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How do I Choose the Best Traditional Office Furniture?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

Choosing the best traditional office furniture means choosing the best furniture that fits the aesthetic of the space, the size and needs of the space, and — a factor that may be more important than all of the others — furnishing options that fit one's budget. It is often best to begin narrowing down the options by price. Those for whom aesthetics and function are more important than cost may begin looking at more expensive options first, such as the option of having the furniture custom made. For those who do have to be conscious of price, it may be best to start by looking at brands of traditional office furniture that are in the right price range.

In many cases, beautiful traditional office furniture can be purchased second hand. If an office is closing, moving, or remodeling, it will often sell some or all of its furniture. The prices of these pieces may be half or less of the original price, which can spell major savings for someone who doesn't mind using second-hand furniture. Also, in many cases, the traditional office furniture is still in good condition. A bit of refinishing or replacing a few pieces of loose or broken hardware is often far less expensive than purchasing new pieces of furniture.

Traditional office furniture needs to fit aesthetic, space and budget requirements.
Traditional office furniture needs to fit aesthetic, space and budget requirements.

Once the financially feasible traditional office furniture options have been identified, one can begin searching for desks, chairs, book cases, and reception area furniture that both fit the space and are aesthetically correct for the office. Begin by measuring everything precisely. How much space can be afforded for the desk or desks? How many book cases and filing cabinets will be needed and how much space can be devoted to these items? Consider questions like these for all of the pieces of traditional office furniture that will be purchased.

After narrowing down all of the options by price and size, the traditional office furniture options can be narrowed down by a far less scientific rubric: individual taste. Consider the intended aesthetic and color schemes of the office and how the traditional office furniture might fit in. This will help when choosing between finishes of wood, hardware, and paint colors. When considering second-hand office furniture, don't forget that changing hardware, painting, or staining the furniture can quickly blend it in to the aesthetic of its new home.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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    • Traditional office furniture needs to fit aesthetic, space and budget requirements.
      By: Goran Bogicevic
      Traditional office furniture needs to fit aesthetic, space and budget requirements.