Category Archives: Office Furniture News

We Offer Open Plan Workstations

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Office Furniture Outlet offers workstations by Open Plan Systems.  They are a leading distributor of seating, case goods, and filing systems, and are also the largest remanufacturer of Herman Miller AO2 cubicles, with dealers carrying their product lines across the country.  Remanufactured Herman Miller cubicles are a high-quality, low-cost, and environmentally-friendly option for modular furniture.  Cubicles receive new fabric, top caps, and plastic bases on panels, connectors and components are sanded, pre washed, painted and cured, work surfaces and pedestals are new, and flipper doors are covered with new fabric.  You can choose from our 5 standard paint finishes, 2 base colors, 185 fabrics, and 7 work surface finishes.

To arrange a free consultation, email contact@ofova.com
or call us at (757) 855-2800

www.OFOVA.com

How To Stay Productive

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Here at Office Furniture Outlet, we not only want to sell you the best quality of furniture, but we want you to have complete satisfaction while in your office.  Your comfortability, productivity, and all-around wellness are of upmost importance.  Below, there’s an article we’ve found that gives tips on how you can stay productive and perform at your highest potential. Maybe you can start implementing them into your daily routine!

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1. Drink a glass of water when you wake up. Your body loses water while you sleep, so you’re naturally dehydrated in the morning. A glass of water when you wake helps start your day fresh. When do you drink your first glass of water each day?

2. Define your top 3. Every morning Mike asks himself, “What are the top three most important tasks that I will complete today?” He prioritizes his day accordingly and doesn’t sleep until the Top 3 are complete. What’s your “Top 3″ today?

3. The 50/10 Rule. Solo-task and do more faster by working in 50/10 increments. Use a timer to work for 50 minutes on only one important task with 10 minute breaks in between. Mike spends his 10 minutes getting away from his desk, going outside, calling friends, meditating, or grabbing a glass of water. What’s your most important task for the next 50 minutes?

4. Move and sweat daily. Regular movement keeps us healthy and alert. It boosts energy and mood, and relieves stress. Most mornings you’ll find Mike in a CrossFit or a yoga class. How will you sweat today?

5. Express gratitude. Gratitude fosters happiness, which is why Mike keeps a gratitude journal. Every morning, he writes out at least five things he’s thankful for. In times of stress, he’ll pause and reflect on 10 things he’s grateful for. What are you grateful for today?

6. Reflect daily. Bring closure to your day through 10 minutes of reflection. Mike asks himself, “What went well?” and “What needs improvement?” So… what went well today? How can you do more of it?

Check out the original article here

www.OFOVA.com

Benefits of Signing Up for our E-Newsletter

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Please take a moment to join our private mailing list.  At no time (now or in the future) will we sell our e-mail list.  We try to offer our mailing list subscribers the first look at Office Furniture Outlet’s new arrivals. We go out on the showroom floor at the beginning of each week and take pictures of all the new furniture so you’ll stay fully updated. If you wish to unsubscribe from our newsletters at anytime, you may do so by sending us an e-mail or clicking on the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any E-Newsletter we’ve sent you.

If you want first dibs on the new stuff, join today!

Click here to view past newsletters

Click here to sign up

Why Buy Used Office Furniture?

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Top 5 Reasons to Buy Used:

  1. Environmentally Friendly: Office furniture recycling extends the lives of resources already in circulation such as wood, aluminum, steel, plastics, and fiber by using them to the fullest extent possible. Recycling also conserves labor and manufacturing energy, especially when metals are kept out of the smelting process.
  2. Cost Benefit:  If you buy used, you are saving up to 60% off the cost of new furniture. This is a great way to promote waste reduction.
  3. Design Benefits: With Office Furniture Outlet, you get complete creative freedom. There’s no pre-determined selection of fabrics, colors, or finishes.
  4. Usefulness: Instead of going into a landfill, the furniture is put back on the market. Used office furniture can be considered refurbished, remanufactured, recycled- all of which mean being used again.
  5. Quality: Older furniture is often made with better quality than newer furniture is, and only furniture with good quality gets resold.  The fact that it is still in tact proves that it can stand the test of time.

