8 Tips For Great Office Furniture

By Author: Mel Joelle
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Finding the right look for an office can depend on the quality of office furniture chosen. In truth, office furniture is a significant factor that contributes to staff comfort and ultimate productivity. It also tends to be an important factor in the impression that the business makes on the customer. The following eight tips are intended to help business owners consider the pragmatic factors in furnishing an office as well as stylistic ways to improve their businesses' overall success around the office and within the marketplace.

1. Buy office furniture that makes sense for the business. Think about how the office functions: A bank that sees hundreds of account holders a day might have more open and accessible desk areas with functional, simple-designed furniture, while a trial attorney's office will be geared towards comfort and style to accommodate the smaller number of clients it serves. Workers' job requirements should be taken into consideration and applied to the concept of what is ideal for an office. If the job is on-the-go and involves less time at the desk, then comfort might not be as high up on the list of ...
... priorities as it would be for the office receptionist. In a paper mill, having leisure furniture that is more dirt-resistant and durable makes more sense than an Italian leather sofa.

2. That being said, make sure you have what you need for the office. Other than desks, chairs, and computers for staff members, don't forget bookshelves and filing cabinets. For a reception area, you might add an area rug and sideboard with a bowl of potpourri to give it a warm and welcoming feel.

3. An office layout should ensure that employees can work comfortably and have easy access to what they need to get through their day-to-day tasks. An intern should be able to get to the copy machine without having to squeeze behind the receptionist's desk. Also, furniture should be ergonomic: items should be within reach. An employee should be able to adjust the height of their chair so that they can comfortably view their monitor and use the keyboard.

4. Mind the size of office furniture. To facilitate a more serene working environment, furniture should be placed throughout the office without dominating the room or appearing out of place because it's too small. Also, use colors wisely by choosing them based on the type of environment of which the office wishes to promote. Bright colors, for example, might suit more creative jobs but could become a distraction for someone that needs to concentrate on crunching numbers or talking to clients on the phone.

5. In considering the style of the furniture, be sure to put yourself in the customers' shoes. What image is your furniture projecting? If it appears too hoity-toity, customers might be suspicious that your products or services are overpriced. By the same token, if it lacks style, your company may come off as lacking creativity and innovation, or that it's cheap.

6. A good idea is to think ahead about future office plans. If expansion becomes a reality, the office will have to accommodate working spaces for additional staff. You should consider whether the current office furniture can be suitably rearranged to provide room for new additions. If so, will the company be able to bear the cost of furniture that complements what's already in place?

7. Don't be fooled by a heavy price-tag- a higher priced piece of furniture may be more stylish, but it isn't necessarily as functional as the less expensive option. You may get what you pay for, but the amount of use, nature of use, and suitability should all be taken into consideration to prevent wasted capital.

8. If you get stuck, don't hesitate to seek advice from office furniture professionals. Upon evaluating your office space, they can show you how to squeeze every last square foot out of your office by recommending appropriate furniture and brands to help you with your layout.

Ultimately, when trying to pick out the right office furniture, think about what you want your business to accomplish and what type of office furniture will best accompany those goals. Factor in cost, style, and function to figure out how the furniture will be used, how it needs to look, and how much capital can be spent so that employees are productive and content with their workplace, and if customers are satisfied with giving you their business.

Since 1993, MAiSPACE has been the leader in the contract furniture industry, and has adhered to its business principles built on increasing the efficiency, lowering the costs, and broadening the choices available. With more than 250 full-time employees nationwide, and a North American installed base of more than $150 million, MAiSPACE combines global sourcing and supply chain management with a streamlined just-in-time manufacturing and distribution system to reduce costs across the board and ensure fast delivery. Worldwide, its office systems, vending machines, and electronics cabinetry businesses represent combined sales of more than $200 million.

MAiSPACE is a wholly owned subsidiary of ORG Co., Ltd., a consortium of 5 manufacturers.
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