How to Furnish an Office Without Breaking the Bank

Buying fixtures and furniture for an office can be an expensive proposition, especially if you buy everything new. Since most types of furniture lose value the minute they’re sold, you can find deals on furniture for your office. The more frugal you are, the more money you have to put into other areas of your business. Here are some ways you can furnish an office without breaking the bank.

Make a list of the furniture you want in your office. Will employees sit in cubicles, at desks, or have offices? Does everyone need a desk, computer, and file cabinet? What type of window treatment, telephone system, and meeting room furniture do you want? If you take a list with you when you shop, you won’t accidentally forget something.

Look online for office furniture resellers in your area. Don’t limit your search to furniture stores; liquidators buy stock from manufacturers going out of business and can also pick up the furniture from a business going-out-of-business on the cheap, then pass the savings on to you. You can also look for businesses in your area that announce going-out-of-business sales. Keep in mind that you may be able to completely furnish your office by shopping online, but that doesn’t give you the chance to kick the wheels, so to speak, of the furniture, and you’ll likely have expensive shipping fees. You may face different problems at a brick-and-mortar shop, which may not have an entire set of something. See what you can buy locally and order the rest online.

Decide how used is too used. You may want to buy some things new, like computers. But other types of furniture show little wear and tear, even after use. Look for deals on used office cubicles, used desks and table, used chairs, and used telecommunication equipment. Before buying anything that plugs in, make sure that it works. Don’t compromise on quality for a good deal. Spending a few bucks more is worth a lamp that always turns on or a chair with a back that is firm and adjustable.

Buy your furniture, keeping all receipts, since you can deduct your purchases on your taxes and track depreciation. Try to negotiate for lower prices, since you may be able to get a better deal working one store against the other.

Move the furniture into your space. Have an idea of how you’d like to set up your office before the moving truck arrives. If you have a plan, then you can quickly move furniture into place. If you haven’t checked already, after moving furniture into place, make sure electrical outlets work. You can do this while plugging in any lamps, computers, or other electrical appliances.

William Henderson is a Boston-based writer who has been contributing to local and national newspapers and magazines for nearly 20 years. Pure Slush is publishing Henderson’s first book in 2013.