Ever wondered why some people resort to sleeping and even “living” in their offices when they have no alternative options for shelter? Ever wondered why the same is true with people’s cars? The thing is that an office, like a car, in a way represents a personal space where people, to some degree, find as sweet as their own homes. In a nutshell, your office is your own personal space and since you’re likely to be spending a considerable amount of time there, it is paramount you ascertain it’s set to enable you to be as efficient and productive as possible. The office furniture plays an indispensable role in making this a reality. Below are basic principles to observe when choosing your office furniture:
1. Space
The first thing you’ll want to do is evaluate the amount of space available for the furniture. If it’s a large office that’ll be demarcated to accommodate various people, you’ll want to consider that, and if it’s just a one-person office, you want to put that in mind as well. Space will determine the size and quantity of the furniture that’ll be required. More room means more furniture will be accommodated, and with less room, the converse is true.
2. The Nature of Your Work
With the space available evaluated, another crucial thing you’ll want to pay attention to is the nature of the work that’ll be done in the office. If you’ll be working with computers, then you need to ensure that the furniture acquired has incorporated sections where the computer and its peripherals will rest. If you’ll be dealing with a lot of files and papers, you need to ensure that all that has been accounted for. Whatever the nature of your vocation is, you’ll have to ascertain that the furniture acquired accounts for the most basic needs, as well as other privileges that may be necessary, if your pocket can allow it.
3. Style
Also, consider the style of your industry, particularly the style of your business. Whatever you stand for or represent, you’ll want to capture it in the furniture you acquire. This may seem a trivial thing, but it’s crucial for the sake of harmony and consistency. If you’ll need to have things customized to echo the personality of your business, please do so. You want when people visit your office, they remember where they are at the moment, and later on when they reflect on it. Also, when they see a picture of the office somewhere, you want them to be able to recognize it.
4. Mood and Ergonomics
According to the team at Furniture in Fashion, “psychology is perhaps one of the most important things most people overlook when setting up their office.” Just having a desk, a chair, and basic office equipment is not enough. Your office has a personality; therefore, it impacts people’s emotions whenever they visit. Depending on the arrangement of your office, you can make people feel welcome, and you can also make them feel like something fishy is going on with your business. You want to invest in furniture that captures just the right mood. For instance, office chairs with high backrests say that you are the boss, and office chairs with lower backrests say that you prefer to be considered an equal. Think of a psychologist’s office, and compare it to the office of the CEO of a fortune 500 company. You get the difference.
Ergonomics has more to do with physical comfort when working in the office. Is the office chair high enough to reach the keyboard and mouse? Is it comfortable enough to sit on and work for extended periods? Whether it’s a one-man office or an entire staff, you want to invest in furniture that will ensure everyone is comfortable enough to work for as long as the office hours dictate.
5. Budget
Once you’ve considered the amount of space available, the style you want, and the furniture that will be required, you’ll want to look at your pocket and determine what you’ll be able to manage. Some people may start with the money, but I prefer to first consider what I need and then see whether I can afford it. Furthermore, first determining what you need, and then comparing it to your budget will discipline you to only spend on what is necessary, and where you may need more financing, you’ll know in advance.
You don’t necessarily have to follow these principles in the order they are presented, but you have to consider all of them; the arrangement is irrelevant. There are other things you may want to consider; like the brand, warranty, among others. Nonetheless, the above five points are the most crucial, and ones which you can’t afford to miss. With them, whatever furniture you invest in, you’ll get it right. Disregard them, and when things fall apart, it’s all on you. My work is done here.
Kidal Delonix is a contributor to Mr. Hoffman's blog. The views and opinions are entirely his/her own and may not reflect Mr Hoffman's views.
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