Get Bang for Your Buck When You Buy Office Furniture

Buy Office Furniture

Is your office furniture looking a bit outdated and unprofessional? Perhaps your customers are scared off by the tracks in your desk and the stains on your office chair. Sometimes, all it takes to freshen up a dull workspace is new furniture.

You may already understand the costs involved when you buy office furniture. However, there are ways to save and get more bang for your buck while creating a fresh office space.

Buy Office Furniture: The Tips and Tricks

You don’t have to purchase the most expensive furniture for a chic and put-together work space. Instead, it is smart to save your pennies. Here are some tips and tricks to buying office furniture that everyone will love… including your wallet!

Ask Your Employees and Colleagues

It is important to consider your team when purchasing new office furniture. Start the search by asking your employees or colleagues what they would love to have in their work environment.

Would they rather have standing desks? Would they sacrifice that fancy corner desk for a more comfortable chair? Ask these questions before you purchase – ensuring you won’t have regrets on that end.

Used Doesn’t Mean Useless

Remember that office equipment is switched yearly in some businesses. This could mean that the furniture is still good as new. Used furniture is a great option, especially if you have a smaller office and a tight budget. You can find duplicates of tables, chairs and desks and incorporate them with what you already have.

The idea of replacing the new with something restored is a huge trend in furniture. See if you can find some high-quality pieces that are new to you.

Take Inventory

Is there anything you can salvage? Maybe the desk you use for business meetings is perfectly good to use. You don’t need to replace the furniture, just to replace it.

Instead, go through your office space and take inventory of what needs to be replaced and what does not. Take your time to ensure you do not over purchase when you make a selection. You may be able to save several pieces and integrate the new in with it.

Make sure you look at all areas of your business including conference rooms, office spaces, cubicle space, your own office, and even the bathrooms. You can ask around your office to hear others’ opinions on what needs to be replaced. Maybe they see something you don’t.

Do you feel overwhelmed when it is time to buy office furniture? Don’t. Instead, use these tips and tricks to get the most out of your budget. Remember to take inventory of your space, don’t “discount” used furniture and ask your employees and colleagues about what they want.

You can save money while enjoying your workspace by being money savvy. Enjoy your new office furniture, completely guilt-free!

Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Office Furniture Supplier

Corporate Furniture

You’ve been tasked with choosing office furniture that everyone in your business will like. No pressure, right? If you don’t make the right choices, it will be held against you. But if you do make the right choices, you’ll be a hero. Using the right furniture in your office makes a huge difference in terms of productivity and morale.

For instance, many in the professional world believe that boring furniture can, in fact, make people lazy. Instead, most companies that want their staff to be creative are opting for bright colors and interesting designs.

What type of furniture your company needs depends on how you do business and what you expect from your employees. It also sets the tone for clients and visitors straight off the bat.

Here are some questions to ask when you’re hiring an office furniture supplier for your company:

1. Do They Follow The Latest Trends?

Furniture has come a long way over the years and there’s a lot to keep up with. Standing desks, for example, did not exactly play a starring role back in the 80s in high rise city buildings. Plus, they offer lots of health and productivity benefits.

You can’t possibly be expected to know what’s popular on the market today, but the right furniture supplier will.

2. Who Recommends Them?

Do they have success stories to share? Ask them about existing and former clients who have had some of the same furniture needs. If they’ve outfitted companies that have a large portion of their staff sharing desks because they work remotely much of the time and your company is similar, ask how they adjusted to the need.

3. Are They Able To Incorporate Existing Furniture Into The Mix?

You may be keeping some of your existing office furniture and that’s not an uncommon situation. If you’re just focusing on replacing chairs, you should be able to show them the desks you’re currently using and get suggestions from them.

4. Do They Focus On Ergonomic Corporate Furniture?

Health and wellness are important to employees, especially to the big influx of millennials that are joining the workforce in droves. If the supplier understands that comfort is the priority and not just an afterthought, they’ll be on your page from the start. This is a major selling point for employees if you’re able to tell them that they’re getting furniture that is better for them!

