Buying a new set of office furniture is an expensive investment. You may spend tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the number of furniture pieces and the quality of each piece.
For this reason, you must think carefully before you go shopping. Otherwise, you may live to regret that moment. For instance, you must not be carried away by the latest fad. Similarly, you cannot fall into the trap of copying your competitors.
Instead, you need to think about you, your employees, and your customers’ needs to create an office setting that promotes maximum comfort and business outcomes. So, the following are six office furniture tips to consider.
Make the Most our out of your Office Furniture
When it comes to office furniture, it’s important to invest in pieces that will be both comfortable and functional. Here are a few tips to help you make the right choices:
Begin with space planning
The first thing you need to do is step back from your current office setting and imagine a blank canvas. Now, think of how you’d like to set up the space. What arrangement would make it most comfortable and productive? What set-up would leave maximum space for employees to get around and collaborate?
This is known as space planning. In space planning, you deeply analyze an existing space to determine the best way to utilize it for maximum reward. You need to consider the purpose of the space, who will use it, how to best utilize the focal points (windows, doors, built-in units), and ultimately the ideal furniture types and furniture arrangement for maximum space utilization. Then, create a rough sketch of the chosen layout to guide you moving forward.
Consider flexibility
The migration to flexible workplaces is in full swing, and rightly so. Flexible workplaces improve work-life balance, minimize commute time (and costs), reduce distractions, and encourage collaboration. In the end, employees benefit from greater workplace freedom and important morale boost while employers gain from increased worker productivity and loyalty.
So, you must incorporate flexible working systems in your office. For instance, consider hot desks and collaborative spaces that encourage teamwork. Cozy couches, bean bags, and round tables are just a few furniture pieces that encourage collaboration. Adjustable chairs and standing desks also improve workplace flexibility.
Consider storage
Many organizations make the mistake of planning for furniture without giving a thought to storage. This can be very costly because lack of or insufficient storage space increases the risk of disorganization and clutter. You’ll have electrical wires and computer cables crisscrossing your floors and tables and files and documents flying everywhere.
So, consider furniture pieces that promote workplace organization and help with storage. For instance, a desk with storage drawers instead of a conventional table lets you get on with your work while also providing a place to store your files. Alternatively, leave enough space for wall cabinets.
Ergonomic furniture for a healthier workforce
A healthier workforce is a more productive workforce. Otherwise, prepare for rampant absenteeism, increased overtime to cover absent workers, and increased training costs to replacement workers.
One way to improve employee wellbeing in your organization is to invest in ergonomic furniture. Ergonomic furniture pieces reduce neck pain because workers no longer need to strain their necks. They also reduce incidences of back pain because of reduced pressure on the spinal cord. You’ll also notice reduced headaches and injury incidents among your workforce. The result is increased productivity.
Style and aesthetics
It’s impossible to discuss office furniture tips without mentioning style. You must get the style right or risk upsetting your employees and visitors. The two main styles to choose from are traditional and modern, though you can also opt for an eco-friendly office with reclaimed wood furniture or a high-tech style with 3-D-modelled furniture.
Traditional office furniture pieces are generally dark, luxurious, elegant, and typically upholstered or otherwise detailed. They are also big, heavy, and often made from solid wood (usually highly-regarded hardwoods). On the other hand, modern office furniture pieces are lightweight, light/bright-colored, and typically feature clean straight lines to promote the sense of space.
Brand identity
Finally, always choose furniture that promotes branding and your work culture. For instance, if your organization is known for its strong stand on environmental conservation, you cannot bring plastic chairs or cabinets to the office because it goes against your ethos. Instead, you need to consider renewable materials, such as softwoods and reclaimed wood.
Similarly, select colors and textures that remind the public about your brand. The straightforward solution is to pick furniture in colors present in your logos and other branding elements. Alternatively, accessorize the office in your branding colors.
Other Office Furniture Tips
Other office furniture tips to consider include choosing furniture pieces that dampen reverb and deaden sound. Softwoods do this excellently, though you can also use accessories, such as wall panels to absorb noise. Above all, make sure the purchases are within your budget.