6 Avoidable Blunders When Out To Buy Office Furniture
Purchasing office furniture is different from office supplies and IT equipment. It requires thoughtful planning and research. Unlike digital assets, you can’t just click a button to change or improve your furniture. Assessing a few factors before deciding to invest time and money is essential. It is good to consider whether it will affect your office space, budget, and culture before making a choice.
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Purchasing office furniture is different from office supplies and IT equipment. It requires thoughtful planning and research. Unlike digital assets, you can’t just click a button to change or improve your furniture. Assessing a few factors before deciding to invest time and money is essential. It is good to consider whether it will affect your office space, budget, and culture before making a choice. Here are a few tips that have been well-researched to help you make a better choice. If you need more comprehensive guidance on selecting the right furniture for your office, consider consulting our comprehensive Office Furniture Buying Guide.
What are some quick tips for buying Office furniture?
Structure and space are fundamental when you want to buy furniture for your office. Make sure you plan to buy furniture keeping in mind the layout of your workspace. Although trendy designs are necessary, the comfort and flexibility of employees come first. Avoid bulky and heavy furniture; instead, focus on modular one, where reconfiguring and moving it becomes easy.
Common mistakes in purchasing office furniture
Missing vision
What looks and feels great right now might not be the best choice in the future. Consider how the furniture will work with the team’s expansion. In the long run, it’s best to buy flexible furniture that grows and changes with team and work culture. Before investing, assess your needs accurately, analyze the pros and cons of existing furniture, and make an informed decision. Colors and patterns can go out of style, so work with your furniture designer to find suitable pieces that will stay in style for a while.
Ignoring the employee’s comfort
While choosing any furniture for your office, consider its use. Most of the furniture in offices are chairs, desks, and shelves. Most often, employees work at their desks, sitting and using chairs. The wrong kind of chair can cause serious health issues for employees, so it is essential to use an ergonomic chair. Ergonomic chairs can improve employees’ posture at work and provide proper backrest and lumbar support, enhancing their productivity. For instance, our office chair designs offer comfort to the user for long sitting hours.
Picking wrong fabric
Before you choose a fabric for a piece of furniture, you should keep in mind its functionality and usage. It isn’t only about aesthetics, hygiene,or comfort – it’s a combination of everything. Wipeable vinyl is the right choice for Lobby, break rooms, and conferences. Vinyl is excellent for areas where stains are more prevalent. Leather is perfect for exclusive zones, executive suites, conference rooms and guest areas, as it looks more premium. Mesh fabrics have become common, especially in office chairs. As mesh allows the skin to breathe, employees can sit comfortably for long periods.
Misfit and misuse of furniture
While buying office furniture, let us keep in mind that every person is unique; the things that make one person feel at ease might not have the same effect on another. Some of them are taller than average; you may need a more oversized desk than someone average in height and vice versa. E.g., office seating – chairs can support users up to 110 kg to 150kg. Choosing the wrong chair can not only cause damage to the product and employees but also incur unnecessary costs. Going by current trends is wise but ensure that you factor in usability to avoid being redundant in the future. Some employees may require collaborative spaces, whereas others may need their desks.
Choosing inflexible furniture
Whether starting a new business or adding furniture because of expansion, you should consider how each item will fit into your current and future environment. Keeping in mind the business, buy furniture that you can use and re-use if you will move to a larger space or add more employees in a number. Modular office furniture is simple and offers flexibility while moving location or any other changes to the current system.
Overlooking the work culture
Determine what is required to ensure productive work output. An organization that thrives on the contributions of individual members will have different requirements for its furniture than one based on the collaboration of teams. When compiling a list to buy office furniture for your employees, consider their needs and the tasks they will be performing most of the time.
space
The right furniture is not merely an investment in brick-and-mortar infrastructure. It is also an investment in the well-being of your employees and your company’s future. Before investing your money and time, remember to be clear about the work culture and employees. Make sure to keep trends and furniture versatility in mind as well. For additional strategies on improving your employees’ health and well-being, consider exploring our comprehensive guide on 7 Strategies to Improve Your Employees’ Health and Well-Being.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the common mistakes people make when buying office furniture?
Common mistakes include prioritizing aesthetics over ergonomics, neglecting flexibility and scalability, ignoring quality and durability, failing to consider office layout and space, and overlooking employees’ comfort and needs.
How can I ensure the office furniture I buy is ergonomic and comfortable for employees?
Ensure ergonomic and comfortable office furniture by choosing adjustable chairs and desks, providing lumbar support, selecting materials that promote comfort, and involving employees in the selection process to address their specific needs and preferences.
What factors should I consider when selecting office furniture to match my office design?
Consider office layout, color scheme, functionality, ergonomics, material quality, brand consistency, flexibility, and space optimization when selecting furniture to match your office design.
What are the best practices for measuring and planning office space before purchasing furniture?
Best practices include creating a detailed floor plan, considering workflow and traffic flow, measuring accurately, leaving space for movement, involving employees in planning, and anticipating future growth or changes.
