Creating an efficient and comfortable office environment is crucial for the success of any business.
Your office furniture can significantly impact productivity and employee well-being, while also looking great.
Whether you’re setting up a new office or looking to revamp your existing one, finding the perfect furniture can seem like a daunting task. With numerous options available in the market, it’s important to have a clear and systematic approach to make informed decisions that align with your specific needs and budget.
That’s why we put together a 10 step process to help you find the right furniture for your office.
10 Step Process: How to Find the Right Office Furniture
1. Create a list of your needs
Determine the functionality and purpose of the furniture in your office.
Assessing your needs involves understanding the specific requirements and purpose of the furniture in your office. Consider the functionality you expect from the furniture, such as desks for individual workstations, meeting tables, or collaborative work areas. You should also take into account the number of employees and the type of work they do, as this will influence the quantity and layout of the furniture needed.
Creating a list of office furniture needs will ensure you don’t miss out on anything important. We recommend sorting this list by importance, with can’t-miss furniture at the top and optional furniture towards the bottom.
2. Measure your space
Measure the dimensions of your office to ensure furniture fits appropriately.
It’s important to understand how much space you really have. While good office designers can maximize your space, there’s going to be a limit to the furniture you can use effectively. Take into account any restrictions or obstacles such as doors, windows, or electrical outlets.
The right office furniture will help you maximize your space while also improving functionality and work flow.
3. Establish a budget
Determine how much you are willing to spend on office furniture.
You’re probably very aware that your office redesign needs to fit within a specific budget, but coming up with a firm cost limit can help you determine the right furniture choices. Consider long-term durability and quality to avoid frequent replacements, and make sure you start with buying the most vital pieces of furniture.
Having now assessed needs, measured space, and put together a budget, you can take a look at your initial list and make any adjustments necessary. You may have noticed that your initial plan included too much or too little.
4. Research ergonomic options
Look for furniture that promotes good posture and reduces strain.
Ergonomics can improve the productivity and well-being of your employees.
Ergonomic options exist for just about all types of office furniture. Consider features such as adjustable height, lumbar support, and armrests for chairs, as well as adjustable desks that allow employees to switch between sitting and standing positions.
Consider your current setup and what you like or don’t like, then imagine ways you can improve comfort. Ergonomic options likely exist for the things you don’t like in your setup.
The right office furniture will consider comfort and actual usability, not just check off a box.
5. Consider storage needs
Assess the storage requirements for your office supplies, documents, and equipment. Evaluate options for filing cabinets, shelving units, or storage systems.
Some employees may need storage directly at their workstation, while others may not. The right office furniture will match the needs of all your employees, while also making storage as easy and effective as possible.
6. Evaluate style and aesthetics
Align the furniture style with your office’s overall design and branding.
The best office furniture for your business will use color schemes, materials, and finishes that reflect your company’s image. Neutral colors like gray or black are always fair options as well.
Not everyone cares about color scheme so long as it isn’t mismatched or distracting. Have a conversation with leadership to see if they’d prefer to keep the color coordination brand-specific.
Most office furniture is available in an abundance of colors and finishes, but consider this step throughout the process to find the right office furniture for your business.
7. Test and try out furniture
Visit furniture showrooms or office supply stores to physically try out different options.
Showrooms don’t always have everything immediately in stock, but actually trying out the furniture before you buy it will help you avoid making poor purchase decisions. Sit on chairs, open drawers, and test the functionality of desks to ensure comfort and usability.
Not all chairs that look good will actually feel good to sit in for extended periods. Some desks may have sharp edges that you don’t really notice until you start using them. Testing furniture will reduce guessing and ensure that your choice of office furniture turns out to be the right one.
8. Consider maintenance and durability
Research the materials and maintenance requirements of the furniture.
Look for furniture made from durable materials such as solid wood or high-quality metals that can withstand regular use. Consider the ease of cleaning and maintenance, as well as the manufacturer’s recommendations for care. Choosing furniture with good durability ensures longevity, reduces the need for frequent replacements, and ultimately saves costs in the long run.
9. Check for warranties and return policies
Review the warranties offered by furniture manufacturers or retailers.
Checking for return policies is especially important if you weren’t able to test the furniture out for yourself. While no one wants to think about the possibility of delivering and installing furniture just to send it back, it would be even worse to realize that you can’t return it.
10. Make the purchase and arrange delivery
Once you have made a decision, place the order for your chosen furniture.
Coordinate the delivery and installation to ensure a smooth process. Purchasing most of your furniture from one source will make delivery much more convenient.
Overview
Once you’ve gone through these 10 steps to finding the right office furniture for your business, you get to the fun step of designing your office!
Remember that this is a general overview meant to apply to many businesses. Depending on your specific needs and preferences, additional considerations may apply.
Office Solutions is a family-owned business that has been providing expert office design in the Bay Area of California for over 20 years. We also provide turnkey moving services, electrical and phone setup, and a wide selection of ergonomic office furniture to make your office upgrade as easy as possible.
Reach out to us at 408-753-9187, or fill out the form below to learn more about how we can help you.