Business professionals sitting at a table, engaged in a meeting within an office space.

Office Furniture for Sale: The Owner’s Guide to Furnishing Their Workspace

Build the right office

Whatever size your company and whatever it is you do, you’ll need an office space that accommodates your employees and facilitates their productivity. That means workspaces, tables, chairs, shelves and everything else we call office furniture.

You can find office furniture for sale at a lot of places (including Walmart!), but knowing exactly what you need is invaluable. At Walmart Business, we know that equipping an office space comes with a long list of things to do, so we’ve assembled these thoughtful tips to make it a little easier for you.

Office furniture for sale

There’s more to furnishing an office than knowing where to buy office furniture, but identifying where to buy from is an important first step. Office furniture for sale in a store gives you an opportunity to see and touch what you might put in your office, but buying office furniture online can often be less expensive.

Once you’ve decided whether you’re going to buy from a local brick-and-mortar location or order online, it’s time to choose the kind of desks your employees will use.

A man sitting at a desk with a laptop open in front of him. Two women work at a computer in the background.

Office desks

Given that an average worker spends nearly six hours a day at their desk, it’s worth spending the time and attention to make sure you’re getting something good.

Start with your budget. You can find office furniture online or off, but knowing how much you have to spend per desk will help you zero in on a particular model. Higher prices usually mean better quality and more features, but those bells and whistles can add up quickly.

Next, you’ll want to decide the shape you’re looking for. Desks come in three main shapes:

Rectangular: The classic. Rectangular desks offer less workspace than other shapes but fit better into most work spaces.

L-shaped: This desk features a second work area at a right angle to one side. It offers more workspace but also takes up more room. You will often see these used by executives who devote one side to a computer workstation and the other to collaborative work.

U-shaped: The largest desk type you can find, these feature workspaces on both sides and in front. Make no mistake: it is large, but offers the most work area.

Desks also come in multiple styles:

Executive desks: Large, double-pedestal desks that include lots of storage.

Computer desks: Small to mid-size desks with computer-focused features.

Compact desks: Space-optimizing desks designed for small offices.

Writing or laptop desks: These have a large work surface, but limited storage.

Finally, consider the aesthetics of your office desks. The design of your office will impact how people perceive your business and the comfort of your workers. Studies show that people who are satisfied with their work environment are more likely to produce great work, so it’s worth taking the time to get it right.

For more tips on finding the best office desks for your workspace, read How to Choose the Perfect Office Desk Furniture for Your Workspace.

A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a beige sweater and light blue jeans, is arranging a pink ottoman in a furniture store.

Small business furniture

Making the most of limited resources can be complicated. When you buy office furniture for a small business, you need to stay within your budget but also pay attention to factors like durability, ergonomics and optimization.

Durability: When it comes to durability, spending extra to get well-made furniture can be an investment in your future. Higher-quality furniture will last longer, meaning you won’t have to replace it as often. This could save you money in the long term.

Ergonomics: Employees come in all shapes and sizes, but a workspace properly tuned for ergonomic comfort will help reduce the risk of injury and keep workers happy. Look for chairs that allow workers to have their feet firmly planted on the floor and knees at a 90-degree angle. For desks, you should be able to reach a computer keyboard with your elbow also at a 90-degree angle and your wrists straight.

Optimization: You can save money and space with furniture that serves more than one purpose. For example, desks with drawers function as both workstations and storage. You can also make use of your vertical space with tall cabinets and wall-mounted shelving units.

To learn more about selecting small business furniture, read 5 Tips for Finding the Best Furniture for Your Small Business.

A woman with long dark hair, wearing a white top and a black backpack, is holding up a pen while inspecting furniture in a store.

Wholesale office furniture

When deciding where to buy office furniture, take a moment to consider buying wholesale. It can save time and money, but it’s not always the best option for all businesses.

Examine the following pros and cons:

Time: In the “pro” category, buying in bulk can save considerable time. You will get all or most of the office furniture you need all at once—a huge time savings. But smaller businesses might not need a lot of furniture.

Money: Buying wholesale can also save businesses money. Buying more desks, chairs and tables at a time allows the seller to discount those products. You will also save on shipping.

Minimum orders: One potential risk with buying wholesale is that many wholesalers require a minimum order size. This might not be a fit for your business, especially if you’re still growing. It might be better to go with a solution that allows you to pick and choose the amount of furniture that’s right for you at that time.

For more on buying office furniture wholesale, read 5 Things to Consider Before Buying Office Furniture Wholesale.

Modular office furniture

For businesses that are still growing or on a tight budget, modular furniture presents a compelling opportunity. Modular furniture is designed as a set of interconnected pieces that fit together in multiple ways, so you can configure your workspace precisely how you need it.

Modular furniture can be useful if you expect to be hiring and need to add new workspaces quickly or if you want to create a different look for your workspace from time to time. It also tends to be cost-effective because it is compact and doesn’t come with many bells and whistles.

If you think modular office furniture may be a good solution for your business, here are some factors to consider:

Floor plan: Workspaces vary in size and shape. Your space might have nooks and crannies that would be perfect for specific pieces of furniture. Examine your floor plan carefully to ensure you’re using the space efficiently while also not over-crowding.

Comfort and durability: Modular furniture can save you money, but you shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort and durability. Make sure your furniture has enough workspace and storage space to meet your needs and that it won’t cause your workers discomfort. You should also consider whether less expensive furniture will need to be replaced more frequently, adding to your operating costs.

Storage space: Even highly digitized offices require supplies, which means you’ll need storage. Desks with drawers and modular shelving units can be configured to make the most of your unique space.

To learn more about modular office furniture, read Modular Office Furniture: 5 Tips for Furnishing the Workplace.

A woman with blonde hair tied back, wearing a light blue hoodie, is smiling while using a screwdriver to assemble a piece of white furniture.

Furniture assembly

Once you’ve secured your shipment of office furniture, you will probably need someone to help you assemble and install it. Most furniture does not come assembled, and moving and putting together multiple desks, chairs, tables and shelves can be a taxing job.

The good news is there are trained professionals available who can make quick work of that task. Here are some factors to consider when hiring for installation and assembly professionals:

Experience: While you want to shop around for the best deal, it’s important that you select a service you can trust to do the job right. Experienced professionals will know how to handle unusual situations or custom installations. It’s also important to select professionals who are licensed and insured.

Reputation: Customer reviews can tell you a lot about what to expect when dealing with a particular service provider. If a provider has a reputation for missing appointments or overcharging, you’d probably be wise to avoid them. Ideally, you will want to hire a company that provides great service on time and for a reasonable fee. Reviews can help you find that company.

Communication: Installing office furniture can be a complex, time-consuming task. Installers will need access to your office space and may have other needs. A service provider with great communication skills will let you know up front what to expect and communicate with you throughout the process to ensure all goes smoothly.

For more tips on choosing an installation and assembly provider, read 5 Tips on Choosing an Office Furniture Assembly Service.

Walmart Business can help

Walmart Business customers save time, money and hassle with access to features like multi-user accounts, subscription ordering and access to our assembly and installation services. Already have a Walmart Business account? Then you can join Walmart Business+ to take advantage of exclusive offers, save over $500/year¹ and enjoy exclusive rewards for your organization. Walmart Business+ members enjoy free shipping with no order minimum,² free delivery from stores on orders over $35³ and 2% back in Walmart Business Rewards on orders of $250 or more.⁴ Visit our website to learn more.

¹ Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business Rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).

² Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

³ Restrictions apply.

⁴ Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply.

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