5. Do They Sell New And Used Furniture?

Especially if you’re integrating new furniture in with your old furniture, having the option to buy used furniture is a big asset. There may be designs that you’re looking for that are no longer being produced that would go well with your space. Especially if your office space is dated, incorporating brand new furniture into the mix may not be the best option.

Are you ready to take your furniture game to the next level and work with a company to find solutions that will please the whole office?

Contact Workspace Solutions. We do more than sell corporate office furniture — we provide the whole package from office design, furniture sales, and installation!

Introducing Focal Upright Furniture

Seats for Standing-Height Desks

focal upright seats

As we mentioned in our last article, many Americans today are suffering from “Sitting Disease” due to a highly sedentary lifestyle. Striving to become more active on the job, many workers have tried sitting on exercise balls, using treadmill desks, and standing-height desks.

“Standing-height desks are great,” says Mike Hunter of Workspace Solutions. Because sitting all day is bad for your health while standing all day is hard on your joints. Adjustible standing-height desks allow you to easily go from sitting to standing. But, some users still need a little extra support.” The solution? Focal Upright Furniture which gives workers a third option that balances the active benefits of standing with the comfort of sitting.

Focal Upright Furniture is a seat of sorts that is designed to work with standing-height desks. However, you don’t sit on the seat, you lean on it which takes pressure off of your joints and has many health benefits including:

  • improved posture
  • promotes neutral neck position
  • takes stress off the spine
  • engages the core
  • promotes active leg movement

focal upright seats - problem solution

There are four models to choose from.

standing height office chairs

Visit the Workspace Solutions office furniture store in Fort Wayne to try them out for yourself and see which one works best for you.

 

Ash Skyline Plaza

Ash Skyline Plaza Office Furniture

It’s furniture moving day! After months of work on the Ash Skyline Plaza in Fort Wayne, the day is finally here that we start moving in office furniture. We’re out at the new building unloading trucks full of office furniture. We will be installing furniture for Ash Brokerage on the 7th and 8th floor. We’re very excited to be a part of this project that’s been months in the making. Check back to see the progress on the building and the creative use of furniture and office spaces.

Home Office: Tips for Comfort and Productivity

setting up a home office

Working remotely is increasingly common in today’s business environment. If this is something you do only very rarely, plopping at the kitchen table with your laptop for a couple of hours may suffice. But to really keep your focus, be productive, and avoid getting caught up in household (or the kids’ or the pets’) dramas, carve out a specific office space and get the most from it. It’s a straightforward process if you follow these suggestions:

Location

The main requirement for productivity in any office space is that it’s comfortable and functional. Many homes today are built with a home office space. If you have one, but it doesn’t have a door, installing one can really cut down on distractions. Your remote office space can also be set up in any space that doesn’t get much traffic during the day: guest rooms, the basement, or your own bedroom.

Office Furniture

When furnishing a remote office, you need at least the basics:

  • a desk
  • a chair
  • lighting
  • storage

Avoid placing the desk or table right up against a wall. Too claustrophobic. Placing it near a window (but not directly in front, that equals glare and eyestrain) will give the benefits of natural light and the chance to occasionally turn and take in the view. Keep ergonomics in mind to avoid wrist and shoulder strain. A lower keyboard shelf or the space to add a monitor to your laptop are important considerations.

It’s definitely worth the investment to get a good chair — preferably one that’s adjustable. Your back will thank you! And you will be more productive if you are comfortable for long stretches of time.

Even with a window, you may want to add a desk light or floor lamp. Overhead house lighting is generally inadequate for work tasks.

Don’t forget about storage for office supplies, and your files. It doesn’t have to be a filing cabinet. Credenzas, bookcases or shelving in a closet can work just as well.

