Buying office desks and furnishings is oftentimes treated as either an exercise in aesthetics or just a case of buying the simplest, most durable items one can find. Office furniture, though, can make a big difference in the lives of the folks who have to use it every day. Here are four tips for making the most of it when you search for office furnishings.
Find a Unifying Visual Theme
Although office furniture doesn't have to be driven by one look, most professionals are going to want to develop a theme that's unifying. For example, you might want to use desks and seats that employ glass, metal trim and black fabrics to create a simple and ultramodern look. Conversely, folks who want to be playful with their office may aim for something like mid-century modern, the style that appears on throwback TV shows like Mad Men.
Try to avoid obvious mismatches, unless your trade is something creative or artistic that allows a more bohemian theme. Having wood finishes on one desk and metallic finishes on another can make an office look a little too hastily assembled. When in doubt, strive for a sense of professionalism.
Consider Practical Problems
Suppose you're searching for medical office furniture for a doctor's practice. Let's be honest about the situations the furnishings are going to have to endure: someone is eventually going to be sick or bleeding around the furniture. That means you may want to look into materials that are known to be less absorbent and to clean up very well.
Buy More Than You Immediately Need
Commercial office furniture is going to be used. People are going to break chairs, scratch desks and do other types of damages just as part of regular wear and tear. Purchase more office furnishings than you immediately need so you'll have matching items sitting in storage. Don't assume the folks you bought your office furniture from will have the same decor available two years from now.
Do a Floor Plan
You don't really have an idea of how much furniture you'll need until you do a plan for your office. Personal space matters, especially during a workday, so try to give folks at least a couple of feet of personal space even in conference rooms. Look at the real-world usage of your current office and try to accommodate people's needs as much as possible. Check for sensible features, too, such as storage in desks.