Office Furniture probability isn’t the top priority when moving into new premises. Minimise the disruption, and ensure you choose the right office furniture by following these ten tips:
1. Layout
Make sure that the room is split up properly and effectively, so that departments and people that need to be near each other are. The space should be utilised efficiently and effectively. There should be room to expand to put more desks or work areas in, if you think you will need more staff in the future.
2. Suitability
The right office furniture needs to be suitable for the task. A boardroom table won’t be suitable as a call centre workstation desk, whilst an operator chair won’t impress visitors in reception. Office furniture needs to be appropriate.
Also, remember that your office furniture will be giving out an image of your company. Having a fun colour scheme might work well in a design or creative type of company, but will it be appropriate in a solicitors or insurance company?!
In addition, ladders should be used to reach items out of reach, rather than standing on a chair, and items that can be put away should be put away. This reduces the risk of accident and also provides a good impression of your company to both staff and visitors alike.
3. Desks
Desks should be big enough for your staff to work on, and keep everything at hand. However, they don’t need to be excessively big. Companies in different industries will have different desk requirements. Desks for telephone sales staff are likely to be different to desks for customer-facing staff in a bank or building society. Do you need a phone, or a computer on every desk? Is there enough room for staff to work on paper documents? Where will the fax machine go?
4. Your chairs
Employees need to be comfortable to be productive, so chairs need to be adjustable so that staff can find their most comfortable working position. Health and safety regulations need to be adhered to, so that there is no risk of injury when using a chair.
5. Additional chairs
Visitor chairs such as those in a reception area are likely to be the first impression that a visitor gets of your company. If the chairs are worn out and tatty, what sort of image does that portray? A boardroom chair isn’t going to be right for somebody sat in front of a computer all day, and a reception chair won’t be right for the meeting room..
6. Desktop storage and racks
There should be enough storage space on a desk for the day to day paperwork and sundry items needed for staff to do their job.
7. Drawers
Desk drawers are the perfect way to keep items out of the way, but still close at hand when required. They are also a great place to store books, directories, and additional items that are sometimes needed.
8. Filing cabinets
A filing cabinet is the best way to store paperwork in an organised manner. If the paperwork is shared, then it is vital that all staff know how it is arranged, so that information can be found quickly and easily when required.
9. Computer equipment
Computer equipment such as the monitor, keyboard and mouse need to be at the right height, and the right distance away to avoid the risk of injury. Using a monitor at the wrong angle, or a keyboard with too short a lead can cause eye or wrist strains which can be easily avoided.
10. Cupboards and storage
Cupboards can be used to store the stationery, and other items that don’t need to be on display. Having adequate storage will ensure that the office looks tidy, and that the company is organised and efficient.
Now you know how to layout your office and the types of furniture you need, start planning your office, and make the best use of your available space.
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