DIY and creative solutions for a coworking phone booth

Coworks is lucky to have customers that are multi-locations with tens of thousands of square feet. But we also serve smaller, creative spaces that might not have the budget or the square footage for ready-made, high-end coworking phone booths. 

This is for them.

The good news? There are creative and cost-effective ways to design your own coworking phone booths that offer the same privacy and sound control — without costing a fortune.

Whether you're a coworking space owner looking to offer more private areas or you're interested in some DIY inspiration, you can invest in personality over professionalism and still serve your members.

The vintage phone booth

Sometimes the perfect solution is hiding in plain sight. While hardly DIY and often pricey, vintage phone booths can be found on eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. As long as you’re ready to use some elbow grease, these can be real statement pieces for your space.

Similarly, repurposing existing furniture into a phone booth is more than possible with the right vision.

Budget estimate: $100–$3000, depending on the booth, the furniture and soundproofing materials.

Pro tip: Make sure to install proper ventilation by adding a small, quiet fan or leaving a gap at the top or bottom for airflow. Paint or stain the exterior to match your space’s aesthetic, and you’ve got a booth that’s as stylish as it is practical.

Basic curtain dividers are a soft and simple solution

If you need a quick, flexible solution, curtain dividers are a fantastic, low-cost option. While they won’t provide complete soundproofing, they will offer a visual and psychological separation that can help members feel like they’re in a private space.

Create a DIY phone booth by sectioning off small areas with heavy, sound-absorbing curtains. You can install these curtains around a small corner or even around a standing desk. The thicker the fabric, the more noise it will absorb. Add a few cozy elements like a chair, a small shelf for a laptop, and a table lamp to make the space inviting.

Budget estimate: $50–$150, depending on the quality of the curtains and the hardware for installation.

Pro tip: Use theater-style velvet curtains for better sound absorption. If you want to enhance privacy even further, combine the curtains with an upholstered panel on the back wall.

Go industrial chic with a pallet wood booth

For coworking spaces that lean into an industrial or rustic vibe, a pallet wood phone booth could be the perfect fit. Pallet wood is inexpensive and easy to find, and it can be used to construct a booth that’s both functional and visually interesting.

Gather some wooden pallets and construct a three-sided frame with a roof. The wood slats can create a semi-open design, giving it an airy feel while still offering a sense of privacy. Line the inside with foam or felt panels to dampen sound. You can leave the front open or hang a curtain to close off the space when in use.

Budget estimate: $100–$200, depending on where you source the pallets and additional materials like soundproofing foam.

Pro tip: Sand the pallet wood thoroughly to avoid splinters and give it a nice finish. You can paint or stain the wood to match your space’s aesthetic. Add a small desk and chair inside, and you have a rustic, industrial phone booth on a budget.

Put together a portable solution with PVC pipe and canvas

Need something lightweight and mobile? A PVC pipe booth could be just what you’re looking for. This option is perfect if your space is frequently reconfigured, or if you need booths that can be easily moved.

Create a booth by building a frame out of PVC pipes and draping thick canvas or sound-absorbing fabric over it. This booth is ultra-lightweight, so you can move it around your space as needed. You can customize the size and shape based on how much privacy you need, and it’s easy to disassemble if you ever want to store it.

Budget estimate: $50–$100, depending on the size and quality of materials.

Pro tip: Use heavy-duty PVC pipes to ensure stability and choose thick canvas or wool blankets for better sound absorption. You can even add some creative designs or colors to the fabric to match your coworking space’s branding.

A DIY PVC booth demonstrates how simple materials can be transformed into a portable, flexible privacy solution.

Use nature as a divider with plant-filled privacy 

For spaces that emphasize biophilic design or simply want to add more greenery, plants can serve as a natural divider, creating pockets of privacy while bringing the outdoors in. While this option won’t offer complete soundproofing, it creates a softer, more open environment that still gives members a sense of separation.

Set up a divider using large potted plants or install a vertical garden to create a living wall around a small booth area. This creates a private, natural space that’s perfect for short calls or focused work. Incorporate sound-absorbing panels behind the plants for extra soundproofing. The greenery not only serves as a visual barrier but also improves air quality and adds a calming vibe to your space.

Budget estimate: $100–$300, depending on the type and number of plants used.

Pro tip: Use plants with large, dense leaves like fiddle-leaf figs, snake plants, or peace lilies, which will help absorb some sound and create a fuller visual barrier.

Create bookshelf phone corner

Bookshelves aren’t just for storage; they can also act as a simple yet effective divider in coworking spaces. A strategically placed bookshelf can create a cozy booth area with the added bonus of storage space for books, plants, or décor.

Place a tall, wide bookshelf parallel to a wall to create an instantly more private rea. You can add cushions and soundproofing materials to the walls, or even hang curtains on either side of the bookshelf for added privacy. It’s an easy way to create a functional phone booth that also enhances your space’s design.

Budget estimate: $150–$400, depending on the bookshelf’s size and materials.

Pro tip: Use an open-back bookshelf for a semi-private, airy feel, or opt for a solid back to create more of an enclosed phone booth effect.

While pre-made phone booths offer a sleek, professional look, building your own DIY coworking phone booth can be a more budget-friendly, creative alternative. By using readily available materials like curtains, pallets, or plants, you can create flexible, private spaces that still align with the open, collaborative nature of coworking.

These “home” made solutions not only save money but also add a personal, unique touch to your space, making it stand out from the rest. Unless you fund hte budget and the branding work for a more professional phone booth or office pod.

Plus, the satisfaction of building something yourself — whether it’s from scratch or by repurposing old furniture — gives you a chance to craft a solution that perfectly meets the needs of your members.

So, whether you go for repurposed furniture, natural dividers, or a quick curtain fix, there’s a creative solution that can make your coworking space more private, functional, and inviting.