| ng in a cheap office chair the first time feels | | | | is a place where some manufacturers scrimp, and |
| about the same as sitting in an expensive one. | | | | the finish takes most of the abuse in the office. |
| It’s comfortable, solid. The question is | | | | So the savvy buyer should always go for the |
| how will it feel on the ten thousandth sitting? Will | | | | best available veneers, stains, and coatings. Simply |
| that cheap assemblage of plastic, foam, and vinyl | | | | put, cheap furniture is made from cheap materials. |
| even last for ten thousand landings, and what will | | | | Craftsmanship |
| it look like if it does? Quality office furniture should | | | | Fine craftsmanship is not some nebulous concept. |
| last for years in a demanding environment without | | | | It’s as simple as using the correct |
| losing its functionality or design. So the | | | | upholstery nails instead of a staple gun, or |
| buyer’s job is finding the best quality. | | | | tongue-on-groove construction instead of pegs |
| Name brands can be deceiving, because some of | | | | and nails. Pride in workmanship is the main criteria, |
| the best-known companies make inexpensive | | | | not merely high cost, and good construction can |
| office furniture, sold at big-box stores and | | | | often redeem mediocre materials. When buying |
| designed for home offices. It may take a little | | | | office furniture, inspect inside the drawers and |
| digging, but highly respected furniture makers are | | | | under and behind the unit - places not visible to a |
| out there, specializing in products for the | | | | casual glance - to find the telltale signs of shoddy |
| workplace. Even if these companies are not well | | | | workmanship. Even if the buyer can’t |
| known, there are ways to spot them: | | | | afford the best, he should learn to spot the |
| Quality Materials | | | | worst. |
| Lumber is divided into dozens of different grades, | | | | Design and Functionality |
| with furniture varieties at the top. The best | | | | Office supply stores usually offer bland furniture |
| hardwoods offer durability and beauty, plus the | | | | designed for the lowest common denominator |
| potential for a well-kept piece to hold or increase | | | | and budget. That’s why it’s |
| its value. Even chipboard and veneers come in | | | | important to look beyond those outlets to find |
| different grades with different life expectancies, | | | | office furniture with style and innovation. |
| and metal furniture is not all built the same way | | | | Progressive manufacturers and vendors keep up |
| either. A bunch of metal tubes screwed together | | | | with changes in office equipment and new |
| is not the same as solid rails with good welds, | | | | discoveries in ergonomics, and they offer a wide |
| although both may be equally shiny. Leather | | | | variety of styles. A firm that offers creative |
| comes in a myriad of different grades, too, but | | | | designs probably goes the extra mile in materials |
| investing in top-grain leather is always worth the | | | | and craftsmanship too. |
| cost in durability and lasting impressions. The finish | | | | |