Modern workplaces thrive on collaboration, but the open office layout has created new challenges. Constant noise, limited privacy, and a lack of focused workspaces often leave employees searching for somewhere quiet to think or take a call. Office booths—or privacy pods—have quickly become the solution, but one of the most common questions businesses face is: how many booths do we actually need?
Investing in too few booths can cause scheduling conflicts and frustration. Investing in too many can feel like wasted space or budget. Striking the right balance requires considering your office size, employee needs, and company culture. Let’s walk through the factors that determine the ideal number of booths, with examples from Zenbooth’s range of soundproof pods.
Start with Office Size and Layout
The physical size of your office is the first factor to review. Larger offices naturally require more booths, both to match the number of employees and to spread them evenly across the floor plan.
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Small offices (up to 30 employees): Often one or two booths are sufficient. A single Solo booth can provide a quiet spot for phone calls, while a Duo booth may be useful for quick one-on-one meetings.
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Medium offices (30–100 employees): At this size, three to five booths are typically needed. Position them in different areas of the office so employees don’t need to walk across the entire space to find one.
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Large offices (100+ employees): Larger teams benefit from six or more booths, with a mix of sizes—such as Solo, Duo, and Quad models—to accommodate different use cases.
It’s also important to consider layout. A single booth tucked in a corner may not serve an entire floor. Distributing them evenly ensures accessibility and maximizes usage.
Evaluate Your Team’s Daily Needs
The number of booths required also depends on how your employees work. Every office has different demands, and analyzing daily activities will give you a clearer picture.
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Call-heavy teams: If your sales, customer service, or support staff spend hours on the phone, more booths are necessary to prevent conflicts. Zenbooth’s Solo pods provide private spaces for uninterrupted calls.
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Collaborative teams: Design, marketing, or project management departments may need pods for brainstorming or small team huddles. A Duo or Quad booth makes these sessions productive without disturbing others.
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Confidential work: HR professionals, executives, or finance staff often require booths for sensitive conversations. Having a dedicated pod for confidential discussions can be invaluable.
A useful rule of thumb is to plan for at least one booth for every 8–12 employees in call-heavy or collaborative environments, and one booth for every 15–20 employees in quieter workplaces.
Consider Company Culture
Culture plays a significant role in determining how many booths you’ll need. Companies that emphasize transparency and collaboration may not require as many booths, while organizations that value deep work or deal with sensitive data will need more.
For example:
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Tech startups with open-plan offices often provide multiple booths so engineers and developers can get into a flow state.
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Creative agencies may install a mix of booths to give designers and writers private focus time while keeping larger collaboration spaces open.
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Healthcare organizations or nonprofits that handle confidential client information often require booths specifically for privacy and compliance.
Zenbooth serves all these industries by offering flexible booth options that scale with both company culture and operational needs.
Plan for Growth and Future Needs
A booth strategy should account not only for today but also for tomorrow. Offices grow, team structures change, and hybrid work shifts demand over time. Investing in booths that scale with your business is smarter than reacting later.
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Start with a core set of booths that handle current demand.
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Add more as needed when hiring increases or space becomes tighter.
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Choose versatile models like the Duo that can handle both individual and small-group needs.
Zenbooth supports growth with fast production, quick delivery, and easy installation, making it simple to add more units as your office expands.
Mix Booth Sizes for Flexibility
The right number of booths also depends on offering the right mix of sizes. Not every task requires the same setup.
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Solo booths: Best for individuals who need quiet time for calls, focus work, or video meetings.
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Duo booths: Ideal for two-person meetings, interviews, or collaborative brainstorming sessions.
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Quad booths: Perfect for small teams who need private space for strategy sessions or client presentations.
By combining different sizes, you ensure that employees always have the right space for their specific task. Zenbooth’s lineup makes it easy to build a balanced mix.
Real-World Example
Imagine a 75-person marketing agency with a mix of sales reps, designers, and account managers. Here’s a practical booth plan:
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2 Solo booths for frequent client calls and private work.
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2 Duo booths for collaborative check-ins and interviews.
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1 Quad booth for team brainstorming sessions or small presentations.
That’s five booths total—one for roughly every 15 employees—ensuring coverage without overspending on unused pods.
Additional Considerations
Beyond size, culture, and team needs, there are smaller details to keep in mind:
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Booking systems: If demand is high, consider software to schedule booth usage fairly.
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Accessibility: Place booths in convenient, visible locations rather than out-of-the-way corners.
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Sustainability goals: Zenbooth’s booths are built with renewable wood and eco-friendly materials, and the company plants a tree for every booth sold—helping organizations meet green initiatives while improving the workplace.
Final Thoughts
The number of office booths your workplace needs depends on a balance of space, team requirements, company culture, and growth plans. A small office may thrive with one or two booths, while larger organizations often benefit from five or more, with a mix of sizes for different uses.
Zenbooth makes it easy to scale, offering Solo, Duo, and Quad models that combine acoustic privacy, ventilation, natural light, and ergonomic flexibility. By thoughtfully assessing your needs and planning ahead, you can provide the right number of booths to keep employees comfortable, productive, and engaged.