Purchasing Industrial Furniture: Where to Start?

When you’re considering an industrial furniture purchase, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. How many chairs and tables… in what style… from what vendor? There’s a lot to think about.

Not to mention, industrial furniture is a significant investment. So you want to take time to reflect on your business’ unique needs before buying items your workplace will depend on for years to come.

So where do you start?

Our hope is that this quick guide will help focus your attention on the things that matter and make your decision to purchase much more seamless.

The questions below, curated by our team of commercial interior designers, can help to lead you in the right direction as you plan your industrial furniture purchases.

1. What are your basic needs?

Getting down to basics helps you narrow the scope of your industrial furniture planning process. First, how many employees work for your company? What furniture does each employee need in their workstation to do their jobs?

And what kind of “spaces” will your workplace require? For example, does your business need meeting areas? Individual workstations? A spot to relax and eat during break times?

You’ll need items like a conference table and chairs for your meeting space, and smaller tables and comfortable chairs for your break room. You’ll also want to consider modular workstations or standing desks to keep your workers productive and healthy, and comfy chairs for your relaxation areas.

2. What type of furniture will your facility support?

As you search for new industrial furniture, make sure your selections work within your building’s structure. For example, if you’re in an existing facility, you may need pieces that fit particular room sizes and layouts.

Working with limited space? Perhaps you should consider furniture that is moveable, such that you can adjust layouts for a more flexible workspace.

Whether your location is new or old, you must consider access points for moving furniture in. Working with a commercial interior designer and professional office movers helps to ensure that your fresh furniture install goes smoothly.

3. What type of furniture will fit your needs?

An industrial workplace means you have to be more choosy about your furnishings. From manufacturing to warehousing, you need to be sure that your furniture is sturdy enough to stand up to industrial strength wear and tear.

If your company does any work with chemicals or high heat substances, you need work surfaces that won’t corrode or melt away. If you need workbenches, make sure they can handle the weight of the items and tools that will be placed on top.

4. What are your filing and storage needs?

Although often overlooked in industrial settings, storage for documents, records, and other materials take up a considerable amount of space. Without adequate storage solutions, retrieving files or supplies is a tedious and inefficient process.

Getting organized helps everyone do their jobs more efficiently. A compact storage system saves space while making files easily accessible. And lockers keep workers’ personal effects securely out of the way during their work shifts.

5. What is your personal style?

Style might not be the first thought to come to mind when choosing industrial furniture. Just remember, industrial doesn’t have to be boring. Industrial furniture is no longer a one size fits all. Gone are the days of settling for what you can get.

Today’s industrial furniture options offer flexibility in design and functionality, from adaptable shelving heights to footrests for standing desks.

Selecting furniture with a consistent look and feel is essential to maintaining a cohesive sense of style throughout your workplace.

How is industrial furniture different?

Considering any commercial furniture purchase is an important process. However, industrial businesses have different concerns and goals from other types of companies. Not only do you want sustainable, environmentally friendly furniture, you also need durable furniture items that can hold up under rigorous daily use.

Furthermore, selecting functional furniture with comfort and ergonomics in mind helps to retain and attract skilled labor to your business. While many industrial companies are experiencing a skilled labor shortage, your strategic decisions about furniture and design can turn your company into a place where the best talent wants to work.

Our team at Connecting Elements is here to help you through the furniture buying process for your industrial workplace. Call 877-779-3409 to talk to an experienced commercial interior designer, or send us a note with any questions you have about your choices in industrial furnishings.