4 things to think about when buying office furniture
Buying new furniture for your office is a big responsibility to be tasked with. Not only does it have to look good, but the final decision you make contributes to and supports the comfort and well-being of your staff along with their productivity and output.
Don’t panic, though! Our quick read guide will help you every step of the way.
1. What’s your budget?
Price may not be everything, but it’s certainly one of the most important things to consider. Every penny that you spend on your office furniture is an investment in your staff, their productivity and your business, so it needs to be spent wisely. Before you make any purchases, you need to think about how much you can afford to spend. Here’s a few things to consider…
- Which do you want to spend more on? Chairs or desks?
- How many items do you need?
- Which is more important, aesthetics or functionality?
Determining your budget before you start looking will help you to figure out the choices available to you. Take it from us though, don’t cut corners when it comes to money. If your budget is small, try to go for as higher quality as possible but with fewer actual pieces.
2. Look at your space
It’s not enough to take a look at the space you have available. Of course, with decent office space you could fit in plenty of furniture, but that doesn’t really leave much room for your employees to move around.
Before you head to a showroom, take accurate measurements of the space available. Any designer worth their salt will use these measurements to create an accurate depiction of your office.
Being efficient and clever with your furniture arrangements can make your office look more spacious, which is what we all want, of course? But don’t forget all those little important things like plug sockets, natural light, doors, cupboards and bathrooms.
3. Will it be functional?
This step is especially important if you are running low on space. Choosing office furniture that can have multiple functionalities is perfect. Here’s a few things to think about…
- Can your desks have storage space for files?
- Do drawers have enough storage capacity?
- Think about both your tallest and shortest employees; is there room for legs to stretch?
If you’re not sure about some of these questions, take a couple of guinea pig employees along to the showroom to test out the different chairs and desks you have chosen. After all, these are the people who are going to be using the furniture on a daily basis, so it’s important they’re happy with them.
4. How does it look?
There’s a delicate balance to strike when it comes to aesthetics. While it makes sense to choose furniture that will make your office look better – as there’s plenty of evidence that suggests good office design releases stress and boosts productivity – it’s important not to choose furniture simply because it looks good. As long as it ticks all the functionality and efficiency boxes we’ve talked about above, it should also reflect the personality of your brand.
Spend some time looking into the psychology of colours. Blue can help encourage tranquility and calmness, whilst green and orange can give your office an energetic and creative vibe.
Next on your list should be material. Leather is a fantastic choice for a conference or boardroom; it’s stylish and conveys an atmosphere of importance. On the other hand, avoid leather for everyday work as your staff need some ventilation. For high-traffic areas like a break room or kitchen, opt for material that is tough and easy to clean.
We’ll be the first to admit that it’s not easy to choose new office furniture, and nor is it a decision to be made lightly. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun with it. Take your time and test everything a few times with some trusted employees. The final choices that you make will have a big impact on the overall environment of the office, the comfort of your staff and their productivity. But don’t be daunted by the prospect; as long as you enter the buying process armed with these four steps, we’re sure you’ll make a fantastic final decision.