When you’re setting up your new office space, how you design it makes all the difference. Your employees’ health, productivity and wellness will depend on the way the office is planned. The furniture you use and where you place it is crucial. Moreover, shopping for furniture for a whole office requires bulk buying which can be a difficult task. We can help you determine what it is that you should be looking for in the furniture you need for the office. From ergonomics and practicality to materials and colours, we have curated a buying guide that will help you make your bulk purchase with confidence.
Let’s Make a Plan
Keep in mind that before you start buying office furniture, you need to take a few things into consideration first. When buying office furniture, it is essential to consider all these factors to ensure that you get the best value for your money.
Space
You can’t really buy furniture for a space without knowing the measurements of the area. So, measure the area that you have whether you have one whole floor or two as your office space.
The Human Component
One of the most important things to remember when you’re buying office furniture is to know how many employees you have or (approximately) will have. You’ll need to have an exact number in your head before you purchase the furniture.
Ergonomics
Offices are becoming a little more considerate towards the health and well-being of their employees. Moreover, comfort is one of the top priorities when it comes to selecting furniture for the office since you and your employees will be spending a good portion of the day there. This is why ergonomic pieces are a must-have for any office. Make sure the furniture is designed for comfort and proper posture. This is especially important for desks and chairs.
When we refer to ergonomic furniture pieces, there are quite a few choices for you. Standing desks, ergonomic office chairs, footrests and more such pieces are what you need for your office.
Design
Planning an office is more than just buying a bunch of desks and putting them together. You need to make sure that the floor plan is accommodating and not too stuffy. Many offices go for an open plan that offers a collaborative environment for employees. On the other hand, some offices focus on individual spaces a little more. The kind of work you do and the environment you are trying to create will determine the final design of the office which will decide the type of furniture you will be needing.
Extra space usage
It is important to remember that your office space will need boardrooms, meeting rooms and maybe a kitchen space as well. Along with that, if you have more space left you can always add an area where your employees can take a break!
Material
Consider the durability and maintenance of the material. Office furniture will most likely be used on a daily basis. From the smallest scratches to someone bumping into the desk, you have to ensure that your furniture survives daily usage.
Style
While it is important to make sure that your office furniture is practical, sturdy and ergonomic, don’t forget the style quotient. Your office space needs to look good not just for your clients but for you and your employees as well. A little bit of style won’t hurt anybody. Whether it is a particular colour scheme, a specific pattern or a material that you want to display, all you need is the right furniture and decor to make it stylish.
Warranty and Return Policy
Buying in bulk means that you have to be extra particular with the technicalities. Always make sure that the furniture you order comes with a warranty and has a return policy in case of any issues.
Furniture Options
This is where we get to the good part. Once you have planned everything out, you need to look at the different furniture options available to you. When it comes to office chairs, desks, partitions and more, there are a variety of styles out there. Moreover, accent chairs, dining sets, lounge chairs and even activity tables are things you should look into when purchasing furniture for the office.
Office desks
There are different types of office desks that you can choose from. The most common ones are your wooden desks with a classic design. These desks usually just have a tabletop for you to work on and sometimes come with storage options. Corner desks are literally meant for the corner as they are L-shaped. Perfect for offices where you need to make the most of the space provided to you. Standing desks are the most popular choice when it comes to office desks. The most notable thing about standing desks is that their height is adjustable. So, you can adjust the desk according to your height whether you are sitting or standing.
Office chairs
You can differentiate between office chairs based on the materials used and their design. While ergonomic office chairs are what you should be looking for there are many kinds of office chairs available. The classic ergonomic chair consists of a seat with a curved back for ample support and adjustable height. Some of the designs also have head support and adjustable armrests.
Office chairs are available in a variety of materials such as fabric, leather and mesh. If you’re a fan of colours, fabric chairs are for you. They are comfortable, warming and ideal for a colourful office space. Leather office chairs are a classic choice. They are usually padded for extra comfort, durability and stylish. Another sleek option is the mesh office chair. These are meant to mould to the shape of your back providing perfect support every time you sit in them.
Filing cabinets
An office would be incomplete without filing cabinets. While computers may have made the need for physical files redundant, there are still a lot of things that you need to store in your office. Notebooks, stationery, cables, spare USBs, batteries and more needs some place to be stored. It is always useful to have a couple of filing cabinets in your office to keep things organised and clean at all times.
Partitions
Some offices decide to skip over this step and some don’t. Partitions are a great option for offices that need a clear division of space between individual employees. Putting up partitions doesn’t mean that you are alienating your employees but it gives them a partially personal area to work in. Partitions also allow you to organise your office space. Instead of having desks next to each other, you have a clear division of areas.
Waiting room seats and accent chairs
Providing comfortable seating in waiting rooms is extremely important especially if you’re trying to impress future clients. Lounge sets and accent chairs are ideal for this. Go for muted colours such as beige or dark brown unless your office has a colourful aesthetic. You have to make sure that the seating in your waiting area is extremely comfortable. However, you can have multiple waiting areas in your office that are not big enough for a whole lounge set. In such cases, we recommend buying the same type of armchairs or accent chairs for each waiting room.
Dining sets
A dining area in the office is not a novel concept. It is useful to have an area where your employees can socialise while having their lunch. Always go for simple dining sets for your office. You can either go for a few big sets that accommodate 6-8 people at once or you can go for small four-seater sets.
Game tables
The inclusion of activity areas in the office has become a new addition to modern-day office spaces. An area where employees can relax and have fun has become a common phenomenon. Game tables such as a pool table, table tennis table or a foosball table can be added to these areas. This is where your employees can take a small break from sitting at their desks and enjoy a game with a colleague for a couple of minutes. Enjoying games can be an excellent way for your employees to build a rapport with each other. Moreover, small things like this will ensure that your workplace encourages a healthy environment and is focused on employee wellbeing.
Bulk Buy
Purchasing a lot of furniture at once can be daunting, but if you follow our guide everything will seem much easier. Look through the different furniture options, go through your floorplan thoroughly before you make the purchase and you will have no problems setting up your office. Once the furniture is set in place you will need the right office supplies to complete setting up your office and we can help with that as well.
