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Office furniture is a major indication of the functionality of an office as well as the company’s mission, brand, and values. Furniture can significantly impact a client’s first impression of a business, and it can inspire confidence in both employees and consumers. Therefore, it’s important to buy strategically. Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid when buying furniture.
Prioritizing Looks over Comfort
There is a wide variety of modern furniture that looks gorgeous and professional, but looks don’t tell the full story. That beautiful furniture might not be comfortable for the people using it. Although aesthetics are important for your company’s brand, comfort should be a top priority so your employees are productive and happy. Therefore, always test furniture before purchasing it.
Not Considering Employees’ Needs
Companies champion have a diverse workforce, but they should also keep the diverse requirements of employees in mind, including their furniture needs. There is a strong correlation between productivity and comfort. One size or style won’t suit everyone.
For example, a desk that is perfect for a tall person might not be easy to work on for a short person. Additionally, if the office space is open, some people might need privacy. Therefore, some employees might need individual cubicles while others might thrive in collaborative workspaces. With that in mind, it’s essential that you keep your employees’ needs in mind before purchasing office furniture.
Purchasing Furniture that Lacks Flexibility for the Long-Term
With the rapid advancement in technology, the workplace has significantly changed. In the past, cubicles had big work surfaces to manage the large computer monitors of the past. Today, work surfaces need to be flexible for a more collaborative workforce and presentations done with dual flat screen monitors.
You might opt for mobile furniture that is adaptive to multi-functionality and utilize work spaces more effectively. A quick search on the internet will give you a wide range of dealers in adaptive multi-functional items for you to buy furniture online.
Compromising Quality for Cost-Cutting Measures
Prioritizing cost-cutting over quality is a common mistake many businesses make when they purchase office furniture. Although everyone wants a bargain, quality should be a key priority when you evaluate price.
Since the office is a busy place, the chances of wear and tear on furniture are quite high. Lower priced furniture, it might fit your budget, but the expected life might a lot shorter than furniture with a higher price tag. A higher investment should equate to fewer repairs or part replacements in the future. Whatever you buy, consider getting a warranty on the furniture.
Not Considering the After-Sale Service of the Company
Do thorough research of the company you’re buying from so you fully understand its service policies. You need to know what kind of assistance to expect if a problem occurs. Always confirm whether the company will provide its own employees to help you after the purchase or if you’ll need to contact the manufacturer instead.
These are some of the common mistakes businesses make when purchasing furniture. At the end of the day, your employees are your company’s main resource, and as the leader, it’s your job to ensure they have the equipment they need to do their jobs. This extends far beyond providing computing systems. Comfortable furniture can positively affect their productivity, efficiency, collaboration, and morale.
