Office Design: The Top 3 Items Every Office Must Have

Office design is a tricky thing, and it's not always easy to know where to start. That's why this article is all about office must haves! Today, we'll be rounding off the top three things every office environment needs to succeed. Just start with these items and work your way up from there. Before you know it, your office, cubicle, or conference area will be rockin' modern style, and you can rest assured knowing it's prepared for anything!

Everyday Office

- Modular Desk

- Ergonomic Office Chair

- Plenty of Storage

Whether it's at home or in an office building, the everyday office is almost always the easiest to decorate. However, it's important to remember that storage space, desks with modular design, and chairs with ergonomic benefits are absolute must haves for those that spend all day in this space. Obviously, ergonomic chairs prevent health risks like back pain and joint problems. Modular desks, on the other hand, keep everything within arms reach of the user. Thanks to diverse brand names, modular desks and ergonomic chairs come in all shapes, sizes, and colors to meet decor needs. Just make sure your space has plenty of drawers, cabinets, and shelving for storage, and your place is ready to roll!


Cubicle

- Ergonomic Chair
- Proper Lighting
- Ergonomic Computer Accessories

In most cases, cubicle instruments are provided by the company, not the user. However, not all users are created equal, and some individuals may have unique health concerns or work habits not supported by company-provided furniture. That's why we recommend users choose their own seating, lighting  arrangements and accessories when working in a cubicle. Choosing healthy mid back chairs with ergonomic features lets users adjust their chairs for themselves. In addition, customizable office accessories, like desk lamps, retractable keyboard trays and articulating computer monitor arms, allow users to meet their own needs. These ergonomic devices are not only convenient, but they also promote healthier work habits. When used properly, slouching, eye strain, and decreased blood circulation will be a thing of the past!

Conference Room

- Modular Table
- Good Conference Chairs
- Presentation Aids 

As the place where business owners play host to executives from other companies, there's a lot that rides on conference room curb appeal. Designs should not only be professional, but reflect company ideals and attitudes as well. For those on a budget, a good modular conference table is always a necessity. Tables that reconfigure and offer power capabilities equip the conference room to double as a work area, meeting room, or project center for employees when corporate guests aren't around. Stylish leather meeting chairs and presentation aids like whiteboards and projectors allow for easy idea sharing in an environment that maximizes workplace comfort.

Reception Area

- Reception Tables
- Comfortable, Appropriate Seating
- Reception Desks

Reception areas are a company's first impression on guests (and you know what they say about first impressions)! In this sense, it's important to cater to guests with comfortable chairs appropriate for your business needs. Thankfully, there are tons of reception seating options out there. Luxury, mesh, fabric, and convenient beam seating all have great waiting room potential. Never forget that guests need a place to put things too - you can never have a reception area without coffee and end tables. A noticeable reception desk by the entrance lets visitors know your company wants to help. And if you have time left over, entertainment in the form of magazines, wall art, or a television set are necessary to occupy guests until they're called.

Break Room

- Table Sets
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- (Coffee Machine)

Finally, we get to the break room. Unfortunately, the favorite room in the office is often the most looked over in terms of style. However, as the place where most everyone sits down for a bite to eat, even this room has some basic requirements. Obviously break room table sets are a must. Where else would you hear about all the office gossip if not in the break room, right? Additionally, a refrigerator and microwave for the bag-lunchers are a must have too. Shop by bargains, and you may still have enough cash left over for some plastic utensils and the most non-optional of all office supplies - the coffee machine.

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DIY Conference Room Makeover Tips

"Do it yourself" does not mean you have to do it alone! And for those of you looking to redo your office conference area with style, you've come to the right place. In today's article, we'll be listing the steps every DIY decorator needs to take to get a conference room your business can be proud of. Check out these tips for a helpful office makeover process that's sure to impress!

