BLOG →SUPPLIERS GUIDE: CARE & MAINTENANCE GUIDE
How to Specify Furniture for Offices
By Kirkdale Studios
A Guide to Specifying Office Furniture
Here is the definitive guide on how to specify the right furniture for an office and what to consider.
The specification process for office furniture requires a strategic approach that balances aesthetic identity with rigorous functional requirements. A well-planned office environment prioritises comfort and efficiency, ultimately enhancing workforce productivity and well-being.
Commercial Furniture vs Office Furniture
The key difference between commercial furniture and office furniture is the fabrics used.
The fabrics used for office furniture are very resistant and durable as they are meant to be used constantly for several hours, five days a week. We recommend choosing a fabric with a Martindale score of at least 50,000 rubs.
One of the most used fabrics for office chairs is felt, because it’s durable and breathable, it provides some acoustic insulation and it’s easy to maintain.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
Not sure from where to start? Contact our team of experts.
The Modern Office
Modern offices now offer so much more than a simple workspace.
Over the past years, we have noticed a shift from standard, ergonomic furniture to more design-led interiors and areas focused on the well-being of workers.
The main zones of the modern office are: workspace area, meeting room, breakout area and canteen. Each of these areas plays an important role in the life of an office worker and requires specific furniture with different specifications. Once there is a clear picture of how the office space will be used and divided, the specification process will be much easier.
Other important factors to consider are if there will be dedicated client meeting zones, hot-desking arrangements, and hybrid working schedules, as they can significantly influence the final specification.
Specifying for the Workspace: Desks
Office desks and workstations represent the primary functional infrastructure of any office. Beyond the necessity for contract-grade durability, specific features must align with the operational needs of the team.
What to Keep in Mind When Specifying Office Desks
Size and Layout
When specifying office desks, desk height and ample legroom remain non-negotiable for long-term user comfort.
There are many different types of desk layouts that can be chosen depending on the type of work and flexibility required.
For single users, we recommend a 1800x800mm desk.
For collaborative teams that require an open and more dynamic office, we recommend bench tables.
The most common benching solutions are 2 or 4 bench desk modules where people can sit facing each other or next to each other.
Desking Bases
For offices looking for something more unique and customisable, whether for spatial or aesthetic requirements, instead of complete desks we suggest desking bases that be paired with a table top.
At Kirkdale Studios we specialise in bespoke furniture and we can create custom-made pieces for workplaces too.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
For departments requiring constant communication and idea sharing, bench-style desking, such as our bespoke K-Office, is often the optimal solution.
Check out our complete selection of office furniture.
Efficient Space Management for Desks
Efficient Space Management: Cables
To maintain a tidy and safe workspace, it’s important to consider cable management.
Among the most popular options, there are cable management trays, made to host power and data modules. They can be fitted under the desk or on the side.
For benching desk modules, we recommend leaving a gap in the middle to make sure there will be enough space for the cables and the tray.
To keep it seamless and clean, especially in meeting rooms we suggest flip-up or pop-up power modules.
There are also desks with fitted plastic or metal cable ports (or grommet), which are a good option to keep all the cables out of the way.
A very flexible solution is vertical cable spines, which allow cables to be concealed and kept out of the way.
Efficient Space Management: Monitor Arms
Monitor Arms are ideal for a more dynamic movement of the screen, so that it can be adjusted comfortably to meet eye level and can also offer a better cable management.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
To add some privacy among team members, we recommend desk dividers, that create a physical division of the space. They can pleased directly on the desk or, for even more privacy, on the floor.
Space management solutions for desks and more available upon request:
Specifying for the Workspace: Office Chairs
Appropriate office seating is absolutely fundamental, as it has a direct impact on musculoskeletal health and daily comfort.
Task chairs must support the natural curvature of the spine and encourage active sitting.
What to Keep in Mind when Specifying Office Chairs:
The main elements for consideration include lumbar support, adjustable height and adaptable armrests.
To accommodate a diverse workforce, chairs must offer seat depth and tension control. Since team members often remain seated for extended periods of time, the task chairs must be comfortable and made with durable and breathable materials, like felt.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
If the office layout requires frequent reconfiguration, we recommend specifying task chairs with castors.
Discover our range of
ergonomic office chairs.
Specifying for the Workspace: Office Storage
A tidy and efficient workspace also needs storage options.
The most common types of office storage are cupboards, filing cabinets, under-desk storage units, lockers and credenzas.
