The open space office has its perks. Collaboration feels natural, ideas bounce around easily, and teams feel more connected. But it comes with a cost.
Constant chatter, background noise, and even the occasional sniffles in an open office can make it nearly impossible to focus. Plus, harsh overhead lighting, fluctuating temperatures, and a lack of privacy add to the stress.
That’s why more organizations are adding office pods and office phone booths into their layouts.
Which one does your office actually need? Let’s break it down.
What is an Office Pod?
An office pod is essentially a room within a room. It’s a fully enclosed, sound-dampened, and modular workspace built for focus and comfort. Unlike permanent construction, pods can be delivered, installed, and reconfigured without tearing down walls.
Inside, you’ll often find ergonomic features, outlets, custom lighting, and ventilation. Some pods are designed for one person, and others act as meeting pods designed for groups of two, four, or more.
Pods work best in environments where employees need dedicated space and time for extended concentration, creative work, or small-group collaboration. With the right setup and modern office furnishings, a pod creates a space where employees can dig in and get real work done without distractions or discomfort.
What is an Office Phone Booth?
A phone booth for office use is a more compact solution. It’s designed for one person at a time, offering soundproofing and a simple interior—usually just enough space to stand or sit briefly with a laptop. The primary function is straightforward: give employees a quiet place to take phone calls or video meetings.
Companies often choose to buy telephone booth solutions when the main issue is call privacy. These phone booth office units are especially handy in busy, open environments where employees struggle to hold sensitive conversations without broadcasting them to the entire floor. They don’t take up much real estate, and installation is quick.
The Key Differences
Although they may look similar on the surface, pods and phone booths serve different purposes. Size is the most obvious distinction. A pod feels like stepping into a small office: there’s room to work, breathe, and even host others. A phone booth, on the other hand, is deliberately compact. It’s meant for short stays, not all-day work.
Functionality sets them apart as well. A work pod can be equipped with furniture, mounted shelves and screens, dry erase boards, and more, making it comfortable for longer tasks. A room phone booth is
much more minimal. It gives you enough privacy, tools, and comfort to handle a 30-minute or hour long client call or a virtual team check-in, but it isn’t the place you’d want to camp out all afternoon.
Privacy is strong in both options, but the type of privacy matters. Phone booths are excellent at shielding conversations, while pods block both sound and visual distractions, creating a bubble of focus.
When to Use Each Option
Picture a bustling office with constant calls happening at once. A few phone booths placed around the floor could be a lifesaver, letting employees duck in for quick calls without disturbing coworkers.
Now imagine that same office where employees also need heads-down project time or impromptu brainstorms that don’t fit in a crowded conference room. That’s where an office booth or larger meeting pod proves its worth. It gives employees not just quiet, but a full-fledged workspace.
In schools and higher education environments, pods offer flexible study or work areas where faculty and students can focus without the distractions of noisy classrooms, buildings, and libraries. Startups and creative agencies benefit from pods too, since they can move and scale them as the business grows. Phone booths still play a role (quick calls, private conversations), but pods become the backbone for deeper, more sustained work.
How to Decide
Choosing between pods and phone booths comes down to how your team works. If your biggest pain point is constant chatter during calls, then adding an office phone booth might be all you need.
If productivity struggles go beyond calls—long projects derailed by noise, employees feeling uninspired by dull office design, meetings that lack space, or the need for versatile areas that move with you—then investing in work pods or meeting pods will pay off quickly.
The truth is, pods can handle everything a phone office booth does and then some. When you buy modern office pod units, you’re getting call privacy plus the space, comfort, and flexibility to support different kinds of work.
YOURspace pods, in particular, are built to adapt. They’re customizable down to the finishes, colors, and layouts, so they look and feel like a natural part of your office.
YOURspace Pods: More Than a Phone Booth
Both options solve real problems in today’s workplaces. Phone booths keep calls private and cut down on distractions. Office pods go further, creating adaptable spaces for deep focus, collaboration, and long-term productivity.
The right choice depends on whether your office needs quick fixes for conversations or a long-term solution for the way your team actually works. With YOURspace, you can choose from quick-ship pods ready in just two to four weeks or go fully custom—designing a workspace tailored to your needs, even if that means creating a pod that functions more like a phone booth.
YOURspace pods deliver the privacy of a phone booth and the comfort of a true modern and ergonomic workspace, all in one.
Ready to upgrade your office? Let’s talk about how an investment in YOURspace pods can transform the way your team works.
FAQs
What is an office pod?
An office pod is a self-contained, sound-reducing workspace designed to provide privacy and focus within open office environments. They’re ideal for calls, meetings, and heads-down work without distractions.
What’s the difference between an office pod and an office phone booth?
An office phone booth is usually designed for one person to take calls in private, while larger office pods can accommodate multiple people for meetings, collaboration, or quiet work sessions.
What’s the main advantage of a phone booth?
It provides a private, soundproof space for short calls or quick video meetings in busy offices.
Why would I choose an office pod instead?
Pods create more than call privacy. They give employees comfortable, functional spaces for long work sessions, team collaboration, or meetings.
Do pods take up a lot of space?
Not necessarily. Pods come in a range of sizes, from single-person booths to larger meeting pods. They’re modular, so you can choose what fits your floorplan.
Are pods or booths movable?
Yes. Both options are modular and can move as your office layout changes. YOURspace pods are specifically designed to grow and shift with your needs.
Are office pods soundproof?
YOURspace pods are built with sound-dampening materials that significantly reduce noise. While not a 100% soundproof office pod, they provide excellent acoustic privacy for phone calls, video meetings, and focused work.
Can office pods be used as meeting pods?
Yes. Meeting pods are a type of office pod specifically designed for small groups. They allow teams to collaborate without needing a conference room.
Can YOURspace’s office booths be customized?
YOURspace pods are modular and customizable. You can choose size, layout, finishes, and even add integrations for special lighting, adjustable desks, whiteboards, and more.
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