Furniture has two roles to play, a functional role and an aesthetic role. The functional role consists of ensuring that the furniture you choose meets your storage and workspace needs, is of good quality and is comfortable and easy to use. Aesthetically the furniture also ideally needs to look and feel good.
Some offices replace their furniture completely at one time whereas others ‘fill the gaps’ as it were when a new piece is needed. A lot of this depends upon the age of the company.
10 Things to consider when buying office furniture.
1. Ensure your furniture fits! This may seem obvious but do include: walking around desks, opening cupboards/ filing cabinets fully and adhering to any areas that may need to be kept clear for fire regulations.
2. Ensure the furniture you choose is appropriate for your type of business and is not chosen for looks over comfort.
3. Remember to consider bookcases as these can be additional form of storage.
4. Ergonomic furniture is more comfortable and in line with health and safety guidelines for preventing work related aches and strains. This may be a good choice.
5. Wherever possible divide off the room so that different types of staff are working together.
6. Don’t be afraid to use colour if you feel it is appropriate
7. Try to choose designs and colours that will stand the test of time. High fashion pieces can date very quickly leading to them becoming disliked or changed often.
8. Think about the impression your office furniture has to give to clients as well as staff. A design agency will want to appear creative and vibrant, whilst a solicitor’s office will want to appear calming and welcoming.
9. Consider the versatility of the furniture you choose. Can it adapt as your company adapts?
10. Remember the purpose. Good office furniture is comfortable, gives the right impression and improves efficiency. Everything should be at hand and workstations have to reflect the needs of their user.
Follow these tips to ensure comfortable, durable furniture that gives the right impression as well as being able to promote an efficient working environment.