Office chairs, tables, and storage organizers are as common as water coolers in the workplace. However, what’s not as common is seeing top-notch furniture there. That’s because budget-conscious decision-makers may opt for the cheapest options. This approach, unfortunately, can negatively impact office employees and businesses in the short and long term.
Saraval Industries has assembled this comprehensive guide to help you select the ideal office furniture types for your workplace. By the time you are finished reading it, you should be able to make an informed decision.
Why Invest in Modern, Ergonomic Furniture?
Investing in high-quality, ergonomic furniture promotes employee well-being and enhances the natural flow of workers’ bodies. Human-centered designs in these types of furniture make technology work better for humans, resulting in better comfort, elevated productivity, and fewer health risks. For organizations, that’s a win-win scenario all around since it translates to a more engaged workforce, streamlined processes, and a competitive workforce.
Easy peasy, right? Ehhhh… not so much…since it is usually a challenge to find exactly what you will need (or even know what you need) in your new furniture and organizers.
Picking out the right furniture for your office mostly depends on:
- Type of environment and space.
- Client perception and style.
- Comfort, durability, and safety.
- Regulations and specifications.
- Type of industry and its processes.
- Who is using it and for what.
Your Furniture Needs Continuous Upgrades
During the global pandemic, health restrictions forced many to work at home. As a result, many of these at-home workers took the opportunity to purchase ergonomic furniture and organizers from furniture suppliers.
Flash forward to 2024, where return-to-work initiatives are starting to gain momentum. Companies like Amazon, Apple, Twitter, and BlackRock are pressuring hybrid and at-home office workers to return to traditional office settings.
However, even as offices reopened in these brick-and-mortar workplaces, 61% of returning workers said they still strongly preferred working from home. Higher productivity was the main reason cited in their desire not to return to the workplace. And it’s not much of a leap to imagine that the quality, ergonomic furniture they bought for their at-home offices could have factored into the increase in their productivity.
For businesses and office rental agencies, that’s a lesson learned about acquiring best-in-breed furniture and amenities to attract talent to the workplace and vacant office spaces. The bottom line? You can no longer pull the wool over people’s eyes when it comes to shoddy furniture. Most of them have experienced what well made furniture is by using the real thing while working from the comfort of their homes.
So, if you want to attract employees to work for your business, you can’t skimp on your office furniture any longer. Whether you are outfitting a new space or upgrading existing furniture, choose high-quality, ergonomic pieces that boost comfort and productivity.
And with that, let’s read on and learn what you need to complete your modern office setup!
Common Types of Office Furniture
In general, there are four basic types of furniture you will need for your office:
- Desks: A desk is a must for every office, no matter the type. It provides a space for you to work and store your belongings.
- Chairs: You will need chairs for both you and your visitors. They should be comfortable and adjustable so that everyone can find their perfect position.
- Tables: Tables, especially meeting room tables, are important for collaboration. They give you a space to put down materials and take notes.
- Storage: Storage is key in any office. You will need somewhere to store files, documents and other materials. You may also need specialized furniture, depending on your industry or the type of work you do.
These are the basics that every office should have. If you have any other specific needs, like a reception area or furniture for a break room, you can add unique furniture items like countertops and refrigerators to the list.
Office Furniture Categories
We’ve listed more information about the office furniture categories most offices will need during setup below. As always, you can contact Saraval Industries for a detailed consultation to set up your office with high-quality furniture at (516)-768-9033 anytime.
An Appropriate Desk
One must-have office furniture example is a desk that has a great fit and function. In other words, most people need appropriate desks to work. The question is: What kind of room do you have? This question is important because the type of desks your employees are using will impact the feel of the office. Making sure there is adequate space to walk around the desks when the employee is not sitting is important. You do not want anyone feeling cramped in their space. For those who do not like to be sitting constantly, a sit stand desk may be the perfect option.
Or, if your employees are completing a lot of different tasks and potentially need access to multiple devices or many files at once, a wrap-around desk or standalone cabinet organizer might be the best option. If you want to focus on ergonomics, adjustable height desks and L-shaped desks are perfect office furniture types.
If you are on a budget but still want a high-quality desk, you can always get used desks for sale.
Obviously, the size of your room is a major factor that will determine what kind of desks your employees will have. Once you have that information, then determine what exactly your employees are doing during their day-to-day tasks to go from there!
Meeting Room & Conference Tables
Most offices have meetings between employees, whether at the executive level or to foster collaboration between regular employees. Therefore, you’ll need appropriate meeting rooms & conference tables.
Many times the type or style of room will determine the kind of meeting table you’re looking for. Is the room well-furnished or intricately designed? If so, it won’t be helpful to purchase a basic table.
