Whether you’ve just started a business or you’re looking to refresh your office, it’s important that you’re thinking carefully about the desk and chairs that you’re selecting for your workspace.
While it might seem like a trivial detail in the grand scheme of getting a business up, running, and profitable, this isn’t the case — quite the opposite, in fact.
If you choose your office furniture carefully, you’ll find that you’re able to work better and for longer, which can only have a positive impact on your bottom line.
But what exactly should you be looking for when it comes to your office furniture? We take a look at some key considerations below.
Once you’re ready to purchase, take a look at our range here at ADD office.
What’s the Style?
It’s not enough to just pick furniture that looks good. You need to make sure it looks good in your office! So, for example, will the colour of the furniture you’re looking at match your paint scheme and overall interior decor? Beyond simply colour, you’ll need to think about whether your furniture will match the overall style of the office.
For example, it would make little sense to have hyper modern furniture if you’re more of a traditional company, in a conventional setting (say, a law firm in a wooden style office).
Conversely, more traditional furniture might undo some of your company branding if you’re a modern start-up business.
How Long Do You Work?
The right furniture will depend on your needs. You’re the one who’s going to be using it! For example, let’s think about how long you work.
Do you split your day between being in the office and out and about, meeting clients? Or is your entire day spent at the computer, trying to make things happen?
The answer will influence the quality of the furniture that you need.
If you’re going to spend ten hours a day, it’s worthwhile investing in the most comfortable seat that you can. You’ll be grateful for it when you’re powering through trying to get your work done!
How Do You Work?
It’s not only the amount of hours you work each day that counts, but how you work. For example, let’s say you’re not one of those people who can feel inspired and creative if they’re sitting in the same desk and chair all day, no matter how comfortable it is.
In that case, you’ll want to consider having another working space in your office, one where you (and your team) can retreat when you want to mix things up and look at your work differently.
You might just find you can kickstart your ideas when you’re at your alternative desk for an hour or two.
Storage Needs
Everyone has their own way of working. Some people like to have some sort of controlled chaos; they seem to be working in a space that’s a complete mess. But so long as it’s a mess that they’ve created, everything’s fine.
For others, nothing but a minimalist approach will do. If there’s anything on their desk that doesn’t belong there, then they’re in trouble. But of course, it’s all good and well saying a space should be tidy, but the fact of the matter is that you need certain items in order to work well.
If you have enough storage, then this won’t be a problem.
So before buying your desk, think about the importance of being able to store your office materials in draws will be. If you think it’ll be a big deal, opt for a desk with plenty of storage.
Collaboration Opportunities
There’s been a pretty big shift in how we work in recent years. It used to be that everyone would work individually; if everyone performed well at an individual level, then the whole company would benefit.
Now, things have begun to change. We’re much more interested in getting team members to work together, to collaborate and make the most of each other’s skills.
In order for this to happen, then you’ll need to invest in furniture that promotes this type of work. A desk that can fit multiple people, or can be joined together to create a larger working space, will do the trick.
Alternatively, if you want to promote individual work, then furniture that allows your workers to get “into the zone,” such as an individual office desk, will do the trick.
What Do Your Staff Want?
You’ll have plenty of good ideas when it comes to your furniture, but let’s keep in mind that ultimately, you’re not going to be the one sitting there. You’ll only have one desk and chair for yourself; the rest will be for your staff.
So when it comes to purchasing your office furniture, ask them what they’re looking for.
They’ll have their own ideas about what type of working environment will make them most productive, and that, ultimately, is what you’re trying to achieve.
So don’t guess — get their ideas instead. If they want an ergonomic office chair, then it may be worth buying them one.
The Size
You might have fallen in love with a piece of furniture, but it’s important that you’re thinking about the size before you mentally commit to it!
An overly cramped office is no good for anyone. A light and spacious room is better!
Make sure you’re leaving enough floor space to make the office comfortable. Though equally, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t go for an option that’s too small — people need space to work!
What’s Right For You?
Ultimately, when it comes to buying office furniture, it’s all about figuring out what’s best for you. Take a close look at your needs, what you’re trying to achieve, and the space where the furniture will be set.
It’s not about finding the overall best option, but what works for you!
The one thing to keep in mind is that it’s something to be taken seriously.
You’re going to be using this furniture for many years — there’s nothing worse than fitting out your entire office, only to believe you’ve made an error six months later.
