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Picking Office Chairs that are Comfortable and Attractive

The reception area of your office is the first place that new visitors see. First impressions tend to last so it’s important that your reception office is attractive and welcoming. Since visitors often have to wait for a few minutes when they arrive, your office furniture and chairs are a key part of the environment. You want them to have the impression that your office is well-organized, professional and neat.

Lammhults Side Chair in YellowYour chairs should blend in naturally with the other office furniture, such as the reception desk and tables. They shouldn’t clash or look like they were bought cheaply at a yard sale. Most of all, the chairs should be comfortable. No one likes to sit in a stiff or lumpy chair. The chairs should be in good condition as should the rest of the chairs in your office. Good chairs will keep your visitors content and relaxed while they wait. Groups of people shouldn’t feel cramped while they are sitting.

Your office furniture indicates your company’s level of professionalism. However, you do not have to spend an outrageous amount of money finding office furniture that is comfortable and functional. You can find attractive chairs at reasonable prices through office furniture liquidators. Often, they have attractive and comfortable chairs that will easily fit into your budget. Avoid going to big box office chains; they sell chairs but often at a significant markup.

Your office chairs should be well-constructed and in good condition. You may need to clean them occasionally, especially the arm rests. Customers will notice if the chairs are neglected. The office furniture shouldn’t have broken backs, rips in the fabric or unbalanced legs. In some offices, owners choose to have a few higher chairs for patrons that may have difficulty sitting in lower seats. This is especially true for doctor’s offices that have older or handicapped patients.

If your office visitors tend to include children, you may want to have some smaller chairs in fun colors. You can also find chairs with small tables attached. These are extremely useful when visitors need to fill out paperwork or organize papers while they are waiting. You should also consider whether your visitors would appreciate armrests which can make chairs more comfortable for longer waits. High backs are also a good comfort feature for office furniture.

Cordelia by goSIT New Modern Executive Mid-Back Chair, WhiteStyle is an important consideration when it comes to office furniture. Consider how the office furniture will blend in with your existing decor. You can find chairs in a variety of styles including modern, classic and art deco. Some chairs feature wood which should coordinate with the other types of wood in the office. If you try to put different types of wood together, they may clash and create an unattractive and unprofessional appearance.

Chairs come in a wide variety of patterns. You can mix and match patterns and solid colors so that the room has visual interest. Be sure to consider the artwork and filing cabinets in the room to ensure that the chairs blend properly. Take the flooring into consideration as well. All these elements should be blend together to create the professional look you want to project.

You can find well-made office furniture products from brands like Herman Miller and Hon. There are many options for reception area chairs. Some companies offer refurbished chairs that appear brand news. You can find chairs with subtle patterns. You can also purchase chairs made from leather or leatherette that add distinction to the reception area. Some chairs resemble recliners while others have a more standard style. You can even find loveseats that are an attractive addition for the office.

Make sure your reception area has adequate space for the chairs you order. You don’t want the area to appear cluttered by too many chairs. On the other hand, you should have enough office furniture to accommodate the typical number of visitors. Count the average number of visitors you have daily during an average week. You should order enough accommodate that number of visitors plus a few additional chairs.

New or refurbished brand name office chairs can be a significant investment but they pay off in the long run. They will last longer than cheaply-made chairs. The chairs will also go a long way towards creating the look and image you want to project in your office.

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Upgrading Your Desk

As we move through the different stages in our lives and careers we go through upgrades. We upgrade our wardrobe our cars, furniture and appliances. For me I needed some upgrade in my life specifically in my office. Now for those of you who read my blog How to Choose the Right Office Chair for Your Workspace you would know I had already begun this process. I traded in my over-sized office chair for something smaller and more efficient and next up on my check list was a new desk.

before desk

My previous desk was one that I had thrown together from Pinterest. It had storage cubby sides and a wood top desk. It was by no means anything fancy nor did it have all the features I was looking for in a desk. It was always meant to be temporary until I was able to upgrade to something a little more professional.

When the day finally came I hit the warehouse to look at all the desk sets available. My first thought was that I needed something with lots of storage. I started checking out all the desk sets with credenzas and plenty of storage space. However, my office space (which also happens to be my bedroom) is limited and while I longed for a big desk set I knew it wasn't in the cards.

