5 Great Ways to Increase Office Storage

Finding places to put things can be a tough problem in an office space. Over the years, papers, books, notes, and files have a tendency to build up, resulting in the efficient person's worst nightmare - clutter. Having a jumbled office can hamper overall productiveness and turn work in to a grueling task. Rather than wading through the swamp of mess though, a great way to clean up a space is to incorporate more storage. Here are some amazing solutions to save your office from clutter chaos.

Storage Cabinets

Sometimes adding a simple storage cabinet is all it takes to turn an office from a disaster zone into a place where productiveness can flourish. Adding large cabinets for office storage is one of the best solutions for many because they typically offer an efficient way to shelve items of all different shapes and sizes. Rather than leave things out in the open for all to see, office storage cabinets give users the opportunity to hide things through the use of doors. They leave offices with a cleaner look and the user a greater sense of privacy when compared to other office storage items. Cabinets are often available in either wood, metal, or some other type of material, and they're offered in numerous sizes to fit with the spacial and decor needs of any office environment. They are an effective, age-old solution that isn't likely to disappear anytime soon.

Bookcases

Whether you love books or just need some more shelf space, wood bookcases for home and business use offer excellent storage capabilities. They are the ideal solution for anyone renting a space because they offer shelving that doesn't damage walls. Bookcases can also usually support more than the typical wall-mounted shelving option because the sides of the bookcase lend extra support. Most are made of either wood or metal, both of which look incredible in many different office environments. They are available in numerous sizes, usually with shelves of two, three, or five, depending on the individual's needs. Some, like the SSDCA Sliding Door Bookcase by Mayline even offer doors to hide the contents of your bookshelf, both for privacy, and a cleaner, more uniform look.

Shelving

Shelving is a great storage solution for anyone in a tight spot. Any interior designer will tell you that when a place is low on square footage, building up is better than building out, and shelving is the perfect device to accomplish this. The reason why affordable shelving for office use might be more efficient than a bookcase is because shelving is often better suited to hold more than just books. Even if bookcases can house things like small plants, pictures, or tissue boxes, shelving configurations often allow users to switch the sizes of their shelves, for example, the bottom shelf might have much more space than the top shelf. Users may choose to store boxes or packaging rather than just literary materials. Wall mounted shelving takes up no floor space whatsoever. Both options are superb for anyone short on room for their office.

Pedestals 

Perhaps your office doesn't need a whole lot of storage space. For many, something as big and intrusive as a bookcase, cabinet, or a shelving configuration is just too much. That's why there's pedestals! These nifty little devices are storage solutions that can easily squeeze underneath desks. They provide drawer space for everything from pencils to files. Many are often equipped with wheel casters for mobility. The ones with locking features make ideal storage for teachers and executives in both home and office environments. While they are easy to hide, stylish pedestals for office desks are often appealing enough to leave right in plain sight. For a small storage solution that offers tons of space without taking up a lot of it's own, pedestals are always a great answer!

Carts

Want storage that can follow you anywhere? Then carts are the key for you. Carts can hold everything from files to television sets making them perfect for offices, schools, conference areas, and presentation rooms. By definition, all mobile office carts for sale is equipped with wheels for easy mobility. Some offer shelf space, others offer drawer space depending on the needs of your office, but all carts offer the same thing - a place to put things. In office environments where things can get messy fast, sometimes that is all you need!

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5 Creative Ways to Spice Up a Boring Office

It's no secret that companies like Google and Pixar have super cool and cutting edge office environments. There are those out there who spend their whole education racking up the credentials just so they can spend a career in a cool ocean-themed cubicle and take breaks in a nap pod, which is probably why trying to get a job at either place is next to impossible. Sure, working at these companies is definitely a sweet gig, but that doesn't mean your job can't be. If your workplace is still rocking beige walls and 1980s cubicles, it's probably time for a change. A dull office environment is not only takes a toll on business and the way customers view it, but it can also attack employee health, causing physical and mental deterioration. Don't let your employees get the Monday blues when they leave the office on Fridays. Here are a few great ways to spice up office life and bring in some fun!

Let Some Light In

We've all seen those commercials for depression meds with the victims sitting in dark rooms ignoring their pets. One has to wonder, perhaps if they opened a window and let some light in, maybe they wouldn't need the meds. Unfortunately, most people don't realize how important light is to the body. Yes, poor lighting can strain the eyes, but it can also leave employees feeling trapped. In an office environment, repetitive menial work coupled with bad lighting is practically a recipe for depressed, unproductive employees. Plentiful natural lighting has been shown to improve outlook and increase productivity in all sorts of environments. Lack of natural light has a negative effect that increases over time, so many people don't even realize it causes depression. If you've got a dull office, one of the best ways to liven things up is by opening a few windows. If that's impossible for whatever reason, amping up the artificial lighting for office use is a good substitute. Just make sure your aren't living in the dark!