It’s also important to factor in how many people you expect to be present at your meetings. In many cases it’s always advised to have enough sitting room at the actual table—you don’t want to risk having the wrong person feel slighted for not having a seat.
High-Quality, Ergonomic Office Chairs
For very clear reasons, having high-quality office chairs is an important part of creating a new office.
You will have to ask yourself a few questions to choose the right office chair. Are your employees sitting for many hours at a time? Are they performing any kind of physical tasks, or are they simply using a computer? Do you want to foster movement around the office, or do you need your employees to stay attentive at their desks for hours at a time?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be able to choose the right chair for your office. Or, if you have any questions about your particular business, you can always contact us so we can help you choose the right furniture for your office.
Waiting Room or Reception Furniture
This is one category of office furniture that is often overlooked. Do you have a space where clients will wait for you to greet them? If that’s the case, then you have to think not only about comfort but about how you want to present your company to the client.
If you have uncomfortable furniture for your clients, you run the risk of making them feel unimportant or undervalued. Having unstylish or unattractive office furniture in the waiting room can exude a lack of class or taste, which might undermine confidence in your services.
When thinking about waiting room furniture, make sure to really explore the type of impact you want to have on your clients. It could, in the end, cost you money.
Storage & Organizers
The final category of office furniture is storage & organizers. Do you need to store client files? Do you have physical inventory that needs to be stored in the office? What kind of devices or electronics do you need to keep safe in the office?
You might not need a lot of storage, but if you have things that need to be kept in the office, you need to make sure they are properly stored.
You also want to make sure that your office is organized so that it’s easy to find what you need when you need it.
Tips for Getting the Perfect Furniture for Your Space
Now that you know the four basic types of furniture you will need for your office, it’s time to start shopping! Be sure to keep these tips in mind to make sure you get the perfect furniture for your space.
- Choose desks and chairs that are the right size for your office. You don’t want anything too big or too small.
- Think about who will be using the furniture. If you have a lot of visitors, you will need durable chairs that can withstand a lot of use.
- Choose durable furniture that is easy to clean and maintain. You don’t want to have to spend a lot of time cleaning your office furniture.
- Think about the style of your office. You want the furniture to match the rest of the décor in your space.
There you have it, a list you can use for your space planning and office furniture checklist! Be sure to keep these types and categories of furniture in mind as you shop for your perfect office space. With the right furniture, you can create an inviting and comfortable environment that will make your employees and clients happy.
Wrapping It All Up
Now that you know what to look for, you’re ready to start shopping for office furniture! Be sure to check out our website for a great selection of new and used office furniture. We have everything you need to complete your perfect office space.
One of the services we offer at Saraval Industries is consultations to set up your next office. You can feel confident we will bring a holistic approach to helping you develop your office space.
Give us a call today at (516)-768-9033 or contact us through our online form so we can get to work making your space where work happens.
FAQs
What are the four types of office furniture?
The four main types of office furniture are task chairs and desks, filing cabinets and storage solutions, reception seating and tables, and ergonomic solutions. Saraval Industries can help with your home or commercial office furniture needs. We have fixed-height and sit/stand desks available in single units and used Aeron adjustable chairs by Herman Miller. Monitor mounting options are available too.
What type of furniture is used for offices?
All kinds of furniture are used for offices, even the wrong kind. That can cause issues for workers and organizations alike. Your best approach is to work with technical furniture experts like the ones from Saraval Industries to match you with the appropriate modern, ergonomic furniture that meets your unique needs.
What are the names of office furniture?
Specific and generic office furniture names include height-adjustable desks, ergonomic work chairs, conference room tables, bookcases, break room tables, cupboards (common name for cabinets in the UK), stationary or rolling cabinets, filing cabinets, reception furniture, and meeting chairs.
Furniture names that might be recognized are brand names like Herman Miller, Gunlocke and Knoll. Be sure to check out our list of used office furniture here:
How do you categorize office furniture?
Choosing the right office furniture depends on your space, industry, and needs. Here’s a quick guide to help with categorizing everything:
- Desks: The type of desk you choose, whether fixed height or standing, wrap-around, or standard, should fit your room size and workflow.
- Meeting Tables: Select tables based on room design and meeting size. Ensure there’s ample seating for everyone while still meeting ADA code requirements within the space.
- Ergonomic Chairs: Consider how much time employees spend sitting, and choose chairs that promote comfort and support movement.
- Waiting Room Furniture: Comfortable, stylish furniture sets the tone for clients while reflecting your company’s image.
Storage: Cabinets and organizers are essential for keeping documents, inventory, or devices secure and accessible.