The Executive’s Guide to Buying Office Furniture

Prioritizing comfort, productivity & design

Chairs, desks, file cabinets, shelves—these things form the foundation of your employees’ workday. In fact, they’re such a ubiquitous part of the modern office that they’re easy to take for granted. Choosing the right office furniture for your new location or upgrading your current furnishings can make a massive difference in your employees’ health, happiness and productivity.

At Walmart Business, we understand the importance of finding quality office furniture that fosters a safer and more efficient work environment. We also understand the need to match those requirements with designs that fit your brand, aesthetic and budget. To help, we’ve put together this ultimate buying guide so you can provide top-tier business furniture for you and your employees.

What to consider when choosing office furniture

Before spending your expense budget on new desks and office chairs, take a moment to review a few basics. Consider the following when deciding on the right furniture:

• Your office layout: Before picking out your desks and chairs, get a rough idea of what you want your office layout to look like. If you plan on having individual offices and conference rooms, your needs will be different than if you intend on an office of cubicles. Thinking about how employees will move and work within the space will guide you toward the right furniture choices.

• Style: The office furniture you pick will also create an atmosphere, so think about how you want to represent your brand. For example, jaunty angles and bold colors may be more suited for a tech startup than a legacy business enterprise.

• Cost: Of course, you must balance the look and quality of the office furniture against the cost of buying and maintaining it. Spend too much money and you'll be investing in more durability than you really need. Too little, and you may find that you’re spending even more on repairs or replacements over the long haul. Aim for the right blend of quality and affordability.
  

Read How to Choose the Perfect Commercial Office Furniture for Your Workspace for even more tips.

The importance of ergonomics

Don’t overlook the importance of ergonomics when you start looking for workspace furniture.

Ergonomics isn’t just about comfort; it’s about reducing the potential for workplace injury. According to the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration, prioritizing ergonomic furniture like chairs, desks and storage cabinets can mitigate the risk of musculoskeletal disorders while improving employee productivity. Plus, when employees feel safer and more comfortable at their jobs, they’re more likely to enjoy being at work.

As you select furniture for the office, be sure to keep the following in mind:

• Select chairs that allow workers to sit with their knees bent at a 90-degree angle while resting their feet flat on the floor. Chairs that rest flush against the back will improve employee posture while minimizing the chance of long-term back pain.

• Employees should be able to rest their arms on their desks at a 90-degree angle to reduce wrist or back pain. Look for a combination of desks and chairs that can accommodate different heights. Choosing adjustable furniture will make working comfortably much easier.

• For computer monitors, the eye line should naturally rest at the top of the screen, which should be placed about arm’s length away from the edge of the desk. An adjustable monitor stand makes it easier to find the best fit for each employee.
  

Learn more about ergonomics and discover other essential considerations in Modern Office Furniture: 5 Features to Look For.

How to choose patio office furniture

Your choice of furnishing should make your employees feel comfortable, whether they’re working on a project in the building or taking a lunch break on a picnic bench outside. However, outdoor furniture will experience more unpredictable conditions than the desks and chairs you keep inside, so there are special considerations to remember when shopping.

• Durability: Outdoor furniture must be able to withstand hours of sunlight every day as well as potential environmental conditions like heavy rain, wind and snow. Other factors, such as rust and mold, can significantly impact the lifespan of your furniture and may introduce health hazards to your employees. Seek out options made of aluminum or specially-treated wood and plastic furniture for the best results.

• Seasonal considerations: Depending on where your office is located, you may not need outdoor furniture for part of the year. For example, if your area experiences harsh winters and employees won’t spend much time outside, it may be best to store outdoor furniture in a shed or indoor area to protect it from the elements. Lightweight furniture is easy to pack up and store.
  

Learn more about how to find and maintain picnic tables and other fixtures in 5 Things to Know About Commercial Grade Outdoor Furniture.

Keep the office organized

Desks and chairs tend to be the first things that come to mind when you think of office furniture, but your employees will need tools for managing files, supplies and cables just as much.

File cabinets are an effective way to keep commonly used documents and records tidily within reach. An array of horizontal and vertical cabinets will help you maximize your storage capabilities within the limitations of your office’s square footage.

Cable management supplies like ties and wraps keep working spaces neat while minimizing the chance of yanking on or tripping over a stray cord. Implementing an effective cable management strategy into your office layout will ensure necessary ports are accessible while keeping cables tucked away.

Read 6 Office Furniture Supplies for Creating an Organized Workspace for more suggestions.

Make a statement with your executive office furniture

An executive office doesn’t just need to command respect. It must also strike a delicate balance between form and function with a considered space that allows C-suite execs to work efficiently, think deeply and make employees and prospective clients feel welcome.

It all starts with the desk. Choose a desk that fits both your desired layout and workflow. Traditional rectangular desks are a fantastic choice for providing plenty of workspace while giving the rest of your office plenty of breathing room. If you need more space to work, U-shaped or L-shaped desks offer stylish configurations that provide extra space. 

Then, it’s time to fill out the rest of the office—both for your personal enjoyment as well as the comfort of your guests. Choosing comfortable seating will offer ergonomic benefits for short-term visits or deep working sessions. Adding some greenery will also liven the environment up while delivering a healthy oxygen boost to help you stay focused. 

Read Executive Office Furniture: 7 Must-Have Pieces to Furnish Your Space for more information.

Find a solutions provider to take the guesswork out of furnishing

You may not have time to sort out all your furniture needs yourself. A custom business office furniture solution can help by recommending high-quality options to fill out your office—and provide a few extra perks, too

• Customization: If you need bespoke office furniture, a specialist can often create custom, modular designs built to fit your unique needs. Many vendors will even install the furniture for you, so you can rest assured that all of your furniture is set up for maximum productivity.

• Customer service: Furniture is a long-term investment in your business, and if anything goes wrong, it’s good to know that a partner has your back. Look for vendors who offer direct customer service lines with flexible hours.
  

Get even more tips by reading 5 Things to Look for in an Office Furniture Solutions Provider.

Save money on office furniture with Walmart Business+

Whether you’re looking to furnish a single room or get new chairs for your entire workforce, Walmart Business+ has you covered. 

Shop a curated selection of office furniture and other supplies at affordable prices and save even more with free shipping, right to your door.¹ Unlock additional savings when you use our built-in Spend Analytics tools to examine your purchase history and plan future purchases around the supplies you actually need. Plus, you’ll earn 2% in Walmart Business Rewards for every purchase over $250.²

Want to discover how your business can save over $500/year while enjoying exclusive rewards?³ Join Walmart Business+ today.

¹Excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges.

²Exclusions apply. See full terms for details.

³Savings 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).