Office Furniture

 

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Our review process:

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Buying guide:

Every business must have an office for workers to work from.  How the office is set up can have a detrimental effect on productivity.  But one thing is for sure, every office will need the basic office furniture – a desk, chair and any accessories that complement them.  Here’s a guide to help you find the right basic office furniture to boost productivity.

Office Desk

There are many things to consider in finding the right desk.  Does it fit the available space in the office?  What shape, size and finish would go well in the office?  How long will it take to assemble?  What is the price point?  Let’s look at all these in more detail.

Types of desks

• Corner desks tuck nicely in a corner and are usually good for office spaces that are smaller.  Most corner desks offer some extra storage and a good amount of surface area.
• Executive desks are on the larger side and are good for bigger spaces.  They have an impressive surface area and storage space for files, office supplies and a computer tower.  Executive desks can come as a standalone or part of a suite.
• Writing desks is very simple and has one function, which is to provide you enough space to write.  These desks may have one or two drawers, but often have none.  They are good for smaller offices or if you have a bigger office with an empty area that needs a good decorative accent.
• Standing desks are similar in design as a writing desks but they are tall enough for you to stand while working.
• Computer desks usually comes in an L-shaped configuration and can be work well in a corner.  These desks have more surface area to spread out one or more monitors, keyboards, printers and other office equipment.  This configuration is good for medium to large offices.
• Roll up desks / Secretary desks are good if you are only using a laptop.  The small size of these desks works well in small offices and because of the roll-top, it leaves no room for a monitor and hence would not fit a computer.

Desk material

• Glass gives the desk a more modern look and appear lighter in weight.  The glass material makes it easier to clean and many are removable for deep cleaning.  It usually sits atop wood or metal legs.
• Wood gives the desk a more classic look, that’s warm and inviting. The wood material is more durable but softer wood (such as pine and spruces) may show scratches, dents and marks faster than harder wood (such as cherry or hard maple).  If you have other office furniture that has wood material, then you should also consider if the wood on the desk matches the look of the other office furniture.
• Laminate looks like wood, but the material is an overlay with a layer of plastic or some other protective material.  Laminate desks are more durable and usually doesn’t scratch, stain or dent.
• Metal desks are built to last and are easy to keep clean.  They can resist stains or scratches but can endure dents.

Size and desk purpose – what category are you in?

• Small office space but need enough surface area: a computer desk with a glass top may be the right fit for you.
• Setting up a home office: you’ll need a good surface area that can accommodate a filing cabinet, a printer or other devices, and storage for office supplies.  Take a look at the Sauder Executive Desk in the price table above that SyncroReview has recommended – it has all of these features.
• A small corner office: the corner desk would work best.  But be sure to measure the length, height and depth of your office first before buying the corner desk to make sure it fits your space.
• An office used as a conference room: a large desk would make sense as the main focal point for bringing everyone together.

Price Point

• Inexpensive office desks (under $300): small and offer little storage.  These are usually the basic writing, computer and standing desks with laminate material.
• Mid-price office desks ($300 – $750): larger computer desks with more storage or as a part of a suite with a matching hutch, file drawer or bookcase.  There are also executive desks or secretary desks that come in this price range that would give you ample storage and surface area.  Again, check out the Sauder Executive Desk that SyncroReview has recommended.
• Expensive office desks ($750 – $1,250): solid wood, metal computer desks, executive desks and roll-up desks that offer a great deal of storage space and wide surface area.
• Premium office desks ($1,250+): well-built executive desks that may come in an L-shaped configuration or as a suite.  The desks in this price range are large and can be heavy in weight and the design has an attention to detail.

Ease of assembly

Office desks come in large boxes.  Many sellers offer delivery free of charge but some offer assembly free of charge.  The average time it takes to assemble a medium size office desk is about 3 hours.  But this will vary depending on the size and type of desk.

 

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Office Chairs

A comfortable chair can enhance your productivity and health.  Here are some tips to consider when buying an office chair.

Upholstery

• Traditional: you may find the extra padding in a traditional upholstery very comfortable at the end of a long day’s work.  With traditional upholstery, you can also choose the material from cloth or leather.
• Mesh: there are mainly two benefits from a mesh upholstery – durability and improved airflow.  You won’t sweat excessively and the material in a mesh upholstery usually withstand constant use better than the foam found in traditional upholstery.

Adjustability

• Mobile armrests
• Seat slide
• Seat tilt
• Neck rest
• Adjustable lumbar support
• Seat height

Ease of assembly

Some chairs arrive fully assembled and can be used immediately.  But others require assembly and the average chair can be assembled in just one hour.

Price Point

• Inexpensive office chairs (under $200): basic offices chairs that do not have all the features other chairs have.
• Mid-range office chairs ($200 – $500): you can expect a chair with more adjustment features, lumbar support and overall increase in comfort.
• Premium office chairs ($600+): these are the high-end chairs that provide extreme features and comfort and solid build.