Bring the Outside Inside

Believe it or not, a little touch of the outdoors can have a tremendous effect on the appeal of an office space. Not only do a few plants make interiors feel more homey and inviting, but many of them can actually purify the air, improving employee mental health! Some of the prettiest easy-care office plants that do this are aloe vera, chrysanthemum, gerber daisies, and red-edged dracaena. Additionally, colorful, easy-care fishes set on the edges of office desks with glass tops will definitely liven up any space. They have become super popular in recent years. If you're in need of a cute, quiet cubicle friend, beta fish have been known to live comfortably in one gallon bowls with plants to oxygenate the water. However, buying a quiet filter such as an Aquaclear or a Cascade 300, instantly increases your fish options, and you won't have to do much more than feed them twice a day. If you can convince your boss, plants and fish make adorable nonintrusive additions to the workplace that guests are sure to love!

Have Some Fun

Obviously, work is for work, but that doesn't mean you can't have a bit of fun on the job. Sometimes small things like regular games during breaks or lunchtime is a great way to bring employees together as a community. Instead of letting things get stagnant at work, change things up a bit. Have activities going on after work some days that employees or office guests can take part in. A running game of Kill the Stickman or Trashbin Basketball with scores kept on stylish presentation boards for office use can go over the course of several days. They are easy and fun on days when there aren't any meetings and the board isn't in use. Additionally, silly things like "Weird Hat Day" or a day for harmless pranks will bring much needed laughter to a drab workplace, making employees want to do good at their job because they value it. In short, always remember to get your work done, but there's nothing wrong with having fun in your down time!

Change the Walls

One of the biggest signs of a boring workplace is boring walls. If you're employees look like they might be about to grind cheese graters against their foreheads just for a bit of color, its probably time to say goodbye to the boring cubicles and white walls. Not all cool cubicles with modern design are super expensive. Nowadays, cubicles come with designs that offer both privacy and windows to view the world through. If you find functionality of cubicles helpful to your work environment but want a way to bring down the walls, office workstations for multiple users make wonderful alternatives. Finally, tossing a bit of color on the walls or someplace else in the office really brings a room back into the world of the living. Consider adding some artwork for employees to rest their eyes on when the computer light is getting to them. Views of the outdoors are extremely beneficial to those within indoor environments for extended periods of time.

Modernize

The workplace blues aren't only caused by drab looks. Gaudy old office furniture can take tolls on both business perception and employee's physical health. The best way to solve this is to step into the 21st century! Modernization can work wonders for an office if done right, and it doesn't have to cost the boss an arm and a leg. Simply adding mesh back chairs with ergonomics can drastically improve circulation and decrease back pain for users, and the best part about them is the affordable price. Hiring interior designers with specializations in office applications may be one of the best decisions a boss can make for their business. Most office designers are aware of which furniture is the most conducive to a productive, attractive work environment and they won't hesitate to get the best for the best deals.

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3 Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing a New Office Desk

Adding a stylish new office desk to any room can be a fun experience. Choosing the finish and the colors on the chair to match the room, and deciding where the desk could go gives many people the opportunity to use their creative side by playing interior designer. Unfortunately, while office decorating can be tons of fun, often the biggest mistake people can make is not hiring a professional to choose and install their desks. Amateurs often have a tendency to make the mistakes that people like interior designers have had drilled out of them through years and years of practice and repetition, but you don't have to fall victim too. Here are some helpful mistakes to avoid when purchasing a new office desk!

Don't Forget to Measure

Perhaps the biggest mistake any decorator can make is forgetting to measure. Inaccurate measurements can be disastrous letdowns, since most people typically don't find out their measurements were off until after their office desk arrives and is painstakingly assembled. The best way to avoid this is through careful reading of desk features and measurements. Once you've decided where to put your office desk, either in a home or business environment, use a tape measure or an electronic measuring tool to take account of the length of each wall that the desk could potentially touch. Never, ever forget to take into account how power outlets, doors, and windows function in the space so that you're aware of how the new piece of furniture may effect the room. Its never a bad idea to measure and sketch out the entire room on a piece of graph paper, making notes of where all the other furniture, doors, windows, and power outlets are and marking them to scale. Finally, read through all of the measurements of the desk you want to buy, including the measurements of its drawers and other extendable features. On another piece of graph paper, draw the desk to the same scale you used for the bedroom, then cut it out and see if it will fit in the space you want. Don't forget to leave a bit of extra space for yourself and the office chair.

