
Your office isn’t just a place to grind out work each day. It’s a meeting place, a think tank, a place where you and your employees come together to present a united front and bring in new clients and business each day. It’s also a place where you spend a ton of time, sometimes working long, late hours into the night. So when the time comes to give your office the much-needed update it deserves, how do you know what choice is right for your brand, your workers, and your business? It’s not as difficult as you might think. Finding a high-quality office chair from the best gsa approved furniture vendors can be as simple as compiling employee feedback, finding a deal online, and making your purchase. However, if you really want to find the best deal for your office, you need to take into account much more than basic cost. Creating an environment where workers feel inspired and comfortable each day is part of your job. Finding the best office furniture will only make that job easier. If you’re wondering where to start when looking for the best office chairs and furnishings, here are some tips.
1. Always Go GSA Approved
We have a lot of ways of knowing whether or not a product is good quality. We can check the material, do a bit of background research into the company, or test out the product ourselves. In the case of office furniture, there’s one simple way to know whether the product you’re getting it legitimate: Check the GSA rating. The government approves certain designs and materials for use in bulk for office and classroom settings in order to stop cheap, potentially dangerous products from getting out there. If you’re not certain whether or not your furniture is GSA approved, or if you’re not purchasing it from a GSA-approved vendor, you could end up hurting your company in the long run.
2. Check Materials
One of the most sure-fire ways to tell whether or not a product is worth the price is to do a thorough check of the material. It’s not just about checking the smaller details, like seeing whether or not the stitching is crooked or making sure you don’t see loose threads or easily damaged fabric. You can also check the build of the furniture to find uneven cutting, glue in place of more secure binding material, and a general “cheap” aesthetic to the product. This is a concern to be especially aware of if you’re buying in bulk for your business. Some knockoff brands or low-cost brands pump out a ton of lookalike products just to be able to compete with larger brands for business. However, though the products might look the same on the outside, beware of purchasing something that’s going to end up breaking down after repeated use.
3. Keep In Line with Branding
What do you want your office to say about you? Do you want to present a welcoming, yet professional front to new clients? Do you want your workers to feel at ease and home while also respecting the fact that the business is corporate and formal? You might need to take a minute to think about what exactly you want your office furnishings to say to and about your clients and employees. Even if you don’t think your company furniture should speak to the quality or nature of the work you do, it’s important to remember that first impressions do count. Anyone who walks into your office space and is greeted by disorganization or a thrown-together appearance isn’t going to have the kind of faith in you that you might want. Luckily, creating a professional, polished appearance doesn’t have to break the bank. It might take a little longer, but try searching for office furnishings that aren’t impossibly expensive and don’t give off an uncaring or unprofessional vibe.
4. Be Suspicious of Too-Low Prices
While sometimes a good deal is too tempting to pass up, it helps to be careful when you’re buying office furniture. If something is poorly-made, it’s not going to do you any good, no matter how cheap it is. Think of your office furniture as an investment. You want your workers to stay happy and healthy, and you want your clients and potential partners to be greeted by a put-together workplace. Sometimes spending a bit of extra cash on the right furniture can make all the difference.
5. Choose Support Over Thrift
Your workers are incredibly important. When it comes to your business, they’re the ones who are putting in the work each day to make it thrive. That’s why investing in high-quality, supportive chairs that won’t leave them with neck stress or back problems should be high on your list of priorities while shopping for office furniture. Luckily, these days you can find ergonomic chairs and desks for a much more reasonable cost than ever before.