You are feeling exhausted and very tired because you have not been getting adequate sleep. After spending many days having a look at the different office spaces in the area and going online to see the “perfect office” that is within budget and suits your business, you have finally found one that works for you. You are about to throw yourself on your bed then realize that you are going to need to shop for furniture that is going to go with the new office.
It is important to choose the right furniture for the right type of office. It is going to contribute to the well-being of employees, improve productivity, and entice prospective employees. Before you visit the furniture shop to buy, you should know about the 6 things to consider.
Cost
It is not easy financing a startup. Every penny that is being spent is an investment. The investors have to see that you are spending wisely the money they have entrusted you with. This is why it is important to consider the cost before you can buy any furniture. How much you will be spending on a given chair or desk? How many are you going to buy? You should have a budget so you can be able to narrow down your options without having to compromise on quality.
If you are looking to save on furniture, consider going for second-hand furniture. You should do more research on thrift store so you can find furniture that has been slightly-used at fairly priced.
Needs
Employees are going to spend many hours every day working, and it is important to provide them with desks and chairs that are comfortable. One trend is ergonomic chairs and desk, and this is because they usually make working a little bit easier, and there are studies supporting this. There is a wide range of such products in the market, and this means you can get one at an affordable price.
Apart from desks and chairs, you can also get furniture then style the interior depending on the type of business. Are you after the café-like atmosphere where employees can communicate easily and collaborate with each other? Then choose a huge table and a couple of chairs. Are you after a more formal feel with cubicles so that employees can focus? Then you should get a desk with cubicle-dividers. Whatever plans you have, you should always remember that you are after an office that is conducive for work.
Flexibility and functionality
The next thing you will need to put into consideration is the flexibility and functionality of the furniture. Does the desk come with storage where you can keep files? Is there enough space under the table where a person can stretch their legs or take a cat nap under? Is the furniture comfortable enough for the employees? If you have answered yes, you have made the right investment.
It is always a better idea to choose furniture with multiple functionalities. You will be hitting two birds using one stone if you are able to balance low cost and functionality.
Size
It is common sense to go with furniture that is proportionate to the office space. If you buy bulky furniture, it is going to consume a lot of office space. The space ends up feeling cramped up and you and your employees will not be able to move around freely. This is why it is a good idea to know the dimensions of the office and then look for ways of maximizing it. You can make the office space look more spacious by arranging the office furniture in a certain way. The main idea is providing the office with the right furniture and also making sure there is enough room left for the team to get comfortable in.
Aesthetic Value and Brand Identity
You should choose furniture that is going to add to the beauty of your office space. A good office design will be able to ease stress, lighten the mood, and increase productivity.
If you want to do this, then you need to know a little bit of psychology of colors. If you want the office space to have an energetic and creative atmosphere, then consider going with the color orange. If you are after tranquility and wisdom, then choose blue. You should employ caution when dealing with different colors. You don’t want to clash mixtures because it can result in the disturbance of the company’s identity or can even result in headaches to onlookers and employees.
You should avoid choosing a piece of furniture because you like the design or color. You should always choose one that matches your office personality or brand. The furniture is going to reflect the identity and culture of your company.
Cleanliness
If you have reached the stage where the furniture has passed the above factors, then the next step is buying it. You should make sure the furniture has been properly and thoroughly sanitized before you bring it to the office. Whether it is brand new or from a thrift store, you need to make sure it is cleaned. It is important to keep furniture clean because it is healthier – and this will result in lesser absenteeism because of sickness.
The process of getting the right type of furniture might not be an easy one. But it is something you have to do for your business. You might have been worn out spending hours searching, but it will all be worth it in the end. When you get to see the office with all the right furniture, you will know it is time to get the business started. This is after you have had your sleep.