An open office collaborative layout is supposed to make it easy for people to talk, share and move. Done poorly, it becomes a noisy room full of desks where nobody can concentrate. The difference usually comes down to three decisions: which furniture system you use, how you cluster it, and where you put the spaces between clusters.
This guide covers all three, then shows what an open floor costs at each of Office Station's price tiers.
Benching vs. workstations
Most open plans are built from one of two systems, or a blend of both.
Benching
Benching runs a shared frame down a line, with people seated side by side and often facing another row. Dividers, if any, are low. It fits more people into less space and makes quick conversation effortless. The tradeoffs are less personal storage, less visual privacy and more noise travel.
Low-panel workstations
Workstations such as a 6'x6' layout give each person a defined footprint, panels that can be kept low for sightlines, and room for storage. They take more floor area per person, but they reduce distraction and give teams a sense of ownership over their space.
Hybrid plans
Many offices use workstations for roles that need focus and benching for teams that rotate, travel or collaborate constantly. Mixing systems in one plan works well as long as finishes and heights are coordinated.
| Factor | Benching | 6'x6' workstations |
|---|---|---|
| People per square foot | Higher | Lower |
| Spontaneous collaboration | Very easy | Easy with low panels |
| Acoustic and visual privacy | Limited | Moderate |
| Personal storage | Minimal | Built into the footprint |
| Best fit | Rotating or team-based roles | Assigned seating, focused work |
Four layout patterns that work
- Team pods. Clusters of four to eight stations grouped by department, with a shared table or whiteboard at the end of each pod. This is the most common collaborative pattern and the easiest to reconfigure.
- Spine and neighborhood. A main aisle runs through the floor, with team neighborhoods branching off. The spine carries traffic and noise so neighborhoods stay calmer.
- Perimeter focus, core collaboration. Workstations sit along windows for daylight and quiet, while meeting tables, lounge seating and huddle areas fill the interior.
- Buffered zones. Storage, planters or taller panels separate loud activity from quiet work. A lounge placed between two team areas can act as both a buffer and a shared hub. See our office lounge furniture page for seating ideas.
What an open floor costs per station
Office Station prices a 6'x6' workstation, furniture only, at three tiers. These prices exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation.
| Tier | Per station | 20 stations (before volume pricing) | Typical lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquidation-grade | $615 | $12,300 | As little as 72 hours, in stock |
| Remanufactured | $1,245 | $24,900 | Usually 7 to 14 days |
| New | $1,920 | $38,400 | 4 to 6 weeks |
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
Volume pricing reduces the station cost as the project grows: 5% at 20 or more stations, 8% at 50 or more, and 12% at 100 or more.
Other costs to budget
- Installation: $95 per workstation, $495 minimum.
- Delivery: $195 for central Greater Phoenix, $295 for the wider metro. Freight elsewhere in the country is quoted per project.
- Electrical: Not included. Plan for your electrician to handle powered panels, floor boxes or poke-throughs.
- Space planning: Free.
A worked example
Say you are building 40 remanufactured stations in central Phoenix. Furniture is 40 x $1,245, or $49,800. At 20 or more stations the 5% volume tier applies, which brings furniture to about $47,310. Installation adds 40 x $95, or $3,800, and central delivery adds $195. That puts the project near $51,305 before electrical. The same count at liquidation-grade would start at $24,600 in furniture before the volume discount.
Choosing a tier for each zone
You do not have to pick one tier for the whole floor. Many open plans mix them:
- Liquidation-grade for a fast opening, a temporary floor or a growing team that needs seats this week.
- Remanufactured for the main workforce, where you want a consistent, refreshed look at a mid-range price.
- New for areas where a specific finish or configuration is required and you can wait 4 to 6 weeks.
Open plan planning checklist
- Headcount today and expected growth over your lease term
- Assigned seating, hot desking or a mix
- Floor plan with column locations, windows and existing power
- Main aisle and emergency egress widths confirmed with your building
- Number of enclosed rooms for calls and private meetings
- Panel heights by zone, lower for teams and taller for focus areas
- Storage needs per person
- Delivery access, freight elevator and dock availability
If your team also needs enclosed offices, pair this plan with our private office furniture guide. If you are moving out of an old space to open a new one, Office Station also handles corporate relocation and liquidation of the furniture you leave behind.
Want a layout drawn for your floor? Email hello@officestation.com with your plan or measurements.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between benching and workstations?
Benching is a shared-frame run of work surfaces with people sitting side by side, usually with low or no dividers. Workstations, like 6'x6' cubicles, give each person a defined footprint with panels and often more storage. Benching packs more people per square foot, while workstations give more privacy and acoustic separation.
How much does a 6'x6' workstation cost?
Furniture-only pricing is $615 for liquidation-grade, $1,245 for remanufactured and $1,920 for new. Those prices exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation. Installation is $95 per workstation with a $495 minimum.
Do you offer volume pricing for large open plans?
Yes. Volume pricing is 5% at 20 or more stations, 8% at 50 or more, and 12% at 100 or more. Your written quote will show how it applies to your project.
How fast can I get stations for an open floor?
Liquidation-grade stations in stock can be ready in as little as 72 hours. Remanufactured usually takes 7 to 14 days, and new typically runs 4 to 6 weeks.
Do you help design the layout?
Yes, space planning is free. Share a floor plan or measurements and we will propose a layout with station counts, aisle widths and collaboration zones.
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
