# New Performance for the Private Office
While the shift toward open, collaborative workspaces continues to reshape modern offices, the private office isn't disappearing—it's evolving. For industries like legal, financial, and professional services, private offices remain essential for confidentiality and focused work. The question isn't whether we need them, but how we can make them work better.
## Three Forces Reshaping the Private Office
Steelcase's comprehensive research across multiple sectors reveals three major shifts influencing private office design:
**Economics** Rising real estate costs, particularly in urban markets, are forcing workplace planners to maximize every square foot. Private offices are shrinking and becoming more standardized, with organizations streamlining furniture options to simplify planning and reduce costs.
**Culture** Companies increasingly want their office design to reflect their values and desired culture. This means moving beyond traditional status symbols toward spaces that embody the organization's identity and support its mission.
**Generational Differences** Younger professionals prioritize work-life balance over traditional status markers. They're less interested in corner office prestige and more focused on spaces that support their wellbeing and diverse work styles.
## Reimagining the Private Office
Today's high-performance private office should deliver on three key areas:
### Optimized for Value Every square foot must work harder. This means smart space planning, standardized dimensions, and furniture solutions that maximize functionality without sacrificing comfort.
### Built for Adaptability As teams become more mobile and dynamic, private offices need flexibility. Modular elements and thoughtful design allow spaces to evolve with changing needs without major renovations.
### Designed for Wellbeing In our high-stress work environment, private offices should be retreats that support both productivity and mental health. This includes natural light, comfortable furnishings, and space for personal expression.
## Practical Design Guidelines
### For Decision Makers
**Standardize Strategically** Create consistent office dimensions and furniture packages to streamline planning and reduce costs. Consider shared offices for hybrid workers who aren't in the office daily.
**Think Modular** Invest in flexible furniture and systems that can be easily reconfigured as your organization grows and changes.
**Maximize Every Dimension** Use both horizontal and vertical space effectively. Wall-mounted storage, adjustable desks, and multi-functional furniture help small offices feel spacious.
### For End Users
**Layer Privacy Options** Combine spatial orientation, visual barriers, and acoustic materials to create appropriate privacy levels for different types of work.
**Support Multiple Work Modes** Design zones within the office that accommodate everything from deep focus work to small group collaboration, both in-person and virtual.
**Prioritize Wellbeing** Incorporate elements that support physical and mental health: adjustable furniture for movement, noise management solutions, space for personal items, and natural elements like plants or views.
## Lessons from the Legal Sector
Law firms offer valuable insights into private office evolution. Despite facing the same real estate pressures as other industries, they've found creative solutions:
- **Shared offices** are becoming common for attorneys who work remotely part of the week - **Status redefined**: Partners are willing to accept smaller offices if they get privacy and premium amenities like windows - **Paper persistence**: Despite digital advances, legal work still requires substantial physical storage solutions - **Collaboration privacy**: Offices must accommodate confidential meetings with multiple participants
## The Bottom Line
The private office isn't obsolete—it's being reinvented. By understanding how work is changing and designing spaces that support both organizational goals and individual wellbeing, we can create private offices that truly perform for today's dynamic workplace.
The key is balancing efficiency with humanity, standardization with flexibility, and privacy with collaboration. When done right, these evolved private offices become powerful tools for attracting talent, supporting productivity, and expressing organizational values.
