Choosing the Right Furniture
By Bob Roskos

Because there are so many products on the market, purchasing new furniture for your school can be time-consuming and confusing. It is easy to be overwhelmed by all of the alternatives. So, how can you be sure to choose the right furniture? 

When answering this question, it’s important to recognize that furniture needs and preferences can vary significantly among schools. That’s why it’s best to begin your selection process by identifying the product features and benefits that are the most important for your applications.

Durability is always a primary consideration. For instance, key features and benefits for your school’s furniture would include: precision-welded tubular steel frames for lasting strength; polypropylene, polyethylene, or hard plastic seating components for long-term performance; and quality work surfaces – with either a high-pressure laminate finish or hard plastic construction – to resist scratching and warping.

Along with durability, most people would agree that contemporary furniture should be ergonomically supportive and comfortable. When considering chairs, adjustable-height seating accommodates students with a wide range of body sizes. If it’s not practical to provide adjustable-height seating for every application, chairs with a variety of fixed seat heights will be helpful.

For schools, a well-designed chair seat should be wide and deep enough to comfortably support the thighs. It should also have rounded corners, smooth edges, and a waterfall seat front to prevent unnecessary “edge pressure.” The backrest design is also very important. Ideally, the backrest should be slightly reclined, have a transversely (side-to-side) concave shape along with a gentle lumbar contour,  and be tall and wide enough to provide support.

Quality desks and tables will have similar ergonomic features. Adjustable-height work surfaces allow both smaller and larger individuals – and those in between – to work or study comfortably. Tables and desks should offer adequate leg and thigh clearance, allowing people to easily access their seats.

For classrooms where computers are frequently used, tables and desks with technology-support options are highly beneficial. Optional modesty panels that include generous wire pass-through openings will help you organize cords and cables. Other wire management options – such as a wire management strap, a multi-channel wire chase, or a wire management tray – that can be mounted beneath work surfaces also provide excellent support.

Optional grommets are equally handy, especially when they’re carefully conceived.  Thoughtful construction details – like wire pass-through openings, and a flush-closing cover that rotates 180 degrees around a steel hinge – are indicative of grommets, tables, and desks designed for superior performance.

Table and desk work surfaces with smooth, rounded edges should be spacious enough to hold frequently used materials; that’s highly significant where computers and writing materials are often used in tandem. Specifically for desks, the availability of a contoured “bowfront” design is desirable, since it permits students to get closer to the work surface without sacrificing comfort. For tables, power/data ports are a popular option in schools; if ports with an easily retractable one-touch cover can be inserted directly into the work surface, that’s even better!

You should also consider adaptability. Virtually all schools need reliable multi-purpose chairs and tables. Chairs that can be readily stacked and moved from room to room as needed are exceptionally adaptable. The same applies to lightweight folding tables with extruded aluminum frames for extra strength.

Other considerations when making furniture selections include lead times, delivery and installation services, and ongoing support. Since overseas suppliers and small manufacturers have limited capabilities, a large, established manufacturer with a proven performance record is much better equipped to provide you with the timely, consistent service and support your school deserves.

Price, of course, is essential to the furniture selection process. Your challenge is to find the best product value within the parameters of your budget. 

Bob Roskos is the corporate copywriter for Virco, www.virco.com.