Are Cubicles Making a Comeback?

Over the years, cubicles and office design trends have taken workers on quite the transformative journey—from the boxed-in 1980s to the wide-open floor plans of the 2010s. While exploring this layout evolution in more depth with “A Brief History of the Cubicle,” you learn about shifting work styles, employee preferences, and real-world disruptions that are now putting cubicles back in the spotlight.

Here’s what’s fueling the cubicle’s modern-day comeback—and what it could mean for your office environment.

The Changing Landscape of the Office

During the 1980s and 1990s, rows of cubicles dominated office layouts. Over the past two decades, however, the open office concept gained momentum—spearheaded by Silicon Valley tech giants like Google and Facebook. The shift was based on the belief that open layouts would promote teamwork, innovation, and a sense of community. Rather than isolating employees, these designs featured shared desks, brainstorming areas, and glass-walled meeting rooms. 

Open offices were initially embraced with open arms, but many workers began to miss something important: quiet, focus, and personal space. The constant noise and activity often became more distracting than helpful. And after the changes brought by hybrid work and new health concerns since the COVID-19 pandemic, companies have been rethinking how they design their workspaces.

So, with all these changes, the big question arises: Are cubicles making a comeback? More importantly, can the modern cubicle shed its old reputation and fit the needs of today’s dynamic, flexible workforce? The answer might be closer than you think. 

The Rise and Fall of the Open Office

When the open office trend took off in the early 21st century, it was billed as a productivity booster and culture-builder. The idea was that removing walls and barriers would encourage more communication, teamwork, and spontaneous collaboration, which in turn would lead to more innovation and a more connected workforce. But flaws became clear, fast. 

One of the most common issues is noise and distractions. Without physical barriers, coworker conversations, phone calls, and general office hubbub can make it difficult for employees to concentrate. In addition, the lack of privacy can be a concern, as employees have little control over their surroundings and are constantly exposed to other people’s conversations and activities. Over time, this combination of constant auditory and visual distractions and limited personal space can negatively affect mental well-being and reduce overall productivity. 

In fact, a major review of 15 studies found that open and shared office spaces tend to hurt employee well-being and performance compared to private offices. Workers in open layouts reported more stress, took more sick days, and felt less satisfied with their jobs—suggesting that these trendy layouts may make it harder for people to stay healthy, focused, and productive. Furthermore, various studies have concluded that constant exposure to noise and interruptions in the workplace can significantly impact mental health, leaving many workers feeling drained or anxious.

Why Cubicles Are Making a Comeback

One major driver of the cubicle comeback is the growing demand for focused, distraction-free environments. Cubicles offer a practical solution—creating a defined personal space that helps minimize noise, interruptions, and visual distractions, all of which are essential for deep work and productivity.

Another driving factor: 2020. The pandemic further accelerated this layout shift, bringing health and safety into sharper focus. In contrast to tightly packed open offices, cubicles naturally support social distancing and help reduce the spread of airborne particles by creating semi-enclosed spaces between workers. These precautionary physical barriers add a level of psychological comfort as well, giving employees more confidence in the safety of their work environment.

And there’s another layer to this: after spending months—or even years—working remotely in the privacy of home in response to the pandemic, many employees have grown used to having their own space. As they return to the office, they’re not eager to give that up. The demand for quieter, more focused work zones with a bit of personal breathing room is stronger than ever. 

Also, today’s cubicles are not the bulky, boring boxes of the past. Modern versions are sleeker, more stylish, and—crucially—modular. With reconfigurable panels, acoustic and tackable properties, window options, the ability to expand or downsize layouts, and more, modular cubicles offer the flexibility companies need to support in-person and hybrid work models.

Benefits of Modern Office Cubicles

Cubicles shouldn’t be seen as a “corporate cage,” but rather as a “collab-meets-comfort cove.” Let’s break down the perks of modern office cubicles: 

• Improved Acoustics: Sound-dampening materials, like those in Hush Panel™ Cubicles, reduce ambient noise with panels that have an NRC rating of up to 0.77—minimizing distractions in busy work environments.
• Enhanced Privacy: Taller panels, flexible layouts, and personal enclosures provide workers with space to think, take calls, and concentrate—without feeling completely cut off from the team.
• Refined Aesthetics: Cubicles now come in a wide range of finishes, fabrics, and colors to complement modern office interiors. 
• Ergonomic Integration: Many cubicles are designed to accommodate height-adjustable desks, monitor arms, and other ergonomic tools to support long-term comfort and reduce strain.

• Modular Flexibility: Modular cubicles with reconfigurable layouts let you customize your workspace for growing teams, shifting workflows, and more—all without costly renovations.

• Defined Personal Space: Cubicles provide employees with a consistent area to call their own, boosting morale and fostering a sense of ownership. Plus, tackable panels let them display family photos, kids’ artwork, and decorations.

• Support for Hybrid Work: With hybrid schedules, cubicles can be used to assign touchdown stations or rotating workspaces that still feel private and purposeful.

What This Trend Means for Your Business

As cubicles and modular workstations make a comeback, now is the time to reassess how your office supports your team. Here are practical ways to evaluate workspace needs and align layouts with employee preferences.

• Survey Your Team: Ask employees how they work best—do they prefer quiet, private areas for focus, or do they thrive in collaborative, social settings? Or incorporate both collaborative areas and quiet “focus zones,” using freestanding partitions to give people more choice in how they work.
• Observe Work Patterns: Take note of how people naturally move through and use the office. Are meeting rooms constantly full? Do people search for quiet corners to concentrate? Real behavior is often more telling than assumptions.
• Identify Job Roles: Accountants and analysts might need heads-down space, while marketing and design teams may benefit from more open, flexible zones.
• Consider Hybrid Schedules: If your team is in the office part-time, modular cubicles offer a great way to provide structure without committing to permanent walls—plus, they can be reconfigured as schedules or team sizes change.
• Think Long-Term ROI: Modular cubicles save costs over time—they’re durable, adaptable, and evolve with your business without major renovations, contractors, or permits.

The Cubicle’s Modern Revival

As the workplace continues to evolve, future-proofing your office with versatile solutions like cubicles is more important than ever. These adaptable workspaces offer the perfect balance of privacy, collaboration, and flexibility to meet the needs of today’s dynamic teams. That said, not every layout fits every office—cubicles may not be the ideal solution for your team or organization, and that’s okay.

If you’re unsure what setup makes the most sense, start your research by looking at Versare’s Cubicles & Workstations page, or get in touch with a sales expert. They are ready to help you create an environment that supports your people and aligns with your goals.