Did you know 86% of office workers feel uncomfortable while working in the office?
Did you know that 50% of the workers blame their chairs?
As a leader, you’d want to take better care of your team. You could start by putting together a better office for them.
Better offices have better furniture: tables, chairs, shelves that are intentionally put there to enhance the working atmosphere by making places convenient to access and easy to move around.
Most leaders start by preparing a mere list of furniture items and comparing prices from different vendors. That may not be the ideal way to go about it.
Instead of starting with a mere list of furniture items you want, think about the overall well-being of your organization.
These 10 points will then help you in selecting the furniture for the office the right way.
1. Use your office’s blueprint to help you make a smart purchase.
a. Ensure all the measurements and dimensions are mentioned in your office’s blueprint.
b. List down what office furniture you currently have and what you need.
c. Compare the dimensions of each piece of furniture you want to buy to ensure they match accurately.
2. Select a vendor who offers end to end office furniture solutions.
a. Find out about the vendor’s previous experience in office furniture.
b. Ask the vendor’s design consultants to include your business’s vision and brand guidelines in their solutions.
3. Try out the furniture before making the purchase.
a. Visit the vendor’s store to get a first-hand experience of the furniture.
b. Try and compare the furniture to find the one best suited to your needs.
4. Choose comfort overlooks.
a. Select ergonomic chairs for maximum comfort.
b. Check if their height and backrest can be adjusted.
c. Select chair models that can adapt to all body shapes and sizes.
5. Select furniture specific to tasks.
a. Select furniture according to the different roles.
b. Customize the fabric for diversity.
6. Pick the right material.
a. Ask your vendor for fabric and material options.
b. Select furniture material that is easy to maintain.
7. Choose quality over price.
a. Check the life expectancy of the product.
b. Find a vendor who has a variety of furniture for you to select from.
c. Find out about the furniture supplier’s delivery and installation policy.
8. Buy with future growth in mind
a. Opt for classy instead of trendy furniture.
b. Select furniture that can be easily moved or reconfigured to suit your needs.
c. Think about what space and storage you would need a few years later.
9. Evaluate the true cost of ownership.
a. Research whether the furniture is lab-tested.
b. Ensure your purchase comes with a warranty.
c. Confirm if your vendor offers good customer support post-purchase.
10. Customize furniture for small office spaces.
a. Select space-saving, convertible furniture models.
b. Avoid selecting large and heavy pieces of furniture.
Following these 10 steps will ensure you are thinking holistically about your office and your team for the long term. As a result, your investment will give you higher returns in terms of productivity and greater team spirit.