If you enjoy art and design, buying furniture for your coworking space can be one of the more enjoyable parts of the launching process. This is an opportunity to make your brand and vision come to life through the objects and accessories that decorate your space.
On the other hand, if you are design-challenged, you might be finding yourself struggling to pick out the right pieces for your space, or paralyzed by the sheer number of options out there. Whichever side of the spectrum you find yourself on, there are some trusted guidelines to follow when shopping for furniture for commercial office spaces.
First, remember that furniture should not only be a reflection of your brand but also serve a purpose. In short, it’s functional. Striking a balance between good design and functionality will ensure that the furniture you invest in will be not only photogenic but also be practical, useful to your members, and durable over the years.
That said, here are some crucial things to keep in mind when shopping for furniture for your coworking space.
A checklist of furniture needed in every modern coworking space.
First off, let’s look at some of the basic pieces of furniture and accessories that are essential for any coworking space.
Chairs
- Office chairs
- Kitchen chairs
- Accent chairs
Tables
- Desks Kitchen/communal tables
- Meeting room tables
- Accent/side tables
Lighting
- Standing Lamps
- Desk lamps
- Overhead lighting
Sofas
- Sofas and armchairs
- Communal sofas
Accessories & accents
- Plants
- Posters
- Wall art & accessories
Storage
- Lockers, cubbies, & cabinets
- Shelves, hooks, & racks
After seeing that list, I know what you’re thinking; it’s going to take up a large part of your budget. Furniture does indeed take up a large portion of startup costs, but the good news is if you make the right decision the first time around, the pieces you invest in will last a long time.
Creating a comfortable space for your members
When choosing furniture for your coworking space, always have your target audience in mind. You want to select pieces that fit the basic needs of your members.
Making your members comfortable goes beyond just buying the right kind of furniture, it’s also selecting the right lighting and colors. All white offices, for example, can provide a calm sense of minimalism and can be simple to execute. However, a lack of texture and color can also be draining for the senses. It’s all about finding the right balance.
DropDesk has a great resourceful ranking on the best conference room chairs that can help you in your search for comfortable office furniture.
A coworking space that promotes privacy & security
Open concept offices have their upside, but imagine an office that was just one vast open space? It might be frustrating for members that need private space to complete deep-focused work, or for those who wish to take a coffee break in a more casual setting.
That’s why modern coworking spaces are characterized by a mix of furniture which is conducive to individual work, but also collaborative work, and socializing.
For example, in a lounge area, you may have couches that allow for several people to be sitting and talking, but also casual work areas that are designed for private on-the-fly meetings between two or three people.
Or another common example, is many coworking spaces have phone booths where one can find maximum privacy.
Security is also an important concern in coworking. With outside people often coming and going, your permanent members will feel safe having the option of locked or secured areas where they can store valuable items.
Tips for decorating a coworking space on a budget
Thinking of all the costs associated with launching your space might be giving you some pangs of anxiety, but don’t worry, there are plenty of creative and clever ways you can accessorize and create a comfortable and optimal workspace on a budget.
This smart article by inc.com provides some clever insights into the topic of “Designing a Cool Office for Cheap.”
Pick quirky, textured, & colorful accents
If you’re on a tight budget, and as a result, purchasing basic and functional furniture, your coworking space might end up looking drab and lacking character.
But that can easily be fixed with the right accents and accessories. These can actually be quite affordable.
For example, you can find unique vintage pieces at flea markets or second-hand stores online. These unique pieces will add a personal touch to a coworking space, and give it some personality.
Invest in some greenery
Plants are an affordable way to bring life and color into any space instantly.
Not to mention, the plant trend seems to be stronger than ever; both in commercial and personal spaces.
Be aware, there is such a thing as going overboard. Remember: Plants are living things, and many types require frequent watering and maintenance.
Avoid “high maintenance” plants or too many plants that you won’t actually be able to care for in the long run. There’s nothing worse than walking into a home or office space with a bunch of sad fly-ridden wilted yellow plants.
New to plant life? This informative article by smallbiztrends shows which plants are best for indoors and office spaces.
Drop the cheesy corporate posters
While inspirational imagery is appreciated in a coworking space, it’s best to stay away from cheesy corporate posters with cringe-inducing catchphrases.
Alternatively, you can purchase inexpensive prints on Etsy or other similar websites and have them laminated or framed at a local store. Picking out unique print to decorate your walls is an original and inexpensive way to add a splash of personality and flair to your coworking space.
Office furniture retailers
Here is a list of the most common and popular retailers of commercial office furniture:
- IKEA Mcgowan office interiors
- Knoll National office furniture
- Cymax
- Wayfair
- Groupe Lacasse
- Industry west
- Bestar Flex steel
Archie provides the world’s fastest growing coworking spaces with an all-in-one platform to automate their operations and elevate their customer experience by enabling their clients to enjoy coworking services from an elegant self-service app.
From large coworking space networks to individual flexible spaces, we believe that powerful, innovative team operations should be within reach for every workspace, no matter the size, or ambition. Through its intuitive platform, Archie helps you cut down redundant manual work and make your member experience a breeze by providing you with the right tools that power ambition.
