I was once asked to help pick out some office furniture for a small company. It was kind of a neat afternoon excursion. Four of us went out to a few office supply and furniture showrooms to look at chairs, tables, and desks. You never realize just how much thought goes into the selection of good office furniture until you start to do it yourself. Suddenly, you're keenly aware of who is too tall or too short for all the "average" chairs.
As you may have already realized, there are plenty of websites and companies supplying office furniture and furnishing ideas. Choosing furniture for your office may be frustrating since there are so many imperfect options to choose from. And you usually have little to no time to make these purchases, so the pressure can be unwarranted for what seems like a relatively minor decision.
However, choosing furniture for your office can be an enlightening and enjoyable experience when you approach the task with the right attitude. Even if you are not an interior design specialist you don’t need to panic if your boss asks you to pick out some furniture for the office. Taking the time to truly think about it carefully before you start visiting the stores you will find yourself focusing on image, user-friendliness and functionality. Once you have compiled a list of candidates, time permitting, you can invite other opinions to confirm your choices.
Furniture design and manufacturing are art forms dating back thousands of years; don't neglect the aesthetic qualities of the furniture you choose. Manufacturers always want to know what buyers seek and they try to take consumer preferences into mind making something suitable for the marketplace. When you begin to buy office furniture you should make a list of what is really required and follow that rigidly. The following suggestions should help you make some pretty good selections even when you find yourself compromising on price or function.
1. Begin with a list of the features you need; what physical requirements in terms of space use and personal comfort are necessary? This list will guide you through the selection process. For instance, when searching for an office table, write down what you need in a table such as seating capacity, whether it is assembled from multiple pieces, etc. In a given illustration, you may want to note which features are necessary and which features are optional. Keep it simple, but be as detailed as possible. Also, allow for some flexibility since you are not designing custom furniture.
2. Collect information about client support, costs and delivery from several online merchants. This will in turn help you discover which companies have showrooms to visit. You have to visit the furniture showrooms to test and evaluate the manufacturing quality of the furniture you are about to purchase. Buying furniture sight unseen is easier to do with online ordering, but you want to avoid as much frustration and delay as possible in the process.
3. If you like what you see, ask for a quote. You don't have to buy right away, unless you decide you want a floor model. Just remember that if the last piece is on the floor that means the item has been discontinued.
You want to compile a larger list of options than you actually need. By weighing the pros and cons of each model against similar models you'll narrow down your list methodically. And doing so will help you decide which terms are the best for your company, because you have to live with the customer service contract for at least a few years.
Finally, don't forget to ask your salesperson if there is a better deal than what you have been quoted. Maybe you can work out a last-minute substitution that works for everyone. When you get a really great deal, there’s a great chance your boss will take that into consideration when considering you for a raise or promotion. After all, demonstrating your ability to take responsibility, make good decisions, and help the company manage its cash flow is always an asset in the workplace.
