Office furniture is becoming increasingly important to ensure the health and safety of staff, and to maximise productivity.
Read these 10 Tips and to help you choose the right Office Furniture.
1. Make sure that the furniture is appropriate for the size of room – not too small and not too big. Furniture should complement the room, not be lost in it, or dominate it. Thinks about the colour too. Bright colours can work well in creative industries, but more neutral or subdued colours will be better suited for busy environments such as call centres or accountants.
2. The office layout must ensure that people can work comfortably and access other parts of the office, so that they can get past desks and chairs in order to open cupboards for example.
3. Furniture must be suitable for the job. Comfortable sofas may look inviting and relaxing in a restaurant waiting area, but aren’t going to be suitable for workers in a bank, or a solicitor’s office. Canteen or rest room seating for factory workers is likely to need to be different and more durable and easier to keep clean than a break out or drinks area in a large corporate office.
4. Furniture should convey the right image. What do you want your clients to think when they walk into your office? If the furniture is too stylish and looks expensive, they may think that you charge too much for your products or services. If the furniture is drab and boring, your clients may not think you are as creative as other marketing agencies.
5. Furniture should be ergonomic and comfortable so that staff can be productive. All items like the telephone, computer monitor, keyboard and mouse, should be in easy reach. The chair and monitor and keyboard should be at the right height so that the user doesn’t have to sit uncomfortably, and to reduce the risk of RSI.
6. Don’t forget filing cabinets, additional tables and chairs for break out areas and boardroom furniture. These items can really turn an office into a workplace, and are vital to the office functioning well.
7. Consider the future needs of the office. If you expand several departments, or suddenly need extra sales or support staff, will the office layout and existing furniture still be appropriate? Make sure that the office layout can be expanded if you think that you will be taking on extra staff.
8. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Office furniture professionals can help you assess your office space and ensure that you make the best use of the existing space. They can also recommend appropriate furniture and brands so that you can concentrate on running your business.
9. Consider the requirements of the furniture – salespeople who are out for most of the day may not need the same level of comfort and functionality that call centre staff need. The Boardroom will need to be comfortable yet productive. Reception areas will need to be inviting and make clients feel welcome.
10. Remember style, function and cost. The cheapest may not be the most stylish, but it may be the most functional. The most expensive might be stylish but impractical to use on a daily basis.
Choosing the right office furniture may seem like a daunting task, but it can be made much easier by following these tips. Don’t be scared to break with tradition, but don’t feel that you have to have the latest styles. Your Office Furniture Supplier will be able to advise you on all aspects of office furniture. Good quality office furniture will last for years, so make sure that it fits in with your image and your industry. Your clients and your staff will thank you.
Hunters Contracts supply London Office Furniture and Manchester Office Furniture, and can help you find the most appropriate office seating. Find out how Hunters Contracts can improve your productivity, comfort with ergonomic office furniture. |
