When it comes to your office, the way that you arrange your office furniture can make or break the space! It can create a warm, inviting space where you enjoy getting your work done, or it can create a cluttered space that induces stress when you log in for the day. Of course, what you want is the inviting, attractive option, which will help you to start your day off right– and keep you productive and comfortable throughout the workday.
Below, we take a look at some of the best practices when arranging your office furniture.
Arranging Your Office Furniture
You cannot simply palace furniture inside a room in any haphazard way– you must do so strategically, with an eye for space and design. However, you can do this yourself even if you are not a trained interior designer!
Take a look at some of the following tips for what to consider when you are setting up an office space. Keep in mind, these tips can be used for a home office as well as an office space in a building.
Allow Enough Space
First things first, you need to allow enough space within the room. A cramped and cluttered space is a surefire way to induce stress while you are working in it. You will want to have enough room to work comfortably– for instance, you will want enough space behind your desk so that you can roll back your chair and get in and out from behind the desk. This rule should still apply if you are using a standing desk, give yourself some room to move and have the option to use a chair if you lower your desk.
Sometimes you can underestimate exactly how much space you need, so it is a good idea to test it out before finalizing all of your furniture placement. You should also make sure that you have clear walkways blocked out throughout the room and around the furniture.
Desk Placement
The placement of your desk is important because it can affect your productivity, as well as influence the design and overall layout of the space. After all, your desk is likely to be the biggest piece of furniture in your office. It is recommended that you palace your desk in the middle of the room, facing outwards– especially if you expect to be receiving guests or clients for meetings.
You will also want to be sure that the placement does not have a poor impact on your productivity– for example, if your desk is angled to the window in the wrong way, it can create a glare on the screen that can make working at your computer difficult at certain parts of the day and can end up causing eye strain.
With that said, don’t be fearful of having a window in your office space, the natural lighting has many benefits that far out-way the negatives. If you have no choice but to have your computer screen face a window, there are many anti glare screen protectors out there that will help remove the glare.
Storage Options
Storage has always been important in offices, but now, file cabinets and other such storage are no longer as important. With the increase in technology that may be needed to do your job, though, you will want to have storage options where you can keep your tech accessories out of the way.
For example, cabinets or bookcases that store your printer, copier, or computer terminal can help to clear desk space and also prevent the room from seeming cluttered. You will want these situated close to your desk for your items to still be within easy reach, but will want enough space between them and other furniture so that you can open the doors, and maybe even roll over in your chair to access the equipment.
A Meeting Space
This may not be necessary if your position is not client facing or collaborative, where you will be frequently meeting with your peers. However, for many, it will be important to have a designated meeting space in your office. If your office is on the smaller side, this may simply mean having a set of comfortable chairs on the other side of your desk.
Alternatively, if you have a larger space, you may set aside a nook or corner with a low table and some upholstered sofas or chairs to sit on when you have visitors in your space.
Relaxation Spots
Of course, during the day, you will need to relax, too! Couches or chaises can be a great spot for you to take your breaks, or to move to when you are on a call and do not necessarily need to be at your desk, it can also reduce stress as it allows for an area to decompress and shut off for awhile.
A cushy, upholstered furniture option can also be a nice break from your desk chair, which may get uncomfortable after hours of sitting.
Long couches can be easily placed against one of the walls in your room, so they do not take up a lot of space, but still provide a comfortable seating option. They’re also great for if you are having meetings with clients or co-workers.
How to Update Old Furniture
When you are setting up an office space, it can get expensive. However, there are plenty of ways that you can do this without buying all new furniture or breaking the bank! For instance, you can reupholster or refinish office furniture that you already have, or go out and buy cheaper pieces that have some wear and tear and have been gently used, before customizing them to fit your needs.
Reupholstering Old Furniture
If you are choosing cushioned chairs, sofas, or ottomans for your office, reupholstery is a great way to refresh furniture that isn’t brand new or out of the box. Plus, you can customize the furniture to fit in perfectly with your space, which you would not be able to do with a store bought option– unless, of course, you buy it with the intention to reupholster it, which you can do if you are browsing at thrift shops or flea markets.
Reupholstery is a way that you can save money, and you can choose to either do it yourself, or hire a professional upholsterer. You can reupholster your furniture with a wide array of fabric choices, from velvet to leather to tweed, but you should be sure to research each fabric’s unique characteristics first to ensure it will hold up to your requirements. For instance, if you frequently spill your morning coffee, velvet might not be a good choice, as it can easily stain and is poorly affected by moisture.
When reupholstering your furniture, you can customize the amount and density of the furniture’s padding, too, so it is at your desired comfort level.
Painting Old Furniture
Another easy way to update your furniture is to paint it! Paint comes in many different colors and finishes, so there is a wide variety to what you can achieve with this medium. Of course, you may not get good results if you are trying to paint certain materials– wood is best if you want to work with paint.
You can choose bold colours to stimulate thought, or neutrals, which you may find to be more relaxing while you work. You can also work with different finishes to match your personal design tastes. For instance, if you are going for a rustic look in your office, chalk paint can be an easy option. It all just depends on what kind of office design you are going for!
In addition to paint, you can use wood stain to update your wooden furniture. If you have wooden furniture that looks dated, a darker stain can help to make it look crisp and modern again. If you are re-painting or restaining your furniture, you will want to first sand it down to remove any finishes. This will help the new application of paint or stain to adhere properly and give you a professional, polished piece!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you arrange furniture in a small office?
If you have a small office, you may need to arrange your furniture creatively in order to fit it all into the space. Some tips are to choose multi functional furniture to save space, create more vertical storage, and place your desk in the center of the room to make better use of the space. You can then place all of the furniture around the desk.
How do you lay out office space?
When laying out your home office, you should make sure that you place the furniture, such as your desk, in the correct spots– for instance, place your desk in the center of the room, facing outwards if you will be receiving clients or guests. Then, you can build upon this with your placement of the remainder of the furniture and decor. Make sure to implement the storage you will need, and block out clear walkways so that you can move around in the space with ease.
How do I make my office look professional?
One of the things that can help to make the office look more professional is to set it up properly so that it does not look cluttered. You should also limit the amount of personal items in your space. A few personal items, like framed photo on your desk, for instance, can be the perfect addition while still keeping things professional.
Where should a desk be placed in an office?
It is recommended that you place your desk in the center of the room, and situate it so that you are facing outwards, rather than facing into the room. This can also help you make the space more inviting if you will be receiving guests, clients, or other partners or employees in this space.
We hope these tips on how to arrange home office furniture along with your office building furniture will benefit you and your space. This is a space where you spend a lot of your time, so making it function better by moving your furniture into the right spaces can make a big difference.
