Cluster Desks: The Smart Office Layout Solution for Modern Workspaces

When you think about your current office space, does the word “efficient” come to mind? Or are you stuck with outdated desk arrangements that make your team feel cramped and disconnected?

Look, we’ve all been there, staring at an office layout that seems designed by someone who clearly never had to work in one. At Office Group, we believe your workspace should inspire productivity, not test your patience. Our cluster desks offer solutions for any business looking to create an aesthetic office layout that utilises the entire office space, which can aid in strengthening teamwork.

What Are Cluster Desks and Why Do They Matter?

Popular in the early 2000s, the cluster desk layout has experienced a comeback in recent years as businesses look to create a softer and more inviting workplace. This resurgence reflects what modern teams need when creating an office environment that supports both productivity and collaboration.

Cluster desks enable multiple employees to work from a single workstation, featuring multiple desk spaces that are ideal for offices and call centres. More traditional workspaces feature layouts with individual offices and workstations that often feel isolated. Office Group’s cluster desks bring teams together in strategically arranged groupings that encourage collaboration, while allowing employees to still have their own personal boundaries.

Strategic Office Layout Planning

Your office layout plays a big role in the success of your business. A well-thought-out office design can be a big morale and productivity boost for your employees.

Perhaps your employees waste less time navigating awkward office floor plans, searching for resources scattered across different areas? Would solving this help them naturally become more productive? That’s the beauty of space savers like cluster desks, they put everything within reach while creating distinct zones for focused work.

Space Efficiency That Makes Sense

Cluster desks manage workspaces without much room. They reduce the need for individual desks and significantly cut down on furniture and maintenance costs.

Space efficiency advantages include:

• Optimal space utilisation: Maximise every square foot of your available floor space while maintaining comfortable working distances
• Shared resources: Power outlets and equipment can be centralised, reducing redundancy
• Flexible arrangements: Strategic positioning that eliminates wasted corner spaces and awkward gaps between furniture
• Cost-effective solutions: Lower furniture acquisition and maintenance costs compared to individual workstations.

Supporting Returning Employees

The pandemic occurred almost half a decade ago, and most employees have either settled back into or are slowly returning to offices that look and feel different from what they remembered.

For employees who have grown accustomed to the flexibility of home office layouts, team clustering can be quite beneficial if you’ve got a lot of team-based work at your company.

Effective Workspace Design

Research confirms what many business owners intuitively understand: workspace design directly impacts employee satisfaction and productivity. A well-lit workspace can help reduce eye strain, and studies have proven that exposure to daylight improves mood and energy levels, improving productivity.

These findings are naturally supported by cluster desks, which position employees in configurations that maximise natural light access and boost the overall mood of your working environment.

Creating A Dynamic Environment

Cluster arrangements are less formal and have a more creative feel than linear rows. Clusters can come in various forms, including 120-degree desking, cross/perpendicular set-ups, or minor desk offsets.

Popular cluster desk configurations include:

• Square clusters: Groups of four desks arranged in a square formation, perfect for project-based teams
• L-shaped arrangements: Create natural work boundaries through strategic positioning
• Cross formations: Excellent for departments that require frequent communication

Balancing Collaboration and Privacy

One concern many business owners have about open plan layouts is the potential for distractions. Cluster desks address this by creating what experts call “controlled collaboration zones.” Classic and practical, the cubicle-style cluster workstation provides each employee with their own designated space. It is characterised by partial or full partitions between desks, promoting concentration while creating a quiet environment and reducing distractions.

This design approach gives you the best of both worlds: employees can collaborate easily when needed, but they also have quiet zones and personal space for focused work. The key is finding the right balance for your specific business needs.

Planning Your Cluster Desk Installation

Before implementing cluster desks in your office, consider these essential factors:

Space Requirements: The Square Clusters Open Office layout has a typical cluster length of 2.29 m and cluster depth of 2.29 m. Common layouts include between 8-36 desks within an overall floor area between 62-219m².

Traffic Flow: Ensure adequate pathways between clusters. Clear passages between rows of desks and dynamic chair movement should maintain a width of 61 to 91 cm, with the overall distance between desks ranging between 198-244 cm.

Technology Integration: Plan for power and data requirements that support multiple workstations efficiently.

Open Plan Office Layouts are the Future

The evolution from traditional office layout designs to modern cluster desk arrangements reflects changing workplace priorities and the recognition that employee satisfaction directly impacts business success. Traditional office setups often featured private offices for managers and rigid row arrangements for staff, but today’s approach focuses on creating shared space efficiency.

Modern cluster desk designs incorporate technology integration and aesthetic appeal that earlier versions lacked. Our stylish solutions provide the tools and functionality to support various types of activities within a single, cohesive office floor plan.

Adaptable Solutions for Changing Needs

Cluster workstations allow for rearrangements and modifications as per evolving business needs. They offer a high degree of flexibility.

This flexibility is crucial for growing businesses. As your team expands or projects evolve, your office layout can adapt without requiring a complete renovation.

Choosing Your Office Layout 

The decision between cluster desks and traditional office layouts will depend on your specific business requirements.

Team Structure: Do your employees work on collaborative projects or primarily individual tasks?

Space Constraints: How much office space do you have available, and do you need to maximise efficiency?

Company Culture: Does your business value open communication and teamwork?

Growth Plans: Are you planning to expand your team in the coming years?

Budget Considerations: What are your budget constraints for furniture acquisition and maintenance?

Quality and Ergonomics: The Office Group Advantage

Selecting the right office furniture is about creating an environment that meets the needs of all your employees. If we had to list all the reasons why you should consider Office Group, we would be here all day.

So here are a few ;) :

• Modern design that enhances any office aesthetic
• Investment in your team’s daily comfort
• Scalable solutions that adapt to business growth
• Backed by our quality guarantee

We prioritise ergonomic design features, and quality construction has proven its worth. Our range is designed to fit your space and budget with a simple four-person cluster for a small team or a larger configuration for multiple departments.

Rethink Your Office Layout with Office Group

Your employees deserve a well-designed environment that supports their best work. Make cluster desks the foundation of your office transformation and watch as your work environment reaches new heights.

Explore how cluster desks can upgrade your office layout. Contact Office Group today to discover our complete range of office solutions.