Sick Of Your Roommates? Panasonic Has a Cubicle Designed for WFH
There was a time when many people commuted into a workplace filled with rows and rows of soul-sucking cubicles. But with so many of us now working from home—alongside so many distractions—you might suddenly find yourself missing those little islands of semi-privacy.
Panasonic hopes to bring a piece of that former cubicle life to the new normal with its latest offering: The Komoru. The self-assembly cubicle, whose name translates to “seclude oneself,” provides 10.8 square feet of isolation and can fit inside even the most space-starved apartments. The product is launching in Japan, but its design can serve as inspiration for carving out your own DIY space from wherever you call home.
Its desk and panels are simple but versatile. Reaching about four feet tall, the walls are high enough to block out visual distractions once you sit down. They can also be configured on either side to suit your room’s layout, even forming a mini corner office if you position it right. Assembly is easy, too. The company says that a special wrench that comes with the kit is the only tool needed to put it together.
Aside from serving as a divider, the cubicle can also exist as a decorative piece. It has a dark minimalist design that can blend well in your living room, and it features wooden pegboards that can display notes, photos, succulents, and whatever else you have.
According to Panasonic, the company designed the Komoru after conducting a survey that revealed 70 percent of respondents prefer working from home, but that half of them don’t have a proper work area.
The Komoru will be available in Japan in September for 88,000 yen (about $835), but we wouldn’t be surprised if it hit the U.S. market very soon. In the meantime, feel free to take inspo from the Komoru and apply a similar design in your own home (hello, screens).