Contemporary office furniture and Organization of workspace.
- ΜΟΝΑΣΤΗΡΙΑΚΑ ΤΡΑΠΕΖΙΑ ΑΝΤΙΚΕΡΙ
- Sep 17
- 6 min read
Contemporary office furniture and Organization of workspace.
Office furniture in professional and residential interiors is not only desks or tables and chairs “in the company” of a couple of bookcases. Today you will find some useful tips on how to practically and functionally organize the work process, both your own and for your
employees.
It is known that the term "office furniture" covers a fairly wide range of items designed to create a productive and comfortable, and therefore ergonomic workspace in a company or at home. The main furniture groups: tables, chairs and armchairs, cabinets and storage modules. The differences between the types of furniture are due to their functionality, design, and materials. Much in our choice also depends on the format of the premises: open space (common area and minimum privacy); classic cabinet system (separate rooms providing confidentiality); a combined format (the boss mysteriously hides in the depths of his/her personal office, while the rest of the team members unite in a single labor impulse without division) or even... a newfangled co-working space (an economical, although a little noisy option for startups, freelancers and simply small business owners).
Furniture and equipment for a contemporary office:
Standard office (writing & computer) desk/table for sedentary work – a traditional rectangular design with built-in storage drawers or an additional pedestal; available in composite variations;
Standing desk with adjustable height for switching between sitting and standing positions. Among the advantages: improved ergonomics and reduced health risks from prolonged sitting. An L-shaped, straight or corner table is ideal for multitasking and installing two monitors;
Mobile desk: compact designs for small spaces (wall-mounted or pull-out tables, folding desks of minimal size), sometimes in a side-by-side variation;
Meeting tables (conference tables) – durable and functional furniture and the main accent piece of the meeting area, demonstrating the style and status of the company or office. A good choice: a business design and calm, respectable tones of natural wood or wood-effect or stone-effect finishes with accessories for equipment, for negotiations and video sessions;
Reception desks are important for forming the first favorable impression of the company; they come in different shapes and designs. Linear desks are recommended for high traffic areas and active attendance; practical corner models are easily combined with other furniture elements, saving a small space; U-shaped desks are used to divide customer flows into two wings of the office; behind the radius models (circular in plan), administrators in the center of a spacious room always face visitors and colleagues;
Ergonomic office chair, the design of which is focused on the comfort of the seated employee and maintaining correct posture. It has adjustable height, lumbar support and armrests. Such models are recommended for long-term use. Its subtype is a conference room chair: less functional, but quite prestigious in design and a comfortable product for holding hour-long meetings in an atmosphere conducive to strengthening business contacts;
Work chair is a simpler and more budget-friendly design that has some ergonomic functions. This model is suitable only for short-term or periodic use;
Executive chair - here it is, the real "boss's throne": this model is traditionally larger and more comfortable than others, with a high back and has a more expensive finish (preferably natural wood in combination with leather) and softer filler. It was developed not only for convenience, but also for status and aesthetics;
Kneeling chair, also known as "active balance seat" (aka saddle stool). This type of orthopedic model is designed to provide alternative sitting positions to promote better posture and not restrict movement;
Furniture for storage and other auxiliary functions, accessories:
Office blind file-cabinets for accounting and document archives. Available in vertical (racks) and horizontal (sideboards) profiles;
Book or wall shelves and free-standing racks: open or closed (with locking glass doors) modules for storing books, decorative items or office supplies;
Mobile pedestals: mobile sections for filing and storing office supplies under the table;
Mini-kitchens made of MDF, chipboard or even solid wood: with a relatively small area of one module (sometimes no more than a bookcase), these designs are very functional and indispensable for maintaining comfortable working conditions. They have a compact set of open and closed storage systems, a small hob or space for a microwave, a mini-fridge and a sink;
Accessories: a) All kinds of stands (for monitors with adjustable mounts to optimize the height and position of the screen; pull-out keyboard stands, etc.); b) Desk mats and mouse pads: protect the tabletop and provide a comfortable surface for working with a mouse and typing; c) Cable organizers; d) Acoustic panels, screens or compartments for soundproofing in noisy rooms; e) Office boards, flipcharts and screens; f) Mirrors and hangers; g) Water bottle stands, waste paper baskets, etc.
Popular styles and materials in business furniture design:
Traditional or classic: elegant design with furniture of exquisite shapes, sometimes decorated and usually made of natural wood or industrial wood with decorative wood-effect elements (panels, veneer, film, print). This style is characterized by the so-called warm aesthetics (retro notes and a color scheme with shades of beige, chocolate and gold). The executive office can (and even should) have luxury items: expensive desktop accessories made of wood, ornamental stone or artistic casting, a carpet made of natural fibers of a classic design, figurines and original paintings. Antiques are always appropriate in such an office.
Minimalistic style, the motto of which is "simplicity and practicality". This one is suitable for any format and size of the room, characterized by clear forms, functionality and smooth surfaces, mainly in a neutral range (colors: white, gray and brown with elements of black) and with inclusions of transparent and/or matte glass in furniture and architectural structures. The furniture is comfortable, with strict lines and without frills (any materials are suitable). Accessories are laconic: modern paintings, posters and art photographs in simple frames; sculpture and lamps of abstract shapes.
Industrial or loft style: an extremely functional and even brutal elegance (decorativeness is taboo here). Interior: open beams and supports of wall structures, large open spaces. The entire furniture collection "a la factory vintage" is made on the basis of metal structures; it also has metal surfaces in combination with industrial wood (chipboard, MDF, etc.) or with a finish made of natural solid wood with an aged effect. The colors are laconic with a predominance of gray and brown, and brightness is allowed only in a minimum of details. Antiques no older than 100 years and retro items (usually lamps, table clocks, old mechanisms or furniture pieces) are also appropriate here.
Eco-style is close to Scandinavian: all modular furniture items are made of environmentally friendly materials, such as bamboo, natural wood or its imitation based on recycled materials (MDF, pressed cardboard and recycled plastic). Colors close to natural: green, blue, white, brown, etc. The interior must have live plants that form green dots, walls (vertical gardens) or dividers for the recreation area.
How to choose the right office furniture:
First, evaluate the space you have: compact modular furniture is a good choice for small spaces, while larger, more fully functional items and accessories are suitable for spacious offices.
Functionality is how often you use your office space. So, for occasional use (for example, in the case of a home office combined with a creative workshop), a large “conference” table, a project leader’s chair, a rack for papers and drawings, and a couple of chairs for like-minded people may be enough. But for permanent sedentary work, give preference to ergonomic and durable, highly comfortable “business” designs and models.
Determine your budget: if image and comfort are the components without which you and your colleagues cannot imagine the work process, then your choice is for more premium and expensive options. Which ones? Here, everything depends on your own aesthetic preferences: choose the furniture that best reflects your tastes and matches your ideas about a successful business.
In this way, you program yourself and your team for success!
If you decide to equip a workspace at home, then first of all, the office should be in harmony with the entire interior design concept in order to create a holistic image.
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