Are these reasons enough for you to make the switch to buying used furniture? If so:

Visit our website: www.OFOVA.com
Call us: (757) 855-2800
Stop by our showroom: 1124-B Kingwood Ave. Norfolk, VA 23502

Sell Your Old Office Furniture

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Are you needing to sell gently used office furniture?

Here at Office Furniture Outlet, we regularly buy used office furniture from companies all over the East Coast.  We are constantly looking for items to add to our vast inventory of cubicles, desks, chairs, and so much more.

If your company has office furniture to sell, don’t hesitate to give us a call for an asset valuation at (757) 855-2800.

You could also send us an e-mail with pictures of the items your company wants to sell at contact@ofova.com.

www.OFOVA.com

How to Promote Trust with your Office Design

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According to the article by Kath Walters, the way that an office is designed can enhance or undermine trust between everyone in the workplace.  Trust in the workplace is extremely important- Not having it leads to low morale, lots of micromanagement, and other factors that discourage people from doing their jobs.

When employees see that their boss has a huge office that he’s rarely in, while they slave away in tiny spaces, their trust diminishes.  Would you perform your best work for a company that you feel doesn’t value you? To fix the issue, you must promote fairness.  Employees deserve to have the latest technology, comfortable seating, and an adequate space to work in.  Communication is key, so go for designs that will promote clear communication.

These days, everyone in the office wants the same thing; The article states that trust level drops when someone has better quality furniture than others. If you want to have a nice chair for everyone, you can do that affordably by buying used office furniture.   If you’re looking for a great place to buy from, Office Furniture Outlet has the largest office furniture inventory in Hampton Roads.  We provide affordable new and used furniture and offer a range of services including space planning and design installation.  Let us assist you in building up that office trust!

Read the full article here

www.OFOVA.com

Are You a Part of the Green Movement?

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There are many definitions of upcycling, but the one that I like best is:
“Taking an item that is no longer needed or wanted and giving it new life as something that is either useful or creative.”

The trend seems to be moving toward being environmentally friendly and everyone loves being “green”.  More people are starting to get into the idea of recycling and reusing old items for brand new purposes.  Instead of sending items to the dump, you get to show your creative side and repurpose them.  You like to recycle to reduce pollution, you thrift to save money, but have you ever thought about buying used office furniture?

When buying used office furniture, you are saving money all while saving the environment. Think Green!  By buying used there are fewer raw materials used, remanufacturing conserves energy and natural resources. Office furniture recycling extends the lives of resources already in circulation such as wood, aluminum, steel, plastics and fiber, using them over and over to the fullest extent possible.
(See why going green is good for your business here.)

Here at Office Furniture Outlet, we want your creativity to flourish.  We allow you to choose your own colors, fabrics, and finishes.  Not only are you saving up to 60% off of retail prices, but we offer an array of services that will be sure to benefit you.

If you’re in need of new office furniture and need installation, delivery, project management, space spanning, electrostatic painting, or are just looking to sell your old office furniture, give us a call today at 757-855-2800.

www.OFOVA.com

How to Rent Office Furniture

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Office Furniture Outlet offers renting!  Use this article below as a guide on how to rent office furniture and help you decide whether renting is the right option for you. Office Furniture Outlet understands the needs of operating in today’s business environment and we can easily offer a rental or lease solution that caters to your business needs. Office Furniture Outlet strives to compliment your business identity, budget, and practical needs. We operate in Virginia, and the North Eastern Part of North Carolina — especially the Hampton Roads area, which includes Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Portsmouth, Hampton and Suffolk. Come by our showroom and check out our extensive inventory.

For more information on renting click here.

How to Rent Office Furniture
Money Saving Ideas for Your Business
From James Bucki

GETTING STARTED

You don’t have to buy all of your office furniture. You can rent office furniture too! If your company has limited financial resources and credit is tight, you can rent office furniture as an alternative to buying or leasing. In addition, the ability to rent office furniture gives you the ability to try it before you buy it. Before you rent office furniture review the following steps and considerations:

1. make a list of office furniture you need

If money is tight, you will want to make sure that you rent office furniture that you truly need. As you visit stores and shop online, it is human nature to want more. The only way to control this urge and stay focused is make a list of the office furniture you want to rent. Be specific as you can so you can give attention to the choices that will be presented to you without worrying if you remembered everything you need.

