Furniture: When to Go Custom?

Checklist for Buying Furniture for Your Office

Purchasing office furniture for your company is a major responsibility because it involves getting furniture that not only fits the décor of your office but that also supports the comfort of your employees. Uncomfortable employees suffering from back pain will have decreased efficiency, inevitably leading to decreased productivity.

Even though you may be swamped with several people’s opinions and many special requests, do not abdicate the decision to finding a low-priced vendor just to simplify your task. It might alleviate the trouble of searching and meeting various requests, but you want to look for something that has long-term value. Take a careful approach to the decision process, aim for comfort and ergonomics. Skimping here will only lead too deferred costs down the line. Trust us on this. You don’t want to have to throw out bad pieces of furniture barely 1 to 2 years after getting them.

Below is a list of suggestions that will help you as you shop around:

Step 1: Determine Your Needs and Budget

This is, evidently, the first stage of any project. Before looking at your budget, make a list of the furniture that you will need. These can include computer desks, tables, meeting room tables, seating pieces, and cabinets, to name a few. Then, figure out your space and the number of pieces that can fit in this space. How will you fit tables, chairs, and desks for 20 employees in this room? Will the table you want for your meeting room be large enough? Or do you need something smaller?

After determining all these, you can finally start looking at your budget. Budgeting is important because every dollar spent in a business is an investment. You need to ensure that your investment is spent wisely. Using the information you’ve compiled before-hand, allocate specific amounts for chairs, desks and so on. If necessary, eschew aesthetics for superior functionality. Once you have taken note of all budgetary and space constraints you can move to the next stage.

Step 2: Find Your Style 

What you are looking for is a piece of furniture that blends seamlessly with and that complements the color of the walls, the flooring and the space available. Everything has to come together in a neat way and be in a pristine condition while also successfully making the space comfortable and attractive. As you try to create a good office atmosphere that increases productivity, try to find items of furniture that complement and reflect your company’s brand, identity, and culture.

But remember that this does not mean that all coordinating pieces have to match. If well-planned and well-displayed, even an item of custom-made furniture can add character to a room. Whether it’s the meeting room or the reception area, an uncommon piece of furniture can tie in all the other pieces in the area to create a truly unique space.

Step 3: Buy Green

Gone are the days when eco-friendly decor was tacky and just plain ugly. Chances are, like everyone else, you have become more mindful of the planet and the impact of humans on a now more vulnerable ecosystem. In line with that, you will be right to make a conscious decision of supporting sustainable production by choosing eco-friendly options that have been recycled and that will last a long time.

Not only will buying “green” make your company stand out it will also send a message to your employees that the company cares about the environment and the well-being of its employees.

Step 4: Consider the Quality of Wooden Furniture

While it is true that wooden furniture adds warmth and beauty to any space, the quality of the piece will play a major role in its durability. If the construction of the item is not done properly, the item will not last long, will not be able to retain its looks and will lose its level of comfort. Therefore, you should inspect each piece of furniture carefully.

High-quality wood furniture is sturdy and has properly aligned doors and drawers that open and shut smoothly. Even if the furniture has texture, the finish should be smooth and pleasing to the touch. Steer clear of any wooden furniture that has:

• Rough patches on its surface
• a cloudy surface
• scratches
• dents
• splintered edges
• dull spots

You can ignore these if the furniture you are looking at is distressed. Just ensure the distressed furniture is well constructed and is sturdy.

Step 5: Learn Your Fabrics 

Whether you are getting chairs for the meeting room and computer desks or a sofa for the reception area, examine how the fabric looks and feels. Not only must the upholstery fiber complement the style of the space, but it also has to be easy to maintain. You don’t want something that only looks good – you also want to take durability and longevity into consideration.