Buying on a Budget

If we all had an endless budget for choosing office furniture, the Oval Office wouldn't look so impressive.

But since most of us don't have a budget much bigger than a shoestring to update, replace or fully furnish offices, we have to be creative in our choices.

Whether you've been charged with buying a single piece of office furniture, or you need to furnish an entire building, the first place to start is the budget itself.

Know what you have to work with and understand the firm cap for pricing. If you spend too much, that promotion you're eyeing might disappear along with your corporate credit card. Should you spend too little and your "bargains" turn out to be pieces of furniture that break within a week, you'll be in trouble, too.

Once you know your budget, be certain of the purchases you need to make. Create a list and make certain to include specialized features you might need. For example if you're filling a whole building, take an inventory of the number of desks, chairs, filing cabinets and so on you'll need. Be certain to include the reception area in this if you have one. Also, make note of the actual room dimensions.

Now figure out what purchases are the most important. For example, you might be able to "skimp" on some things while paying attention to others - such as furniture in high-traffic public areas. First impressions are everything after all.

Now's the time to consider the office's overall design scheme. If you have been asked to pick up a single desk in an office full of oak ensembles, don't buy a mahogany piece. Go for what blends in to the landscape.

Should you require a full office of furniture, make certain to know the design scheme as well. Don't buy items that don't compliment if you can help it.

When working within a budget, be certain to know what purchases are the most important. Shop around for real bargains and be certain the pieces you choose not only give off the image your office requires, but are also those that provide users comfort and a solid ability to do their jobs. You don't want your bookkeeper sitting at a desk that's not big enough to hold a computer and adding machine and you wouldn't want your CEO sitting in a cubicle in all likelihood.

The best bet to find good office furniture within a budget is to shop around, be discriminating and don't buy the first things you see. Make sure the pieces you buy fit in with the overall landscape and take your time researching quality.