3. Find a Company That Will Rent Office Furniture

There are two places you can find companies that rent office furniture: the Internet and the phonebook. I ran the search term “rent office furniture” through Google and it returned page after page of companies that are willing to rent office furniture. Secondly, you can look up “office furniture” in the yellow pages of your local phonebook. Many companies that advertise that they sell office furniture are willing to rent it too. If they do not specifically state that rental is an option, then you should ask.

4. Request a Quote

Before you write a check for your first payment and security deposit, request a written quote. Check to make sure that the quote lists “new” if you are renting new furniture. You may get stuck with used furniture if it is not clearly stated. In addition, ask to see their standard contract for renting office furniture. Look at the terms and conditions and make sure they meet your needs. Also, review the return and damage provisions of the contract. If they are unreasonable, walk away and look for another place that rents office furniture.

5. Negotiate a Rental Price

“Everything in life is negotiable” so goes the old adage, and it couldn’t be more true when it come to renting office furniture. Look at the quote as a complete package. The more you rent the more negotiating power you have. Ask the following questions:

  • How long is the rental period good for?
  • Is there a rent-to-own clause?
  • Who pays for delivery?
  • Will they deliver inside or only to a loading dock?
  • Will they carry it upstairs?
  • Is installation and setup included?
  • Who pays for return pick up?

Any of these points can be negotiated in your favor.

6. Negotiate a Delivery Date

Make sure that the delivery date is specified with penalties for late delivery and/or you have the right to cancel the contract without penalty. Some places depend upon finding office furniture at the last minute to fill their rental orders. If they have trouble, you may be waiting while they find the requested furniture. Lastly, schedule a date and time that you (or somebody you trust) will be there to receive the furniture.

7. Receive and Inspect the Rented Office Furniture

When the day finally comes that the rented office furniture is delivered, be patient and inspect each piece. Don’t let the delivery person rush you. If there is any damage to the office furniture either refuse delivery of that piece or write a detailed description of the damage on the delivery receipt before you sign it and accept delivery. Remember: you will be responsible for all damage to the furniture.

via How to Rent Office Furniture.

Five Best Office Chairs

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Need to know what to look for in a good office chair?  The article below gives great insight on 5 top office chairs.  We find that you don’t really know a chair until you sit in it. So get out to a retailer and  try them out.  You can visit Office Furniture Outlet’s showroom where you will find multiple styles of used office chairs in stock. One of our trained staff members can help you find the right chair for you.

Office Furniture Outlet used office furniture selection is one of the largest in Hampton Roads.  If you can’t find what you are looking for in our used inventories we sell new office furniture as well.  We have been outfitting the Hampton Roads business community for over 18 years!  Come by our 10,000 square foot showroom and find all your office chair. For more information visit our web site at www.ofova.com or give us a call at (757) 855-2800.

From LifeHacker.com
by Alan Henry

You spend hours at a time at your desk, so hopefully you’re sitting in a comfortable chair. If not, it might be time for an upgrade. This week, we wanted to know which office chairs you thought were the best of breed, either because they offer great value, great comfort, or great ergonomics. Here are the top five, based on your nominations.

Earlier in the week, we asked you which office chairs you thought were the best of breed—the ones you’d suggest to anyone with a home office or who just spends a lot of time at their desk. We tallied up those nominations and picked out the top five in the category:

The poll is closed and the votes are counted! To see which of the top five you decided was the absolute best, head over to our weekly hive five followup post to see and discuss the winner!

Herman Miller Aeron

Probably one of the most famous office chairs in the world, the Aeron chair set a new standard for ergonomics and comfort when it was released. It also set a new bar for price: new models retail for over $1200, although they can usually be found in the $6-800 range, cheaper if you buy used from individuals or office supply stores. The Aeron’s design is so popular that companies around the world order them by the hundreds, and the Aeron has a permanent installment at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Even though it looks sharp and is extremely comfortable, it was initially designed in 1994, and recent studies that point out the dangers of sitting for eight hours at a time also note that the Aeron may not be as ergonomic as we’d hoped over long sitting sessions. Still, it has a huge fan base, is comfortable, adapts to virtually anyone who sits in it, gives up foam and padding for woven mesh, and is highly customizable.

