5 Tips for Finding the Best Furniture for Your Small Business

Balancing budget, performance & appearance

Just as the right tool makes a job easier, a properly furnished office can raise the bar for everyone who works there.

From ergonomic features to attractive design, small business furniture can support employees both physically and emotionally. That pays all kinds of dividends, including increased productivity.

At Walmart Business, we know small businesses need to make smart choices with their money. This guide will help you find furniture that sets you up for success without breaking the bank. 

Tips for buying furniture for small business offices

1. Make a budget

Setting a budget is a great place to start when shopping for your small business office furniture because it’s also the bottom line. If a piece isn’t in your budget, you can safely reject it out of hand and move on to a more suitable replacement.

Using a restrictive budget can be paradoxically freeing. It pushes you to get creative about meeting your ergonomic, style and durability needs by creating clear boundaries that you have to work within.

It can also force you to set priorities. Consider which elements of your office you use most, as these often merit the most investment. Chairs and desks see constant use and have the most direct effect on the long-term health and productivity of your employees. Less crucial elements, such as conference tables and storage cabinets, may not call for as much up-front investment.

Although there’s no universal answer for budgeting, experts recommend a baseline of $15 per square foot of office space. From there, you can decide how much more or less you’re comfortable spending.

2. Invest in durability

With your budget in hand, you may naturally head right for furniture with the lowest price tag. Less expensive options are typically made of manufactured materials such as plastic, particle board, laminates, composites and medium-density fiberboard (MDF). These pieces tend to fall apart more quickly than solid wood or aluminum furnishings. 

You may not pass your small business furniture down to your grandkids, but investing in long-lasting construction can save you cash over the course of your business’s long life. Even when it does start to show its age, it can often be repaired for far less than the cost of a replacement.

For wood furniture, it’s important to look for durable joinery. Mortise and tenon joints and dovetail joints tend to last the longest.

3. Prioritize ergonomics

The more ergonomically designed your small business furniture is, the more comfortable your workers will be. Ergonomics also boost productivity, reduce the risk of injury and keep workers happy.

Ergonomics is most important when it comes to workstations. Chairs should let workers sit with their feet flat on the floor and their knees bent at a roughly 90-degree angle. They should also keep workers’ backs straight and supported with padding.

When seated, desks should let you reach your keyboard while keeping your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle and your wrists straight. Your shoulders should be relaxed.

Your employees come in all shapes and sizes. The best way to address all possible ergonomic needs is to buy adjustable furniture. Seats that can be raised and lowered combined with desks that can transition from sitting to standing provide workers with plenty of flexibility.

4. Optimize your workspace

One great way to make the most of your limited office space is to incorporate furniture that meets two needs at once. Consider smart screens, which can play host to whiteboard brainstorms and sales presentations. Or desks that come with built-in drawers, which can function as both workstations and storage space.

Modular small business office furniture can also help you get the most out of your floor plan. Its lightweight and movable designs let you experiment with your space, find creative solutions and adapt to changing needs. For example, desks on casters let you reposition them easily for collaboration sessions or to make room for a new hire.

Another space-saving tip is to take advantage of vertical storage. Tall cabinets and wall-mounted solutions let you stretch each square foot to its maximum potential.

5. Design with style

Knowing how to use subtle design cues in your office can help you encourage your employees to do great work. Research shows that small details such as artwork on the walls and lots of natural light can boost productivity.

Not only that, but an intentionally designed office can make a strong impression on clients and other guests who visit. It can project professionalism and give them a glimpse into what your business sees as important.

Of course, not everyone has the design sense to create a cohesive aesthetic from scratch. If that’s not your forté, you have plenty of great options. For one, you might consider hiring an interior designer to help you get the ball rolling.

Another option is to look for small business furniture stores with their own distinct aesthetics. You can maintain a consistent look simply by sticking to their catalog as much as possible.

Let Walmart Business help

And if you’re looking for a wide catalog, Walmart Business is here to help. With a free Walmart Business account, you can shop our curated industry pages to find what you need quickly. 

Our low prices help you stretch your budget as far as possible, empowering you to buy high-quality furniture for less. You can save even more by applying your organization’s tax-exempt status to your account.

Click here to sign up for a membership today.