Take Advantage of Deals

It's no secret that office desks can get expensive. Many executive desks for home and business use can easily exceed two-thousand dollars if you aren't careful. However, there are plenty of office desks at affordable prices available if you look for them in the right places, and looking in the right places begins by looking for coupons. Any office furniture retailer that cares about its customers will always have coupons floating around or sales going on, particularly on holidays. Never pay full price when you don't have to. Instead, wait around until for a holiday before you hit the internet to look for coupons and sales. While the best times to shop for office desks are usually around the bigger holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the big December days, it's still possible to find a few good sales and coupons on Mother's Day, Father's Day, Veteran's Day, and the Fourth of July. With all the deals going on, there's no excuse for mission out on all the goods when shopping for new office desks!

Don't Pay for Shipping

Don't ever pay for shipping when shopping for a new office desk. Even if the prices look lower on some websites, if it doesn't say "free shipping," know that you will definitely pay more than the difference if you buy from them. Most office furniture sites carry furniture from all the reputable names. Choosing affordable office furniture from top brands like Mayline, Cherryman Industries, or Global Total Office will ensure that your office desk is of the highest quality, since these some of the best office desk manufacturers out there today. Just the same, you should never have to pay the manufacturer's list price when buying quality furniture for office use. As we've said, office furniture can get expensive. Be sure to shop around a bit before buying. If you find a desk that you just can't live without on one website, write down its product code, then open a new tab and search for it to see if another site offers a larger discount with free shipping included. Not only will you have your dream desk, but your smart shopping may also leave you with enough money to buy a matching office chair as well!

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How to Protect Your Office Furniture Investment

One of the biggest things people consider when buying just about anything, from groceries to cars, is "how long will this last me?" With office furniture, this is especially true. You don't want to go and buy something that will break after less than a year of use. Still, with most warranties lasting only a year or so, it can be hard to ensure that you have made a purchase that will earn back your money's worth with reliable service. Well, not anymore! Here's a few tips and tricks that will help you protect your office furniture investment so that those chairs and desks will last for years to come!

Break Out the Tool Chest

Just like automobiles, furniture that is checked and maintained regularly for stability and quality will run for a long time. Things like chairs, desks, sofas, and anything else that relies on screws for structural support may fall apart before they have to if they're neglected long enough. The best way to ensure that your furniture will last as long as possible is to break out the tool chest and play handyman once every few months. Tighten the screws on old desks and sofas that may have loosened with age. Oil the hinges  and adjusting mechanisms on aging office chairs and cabinet doors. Taking a little bit of time out of the day to give things a quick once over and make sure they're functioning will work wonders on furniture. If you put in the effort, your office furniture will undoubtedly reward you by lasting longer than you ever though possible!

Organize

Don't end up like this lady! Organization may seem like a silly thing when it comes to protecting your office furniture investment, but it can actually make a huge difference. You may not even realize it, but overtime, things like bookshelves and file cabinets can start to sag under the weight of piled up papers and catalogs. Going through every so often and cleaning out the old stuff you or your company no longer needs anymore can help keep the furniture from bending under the pressure. Straighter shelves are much sturdier than bent ones. Making the effort to keep unnecessary weight off of them will give your cabinets, shelves, and drawers a fighting chance against time. Who knows? You may even find your office is more efficient because of it!

Regular Cleaning

Any dentist will happily tell you that regular cleaning is key to keeping away cavities. The same is true for office furniture. Even while desks and chairs may not risk gingivitis, regular cleaning is still hugely important when it comes to protecting your office furniture investment. Not only does it prevent the spread of germs, protecting your whole office, but it can also earn you years of your furniture looking spectacular. Making sure your furniture is cleaned, polished, and protected will prevent any corrosive substances from building up or marring your beautiful furniture. In addition, furniture that is kept clean can often be resold at a fairly high price if you ever decide to upgrade!

Go Ergonomic

You may or may not have started hearing the word "ergonomics" in strange places. From mattress commercials to ads for affordable office chairs with ergonomics, furniture manufacturers have really been working this word recently, and for good reason. Ergonomic furniture can really help improve the health, efficiency, and productivity of office environments. In fact, that is exactly what the study of ergonomics is! If you're looking for the best way to help protect your office furniture investment, there is no better way to start than by purchasing chairs and office desks with modern features such as ergonomic designs. With this style of furniture, you can rest assured that anything you buy will not only help improve your whole office. It will also improve your health and comfort while you work!

Dealing with Wood Furniture

Most people recognize that wood office furniture looks good, but it can also last a long time. Often, purchasing office desks with stylish luxury wood finishes is a great way to insure that your office furniture will pay for itself with years of use. However, even wood furniture can start to go south if it's not kept up. If you really want to make the most out of your wood office desks for executive use and other wood office furniture, you have to show it. Take the time to go through once every week or so to dust and polish your furniture. Keeping it up will prove that you care. Later on, if you decide to sell your furniture, you may even get more than you paid for by boasting that its an antique!

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