Open offices look great on paper—lots of light, no cubicles, open layout—but they don’t give people much privacy. It’s tough to take a call, meet with a client, or focus when you’re surrounded by noise and distractions. You don’t need to build new walls to fix it. Simple changes, like adding commercial privacy window film to glass rooms, can make a huge difference. Your team still gets that open feel, just with fewer interruptions.
Why open offices struggle with privacy
Open offices sound great in theory—no walls, more light, easier teamwork. But in real life, they often feel noisy, distracting, and a little too public. It’s hard to focus when people walk by your desk every five minutes or chat nearby during your Zoom call. And not everyone wants to brainstorm out loud with half the office listening. A study by Harvard Business Review found that open offices actually lead to 70% less face-to-face interaction, as people try to avoid interruptions. So instead of bringing teams together, they can make it harder to work.
Simple ways to create more privacy without closing the space
Open offices can look great, but they’re not always the easiest places to work. If you’re tired of people getting distracted, zoning out, or whispering through meetings, it might be time to make a few changes, without turning the space into a maze of walls.
Here are some simple, effective ways to add privacy without ruining the open feel:
- Rearrange desks so they don’t face high-traffic areas. Facing a wall or corner helps cut down on visual distractions.
- Add soft dividers like bookshelves, cabinets, or tall indoor plants. These break up big open areas and give people a little space.
- Improve sound control with rugs, acoustic panels, or soft seating. These help reduce echo and background noise.
- Use commercial privacy window film on glass offices or meeting rooms. It gives people a sense of privacy without making the space dark or closed off.
And there’s data to back it up. Future Workplace found that a lack of visual privacy is one of the top complaints in open office environments. These small updates don’t cost much, but they go a long way in making the space feel more comfortable and productive.
Why decorative film is more than just nice to look at
Decorative film isn’t just about looks—it helps define space and set the tone in your office. If you have glass walls or partitions, a frosted or patterned design can give people a little more privacy while still letting light through. For example, you could use frosted bands on a conference room to keep it from feeling like a fishbowl, or apply a textured design to separate a lounge area from workstations.
You can also use commercial decorative window film to show off your brand. Some businesses add their logo to entryway glass or match the film pattern to their company’s color scheme. It’s an easy way to make your office feel more professional without spending much. And if your layout or branding changes later, you can remove or replace the film without damaging the glass.
What to consider before making changes
Before you start shifting desks or adding window film, take a minute to look at how your team actually works. Some people need a quiet space to focus, while others are in and out of meetings all day. The best setup gives everyone what they need without making things complicated.
Here’s what to think about:
- Pay attention to how people use the space—don’t block the walkways everyone uses or cram quiet workers next to loud ones
- Look at what people see from their desks—no one likes feeling like they’re in a fishbowl
- Match your upgrades to your office style—if your space is sleek and modern, go with clean, simple film; if it’s more creative, patterns or texture might feel right
- Stick to changes you can undo—window film, movable dividers, and plants are easy to adjust if your layout shifts later
You don’t need to fix everything at once. Start small, see what works, and go from there.
Final thoughts: Keep the look, fix the problem
You don’t have to turn your office into a walled-off maze to get more privacy. A few simple updates can make a huge difference. Adding commercial privacy window film to meeting rooms or using decorative film to break up spaces helps your team focus and feel more comfortable without losing that open, airy vibe. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between keeping things open and giving people the privacy they need.