What to Buy

Setting up an office is a big deal. Whether it's a home office, a new venture for one or two people or a multi-person office with 200 workstations, the undertaking is serious.

On the surface, an office is simply a place for people to work. But delve a little deeper and it becomes clear the space is so much more to the people who make their livings within its boundaries. Not only does furniture need to be functional and comfortable, it needs to help create an overall environment that motivates while making users and visitors feel at ease.

For employees, an office can be a welcomed-sight, a place they like to come, or a prison that requires their servitude eight hours a day or more. While a lot of which environment comes into play will require on management and its philosophies and the individual employees themselves, furniture and décor, too, can play a role.

For clients, an office is an advertisement for the firm they are visiting. Whether it's an insurance agency, doctor's office or an accountant's home office, the atmosphere created in an office can either give a client an impression of competence or disorganization. The former is always the better.

With this in mind, choosing office furniture is a pretty big deal. But, keep in mind, this doesn't mean it's necessary to buy more than what you need.

Before you head out to fill an office with furniture, it's a good idea to consider a few things first:

• Budget - Set one or have it done for you buy a higher up. Stick to it.
  
• Space available - Take measurements for each room or office. Don't buy items so big they entirely fill the space. Leave some legroom.
  
• Desired theme - If you're planning on going with a traditional setting, don't buy modern, metal furniture.
  
• Functional concerns - Determine what's really needed. Big desks, small ones, file cabinets, chairs and more.

Take the time to really consider what's needed and stay within budget. The extra credenza might be nice, but if the desk you've chosen almost fills the room and provides the workspace you need, is it really necessary?