More companies are downsizing their office spaces to save money and create open work areas as employees become more mobile and less tied to their desks, The New York Times reported.

In the past three years, companies have vacated nearly 138 million square feet of office space nationwide, according to Reis, a real estate research firm. And as companies cut real-estate-related expenses, which are typically their second-largest expenditure after labor costs, many are redesigning the workplaces that remain.

Even some traditional banking and accounting firms are embracing open-plan office spaces and other changes, such as closing sections of floors to save on utilities and squeezing employees closer together.

Some have gotten rid of cubicles entirely.

“Companies that were dragging their feet changed their minds with the bottom line,” said Richard Kadzis, a spokesman with Atlanta-based CoreNet Global. “Now that we’re on the other side of the recession, companies are asking themselves, ‘How do we be smarter?’ Cost has driven traditional companies to free the reins.”

Since 1985, in all industries, the average amount of space per employee nationwide has dropped to 250 square feet from 400, according to Jones Lang LaSalle.

“The office status symbol seems not to be as important,” said Peter Misovich, a managing director for corporate solutions at Jones Lang LaSalle. “People are living for more flexibility in their lives.”