Online Shopping Sites

By Phil Swindle

It helps to have inside information when you are considering the purchase of anything significant, especially when it is something that you intend to use on a daily basis for an extended period of time. Modular furniture falls into this category. The decision to purchase modular furniture has tremendous gravity because you will have to live with that decision for years to come.

The purpose of this article is to provide you with that inside information and tips regarding the acquisition of modular office furniture.

The first tip I would suggest is to establish a budget. In developing a budget you should include the purchase price, freight and delivery considerations, and installation labor.

My second recommendation is to carefully measure the space you are considering to determine a footprint for your new furniture. I suggest purchasing some simple scale paper from your local office supplier. Using simple architectural paper where one square is equivalent to one lineal foot can be extremely helpful. You can even purchase a simple scale rule or flat scale template.

f you do not feel confident trying to create your own design, you will at least need to collect the basic perimeter measurements, making note of where power outlets and windows are located. This is the basic information you will need to have on hand when seeking office furniture assistance.

Any seasoned office furniture professional will need these measurements and information to better assist with providing a modular office furniture design and layout. Some office furniture companies offer free computer assisted design services, while others may charge a fee for these services.

From traditional to post contemporary and everything in between, the types and styles of modular furniture are endless. I recommend surfing the web to better identify the style that best fits your particular needs. Furniture is manufactured all over the world, Japan, Germany, China, Canada, and yes, the United States still produces excellent furniture products.

You might want to consider the potential ergonomic benefits and differences between various furniture types. Ergonomic furniture is designed to better improve posture, productivity, and comfort for the user.

Another hot issue to consider is the issue of environmental impact. Most furniture manufacturers are keenly aware of the importance of employing environmentally conscious products, lean manufacturing, and the implementation of recyclable materials etc. However, most consumers are unaware that some products are manufactured using chemicals that produce harmful emissions. These particular products produce harmful contaminants that are unhealthy to breath in, especially in an enclosed space. You might want to look for products that carry the certified GreenGuard seal. GreenGuard products are guaranteed to improve indoor air quality by reducing these potentially harmful emissions.

My final tip is to remember the true purpose of modular furniture, which is modularity. Modular furniture is designed to be reconfigured again and again to accommodate changing needs. Make sure to select a product that is truly modular. To be truly modular the furniture manufacturer must offer a variety of complimentary sister products which allow the user the ability to easily reconfigure.

One example would be the offering of accessories such as overhead storage, mobile pedestals, modular shelves, and ergonomic computer accessories such as CPU holders, keyboard platforms, flat panel monitor arms and so forth. A good modular furniture company will also offer a host of different work surface sizes and shapes with grommet holes for routing cables, power, phone and data lines etc.

It may require diligence to find an office furniture provider who offers excellent experienced customer service, but I feel this is the most important tip. Finding stellar customer service pays tremendous dividends.

I suggest locating an experienced office furniture company with a diverse product offering that offers free CAD services. I would also recommend that you utilize a company that is accredited with the Better Business Bureau and that offers SSL or some other type of secure on line check out service. It is important to verify this information before you submit proprietary credit card information over the internet.

If you adhere to these recommendations, I guarantee you will find the acquisition process much less time consuming and much more rewarding.

About The Author

My name is Phillip Swindle Sr. I am the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Info Pro Concepts, Inc. and OfficeAnything.com http://www.officeanything.com. Our companies specialize in the design and sales of modular office furniture and seating as well as filing and storage systems.