Ordering new furniture for your office can be both fun and overwhelming. Ordering office furniture is often trickier than buying office supplies because of how many factors there are to consider. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re giving your office a makeover, deciding what pieces of furniture to buy isn’t an easy task. Here are six common mistakes that people make when buying office furniture:
Choosing looks over comfort
There are plenty of chairs that look nice, but if they’re not comfortable, it won’t mean anything. Keep the comfort of your employees, clients and yourself in mind when choosing furniture for your office. Aesthetics are important, but it’s not what 100% of your decision should be based on. Think about how chairs are going to feel after sitting in them for a few hours. Go to the store and test out furniture before buying it. It may seem like an extra step, but it will pay off in the long run.
Not keeping employees in mind
Everyone is different, and what may be comfortable for one person may be uncomfortable for another. A desk that works for someone who is tall may be uncomfortable for someone who is shorter or vice versa. A chair with armrests may not be suitable for a larger employee. Additionally, some employees may require collaborative workstations while others may need individual desks. Keep your employees in mind when you buy a new piece of furniture. Ultimately, your employees are going to be using the furniture every day, so it’s important that what you buy works for them, too.
Buying without a plan
Like any big investment, buying impulsively could lead to you regretting your decision later. Consider how often the item will be used and whether an item will be good for long term use. If you’re moving to a bigger office, consider what the new office will need. Also, look at the furniture that you already have. Find out what your employees don’t like about your old set up and what they’d like to see in the new one. Most importantly, think long term. Don’t get too caught up in design trends that will leave your office looking outdated in the near future.
Choosing price over quality
A lower priced item may be appealing to your wallet and budget, but the quality may not be as good as a more expensive product. For example, while two chairs may look similar, the more expensive of the two may last two to three times longer. In this case, you’d get more for your money with the more expensive product.
Mismatched colors
Different manufacturers may have the same name for a color, but the colors may not actually match up. Try to order accessory pieces from the same manufacturer to avoid mismatches. If you want to order from different manufacturers, look at the items in the store before purchasing. This will allow you to look at the colors side by side to see if they match or complement each other.
Not testing out furniture
The saying “try before you buy” holds true for office furniture. Go to the store, sit in different chairs and look at different desks. See if the chairs that you like can fit under the desks that you like. See how your conference room chairs look with the table you want. Testing out office furniture doesn’t take a lot of time, and it can save you a lot of wasted money in buying the wrong item.