What to Keep in Mind when Specifying Office Storage:
The specification will mostly depend on what needs to be stored and the space available.
Office cupboards are one of the most common choices as they are very versatile.
Filing cabinets are the easiest way to keep files organised and allow easy access.
Under-desk cupboards are a great solution to keep the desk tidy and to save space.
Personal lockers can be very useful in offices where employees need to change into uniform or store personal belongings.
Credenzas are very popular in modern offices because, apart from being a good storage solution, they can hold refreshments and more on top.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
A great option for modern offices are complete workstations that include a desk and in-built storage cabinets.
Storage solutions for workspaces available upon request:
Specifying to Soundproof the Office
The office is a space made for collaboration and ideas sharing, but too much noise can also lead to distraction, increase stress and impair productivity.
Specifying furniture that provides soundproofing can help to enhance concentration, privacy and professionalism.
What to Keep in Mind when Specifying Soundproofing Solutions:
Areas that may benefit most from soundproofing solutions are meeting rooms client meeting areas, and high-traffic areas like canteens and breakout areas.
An office can be soundproofed with furniture too, without necessarily resorting to wall panelling or acoustic flooring. If privacy is a main concern, pods and booths are a great solution, as they create a barrier against external noise.
Another way to reduce noise and distraction is adding upholstered furniture, desk dividers and other furniture specifically made with sound-proofing materials.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
Consider adding planters to the office space: even plants can help reduce the noise levels.
Specifying for Office Breakout Areas
Breakout areas are usually separated from the main workspace and serve as multipurpose hubs for relaxation, dining, or informal collaboration.
The contract furniture needed for these areas can change significantly depending on the purpose of the space, but it’s usually more relaxed and versatile.
What to Consider when Specifying for Breakout Areas:
If the breakout zone is intended for relaxing and socialising, the inclusion of lounge chairs, sofas, and coffee tables helps to encourage conversation and create an informal environment.
However, if the area is intended for quiet working or private one-to-one discussions, it is beneficial to specify booths and pods that will provide privacy and sound insulation.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
Another important thing to consider are well-distributed and accessible power sockets.
If you are considering fixed seating for a breakout area, check out our solutions.
Specifying for Meeting Rooms
The design of meeting rooms has evolved significantly, shifting from rigid, formal layouts to versatile environments tailored to specific business activities.
What to Consider When Specifying for a Meeting Room:
A key element for meeting rooms is privacy. Not all workplaces can design a separate room for meeting clients and presentations, so the best options are booths and pods.
They provide a more cost and space efficient area that doesn’t require concrete walls. In addition, they offer versatility (as they are usually mobile), privacy, and soundproofing
To guarantee seamless conferencing and high-definition presentations, we recommend tables with integrated power data points, like flip-up or pop-up power modules.
Some companies consider meeting rooms as creative hubs. Modular furniture and lounge seating can be a good option, as they create a more inviting atmosphere for brainstorming. These flexible solutions allow a single space to adapt to various group sizes and situations.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
The meeting room design choices communicate a firm’s brand and identity. It’s important to ensure that the area leaves a lasting professional impression on every visitor.
Discover our selection of privacy
booths and pods for offices.
Specifying for Office Canteens
In recent years, workplace canteens have become spaces focused on well-being and more visually appealing, with earthy colour palettes, wooden finishes, plants and natural light.
What to Consider When Specifying for an Office Canteen:
Since canteens are high-traffic areas, it’s important to specify furniture made with materials and fabrics that are durable and easy to clean.
We recommend compact laminate, metal, and plastic; and for upholstery, woven synthetic fabrics.
Layout and traffic flow will also play a fundamental part of the specification process. To ensure there is enough space to eat comfortably without disrupting the flow, it would be ideal to leave roughly 900 mm behind the chairs.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
A canteen can be used for multiple purposes apart from lunch break, such as a breakout area if the office space is limited. We recommend using different types of chairs and tables to accommodate all needs.
Stackable chairs that can be easily stored are often used in canteens, explore all the available styles.
Defining Office Culture
Apart from its pure functional role, office furniture also serves as a physical manifestation of brand values.
A vibrant tech start-up and a traditional corporate firm require distinct furniture profiles to communicate their respective identities to both employees and visiting clients.
At Kirkdale Studios we design and supply bespoke furniture: it’s the perfect solution for those looking for something more than just another off-the-shelf task chair.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
Add a playful touch to a young, modern office with a football or ping pong table.