Assess Your Needs

Every business is different. That's why it's so important to assess exactly what you'll be using your conference space for. As a place where you'll be meeting with other corporate executives and guests, a good conference room should be professional, but also showcase your business personality. Try to choose classy, effective conference room furniture with the same personality you want visitors to associate with your company. Also remember that you may be using the space for more than just corporate meetings. Having versatile modular conference tables that can reconfigure, or nest for easy storage, will be beneficial if the conference room doubles as a training area, presentation room, or boardroom.

Measure Your Space

For DIY experts, accurate measuring is probably thoughtless reflex by now, but for those of you just getting started, we cannot stress the importance of properly measuring space for interior design. Anytime you plan to decorate an interior, get a few friends to help you take measurements of the room. Then, make a scale drawing on graph paper to put it all in perspective. Be sure to make note of any entryways, power outlets, windows, and other permanent fixtures in the room. This will help you determine the best layout for furniture. Of course, once you've got an idea of the furniture you want, it never hurts to make scale drawings, cut them out, and move them around the floor plan to help decide on a layout.

Choose A Reputable Manufacturer

This is the space you're relying on to represent the best your business has to offer. So remember, choosing reputable office furniture manufacturers is a must-take step (unless you plan on attempting to DIY a conference table by yourself). For those new to the office furniture world, know that Global Total Office, Cherryman, and Mayline have long been some of the best brands for choosing quality conference room furniture. You may choose to shop by office furniture collection with any of these great brands, or pick through furniture by categories (such as "top conference furniture" or "leather conference room chairs"). Either way, going with best selling office furniture brands is a surefire bet!

Shop For Value

Almost all quality office furniture brands sell through a dependable office furniture dealer. However, with so many dealers out there, it's hard to know if you're getting the best price. Unless you plan on crafting your own furniture along with your DIY office space, do-it-yourself shopping is unfortunately part of the deal. But don't worry! There are plenty of ways to shop for value. Furniture can get expensive so don't be afraid to sign up for mailing lists (you can always unsubscribe later). Use an app or a comparison shopping engine to help you choose a top furniture dealer with free shipping to extend your budget. Markdowns, clearance specials, and holiday sales are excellent times to shop. And don't be afraid to ask for bulk discounts (most dealers offer them to shoppers that buy more than three items).

Paint Before Furniture Arrives

Once you've picked out your furniture and decided on colors, fabrics, and textures, it's time to break out the paintbrush. Getting the walls painted before your furniture arrives is crucial if you want a space that's ready to receive whatever you've bought. Try to choose cool paint colors with similar shades and patterns to the furniture you selected. Make sure to pick a few contrasting colors so your conference room doesn't seem visually bland. Try to get the painting done and dried before the date you set the furniture to arrive by. Remember, it's a lot easier to paint an empty room than one you've just decked out with new furniture!

Prep For Installation

The big day is almost here, and that means preparation. Like getting ready for a new baby, new furniture arrivals require a lot of groundwork and planning to prevent unwanted surprises. Unfortunately, most new decorators overcomplicate the very simple furniture installation process by under preparing. In order to have a swift, safe, successful installation, discard the old furniture first or move it to a new area where you can confer with guests until your new conference room is done. Always create a "staging area"to house and organize furniture and boxes when they arrive. Try to have basic tools on hand, like a screwdriver, a cordless drill, pliers, and a first aid kit. Keep a buddy around to help with the heavy lifting and ensure safety. And finally, don't forget that there will be lots of debris afterwards. Plan a space to store trash, cardboard boxes, plastic coverings, bubble wrap, styrofoam, and packing peanuts to discard of them responsibly.

Evaluate Your Space

Ah! Finally we reach the last step. Now that your new conference area furniture is all set up, it's time to take a last inventory of the room. Evaluate your space to determine any outstanding needs. Check to see if your conference area has proper lighting and power to tables and other electronics. Marker boards, lecterns, and TV carts are all helpful office presentation accessories that most conference room decorators forget about until it's too late. Add them in to create nice additions that will improve meeting area functionality and impress clients. Now you can enjoy your space!

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