Requirements for Office Furniture: What to Look For

A new branch opens, the staff grows or an office renovation is planned — and almost always the need for new furniture arises. It is worth approaching this responsibly: how well the office furniture is chosen affects the comfort of staff (and sometimes clients), the team’s efficiency and the company’s image.

In this guide we look at the key office furniture requirements — ergonomics, safety, materials and design — and suggest how to make a competent, considered choice. After all, an office interior is often used to judge a company’s welfare, prestige and care for people.

Why the choice of office furniture matters

Staff spend a lot of time in the office, so comfortable furniture directly affects wellbeing and productivity. Clients and visitors also form an impression of the company while sitting in a chair or on a sofa. And the overall look of the furniture speaks of the company’s level, so furniture choice is not a minor detail but part of the image.

Key requirements for office furniture

When choosing furniture for an office, focus on five main criteria:

• Ergonomics. Furniture should provide comfort during work — which is exactly why demand for ergonomic furniture keeps growing. A comfortable chair or sofa creates a positive mood in both staff and clients.
• Safety. The construction should be strong, reliable and stable, able to withstand mechanical loads. For example, shelves for folders and documents shouldn’t wobble.
• Eco-friendliness. Furniture shouldn’t harm health. To be sure of this, ask for quality certificates for the products when buying.
• Laconic design. An official style and simplicity of construction are usually a winning choice, though some companies take a creative approach depending on their field of activity.
• Presentability. Furniture should look solid — not cheap, but not pretentious either.

Furniture size and placement

Furniture sizes are chosen taking into account the room’s area, its layout, the number of employees and their duties. If difficulties arise with the correct placement of furniture, it is worth turning to professional planners, and to give the office a unique style — to designers.

The most convenient way is to plan the furniture layout as early as the design stage, when it is easy to coordinate it with the layout, lighting and engineering networks.

The best materials for office furniture

Office furniture is made mainly from particleboard (ДСП), MDF and fibreboard (ДВП), and each material has its specifics:

• Particleboard (ДСП). The thickness should be at least 16 mm, and the edges finished with edging that prevents the evaporation of harmful resins. Laminated particleboard is the more popular option for offices.
• Fibreboard (ДВП). A material resistant to moisture and deformation.
• MDF. Takes any processing well while being durable.

If partitions are appropriate in the space, they are best made from ecologically clean plastic, and sometimes impact-resistant tempered glass is used in the interior (more in the article Office Partitions: Why They’re Worth Using). As for the upholstery of chairs and sofas, wear-resistant textile or leatherette is most often chosen as the more solid option. And for a director’s office, natural materials are better — solid wood, leather and suede.

Furniture and office image with Partner Create

A responsible approach to choosing furniture will always pay off: it raises the company’s appeal in the eyes of staff, partners and visitors. So furniture should be considered not separately but as part of a coherent interior.

Partner Create will help plan the furnishing alongside the overall design and layout of the office — from concept to delivery as part of a single complex of works. Examples of completed interiors are in the office spaces portfolio.

Office furniture requirements in brief

• The right furniture affects comfort, productivity and a company’s image.
• Five criteria: ergonomics, safety, eco-friendliness, laconic design, presentability.
• Size is chosen by area, layout, number of employees and their duties.
• Materials: particleboard from 16 mm with edging (laminated is better), moisture-resistant fibreboard, durable MDF.
• Partitions from eco plastic or tempered glass; upholstery from textile or leatherette.
• For a director’s office, natural materials are chosen: solid wood, leather, suede.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose office furniture with Partner Create

Quality furniture means team comfort, work efficiency and a worthy company image. Partner Create will help select and place furniture alongside the office design and take responsibility for the result.

Explore our work in the portfolio, read useful materials on the blog, or get in touch to discuss your project. Call +38 050 388 24 49.

We also recommend How Hot Desks Work in the Office and Office Partitions: Why They’re Worth Using — they will help you organise a flexible, convenient workspace.