I took several laps around the warehouse until I returned to the Everyday series in Cherry. One of the things I loved about this series is how I could pick and choose from several different pieces to make the desk set I wanted. I settled on the smaller desk with a single pedestal side. The great thing about this desk was all the features:

  • Easy to grip handles
  • Locks on all drawers
  • Black full suspension ball bearing slides on all drawers
  • Black finished drawer interiors
  • File drawers supplied with rods for hanging legal or letter files
  • Matching vertical grain drawer fronts
  • Black plastic wire management grommets
  • Vertical grain full modesty panels
  • Scratch resistant laminate
  • 3 Millimeter edge banding on all edges
  • Adjustable leveling glides

Everyday Series Desk

Now that's a lot of features for just a small desk right? But while this desk gave me enough space to work it didn't give me all the space I needed for storage so I added on a two shelf bookcase to the set. The book shelf was an important add on for me. It stores my printer along with the four baskets of office supplies I had in my previous desk. Even though I went from a one piece desk to two piece set I ended up taking up less space. My new desk is less bulky then my previous one and gave me more space to walk by. In the end I couldn't be happier with my new set. My office is more organized than ever and with the Cherry color I was still able to stay in the country style design I desired.

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My Cubicle Makeover

You can tell a lot about a person by their office. The design of your office should be a direct reflection of your personality. It’s also many peoples first impression of you. Do you want to be perceived as strong and sophisticated or are you coming across as simple and sloppy? If you have ever heard of the saying dress for the job you want the same should be said about the presentation of your workspace.

When I first started my position I was very excited about the design options that lay before me. I have this beautiful custom Knoll cubicle with a sliding glass door and metal polka dot base. Because I have a glass wall and am essentially visible to all, I knew that what I put in my cubicle was not only a direct reflection of myself but also of the company. I wanted to showcase the fact that cubicles don’t have to be boring but I knew I needed to choose some bold items.

First thing I changed in my cubicle was the neutral desk that was a shade of beige. I knew that wood didn’t really go with the style I was looking for so I swapped it out for a custom metal polka dot desk to match the outside base. The metal look is clean cut and sleek while the polka dots added some texture and uniqueness.

Storage is a must have. While you want your desk to look comfortable and cozy you don’t want to come off as messy and unorganized. Adding in vertical files under the desk is a great way to save yourself some space. Typically these items are no frill items however now you can get them with a custom padded top with fabric to not only add to your design but to also put out as an extra seat if need be.

Next I needed a bucket chair and I needed to add some color so I decided to make this item my pop of color. I hit the warehouse looking for the item I desired but I didn’t quite find anything that was exactly what I had in mind so I decided to get one reupholstered. I chose a comfortable chair that had great shape and clean lines. I reupholstered it with smooth red leather. It was bold and colorful as well as the company color. Not to mention a strong use of red in design also symbolizes things such as energy, power, leadership, courage, and joy.

Before and After Side Chairs

Now that I had chosen the main items that I wanted to reflect the company it was now time to choose my personal knickknacks that showed my personality and made me feel creative and productive in the workplace. Two must haves in personal items for me are a framed picture of loved ones and a plant or flower to help reduce stress. To add to my style I threw in some vintage inspired items such as a white teacup for pencils and a glass bird. For my finishing touch I add artwork to add more color as well as inspiration.

My Cubicle Makeover

I hope that my cubicle makeover inspires you to make a few changes of your own. Here are some closing things to remember: Design matters and customization doesn’t need to break the bank ask us about our reupholstering and custom desk top options.

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Furnishing Your Office Stylishly and Cost-Effectively with Great Chairs

The appearance of your office is an important consideration. If potential clients visit your office, they will form an impression of your competence based on the appearance of the office space. Potential employees will form the same kinds of impressions. In addition, a professional-looking office encourages a business-like atmosphere that will increase productivity. There are many details that can make your office look organized and fresh as opposed to sloppy and dated.

Steelcase Leap V1 Task Chair in FabricOffice chairs can be a big investment simply because of the number of chairs you will need to purchase. If you have a conference room, you’ll need an appropriate amount of seating. Managers need seats for meetings in their offices. And, of course, each employee will need a seat. The last thing you want is an office full of people scrounging for office chairs.

