December 21, 2005

Chances are that much of your time is spent in your office. No matter what sort of business you conduct from within those four walls, it’s a place where productivity is important; where efficiency is key.

And we all know how difficult it can be to concentrate on your work when you’re not happy and comfortable in your surroundings. It may sound trivial, but it’s true: much of your success depends on the quality and setup of your office space. You’d be surprised at how much more you can get done in a space that’s well-organized, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. Choosing furniture that’s right for your space is an important first step. Your furniture is the “core” of your office, and affects how you store, organize, and display all your important work – so it’s crucial to put a lot of thought into picking out the right pieces.

In order to begin, it’s a good idea to make a layout of the room on paper with length and width measurements, taking into account the placement and measurements of windows and closets. This will assist you in choosing furniture that you can be sure will fit into your usable space. Make sure you include room for storage – we’ll talk more about this in a minute. And don’t forget to take measurements of your computer, printer, and other office necessities, if you have them already.

When the measurements have been taken and it’s time to pick out your furniture, it pays to shop around. If you’re watching the budget, there’s absolutely no shame in searching yard sales and classified ads for furniture. Many times you can get quality pieces for rock-bottom prices, especially if you’re willing to do a little work. A simple stain or some sanding can make all the difference in the world in turning a throwaway desk into an attractive and functional surface. If you do buy used furniture, obviously, make sure that it’s sturdy and not about to fall apart. Check all the drawers and doors to ensure that they open, close, and latch smoothly.

If you’re in the market for new furniture, shopping around still doesn’t hurt. We’ve all heard the old adage “you get what you pay for” and it many cases, it’s true … although I have to admit, I’m writing this from a particleboard desk that I paid $150 for at a discount store about seven years ago. It’s been moved to four different locations – even overseas and back – and still looks great and is holding up as sturdily as ever. This just goes to show that you can pay very little for a perfectly good desk without skimping on quality. Now, if you’re looking for something to hand down to your grandchildren, I suggest paying top dollar for a very good quality piece, but you’re most likely just looking for something well-designed to last you until you hit it big and can afford to buy that heavy mahogany desk for your penthouse suite. When purchasing a desk, make sure that your office equipment – computer, etc. – will fit, and that you’ll still have room for things such as lamps, pen and pencil holders, a stapler, books, organizational trays, inboxes, and the like. See that you have plenty of legroom, because you’ll be spending a lot of time behind the desk and you don’t want to be cramped. For extra space, choose a desk with a keyboard tray that rolls under the desktop when not in use.

If there’s one place not to skimp on quality, it’s your chair. Here is where you’ll want to spend most freely, because comfort is a huge priority when you’re sitting in one place for a long time. Don’t be a cheapskate when buying a chair; trust me, you’ll thank yourself later. If at all possible, try out the chair before buying it – this can make a lot of difference. Choose one with good lumbar support and a curved seat cushion that offers maximum support and pressure relief to the back and legs. Padded armrests are nice, and if they can be adjusted according to your preference, that’s even better. Ideally, the back and the height of the chair should be adjustable, too, so that your feet can easily rest on the floor no matter how short or tall you are. The seat should be wide enough to be comfortable and accommodating. And if you want to roll around, choose a chair with wheels for the utmost mobility (if your chair has wheels, and your office is carpeted, don’t forget to buy a plastic floor mat so you can roll easily!)

With today’s space-saving advances, there’s often no need to buy a separate filing cabinet. Most desks are designed with maximum efficiency in mind and come equipped with all kinds of handy nooks and crannies for storing and filing documents. If there’s a closet in your office, take full advantage of the extra space by installing inexpensive shelving. There are many organizational companies that, if you’re willing to expend a little cash, will turn your closet into a well-organized nook with the ability to store more than you ever thought possible. If you don’t want to spend that much, though, you can do just as well by putting a little thought – and a few cheap but sturdy shelves and drawers – into your closet. (Or just shove a filing cabinet in there so it’s out of the way, and close the door!)

The amount and type of furniture you’ll need depends entirely upon what kind of business you have and what you expect from your office, so the bottom line is personalization. Try before you buy. Come prepared with measurements and even a general list of the things you’ll be putting on/storing in each piece of furniture, so that you can ensure a proper amount of space. With a little shopping around, you’ll soon be on your way to a comfortable, super-efficient office that’s also a nice place to be.