Archive for June, 2010
Office Furniture: Start Simple and Let it Develop as Your Business Grows
Of all the different types of office furniture available, my favorite piece for a home office is a basic table. There is plenty of room for my computer and printer and other needed peripherals, a container for small items such as pens, I use book ends to control regularly accessed books, and then neatly place in accessible areas anything else that I often use. My “desk” does occasionally get unruly, but since it is all visible, I am forced to tidy it up, unlike a desk with drawers where you can keep your unruliness hidden away from visiting eyes.
As you start a new business, other than a table, there are only a couple of other pieces of office furniture that is necessary for a home office or small office space rented in town. The first is a shelf. The shelf is needed to keep other office supplies and reference materials, and like the table/desk, everything is visible and ergo, kept neat. The other necessary piece, and probably more important to have before a shelf, is a filing cabinet. With all the different business forms, it is best to keep them organized from the very beginning. This will help keep the state and federal tax commissions happy!
I would have to say though, that the one piece of office furniture that you cannot skimp on from the very beginning is a good office chair. Sit in a lot of different style chairs, you may be surprised what you find comfortable, play around with the knobs and buy the chair that fits you best. Find a chair that you can sit in for long periods of time, if not, you will not get your work done and your business may be doomed to fail from the beginning. So I repeat, DO NOT skimp on an office chair, get the one that works best for YOU! It will pay for itself in the long run.
Let us naturally assume that you are successful with your budding business, and before long you are moved into a bigger space and have hired a couple of employees. It is now time to get serious about purchasing office furniture. The first thing you want to do is think ahead. What will you need down the road, how do you want your office space to develop as your business grows? If you plan now, you will save money in the future. Modular office furniture is a wonder. You can buy what you need now, but easily add on to it at a later date when your needs have changed or grown.
With employees and business meetings you may want to invest in a conference table. Great for weekly planning meetings with employees, it keeps everybody accountable and focused on your business goals.
Besides employees, your own needs have changed in the way of office furniture. Perhaps now you have a proper desk with a hutch on one side and extra work space on the other. You have a nice and comfortable guest chair for visiting business men and vendors. You want your office to look nice. There are extra touches with nice prints on the wall, classy lamps and lighting that add a nice ambient feeling to the room, and perhaps a nice coat rack by the door.
Yes, you have come a long way since you started your business, and just one place it is reflected is in your office furniture. Gone is the second hand filing cabinet and shelf, replaced by quality furniture that reflects who your are and makes a statement about your business. But lets face it, you couldn’t get rid of your first “desk”. The table still sits in the corner, a great work surface for various projects around the office. You glance at it often, it as a fond reminder of how you got started.
MJ Marks
http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/office-furniture-start-simple-and-let-it-develop-as-your-business-grows-702061.html
Home Computer Furniture: Factors For Selecting the Top Office Chair
Home computer furniture has to be durable, functional and comfortable. You’re not simply sitting in it, but you’re working in it, possibly for hours on end. That means your office chair needs to fit you properly and be designed for comfort. To learn more about how to choose a computer or task chair, keep reading.
Good Lumbar Support
For the ultimate in long-term use comfort, you want a chair that can give you sturdy lumbar support. That extra cushioning will keep you sitting up straight, protect your lower back and prevent you from hunching forward. Some chairs even come with an adjustable lumbar support cushion, meaning you can adjust the lumbar to fit your lower back curve perfectly.
Breathable Fabric
A fabric that breathes is key for your office chair and will keep you from overheating or sweating excessively. The breathable fabric also stops bacteria from building up inside the upholstery, therefore prolonging the life of the chair and ensuring your seat is clean and healthy. If your chair isn’t made from breathable fabric like mesh, consider buying a removable and washable chair cover.
Highly Adjustable
Ideally, you want your home computer furniture to be as adjustable as possible. So, look for a chair that allows you to adjust its height, armrest levels, backrest and lumbar support to your exact specifications. In addition to providing you with ultimate comfort, it will also allow the chair to be used by multiple people.
Once you’re adjusting the chair or testing it in the store, start by fixing the height so your feet are comfortably flat on the floor in front of you. Afterward, check the depth – you want your back against the back of the chair, but the back of your knees shouldn’t be touching the chair at all.
Then, lower or raise the armrests to avoid hunching your shoulders or having to lean over to reach the rests. Finally, check the chair against a standard desk to see if you can comfortably use it.
Durability and Quality Construction
For an office chair that will last, look for one that’s made well and from good materials. Instead of opting for the standard plastic construction, look for a chair with a steel base and adjustment mechanisms. Steel will stand the test of time, bear more weight and is better suited to constant use and adjustments.
Wheel Options
Instead of having to buy a wheel mat for your office chair, look for one that offers you wheel options. If your home computer furniture is in a room with hard wood or tile floors, look for a chair that has soft, rubber wheels. On the other hand, when putting your office furniture in a carpeted room, get a chair with hooded nylon wheels.
In the grand scheme of things, office furniture and a properly constructed chair may seem mundane considerations for a home work environment. However, over the course of time, your daily comfort and ergonomic health are important for your ability to concentrate and even avoid injury. The time you take to ensure you use a work chair that is appropriate for you will be time well invested.
Trevor Price
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/home-computer-furniture-factors-for-selecting-the-top-office-chair-556814.html