Maximize Your Lobby Potential With An Effective Furniture Layout!

All too often businesses feel they are in need of more space to seat lobby guests and improve decor. However, this is commonly the cause of a poor furniture and seating layout. While your typical lounge furniture setups including a sofa, love seat, and settee look great, they are far from effective for those businesses looking to accommodate large numbers of guests while staying up to date with the latest design trends! In today's post we'll highlight popular seating layouts, product suggestions, and configuration ideas to help any business maximize seating potential and style!

Perimeter Seating Layout

The perimeter seating layout provides an open feel by utilizing the lobby border. This popular layout can be achieved by using gang style guest seating, beam chairs, and even individual lounge chairs for added comfort. Simply measure the perimeter of your space to determine the number of chairs that will fit effectively and proceed accordingly. If your space is not in the form of a basic rectangle, you may need to consider using modular seating like the UNO series from OFM to flow with the curvature of your space. Add stylish accent tables to the center of your seating configuration for enhanced corporate appeal.

Horizontal Seating Rows

This popular lobby seating style is great way to maximize the number of guests that can sit comfortably within a space. The horizontal rows can be configured using bench style seating in a back to back approach. If space is limited, you may not have the ability to add tables between each row. That being said, using a beam seating configuration with integrated tables will show your design ingenuity and visitor appreciation to perfection. Brands like OFM and Global Total Office offer a wide range of versatile product solutions for businesses looking to take the horizontal seating approach.

Vertical Seating Rows

Depending on the entry points of your lobby, the horizontal guest seating approach may not be visually appealing to your or your guests. If this is the case, using a vertical row system may be a better fit for your specific needs. The same general layout theory applies with using beam style seating in a back to back system. The vertical row seating layout is typically seen in travel terminal and healthcare environments as it provides a pleasing look from multiple angles.

Bistro Style Layout

This trending lobby furniture layout style consists of round or square top tables surrounded by stand alone guest chairs. The bistro look offers a pleasing visual presence and works great in hotel lobby applications. A bistro layout provides families a way to sit privately without disturbing other guests along with the table space needed to eat, converse, and operate those smart devices we are all guilty of using regularly! To create a bistro style layout, measure your space effectively to determine your areas square footage. Work with a designer or industry professional to determine the maximum number of tables and chairs will fit comfortably. Add a few basic accent and voila! You have a trend setting space that's sure to impress your valued visitors.

Cafe Style Layout

Similar to the bistro layout highlighted above, the cafe configuration utilizes tables and chairs spaced effectively to create a cutting edge guest waiting environment. The cafe system uses bar height tables or pub tables to create a swanky vibe that works well in modern lobby applications. Brands like Mayline, Global Total Office, and OFM offer super cool tables and bar stools that make the cafe layout work to perfection. If you're going for high end appeal, the cafe layout is a great way to achieve your aesthetic goals. Interior design teams and industry professionals alike are regularly recommending this popular lobby makeover theme.

Modular Layout

If you're outfitting a large lobby area, going modular with your design is just plain smart! The use of modular lounge chairs, mobile guest chairs, and flip top tables will provide your business with the ability to reconfigure quickly and easily when needed. This layout style provides a wide range of benefits that will allow your business to easily experiment with what type of layout works best. If you like the idea and ability to quickly change your lobby presence, a modular layout may be right for your business. The industries top brands are in a steady race to create versatile furniture solutions that move and adjust quickly to accommodate guests when needed. Incorporating a modular layout into your lobby provides unmatched versatility!

Read more »

Use These Helpful Tips to Select the Right Office Furniture Finish!

Selecting new office furniture for your home or business can have it's challenges to say the least. Between measuring your space properly and finding a good value for your budget, the furniture finish is probably the last thing on your mind. All too often shoppers are eager to find new furniture and end up selecting a finish that doesn't work well with their specific decor. That being said, in today's post we'll highlight our professional tips and tricks to help you select the right furniture finish for your space.

When selecting office furniture, it's important to properly assess your needs before starting the shopping process. Second only to measuring properly, determining a decor theme to suit your personality is of the utmost importance. One key element of the planning process is the finish you choose to incorporate into your work environments. 

Before settling on a furniture finish for your space, consider the paint color, floor finish, and other important factors like the accent furniture and office chairs in your area. Areas highlighted trending paint colors like gray will want to choose more contemporary furniture finish options that include darker tones like mocha, espresso, and black cherry. Traditionally inspired spaces with brown, taupe, and khaki paint tones will benefit from more elegant wood veneer finish options like mahogany, maple, and walnut.

It's important to plan your space and furniture purchase the way an interior designer would. Strive to have all the elements of your work environment work together in harmony to form a cohesive look. If you fall in love with a furniture collection that's only available in a few finish options, consider painting your space to match accordingly. Whether your designing an executive office, reception area, lobby, or conference room, this mentality is a must remember point that will help you choose the right finishes.

