May 27, 2007

Office Furniture - Understanding The Benefit

The furniture varies in quality, durability, flexibility, and usage. Handling is more important when we consider the lifespan of furniture. If the furniture is bought from branded shops and retailers you will likely get a warranty.

The office furniture should incorporate comfort and functionality. The factors that help you decide the good furniture are quality, material, flexibility, durability, cost and multi-utility. In fact, the furniture should satisfy all the requirements of the customer.

A welcomed development in the office furniture market is the discount system. It began in the 60s and has become quite popular in recent years. The main advantage of discount office furniture is that it is cost-effective and enables one to acquire the finest in office furniture at discounted prices. Even executive furniture such as wood veneer desks, l-shaped and u-shaped furniture, as well as reception furniture is offered at discounted rates. Though this furniture is offered at discount prices, design, sophistication and comfort are not compromised.

A discount sale through the Internet has the added advantage of not having to approach retailers or wholesalers. Online catalogues are provided by most companies and a huge selection of choice furniture items are only a click away. Many of the discount office furniture shops offer a full warranty and reasonable prices. A majority of the warehouses and stores in this country and abroad have online shopping facilities and supply quality office furniture to individuals and commercial establishments within a minimum number of days, thereby making shopping fast and comfortable. Further, most of the companies provide services such as custom design, office design and space planning.

Now, let's take a look at a short list, not claiming to be exhaustive, of office furniture terms you may not understand, although you see them often on furniture related websites.

* Armoire - A movable wardrobe, usually with one or two doors.
* Armoire desk - A writing-table within a large cabinet.
* Bookcase - Furniture with horizontal shelves, used to store books.
* Bookend - Object in a bookcase, designed to keep a row of books upright.
* Cabinet - A box-shaped piece of furniture typically made of wood, used for storage.
* Computer desk - Furniture designed to comfortabley provide a working surface.
* Cubicle - A small area set off by walls, used as a place to work.
* Drawing table - A multipurpose desk used for drawing on a large sheet of paper.
* Escritoire - A small, portable writing desk with a sloping front door used to provide a writing surface.
* Lectern desk - A rolling computer desk on a single leg set on wheels.
* Light fixture - Electrical device used to create artificial light or illumination.
* Pedestal desk - A large desk resting on two pedestals or cabinets.
* Rug - Carpet with a finished edge.
* Shelf - Part of the office furniture used for storing items.
* Standing desk - A form of desk used for writing while standing up.

Offices have their own kinds of furniture. Chiefly needed are a desk and a plush chair, other chairs for seating clients and several drawers. The desk should not be too large so as to intimidate clients; and the drawers should not be too many to get confusing.

Even furniture in the foyers and waiting rooms is important, as this is the place where clients wait and make their judgments about the office. Comfy sofas and a few low tables with magazines often suffice, but it pays to have some paintings and wall hangings with bright lighting. The reception desk also should be clean and inviting.

Office furniture is often termed commercial furniture. Even mortgages available for office improvements are levied at commercial rates of interest. Naturally, building a whole office setup requires a lot of planning and investment. Office furniture cannot be changed again and again. There are many reasons for this. One reason is the difficulty in stopping work for a number of days. Another is that staff and clients are often nonplussed by changing office furniture, as they prefer familiar surroundings for them to work in. It may also project the shaky mind of the office owners.