Last year made many of us retreat into a cosy home office mode. While the world is slowly shifting back into previous office work structures, companies should create a functional office environment.
We spend 1/3 of our lifespans at work, so employers are bound to provide their staff with a worker-friendly environment. It should be carefully designed to help co-workers deliver complicated projects, recharge their creative batteries and relax.
Office location and spacious interior are essential factors, but they should be accompanied by the right furniture choices. Depending on your company culture and organization, you should consider investing in office dividers, storing solutions, and smartboards.
In this guide, you will find examples of six pieces of furniture every office needs.
Desks and Chairs
Proper desks and ergonomic chairs are the office furniture basics. Employees will spend a significant part of their days sitting on them, so pay careful attention to design, quality, and comfort level.
An office desk is not merely a piece of wood or metal on four legs. It is the employees’ working space, and you should choose it based on what type of work they perform.
If it’s mostly computer work, the workstation should be equipped in the PC holding compartment. Look for channels for electrical connections and wiring holes – it will keep the mess at bay and prevent potential electrocution hazards.
In case the work is heavy in paperwork, business owners should invest in spacious desks perfect for accommodating papers, spreadsheets, and report piles. An office desk with already built-in shelves and storage units may be the ideal option.
No matter if it’s a regular working space or a home office, an ergonomic chair is a vital furniture piece. Office work usually involves sitting down for hours, which can cause various back problems. To prevent that, employers should consider getting ergonomic chairs that promote good posture and support the lower back.
For optimal comfort, the seat height should be easily adjustable. The seat-floor range ought to escalate between 16 to 22 inches. This way, the height will work for most people (without their feet dangling in the air) and help save your company’s money and resources- when a new co-worker comes, there will be no need to buy new furniture.
Another vital thing to consider is lumbar support. An extensive sitting position may lead to strains and slouching, so ensure that your office chairs have lumbar adjustment and a 12 to 19 inches wide backrest. Here you can read more about why office chair back support is important.
Cafeteria Office Furniture
Your office doesn’t need to have a kitchen or cafeteria space, but having one can enormously help build a healthy work culture and friendly relations within the office. It will create an area where co-workers can shortly forget about projects and reports and focus on recharging their batteries and bonding on a personal level.
You can go fancy, but if your business is in its early stages of development, keep it simple. Create a large sitting space with chairs and a couch, a few tables, a microwave, and a water boiler. Employees will also be thankful for a storage solution with multiple shelves and a set of fridges for their lunch boxes.
Boards
Whiteboards and smartboards are pieces of furniture every office needs. They are perfect for brainstorming, project visualization, and keeping track of the team’s progress. They will work perfectly in meeting spaces for conferences and taking up the clients.
You can find dry erase boards in the lower price range. Smart Boards are a more pricey solution but are way more interactive. With touchscreen technology, they function like large wall tablets. Check out this best smart boards list created by the Small Business Trends to get some inspiration.
Office Dividers
Nowadays, most designers go for an open-space office layout that promotes collaboration and boosts productivity. Instead of going for permanent walls, you should consider investing in office dividers.
You can find office partitions in a wide range of materials and styles and tailor them accordingly to your needs. If your office space lacks natural light, opt for glass dividers. They will make the interior appear more prominent and welcoming.
If you want to boost your employees’ concentration, choose office partitions with sound panels. This way, you will promote attentiveness and create a disturbance-free work environment.
Office dividers are on the top of the list of furniture every office needs. They create a balance between concentration and collaboration by offering private areas free of distracting office sounds. Make sure to include them on your office furniture checklist!
Reception Desk
Office reception furniture can make a lasting impression on people who walk into the office. Your reception desk doesn’t have to be brand new. Nevertheless, it should correspond with your company’s culture and complement the interior design.
For example, reception desks close to a wall are usually curved or rectangular, while those placed in the centre of the lobby should be round.
While large office reception desks can be spectacular, make sure that there’s plenty of space around them for your receptionists and clients to move freely.
Another essential feature you should pay close attention to is the proper desk height. The rule of thumb is that it should allow your staff to work upright with elbows resting on the surface comfortably, creating a 90-degree angle. With that, they will be able to work without annoying back and shoulder pain.
What Are the Key Pieces of Furniture Every Office Needs?
While every business varies in terms of company culture and brand aesthetics, every office needs a few essential furniture pieces. Comfortable and ergonomic chairs and desks, lounge equipment, office partitions, and smart boards are a must for a productive and collaborative work environment.
Shopping for the best office furniture can be a pretty daunting task, so make sure your time and effort don’t go to waste. While you go over catalogues, pay attention to the quality, comfort level, and stylish design.
Your office environment should serve the needs of multiple and diverse people with different needs. Taking all of them into account will help you create a highly functional and profitable office environment.