When choosing a finish, it's best to let your personality shine as much as possible. Consider using wood tones to set the mood in your workspace. Lighter finish options like maple offer a bright and welcoming feel that works great in both home and business applications. Dark wood finishes like mahogany offer traditional appeal and work great in law and executive offices. If you're going for a more cutting edge look, consider using furniture lines with metal accents, this look is trending in a major way!

Last but certainly not least, when choosing a furniture finish be sure to research the hottest design trends. Don't be afraid to visit a few surrounding businesses to get inspired! Remember, you only get to select your furniture finish once! It's far easier and much more cost effective to paint your space when compared to buying all new furniture due to a poor finish decision. Shop around for full service furniture collections from reputable brands like Global Total Office, Mayline, and Cherryman Industries that go inline with your intended decor theme. Once you've settled on a line, always, always, ALWAYS request free finish samples to ensure your complete and total satisfaction!

Read more »

How To Meet Your Office Makeover Project Deadline

When designing a professional office space, businesses are commonly faced with tight deadlines and strict budgets. In today's article we'll highlight the helpful tips and industry secrets you'll need to get your project finished on time and stress free! From the lobby to the boardroom, these versatile tricks will improve your business makeover efficiency.

1.) Assess Your Needs

All too often businesses go into office design projects without a distinct plan of attack. To better tackle your makeover, create a list of pieces you need and goals you hope to accomplish with your project. As budget is always a factor, assessing your needs at the beginning of your project will help to prevent you from splurging and exhausting your funds too quickly. The tips below are sure to help you create an itemized plan of attack for your project.

Tips for Assessing Your Office Makeover Needs:

• Measure Your Space Effectively
• Sketch 3 Potential Layout Ideas
• Choose A Furniture Style
• Determine A Furniture Brand
• Meeting with An Office Furniture Specialist

2.) Shop Smart

Once you've determined your specific project needs, it's time to shop. By now you should have met with an industry specialist to receive product suggestions on what brands, collections, and styles will work best for your project based on the tip list highlighted above. Take your new found knowledge to the digital world and search your favorite engine for deals, specials, and companies offering free shipping office furniture promotions to maximize your budget. Be sure to inquire about specific product lead times with your dealer of choice and leave up to 1 week of cushion for any unforeseen manufacturing issues that may occur.

3.) Schedule Delivery

Now that you've comparison shopped and purchased the necessary furniture to complete your project, the next essential step is to schedule delivery. There's not much worse than having a delivery driver show up when you are in no way ready to receive your new furniture. Scheduling delivery is a sure fire way to help you stay organized and on top of your makeover deadline. To determine an estimated delivery date effectively inquire with your dealer about a shipping date. Once items ship a tracking number will be available upon request. Obtain this number and the freight carriers information and call them asap. The sooner you request a specific delivery day the more likely the carrier will be able to meet your request.

4.) Prepare Your Space

Whether you choose to go the way of a professional office furniture installation service or opt for self installation methods with your team, prepping your space is an absolute must. Start by removing old office desks, tables, and seating a few days in advance. Be sure to take pictures of the furniture in your current space if you're planning to sell it to recapture expenses. With your old furniture removed you'll be empowered with a clear canvas to begin your makeover. Take the time to create a staging area for new furniture to be placed out of the way. This simple tip will save you time and prevent the need to move boxes multiple times before they are actually needed!

5.) Have The Correct Tools

Having the correct tools on hand to install your furniture will prevent time consuming trips to the hardware store. If you're hoping to meet a project deadline, these little hiccups will surely hurt your chances of doing so. The tool check list below is a helpful guide as to what items you'll need on hand to ensure a smooth and effective install.

Must Have Items for Office Furniture Installation Include:

• Assorted Screwdrivers (both Philips and flat head variations)
• Cordless Drill
• First Aid Kit
• Flash Light
• Furniture Sliders or Dolly
• Box Cutter
• Set of Allen Wrenches
• Socket Set
• Measuring Device

 6.) Don't Forget To Clean

Once the installation process is completed, rest assured there will be debris! Packaging materials like bubble wrap and card board will be abundant. For larger projects like conference room, executive offices, and office lobby furniture configurations, be sure to have an empty dumpster on hand to hold all your unwanted waste. Breaking boxes down will save space while trash bags will come in handy for smaller odds and ends. Often, new furniture will be accompanied by dust. Therefore, having a soft rag and cleaning supplies will allow you to make your new products shine to their full potential before the following work day.

Overall, meeting your project deadline is all about being prepared and organized. Collaborating with your coworkers and furniture provider will provide helpful insight all throughout the process. Be sure to generate an itemized plan and budget to follow for your specific requirements. In the long run, the makeover transition when handled right can be a truly fun and rewarding process you can be proud of!

Read more »