Technology

Depending on your type of work, set up space for:

  • computer or laptop
  • additional monitor(s)
  • printer and/or fax
  • landline phone
  • and the necessary power strips and cord containment systems
  • internet connection

Miscellaneous

If you have the space, consider:

  • additional comfortable seating with an ottoman (for your feet) and a side table (for your coffee) to offer a nice break for “thinking” time
  • a coffee pot, tea kettle and/or a small fridge so you don’t have to interrupt your work to go to the kitchen
  • a good supply of frequently used office items, so you don’t have to run downstairs every time you need a stapler or a new pen
  • a plant or two, to listen to your big ideas before you run them by your boss

New and Used Office Furniture in Fort Wayne

All of your remote/home office furniture needs can be met at Workspace Solutions right here in Fort Wayne. Our spacious office furniture showroom at 2208 Production Road has a wide selection of innovative and high-quality new and used office furniture including desks and tables, chairs, file cabinets, credenzas and other storage solutions.

Our design team will help you find the perfect items to enhance your remote office productivity and help you stay within budget! Visit our office furniture campus today.

Creating an Office Work Space on a Budget

used office furniture in fort wayne

Finding Quality Office Furniture without Breaking the Bank

Are you trying to put together a work space on a budget? Did you know that an office space can directly effect the success of your business? When it comes to furnishing and designing an office space, your goal is to create an office that maximizes productivity and company morale. However, the cost of a high quality work space can add up pretty quickly. Fortunately, there are some ways to create a highly functioning office on a budget.

Here are three ways you can get the most out of your budget, while also maximizing your company’s efficiency.

Set Priorities

In order to make sure that you get the most out of your budget, the first step is to make a list of everything you will need, starting with the most important. You and your coworkers might not need top-of-the-line, Italian leather chairs; but you certainly need desks. Start with the absolute necessities and work your way down to the not-so-necessary items. Once you have made your list, then you should have an idea of what kind of furniture you will need in order to fill your office space. You should also know what is within your budget.

Do your Homework

When it comes to furnishing your office, you might be tempted to buy the cheapest furniture you can find. While this might sound like a good idea, poorly made furniture can have many negative unintended consequences, such as:

  • Poorly constructed office furniture means that you will only have to replace it sooner which will cost you more in the long run.
  • Cheaply made furniture doesn’t take ergonomics into account. This means it’s only a matter of time before you or your coworkers develop neck or spine problems.
  • Uncomfortable furniture makes it hard to focus on work.
  • Cheap furniture can look tacky and make your office space look “behind the times.”
  • Poorly made furniture can be uncomfortable and have a negative effect on company morale.

Because of these reasons and moe, you need to make sure that you do your research in order to find furniture that’s not only affordable, but also comfortable, ergonomic, and high quality.

Used Office Furniture in Fort Wayne

When it comes to furnishing an office space on a budget, perhaps the best choice for your office is used furniture. Buying used office furniture can provide you with tasteful, high quality, ergonomic furniture that is well within your budget.

The used office furniture showroom at Workspace Solution’s new office furniture campus in Fort Wayne, IN has a wide variety of used furniture. Whether you need desks, office chairs, filing cabinets, waiting room furniture, conference room furniture, or other storage solutions, Workspace Solutions can help you find the perfect office furniture to fit your business and your budget. We can also help you design your office using a mixture of new and used furniture.

Visit Workspace Solution’s new showrooms on Production Road to see their HUGE selection of new and used office furniture, and staged showrooms. They also have experienced office planners to help you make the most out of your office space. Give them a call today at (888) 422-8529 for help finding the right solution for your space.

Office Design: Looking at the Big Picture

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Are you planning a new office or not satisfied with your current office design? The key to a successful office design and layout is planning.

Let’s start with the desk. You need a new desk for that new office or maybe you just need to replace the old desk you have been using for years. First, sit back and look at the entire office space before even starting the search for that new desk.

You should first consider workflow and functionality. Consider what other furniture or office equipment will be needed to get the job done efficiently. Planning on where to locate other furniture in advance will make it easier to add that piece when you are ready. Map out traffic patterns in the office space. Make sure there is room for people to move about freely when coming into the office in order to keep them in a positive mood. Whether a client or employee comes in to see you, an aesthetically pleasing space is the first step to a positive encounter.

Plan where the office equipment will go. Pay attention to the needs of that equipment such as phone jacks and outlets. Next, decide what equipment you will want quick and easy access to. For example, if you want your computer, printer, scanner, and telephone within arm’s reach, you will need to plan on a desk that will accommodate all of that equipment while providing the workspace you need. This is the primary reason you will want to wait on deciding what kind of desk to put in the office.

