Do you have multiple offices? Do you share an office with others? Are you working in a cubicle farm and desperately searching for space to create more privacy? Whatever your office space constraints might be, it’s definitely time to get creative.
In this article, we will talk about creating a phone booth office, aka micro-office. We will explore why it’s important to have a separate workspace, as well as tips and tricks on how to do it without compromising your company culture or draining your resources. Let’s get started!
What is a phone booth office?
The term “phone booth” is used to refer to a small office space – typically with a door and maybe a window – that has been modified to allow employees to have privacy while still being able to collaborate. The phone booth office is very similar to a conference room, but has been modified to work as an office, usually with a door and a window. It’s a great way to create a separate workspace while not having to sacrifice your core office culture.
Why is it important to have a phone booth office?
The ability to have privacy while still being able to collaborate is a huge advantage for many people. It can help reduce conflict and improve productivity by allowing people to focus and be more creative without interruption. It also gives people a sense of freedom that they might not otherwise experience in an office setting. It’s not just about creating a separate workspace for employees though; it’s also about your company culture and creating a more positive environment. Having an office that’s just for specific purposes can help reduce confusion and confusion about who does what. It can also help reduce feelings of isolation because you aren’t cooped up in an open space all day.
How to create a phone booth office?
There are a few easy ways to create a phone booth office. The first is to remove partitions between offices. In some cases, this might be as simple as moving a filing cabinet and putting up some signs, but in most cases, it requires some planning and might require some expensive equipment at the door. The other option is to add a partition behind a door or even inside a closet. In most cases, this would require some heavy-duty drywall cutting, but in some cases, it could also be done with a hole saw or even a hammer and nail. You can also take advantage of spaces in buildings that are normally unused, like a stairwell, engineering deck, or conference room.
Strategies for creating a micro-office
Create a strategy – If you aren’t sure if a separate office space is right for you, it’s important to create a strategy. What are the benefits of it? What are the challenges?
Don’t go small – Micro offices aren’t just for startups anymore. Many large corporations have also realized the benefits of creating smaller, more focused workspaces.
Don’t go big – Of course, you don’t want to be in a small room, but you also don’t want to be in a 200-person auditorium either. Find the sweet spot that works best for you, your team, and your company culture.
Private space – The first thing you want to do when creating a micro-office space creates a private space. This might be inside a private office, in a conference room, or even in a stairwell.
Make sure technology is set up – You want to make sure that you have a private space, but you also want to make sure that technology is set up in the rest of the office. There is a big difference between having a space with privacy and having a space that’s private.
Have a space plan – Creating a micro-office doesn’t mean you can just throw anything in there. You have to create a space plan that fits your needs.
Keep it clutter-free – If you are going to create a micro-office, keep it clutter-free. This doesn’t mean you have to have a clean desk; it just means that you have to keep your desk as clutter-free as possible.
