Maintaining privacy and focus within the workplace can be difficult, especially in open-plan office spaces. Office Pods help to solve this problem by providing a quiet place for private calls, discussions, and meetings.
At FreeOfficeFinder, we’ve found that more companies are choosing to rent office space with pods. Clients tell us that office pods improve privacy, focus, productivity, and even wellbeing. This article provides an in-depth exploration of office pods, covering their costs, benefits, uses, and suitability for your business.
What Is an Office Pod?
An office pod is an enclosed, self-contained unit that provides a quiet, private space within a larger workspace. They are built with soundproof materials and include lighting, power access and proper ventilation.
There are different types of office pods, the most common being:
• Phone booths – Small, often single-person booths for private phone or video calls.
• Focus Pods – Suitable for focused work for one to two people.
• Meeting Pods – Typically fit a small group for team discussions and virtual meetings.
• Collaboration Booths – Larger spaces for group work, catch-ups, and collaborative sessions.
• Inclusive Pods – Designed with accessibility in mind, featuring wider doorways, sound and lighting controls, and adaptable furniture to accommodate diverse needs.
How Much Does an Office Pod Cost?
The price of an office pod depends on the size, features, and design quality. From our experience, costs typically range from:
• Single-person pods: Usually start around £3000 but can cost up to £6000 for higher quality spaces.
• Meeting pods: Generally priced from £8000 to £15,000 depending on capacity, features, and finish.
• Larger, bespoke pods: Ranging from around £15,000 to 20,000, often with smart technology, accessibility features, and premium finishes.
Office Pods in Serviced, Managed, and Traditional Office Spaces
In many cases, pods are installed by office providers, meaning the cost is included within the monthly rental fee. However, this varies according to the type of office space being rented:
• Serviced Offices: We’ve noticed that many serviced offices now include pods as part of the shared building facilities. These are maintained by the operator at no additional cost and are ready to use when a company moves in.
• Managed Offices: Managed office spaces typically offer more customisation options than serviced offices. This allows businesses to add pods that meet their specific business needs and brand identity. These spaces are managed by the provider, saving time and resources.
• Traditional Leased Offices: In traditional leased workspace, the tenant is responsible for purchasing and installing the pod themselves. This allows for complete control over design and layout but requires a larger upfront investment.
Key Benefits of Using Office Pods for Privacy
From our experience helping clients rent serviced offices in London and the UK, we’ve found these to be the most common benefits of using office pods:
• Creates a quiet space
Office pods are built with materials such as acoustic panels and soundproofing materials, designed to minimise and block any background noise.
This makes pods suitable for phone calls, private discussions, and video conferences, as users do not have to worry about external sounds or distractions.
• Provides privacy without isolation
We’ve noticed that natural light is one of the most sought-after features for businesses when renting office space. Pods provide a sense of separation and privacy without blocking light or creating a feeling of isolation from the main workspace.
Office pods are often designed with tinted finishes, adjustable blinds, or frosted glass panels, which offer privacy and help reduce visual distractions.
• Offers flexibility and adaptability
These pods can be easily moved and repurposed, providing greater flexibility than permanent meeting rooms. They create privacy when required, while also offering versatility for informal collaboration.
Office pods are one of the key ways to temporarily partition a workspace into dedicated areas or zones. This is particularly useful for organisations renting a serviced office space, where structural changes are typically not permitted.
• Ensures confidentiality
We’ve noticed that office pods tend to be valued by businesses that deal with sensitive information, such as those in law, finance, and HR.
Ensuring confidentiality is especially crucial in serviced offices where multiple tenants are sharing a floor. Pods provide a secure environment for data handling and private meetings with clients or employees.
• Improves focus and productivity
Offering a dedicated quiet place can help employees focus and work without interruption. Our clients regularly tell us that this improves productivity, task efficiency, and work quality.
• Supports wellbeing and comfort
Pods can also help to reduce stress by minimising distractions, which in turn improves employee wellbeing. They offer a peaceful space to concentrate and recharge, often equipped with ergonomic furniture and ventilation for added comfort.
Many pods also include smart technology such as voice-activated controls for adjusting light and sound. This supports accessibility and sensory needs, helping to create a more inclusive workspace.
Ways to Use Office Pods in Your Workspace
This adaptability and versatility make pods suitable for almost any office space. In our experience, businesses commonly use them to:
• Focus on Work – Pods limit noise and distractions, serving as a private workstation that allow employees to focus and work more efficiently.
• Hold Meetings – When holding meetings with teams or clients, many companies use pods to maintain confidentiality and privacy. Office pods also support hybrid teams by providing a quiet area for virtual meetings.
• Host Video Conferences – Pods offer a professional space ideal for hosting video conferences. They are also equipped with the necessary technology and soundproofing features, making setup simple.
• Encourage Group Collaboration – Larger pods allow room for small teams, making them suitable for brainstorming, casual collaboration and project sessions.
• Create Wellbeing and Quiet Spaces – We’ve found that many businesses repurpose pods and turn them into wellness or quiet rooms. These can be used for downtime, relaxation, meditation and reflection, supporting employee wellbeing.
• Support Diverse Needs – Pods can also be used to better accommodate for specific needs. For example, acting as rooms for prayer, nursing or as a comfortable place for those with sensory sensitivities.
Should Your Business Rent Workspace with an Office Pod?
Office pods tend to suit small to medium-sized businesses, including startups and growing companies working in open or shared workspaces. They are particularly useful for companies that rely on privacy and collaboration.
In our experience, we’ve found office pods are especially popular with those in the finance, tech, legal, recruitment and creative industries.
As hybrid and flexible working models remain popular, it’s essential for businesses to support smooth transitions between office and home working. Office pods are ideal for hosting virtual team calls or one-to-one catchups. This ensures employees stay connected and can contribute effectively, wherever they’re based.
Focus pods also work well within coworking offices, providing an enclosed space for private meetings without compromising the open, collaborative feel of a shared workspace.
With many companies choosing to rent office space within a shared building, maintaining a sense of privacy is crucial.
Office pods provide a versatile solution, creating quiet, enclosed areas without the need for structural changes. They make it easier for teams to balance focused work, collaboration and comfort, enhancing both productivity and employee wellbeing.
Whether you’re a small startup or an established organisation, our team of experts can help you to find a workspace with the right office pod setup to suit your needs.
