With conditions potentially picking up in the manufacturing industry, now could be a good time to improve your facilities and invest in the future.
As part of this lift, you might want to replace some or all of your existing office furniture.
Substandard seating, unsuitable storage and dodgy desks can act as a drag on any business, so if you think your workspace isn’t up-to-scratch, it’s important to take action.
To help you along the way, here’s a handy guide to renewing your office furnishings:
Make the most of the available space
All manufacturers know that commercial space comes at a premium. This means it’s crucial that you make the most of the square footage available.
Before you start splashing out on new desks and chairs, it’s important to measure your workspace and create a detailed plan. By playing around with different seating and desk setups, you may be able to make more efficient use of the space on offer.
If might be a good idea to use modular furniture where possible so you can change your layouts as you need to.
According to Furniture At Work™, this kind of seating option allows you to create bespoke configurations to fit your particular space. These solutions are particularly useful in receptions, waiting areas and breakout rooms, but can be incorporated into many different office environments.
Ensure your staff are sitting comfortably
According to Health and Safety Executive figures, in the UK in 2013-14, a total of 526,000 cases of work-related musculoskeletal disorders were reported. Some of these may have been triggered or made worse by poor quality workstations.
After all, employees often spend long hours at their desks these days and if their seats don’t offer proper support, their wellbeing can suffer. If you want to protect your personnel from the back and neck strain associated with shoddy seating, it’s important to invest in high-quality chairs.
Ideally, your seats should be height adjustable, wide enough to accommodate people who are bigger than average comfortably, and they should have a well-padded and rounded-edged seat. They should also provide support for the back in a variety of positions.
Bear in mind you don’t have to sacrifice style for practicality. It’s now simple to find comfortable and attractive chairs in a range of designs and finishes.
Include sufficient storage
If your workstations are swamped with files or your floors are filling up with boxes of paperwork, the chances are you need some additional storage.
To make the best use of space, consider installing tall filing cabinets and shelves in your workspace, as well as under-desk pedestals. It’s best to include plenty of spare capacity when you’re planning your storage so that you won’t run out of room for the foreseeable future.
By focussing on these office design basics when you’re renewing your furnishings, you should succeed in creating a comfortable, clutter-free workspace.
