Space Tactics: Balancing Openness and Privacy

Open plans are great until you’re trying to focus and someone’s loud-laughing three desks over. The trick is creating zones that feel open but give people their own bubble. Here’s how to pull it off without building a single wall.

1. Shape the Room with Soft Seating

Furniture is your secret weapon. Curved modular pieces, think our Ivy or Flo collections, can snake into semi-circles, cozy pods, or long S-shapes that naturally carve out mini hangouts. Benches and ottomans become pathways or quiet corners, no drywall required.

2. Quiet the Chaos

Noise travels like gossip. High-back seating, plush fabrics, and strategic panels help soak up sound. Sprinkle in plant walls or a few occasional tables, and you’ll tame echoes while keeping the vibe light and airy.

3. Use Visual Cues

Your eyes need clues. Mix seat heights, color pops, and textures to signal what’s what: low lounges for “come chat,” tall-back booths for “deep focus.” Even subtle shifts, like contrasting fabrics, tell people where to perch.

4. Keep It Flexible

Today’s brainstorm corner might need to be tomorrow’s chill zone. Modular seating and lightweight tables mean you can rearrange without breaking a sweat (or calling a contractor).

The takeaway: Openness and privacy aren’t rivals. With smart layouts, acoustic layers, and a little visual zoning, you can create spaces that feel connected and calm, exactly what a modern workplace or campus needs.