The reality of the open-plan office

01 juni 2025

We all know the feeling: the constant hum of conversations, colleagues walking past, notifications popping up, and a brain that never seems to settle. If the office leaves you overstimulated, you are not the only one.

The open-plan office was originally designed to encourage collaboration, but in practice it often creates distraction instead. In this blog, we look at the psychology behind that effect, the so-called privacy paradox, and most importantly, what you can do to regain control.

What the open-plan office does to your brain

Before looking at solutions, it helps to understand the problem. What actually happens in your brain when you try to work in a busy shared space?

The privacy paradox

You might expect open spaces to lead to more communication, but the opposite often happens. When people feel they have too little privacy, they tend to withdraw. They put on headphones, communicate through chat, and avoid face-to-face interaction.

So even though the office is physically open, social connection may actually decrease.

Visual noise and the startle reflex

Noise is not only about sound. Visual distraction matters too. When people constantly move through your peripheral vision, your brain keeps monitoring that movement.

That low-level alertness consumes energy and makes it harder to stay focused. By the middle of the afternoon, many people already feel mentally drained.

Neurodiversity at work

This issue becomes even more important when you look at it through the lens of inclusion. For neurodivergent employees, such as people with ADHD, autism, or high sensitivity, sensory overload is not just irritating. It can be genuinely exhausting and disruptive.

A modern office cannot rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Workspaces need to support different kinds of brains.

From chaos to activity-based working

If the traditional open-plan office falls short, what is a better alternative? A stronger approach is activity-based working.

What activity-based working means

Many people confuse an open-plan office with activity-based working, but they are not the same. A standard open office is simply a large shared room with desks.

Activity-based working means creating different zones for different types of tasks. Think of quiet areas for deep work, enclosed booths for online meetings, and social spaces for collaboration.

The hybrid work reality

Hybrid work has changed what people need from the office. Many employees now do their focused work at home and come to the office mainly to connect, coordinate, and collaborate.

But when they do need to focus in the office, poor zoning becomes painfully obvious.

Why acoustics matter

Investing in acoustics is not a luxury. It is a practical intervention that supports concentration, well-being, and performance.

Acoustic panels, sound-absorbing materials, and smart spatial design can make a measurable difference in how people experience the workplace.

Five practical tips

Tip 1 | Create team agreements

Talk with your colleagues about office etiquette. For example, agree that Teams calls should not happen at regular desks. Shared rules create shared clarity.

Tip 2 | Protect deep work

Treat your calendar as something worth defending. If you need focus, book a quiet room or work in a low-stimulus area. Do not leave concentration to chance.

Tip 3 | Reduce visual distractions

If possible, choose a seat with your back to a wall or away from a busy walkway. That small change can reduce the constant trigger of movement in your field of vision.

Tip 4 | Communicate boundaries respectfully

It is perfectly acceptable to tell a colleague that you need an hour of uninterrupted focus. Clear boundaries support both productivity and mutual respect.

Tip 5 | Use hybrid work deliberately

Do not go to the office just because everyone else does. Choose your location based on the kind of work you need to do that day.

Regain your focus

The open-plan office is not necessarily a lost cause, but it does require conscious choices. When you understand how your brain responds to the environment and take ownership of your working conditions, you can turn a distracting space into one that supports your goals.

Start with one small experiment this week. Change your seat, book a quiet space, or make one team agreement. Small adjustments can have a big impact on your work rhythm.