Mismatched office chairs make an office look like it was haphazardly thrown together. Old, broken or worn-out chairs simply look unprofessional. It’s tempting to cut corners on office chairs because of the cost investment, but they are a distinct feature in the environment. Mismatched office chairs make the environment look chaotic. If the office chairs are uncomfortable, your clients will notice. Every chair does not need to be exactly alike, but they should have complementary styles that blend well. All the office chairs in a conference room should look similar or complimentary.

If you have a reception room, you’ll need good chairs for waiting visitors. You can purchase these in a variety of styles, but the most important considerations are that they look fresh and comfortable. Office visitors should never be forced to sit in dirty or uncomfortable chairs. It reflects badly on your business. You may need to purchase stackable stairs for larger events. Avoid the metal stackable chairs that everyone dreads sitting in. Comfortable and attractive stackable office chairs are a good investment.

reception chairYou can find reasonably priced office chairs if you shop carefully. Avoid large office store chains because the price markup is usually significant. Also, don’t limit yourself merely to brand new chairs. Some companies offer high-quality, re-conditioned chairs that are attractive and stylish. Before choosing office chairs, be sure to consider the look of your office in general. Make sure the office chairs blend in appropriately with the other furniture including desks and conference tables.

When it comes to the professional look of your office, organization makes a big impression on clients and visitors. It also affects the way your employees behave. You need to give them the appropriate tools to stay organized and keep the office looking neat and organized. Otherwise, your office will look chaotic and cluttered which will reflect on people’s ability to view you as competent and thorough.

Individual employees may need a small file cabinet so that they can keep important papers nearby. It will save them time if they have necessary papers close by instead of going to a centralized file cabinet.  A lockable file cabinet might be necessary if the person has access to confidential information. You can purchase small and mid-size cabinets that fit naturally into a small office. This will not only save your employee time, but it will make his or her office cleaner and neater because there is an organization tool nearby.

When it comes to filing cabinets, don’t be tempted to buy out-of-date furniture. Some offices hold on to ancient metal file cabinets that look clunky. Often, these cabinets are difficult to open and have other functional defects. Not only does this look out of date, it’s frustrating for employees. They may find it easier to avoid filing papers instead of wrestling with a difficult old file cabinet. Keep in mind that an old-style file cabinet can be unsafe. The file cabinet can be unsteady and the drawers can slide open unpredictably. People have been injured by malfunctioning furnishings.

Look for new or reconditioned cabinets so that you can furnish your office at a reasonable price. There are many file cabinet styles and you should consider what will work best for your office. Do you need large, centralize filing? Do you need to store papers in training or conference rooms? Consider all these issues before you make an investment in such important office tools.

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Setting up a Professional and Organized Office with File Cabinets

Why is having an organized and professional office important? There are a variety of reasons. First, the organization of your office makes an impression on clients and other visitors to your office. A cluttered office gives the appearance of a lack of control. If papers are strewn throughout the office, you and your employees may have difficulty finding what you need when you need it. This wastes time and effort. Confidentiality is also an issue. Some papers contain sensitive financial, legal and personal information. They should be stored safely and securely so that confidentiality is ensured.

FireKing Used Legal Vertical File Cabinet, BlackA file cabinet is fundamental to your office’s organization. You need to set up a functional and easy-to-use filing cabinet system so that everyone will be inclined to use it. If you throw together a filing system haphazardly, it may not fit your employee’s needs and they’ll abandon it, which leads to the disorganization and clutter you were trying to avoid in the first place.

The amount of filing cabinet space you need will vary based on your business. A filing cabinet system can be a significant investment, which is why buying gentle used cabinets is a great idea. It’s important that you approach this investment wisely. Don’t invest in cheaply-made cabinets. They often buckle over time and the drawers become difficult to open. This will discourage employees from using the file cabinet.

File cabinets come in many different shapes and sizes. Don’t jump to the first one that catches your eye or has the right price tag. Instead, think seriously about your needs. Your employees may have valuable input about their needs as well. Many offices have multiple storage needs. Some files need to be stored centrally so that all employees can access them. In this case, large filing cabinets are appropriate. Other papers including confidential information and should be kept out of the main part of the office.

