Office Privacy Screens: How to Choose for Desks, Teams and Meeting Areas

Office privacy screens give people a sense of their own space in an open-plan office. They block sightlines, cut distraction and, if you choose acoustic screens, absorb some of the noise around each desk. This guide compares the main types of privacy screen and helps you choose the right one for desks, teams and meeting areas.

Types of office privacy screen

Type	Where it goes	Best for
Desk privacy screens	Clamped to or standing on the desk	Facing desks, bench desks, call centres
Freestanding privacy screens	On the floor, on their own feet	Dividing teams, walkways and breakout areas
Mobile privacy screens	On castors	Training rooms and spaces that change often
Glazed privacy screens	Floor or desk, with a clear or frosted top	Privacy without losing light
Office pods and booths	Fully enclosed	Private calls and video meetings

Desk privacy screens

Desk screens are the quickest way to give each person a private workspace. They sit between facing desks and at the sides of bench desks. Around 400 to 500mm above the desk gives good privacy when seated while keeping the office feeling open. See our desk dividers and the desk divider sizes guide.

Freestanding privacy screens

Freestanding screens divide floor space without building work. 1200mm screens give privacy when seated. 1600 to 1800mm screens give privacy when standing and work well around meeting corners and quiet zones. Browse our office dividers and freestanding acoustic screens.

Privacy and noise: choose acoustic screens

Visual privacy is only half the problem. If people can still hear every call, they will still be distracted. Acoustic privacy screens have a sound-absorbing core under the fabric. Our Muffle 70 screens are 70mm thick, and their sound absorption was measured by Sound Research Laboratories in 2023.

Privacy without losing light

Glazed screens have a clear or frosted top section, so you keep privacy at desk height without darkening the room. See our glazed office dividers.

When screens are not enough

Screens give semi-private space but do not close it off. For confidential calls, interviews and video meetings, choose an enclosed office pod or phone booth.

How to choose

• Seated work only: desk screens or 1200mm freestanding screens.
• People standing to talk: 1600mm or taller.
• Noisy office or lots of calls: acoustic screens.
• Dark room or few windows: glazed screens.
• Confidential conversations: pods or booths.

Frequently asked questions

What is an office privacy screen?

An office privacy screen is a panel that separates desks or areas so people are not in each other's direct line of sight. It can sit on the desk or stand on the floor.

How tall should a desk privacy screen be?

Around 400 to 500mm above the desk suits most offices. Go to 600mm or more for call centres or focused work.

Do privacy screens reduce noise?

Acoustic privacy screens absorb speech and reduce noise between desks. Standard fabric or glazed screens give visual privacy but absorb little sound.

Can privacy screens be moved?

Yes. Desk screens can be unclamped and moved, and freestanding screens can be picked up and repositioned with no building work.

Not sure which privacy screens you need? Send us your floor plan and we will recommend a layout for free.