
Team stations and benching
Long shared work surfaces with low dividers or none at all. This uses the least space per person and makes collaboration effortless. It is the least private, so pair it with nearby phone rooms or quiet areas.
Balancing privacy and budget at each tier
Panel height affects cost because taller stations use more panel material. The tier you choose moves the price much more. Use the 6'x6' workstation, furniture only, as your benchmark.
- Liquidation-grade, $615. Can be in stock in as little as 72 hours. Configurations depend on what is available, so matching exact panel heights across a large area can take flexibility.
- Remanufactured, $1,245. Usually 7 to 14 days. Better for long runs where you want consistent panel heights and a refreshed, matched look.
- New, $1,920. 4 to 6 weeks. Full control over heights, finishes and layout.
All three exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation. A smart split for many offices is remanufactured privacy workstations for focus zones and liquidation-grade team stations for collaborative groups, since low-panel benching hides cosmetic wear less but costs less to begin with.
A sample mixed floor
Say you are seating 40 people: 16 in finance and support roles who need focus, and 24 in sales and project teams who talk all day.
- 16 remanufactured 6'x6' privacy workstations at $1,245 each: $19,920.
- 24 liquidation-grade 6'x6' stations configured with low panels: $14,760.
- Furniture subtotal: $34,680. At 40 stations, that qualifies for the 5% volume discount, bringing it to $32,946.
- Installation at $95 per workstation: $3,800.
- Greater Phoenix central delivery: $195. Outside Greater Phoenix, freight is quoted per project.
Electrical is not included and should be coordinated with your contractor. Actual configurations may change the numbers, so treat this as a planning sketch rather than a quote.
Planning checklist
- List each team and rate its need for focus versus conversation.
- Note confidential roles that need higher panels or enclosed offices.
- Mark windows, aisles, break areas and meeting rooms on your floor plan.
- Decide where power and data will run before choosing panel types.
- Pick a tier per zone based on budget and move-in date.
- Plan phone rooms or quiet areas near open team stations.
- Check whether a count of 20, 50 or 100 stations unlocks volume pricing.
If some roles need a door, not a panel, see private office furniture. For more on the tiers themselves, read how pre-owned office furniture is refurbished, or browse Phoenix-area options such as used cubicles in Scottsdale.
See used cubicles and workstations
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What panel height gives the most privacy?
Panels tall enough to block a seated person's sightline to neighbors give the most visual privacy, and full-height panels also block most standing sightlines. Taller panels also soften sound, but they do not make a station soundproof. They also cut daylight and make the floor feel more closed in, so use them where focus work matters most.
What is a team station?
A team station, sometimes called a benching or cluster layout, groups several work surfaces together with low or no dividers between them. It uses less floor space per person and makes quick conversation easy. It works best for teams that collaborate throughout the day.
Can I mix privacy workstations and team stations on one floor?
Yes, and most offices should. A common approach is to zone the floor, with higher-panel stations for focus-heavy roles and lower-panel team stations for collaborative groups. Free space planning from Office Station can help you map those zones.
How much does a privacy workstation cost?
As a benchmark, a 6'x6' workstation, furniture only, is $615 liquidation-grade, $1,245 remanufactured and $1,920 new at Office Station. Prices exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation. Panel height and add-ons change the final configuration, so build a quote for exact numbers.
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
