Office Cubicles: How to Plan Cubicle Workstations with Screens

Office cubicles give each person a semi-private workspace inside an open-plan office. In the UK they are usually built from freestanding screens linked together around one or more desks, rather than from fixed walls. This guide explains the main cubicle layouts, which screens to use, and how to plan the sizes.

What is an office cubicle?

An office cubicle is a workstation enclosed on two or three sides by screens. The screens block sightlines and absorb some of the noise from neighbouring desks, while keeping the room open, light and easy to change.

Cubicles built from freestanding screens need no building work. They can be taken apart and rearranged when teams change.

Common cubicle layouts

Layout	How it works	Best for
Single cubicle	Screens on three sides of one desk	Focused work, managers in open-plan offices
Back-to-back pair	A centre screen between two facing desks, plus side screens	Saving floor space
Cluster of four	A cross of screens dividing four desks	Teams who need some privacy but sit together
Row of cubicles	A long back screen with side screens between each desk	Call centres, sales teams
Desk-mounted cubicle	Desk screens on the front and sides of each desk	Light privacy without floor screens

Choosing screens for cubicles

Freestanding screens make the walls of the cubicle. They stand on the floor and link together with connectors. Our freestanding acoustic screens and office dividers are the usual choice.

Desk screens work for lighter cubicles that sit on the desk itself. See our desk dividers.

Acoustic or standard? If people make calls or the office is noisy, choose acoustic screens with a sound-absorbing core. Our Muffle 70 screens are 70mm thick and come in heights from 1200 to 2000mm.

What height should cubicle walls be?

• 1200mm: privacy when seated, with open views across the room when standing.
• 1500mm: more seated privacy and better sound control. A good all-round choice.
• 1800mm: privacy when standing and strong separation, suited to managers and call areas.

Taller screens absorb more speech, but they also block light. Many offices use a taller back screen and lower side screens.

How to plan a cubicle

1. Measure the desks. Side screens should be at least as deep as the desk. Back screens should match the desk width or the run of desks.
2. Leave a way in. Keep at least one side open, wide enough for a chair to move in and out.
3. Count the joins. Each place two screens meet needs a screen connector. Corners and T-junctions need connectors made for those angles.
4. Check walkways and fire exits. Do not block escape routes or emergency signs.
5. Think about cables. Plan where power and data will reach each desk before fixing the layout.

Our office screen sizes guide has standard heights and widths, and our office partitions page shows how linked screens build longer walls.

Cubicles, pods or booths?

Cubicles give each person a semi-private desk. They do not close a space off. For private calls and video meetings, a fully enclosed office pod or phone booth works better. Many offices use both: cubicles for everyday desk work and a booth for calls.

Frequently asked questions

What are office cubicle walls made of?

Most cubicle walls are freestanding fabric or acoustic screens on feet, joined with connectors. Some use glazed panels at the top to let light through.

Do office cubicles reduce noise?

Acoustic cubicle screens absorb speech and cut noise between neighbouring desks. They do not seal a space like a room or pod.

How tall should office cubicle walls be?

1200 to 1500mm suits most offices. Choose 1800mm for privacy when standing.

Can cubicles be moved later?

Yes. Freestanding cubicle screens can be unlinked and rearranged without any building work.

Do you make cubicle screens in my brand colours?

Yes. Our Muffle screens come in 100 Classic Melton wool shades, and we offer bespoke dyeing for exact brand matching.

Planning cubicles for your office? Send us your floor plan and we will design the layout for free.