For large office equipment, take care in its placement as not to put noisy equipment very close to your desk as it may interfere with telephone calls or meetings. Ideally, noisy equipment should be placed outside of your personal office space or at the very least, behind a partition to deaden the sound.

Decide on the mood of your office. If your office is to be that of a relaxing oasis or meeting place with important clients, aesthetics and amenities are important. Such amenities would include a couch, comfortable chairs, or maybe even a couple of large easy chairs set up to provide a one on one conversation with a VIP client or discussion with an employee. If the office is to be more of a production workstation, attention should be geared toward the proximity the equipment is to the user. Make sure frequently used items are within arm’s reach.

Designing an office that will work for you and the way you work is not as simple as picking out a desk and sticking it in the middle of a big room. Need help planning your office design and picking what furniture will will best? Contact Workspace Solutions, we are specially trained to ask the right questions to help you choose the precise layout and make the correct choice in furniture to create a productive and pleasing workspace.

Standing Desks vs. Sitting Desks

quickstand-standing

The Benefits of Standing at Work

A few years ago, health experts began to discover the benefits of using a standing desk at work. After all, the effects of a sedentary lifestyle include many conditions such as weight gain, spine problems, back pain, heart issues, and many more! If you have been thinking about trying to include some healthy habits and better ergonomics into your work day, consider a standing desk. Before you decide on whether or not a standing desk would make a good addition to your office furniture, there are some things you might want to know.

The Effects of Sitting at your Desk

Many people do not consider the effects that sitting all day can have on your body. The fact is that sitting all day is so bad that it can’t even be outdone by exercise. Evolutionary biologist and writer for the New York Times, Olivia Judson says:

“It doesn’t matter if you go running every morning, or you’re a regular at the gym. If you spend most of the rest of the day sitting — in your car, your office chair, on your sofa at home — you are putting yourself at increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, a variety of cancers and an early death. In other words, irrespective of whether you exercise vigorously, sitting for long periods is bad for you.”

Because of these issues, a popular trend is standing desks. There are many benefits of standing while working. Along with increased muscle activity that goes along with standing, those who stand at work also move around more, which leads to:

  • burning more calories
  • lower levels of triglycerides and fats in the blood
  • better processing of glucose (high levels of glucose lead to diabetes and heart disease)
  • increased alertness and better moods

Many researchers claim that continual standing is actually more beneficial than regular exercise. Exercising has proven benefits, of course. But those who stand at work gain more benefits from the constant (though almost non-perceivable) increase in muscle activity that standing encourages. Simple, frequent movement may have longer term benefits than regular exercise.

Tips for Standing at Work

In order to maximize your comfort and ergonomics while standing at your desk, your monitor should be at eye level, and your desktop should be at the height of your hands when your elbows are bent at a 90 degree angle.

If you decide that you would benefit from a standing desk, there are some things to keep in mind in order for you to get the most out of your decision. First, don’t just immediately begin standing for 8 or 9 hours a day. In order for your back and leg muscles to adjust, it is best to gradually work up to a full day of standing.

01-HAT
Because you will most likely want the option of sitting, it might be best for you to invest in an adjustable desk. In order to allow the option of sitting, there are many desks available from quality office furniture manufacturers like Hon, Allsteel, and SurfaceWorks that adjust to a custom height either electrically or manually.

 

quickstand

Still, another option is the Quickstand from Humanscale. This stand sits on your existing desk, and allows you to raise and adjust the height of your keyboard and monitor; allowing you to turn your desk into an ergonomic standing desk quickly and effortlessly.

The Best Sit-to-Stand Desks at Workspace Solutions

Whether you need an adjustable sit-to-stand desk, or just would like to add a standing option to your existing desk, Workspace Solutions in Fort Wayne can help you find any kind of desk you’d like. They are experts in space design and ergonomics and will help you to make sure that your office furniture is providing maximum comfort, boosting your productivity, and promoting your overall health.