Most people don’t spend a lot of time thinking about office furniture. To most, it is something that is just there; a chair, a desk, a filing cabinet and maybe even the odd plant here or there. In today’s economy, people are spending more and more time at the office or even working from home. Britain currently has the longest working week compared to any other country and so it seems inevitable that people are becoming more aware of the importance of having the right office furniture. Workstations are the most important location for you and your employees and provide a sense of style; the right furniture can make all the difference in your comfort, creativity and productivity.

When choosing office furniture there are some points to bear in mind and some questions you will need to ask yourself in order to ensure the furniture you choose is best for you/your employees. What you are planning to do obviously affects your furniture choice. If there is a lot of computer work involved then you are going to need furniture that provides comfort. Studies have shown that you are most productive when you are comfortable, and sitting for hours at a time staring at a computer screen can be bad for your health, so it is essential that you are comfortable with your surroundings and at your workstation. If you are planning to do lots of paperwork or reading then you will essentially require office furniture that provides a lot of space and storage. If you plan to do both, then you will need furniture that provides a combination. The main things to consider when choosing office furniture are:

• Comfort – people spend a large portion of their time at their workstation and so comfort is essential. People are more productive when they are comfortable.
• Space – Do you have enough room to carry out all tasks that you will be undertaking at your workstation? Does the furniture fit in the space provided? Will you have enough space around the work area to move and place other items in the room?
• Functionality – Is the furniture appropriate for what you need to do? Do you have adequate storage, workspace etc?
• Mobility – Are you going to be moving from your workspace frequently to access facilities etc, do you have enough room to move around your work area as required?
• Image – Are you presenting the right image to your clients? When meeting new clients your office furniture is going to be used to judge you and your company. A stylish, well furnished, practical office will portray a professional, stylish image to your clients. A shabby, uncomfortable, unpractical, cluttered office will portray the opposite image.
• Budget – How much can you afford to spend on your office furniture? Do you have enough flexibility in your budget to perhaps choose an item better suited for your needs rather than just the cheapest option?

The correct furniture can help you to practise good posture, feel more comfortable ad relaxed and be more productive. Don’t underestimate the importance of an office re-fit. Re-fits are important for enhancing interdepartmental work-flow processes and can be used to provide the privacy required for an effective working environment. Your ultimate aim should be to create an inspiring, effective and productive environment.