When purchasing office furniture it is important to consider practical requirements that extend beyond aesthetics. The comfort and safety of your employees and of your visitors and guests should be factored into every decision.
There are five mistakes commonly made when buying office furniture. By avoiding them, you can ensure that your furniture selection will secure satisfaction and productivity from your employees and increased profits for your business.
MISTAKE NUMBER 1
No Plan or Vision:
All too often, furniture is bought on impulse. Rushed purchasing decisions can lead to choices that may be regretted for years to come. Before investing in office furniture, the following points are recommended:
Assess your needs before selection:
Consider how each piece will be utilised. If it is a chair, for example, will it be used occasionally (as in a visitor chair) or all day (such as a desk chair)? Should it be height-adjustable? Will it be stationary when in use or should it be light enough to be moved easily? The more thought you give to a purchase, the greater the likelihood of it’s success.
MISTAKE NUMBER 2
No Consideration of Employee Comfort
Ergonomic design is critical to the comfort and productivity of your staff, as with office furniture, comfort equals productivity. Contoured seats, lumbar supports, adjustable seats and armrests are important features and can help minimize work-related injuries and lost workdays. Those factors when considered, may help reduce your costs
MISTAKE NUMBER 3
Buying Products That Are Inappropriate for The Task
The human build or body type varies. Buying desk chairs and reception furniture would be easier if all bodies were the same. In reality, individuals of all shapes and sizes need to be comfortably and safely accommodated. For example, a desk chair that’s only recommended for use by individuals weighing up to 250 pounds can lead to problems if heavier employees use it. selecting an incorrectly rated item can result in costly damage to the chair, and more importantly, injury to the person sitting in it. Any savings realised by purchasing a lower-rated chair could be negated by the cost of your liability to the person who was injured.
MISTAKE NUMBER 4
Choosing Price Over Value
A chair that is designed with accasional use in mind will generally cost less than one that’s designed to withstand heavy use. It may be tempting to purchase the lower-priced chair, but this could be false economy as replacements and repairs could easily negate any initial savings and could even make the product more costly over time. Occasionally, of course, an inexpensive item may be purchased in an emergency. Consider this item disposable and factor in a more suitable replacement in your budget planning as soon as it is economically feasible.
MISTAKE NUMBER 5
Not Considering Future Growth
Whether purchasing office furniture for a new business or adding furniture due to expansion, you should take into account how each piece will fit into your current and future environment. Explore various ranges to ascertain what may be achieved long-term, even if the budget allows only for a few chairs and desks or the time isn’t right for the purchase of a big conference table just yet.
How Adaptable Is Your Furniture?
Technology has changed much over the last 10 years. In today’s offices, desks need space and outlets for laptops, monitors, printers, mobile phone chargers, printers, desk lamps and more. When making your purchase, it’s important to consider what space and storage requirements may be needed both immediately and in a few years from now.
Maintain A Flexible Work Space
Choosing office furniture that is easily moved and reconfigured as needs arise is a good idea. This will offer flexibility for floor plan changes as and when necessary. With wireless networks and technology becoming more popular, employees may not even need specific workspaces. In some offices, employers are electing to choose desks on castors and electrical outlets on the floor. This encourages employees to pair up on projects and work as a team.
What Are the Pros And Cons of Your Existing Furniture?
It may be helpful to solicit input from employees who use the furniture on a daily basis. You may learn of chairs which are difficult to adjust or that your receptionist would benefit from a desk with a keyboard shelf.
Choose Timeless Style Over Current Trends
The best long-term value is often achieved by the choice of furniture that has a simple, yet appealing design. By purchasing furniture with a timeless appearance, the addition of complementary pieces as your company grows will be an altogether simpler task.