Things to consider when buying office furniture
Selecting the right furniture for your workplace is a decision that you should make after careful consideration. The right environment will boost your employees’ productivity and keep them comfortable and happy; the converse is also true! So what factors should you consider when evaluating what to buy? We’ve come up with a list to help you make the decision:
1. Longevity
When investing in office furniture, you would ideally consider it as a one-time capital cost for your business. Thus, arises the need to ensure that the furniture is made using high-quality materials so that it lasts a long time. If your budget is on the lower side, consider buying a smaller volume of furniture to begin with instead of investing in cheap, short-term alternatives as doing so will actually increase your outlay on furniture in the long run. Also, your employees might not be at their best in working at poorly designed and unergonomic furniture. Long-term health issues arising from poor posture aside, the lack of comfort would in itself lead to a loss in productivity.
2. Employees’ Comfort
Choosing an ergonomic chair is an absolute must for employees’ comfort.
But what exactly is an ergonomic chair?
Defined as the science of fitting a workplace to the user’s needs, ergonomics aims to increase efficiency and productivity and reduce discomfort.
Think about the angle of your computer monitor, or the height of your desk. Think about whether your eyes are strained by the end of the day or if your wrists hurt from typing. A sound understanding of ergonomics can prevent most workplace injuries by adjusting tools to the user. Ergonomics puts an emphasis on proper posture to reduce the impact of repetitive movements.
The use of computers and rapidly changing technology in the modern workplace has greatly increased the need for ergonomics. Desks, chairs, monitors, keyboards and lighting all need to be assessed when creating a workspace, whether it is at the office or at home.
Ergonomics also takes into account the need for movement throughout the day. Office furniture has traditionally encouraged stiff, fixed postures and little movement. However, a balance between sitting and standing, which can be aided with a height-adjustable desk is a proven way to combat the effects of sedentary workplace behavior.
Do look at whether your chairs offer features like lumbar support, an adequate backrest, armrests, flip flops, padded seats, castor wheels, etc. If your employees like a cafe type of office environment, then you can go for large tables which would enable easy interaction. If your office has sufficient space with limited need for interaction, you can try out formal cubicles.
While getting an office desk or chair, note down whether there are extra facilities like storage for placing your files, drawers for easy access, whether your employees will be able to stretch their hands and legs for comfort, etc.
It’s best to sit in the various available chair models yourself and see which one is the most ergonomic for your specific work environment.
3. Know your dimensions
Before going to the showroom for purchasing office furniture, you must measure your office space. Having this knowledge is the key to deciding how much furniture you require and where to place it. Ensure that there is plenty of space for you and your staff to move around after everything is installed. Look at the features of the furniture you want to buy and see if they offer additional storage, shelving, etc.
Before buying furniture for your office, walk through the rooms and visualize the layouts. Where are the phone jacks and electrical outlets? Where are the best places for desks? Is there enough light or do you need to add lamps? Where are the doors of the room and are there closets or restroom doors to consider?
4. What material should you use?
The type of material will depend on its use. For example, if you’re looking for chairs for the executive conference room, leather is usually a stylish choice. But if you’re looking for a desk chair for everyday work, mesh is a good option since it provides ventilation for the user. For furniture in high-traffic areas, like your lobby or break room, consider something durable and easy to clean.
5. Aesthetic Office Design
Your office should reflect your brand. Choose the right color scheme and lighting to go with your furniture so that the overall look absolutely wows any visitor. Having a professionally designed workspace would also keep workplace morale high and improve productivity.
For example, if people spend some time in the office but mostly work outside, perhaps there’s no need for multiple desks if a worktable might suffice. Are cubicles necessary, or can you function with an open-office layout? Is shelving and storage really necessary, or are most of your company’s records digitized and stored online?
6. Look for The Warranty & Guarantee
If you buy office furniture online, then always check their terms of conditions in detail. Find out about what happens if your products are damaged during shipping, what type of after sales services are offered, whether the company offers any assistance in installation, and what your recourse is if the products are not delivered in time.
Always do your research on the online vendor by reading reviews. If you decide to buy from a furniture showroom or the manufacturer directly, ensure you know about their warranty and after sales services. What is their policy regarding damaged or defective pieces?
As mentioned at the start of the article, buying furniture for your workplace is a long-term investment, so don’t compromise on quality. A healthy and happy workplace is the key to any successful business and we wish you the best of luck!
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