There are many different types of filing cabinets including the traditional vertical filing cabinet, lateral cabinets, lockers, wood files and pedestal filing cabinets. These can differ greatly in style and function and it’s important to consider your investment carefully ahead of time.

Used Box File Mobile Pedestal, White with Gray CushionA pedestal file cabinet is on wheels so that it can be easily moved in and out of an area. These cabinets are perfect when you need to occasionally move cabinets from one area to another. A pedestal file cabinet can be wheeled under a cubicle desk or table to create space when it’s not needed. This makes it a great option for a smaller workspace. You can find pedestal file cabinets with one, two or three drawers. These choices will help you find the tool that works best for you.

You may find that a lateral file cabinet is appropriate for your office needs. These cabinets allow users to store files side by side so that they can put a large number of files in once place. Many people find these extremely helpful in terms of organizing a significant amount of information. Some users don’t prefer these styles because they have to look at the filing cabinet from the side rather than the front to find information. However, people who need a large amount of information stored nearby often prefer a lateral file cabinet.

Quill Used 2 Drawer 45 Inch Fire File, BlackFire safety is an important consideration when it comes to picking out a filing cabinet. Do you store papers that would be difficult or impossible to replace? Many offices have lost important documents during fires and managers have regretted the decision not to invest in fire-proof cabinets. The best fire safety file cabinets have strong locks that are difficult or impossible to breach. You can use these files to store tax information, legal documents, contracts, human resources paperwork and other confidential files. You can be confident that in the event of an emergency, your most important documents will be protected.

You don’t have to purchase the most expensive office products to get the file cabinet space that you need. You can find discounted furniture from well-known brands like Steelcase, Hon or Herman Miller from furniture liquidators like National Office Liquidators. We also offer refurbished products that look new and function perfectly. This will lessen your up-front investment while still allowing you to purchase high quality furnishings for your office.

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How to Choose the Right Office Chair for Your Workspace

Ever since I moved into my new apartment I have been struggling with my workspace. I live in a small (650sq ft.) 1-bedroom apartment, which doesn’t leave much space for anything, especially an office. However, as someone who occasionally works from home it was something I needed to figure out.

The biggest obstacle was my chair. It’s a great chair however not the right fit for my space or for me. First of all it was too large! I had a hard time squeezing past it to get to other parts of the room, not to mention it was not the easiest object to maneuver. I felt like I was in a constant battle with my office chair. I couldn’t get comfortable in it and my arm always slipped off the arm pieces uncontrollably. I said enough is enough and I went looking for a new chair

Steelcase Leap V2 Plus Used Task Chair, Taupe Line PatternNow as someone who works for a company that sells office furniture you can imagine I didn’t have to look far. But what did I want out of a new office chair? I knew I definitely needed something smaller for a start that was easy to maneuver around the tight space of my room. I wanted arms that wouldn’t slip easily and leave me flat on my face. I also didn’t want to be swallowed whole by some the larger more cumbersome task chairs. I needed something that fit my frame.

So I hit the warehouse. Who knew there were so many different kinds of task chairs? I sat in a few, swiveled around and played with all the adjustments: back support, adjustable arms, seat angle, seat depth, recline, and tilt tension the list goes on… Still unsure I went back to my desk.

I took a good long look at the chair I was sitting in at my cubicle and pondered its performance. I had never felt the same discomfort in that chair as I did in my home office one. I loved how I could customize the features to fit me just like you set your custom chair features in your car. This chair had molded to my every need and I never noticed but perhaps that’s the point. I was able to get my work done without any thought to being uncomfortable.

I thought about it on my journey back home; did I really want a plain black task chair or does my inner fashionista need something bold and colorful? But then I realized. Wouldn’t I be back at square one if I chose a chair purely on if it was feminine enough for me? The point is to be comfortable while seated all day. Plus, I decided I needed something gender neutral to keep both me and my other half happy.

So at the end of the day here I am, swiveling around in my Steelcase Leap V2 task chair, comfortably working without a second thought to whether or not I chose the right chair. Oh, and I later found out that my manager said we recover furniture, so if I wanted to engage my inner fashionista I could maybe this chair will be purple, I haven’t decided yet. Now, all I need to do is find the perfect desk to fit in my shoebox of an apartment.