Re-outfitting your office with some brand new furniture isn’t just a good way to stay hygienic and keep your workers happy. It can actually add a whole new look and feel to your office space even if you didn’t spend a ton of money on your new furniture. When it comes to buying office furniture, there are a lot of different benefits, as well as a few specific considerations. If you find your office rapidly growing and you need more space for new workers, getting new offices set up can provide a great excuse for a total image rehaul. Even if you’re just looking to give your workers a more comfortable place to spend their days, you can find a ton of options that will give your office space a bit of extra class and a lot more comfort without turning the atmosphere too informal. Whether you buy from hon dealers or do some price comparisons online, you’ll find that there’s no shortage of great options out there for any office size, style, or type. If you’re considering buying new corporate furniture for your business, here are some things to think about first.
1. Logistics
When splurging on new office furniture, your first concern shouldn’t be “how much of it can we afford,” but “where will it all go?” Before going all out and buying a huge amount of chairs or desks in bulk to get a price cut, think about what you actually, realistically need in your office, and what you can end up making space for. For smaller offices and start-ups, space is at a premium. Even if you have a good amount of storage, do you really want it taken up by chairs and desks that you’ll never use? Before you buy, spend some time re-arranging the office floor plan to try to find new, creative ways of fitting a bunch of new people without shelling out for an expansion or cramping everyone together. Remember that you’ll still need to designate space for common areas and meeting points. If you’re getting a great deal for bulk furniture, it might seem like a good move at the moment. However, if you consider the cost of storage plus the cost of shipping, you might find that it’s easier to buy on a piece-by-piece basis.
2. Employee Concerns
Each employee wants roughly the same thing from their office furniture: Comfort, stability, and a designated place to call their own. However, many employees are going to have different physical concerns or specific needs. For instance, you might not be able to buy everyone in the office a state-of-the-art ergonomic chair, but if someone is suffering from severe back pain, it might help to splurge on something with a bit of extra support to keep them feeling their best at work. If you’re looking to change up the outlay or save space, ask your employees how comfortable they’d be sharing a desk or working in a “hot desk” environment. If you notice that some employees prefer working in the common area, ask them if they’d prefer to work in groups out in the open rather than having their own desk and chair space. You’ll be surprised by how greatly each employee’s needs and desires will differ.
3. Image
You want your office to be a comfortable environment to work in, but not at the expense of professionalism. Getting the right furniture for your space will help you promote a specific image for the company. While different industries have different standards for what comprises a casual vs. a strict corporate atmosphere, you can use your office furniture to create or solidify an image of what you want the workplace to be. For instance, if you’re in the tech industry, you may notice that the trend skews more toward casual, communal working environments. If you want to set yourself apart, think about reverting to a more traditional office landscape. On the other hand, if you’re a law firm that wants to create a warm, intimate feeling, try setting up an office that isn’t as cold and standoffish as usual.
4. Cost
While cost is a big factor in your decision, it shouldn’t be the only decision. Purchasing wisely means spending money on what you need and planning out those needs in advance. For instance, if you’re thinking about buying in bulk, make sure you can actually afford to store everything, and if you’re purchasing on an as-needed basis, don’t wait until the last minute to get your materials.
5. Longevity
Most importantly, you want your office furniture to be an investment. You want your pieces to last for years without causing any pain or discomfort. If you think the price tag is too low on a certain item, it’s probably a sign that it isn’t going to last in the long-term.