Herman Miller Embody

The Embody, Herman Miller’s next generation office chair, was designed by one of the original designers of the Aeron. It takes a more modern approach, and hones in on ergonomics and full-back support. Any complaints about the Aeron’s ergonomics were largely addressed in the Embody, as it’s back can be independently adjusted and moved separately from the base and arms of the chair. It’s still a pricey model, running retail between $1000 and $1500 depending on the finish, color, and fabric you choose, but it’s easily one of the most comfortable chairs you’ll ever sit in. The back conforms to your shape using what Herman Miller calls “Pixelated Mesh,” with multiple points of flexibility all along the length of the chair back. Some people complain the Embody has subpar lumbar support due to its spine-like back, and its controls and settings are a bit more complicated than the Aeron, but—full disclosure—as someone who owns one, it’s the best chair I’ve ever owned.

Steelcase Leap

The Steelcase Leap earned praise from many of you for being more affordable than some other options, its sturdy, long-lasting construction, and its incredible customization options. The Leap is a bit more of a task chair than some others, but it’s exceptionally comfortable, and the design makes sure your whole back is supported, even in the non-high-back models. It was designed with ergonomics in mind, and a special breathable foam padding that airs itself out through special slots on the back and bottom of the chair so it doesn’t get too hot during long work sessions. Rather than conform to you, Steelcase designers gave you individual control over everything from the arm height to the seat depth, so the Leap at your desk really is just for you. They retail for close to $1100, but they can easily be found in the $7-900 range new, even cheaper used. I was lucky enough to sit in a Leap every day at my last job, and it’s just as sturdy and customizable as the marketing promos say, and comfortable over long periods, too.

Raynor Ergohuman

The Raynor Ergohuman series was designed primarily for people who sit in their chairs for long periods of time working long hours. The design may not win any artsy awards, but its customizable components, add-ons, and independent control over the seat height, arm height, headrest, and rocker tension are impressive. Many of you praised the breathable mesh and leather upholstery, high back, and comfortable headrest. The Ergohuman also features a slightly wider seat pan than most other chairs, perfect for…wider butts, as it were. The series isn’t just for the wider among us though—it’s ideal for taller folks who want decent back support as well. Raynor just unveiled the Ergohuman v2, which offers a number of improvements in design, ergonomics, and weight capacity. The v1 will run you between $6-700, and the v2 between $7-800 retail.

IKEA Markus

The $199 IKEA Markus is a high-backed chair that comes in a variety of colors and your choice of leather or padded fabric, with a mesh back for breathability. Compared to some of the others here, the Markus is lacking in features and customizability, but if you sit in one for a while, you’ll find it remarkably comfortable (I was thinking about getting one myself before I got my Embody.) It is height adjustable and can tilt and lock, but don’t expect to independently adjust the armrest width or height, or change the seat depth. The curved design and the mesh back to support your back, however, and the seat pan isn’t really deep enough for you to slouch or sit improperly, so it does enforce good posture. If you’re on a budget but want a quality desk chair, it’s a great bang-for-your-buck office chair.

via Five Best Office Chairs.

Used Office Furniture Creating a Contemporary Look

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Security Company uses all pre-owned furniture in office design.

Security Company Utilizes Used Office Furniture to Create Contemporary Look

Companies are beginning to realize the economic, ergonomic and aesthetic value of used office furniture in creating a contemporary workspace.

“Everything here is pre-owned but it’s very difficult to tell and we are very happy with the way everything turned out.”

King of Prussia, PA PRWEB November 16, 2012

Offices of the future are beginning to evolve. They are becoming more mobile, more ergonomic and colorful. Gone are the neutral colors, one stationary monitor and fixed surroundings. Workstations of the future are equipped with monitor arms, adjustable height and mobile work surfaces, plug-and-play abilities, keyboard trays, and more. Employers are beginning to focus more on employee efficiency and health in regards to their business’ office furniture.

NextGEN Security, a supplier of security products, access controls, and video surveillance equipment, understands the importance of efficient and ergonomic office furniture. They also realize the value in purchasing used office furniture in the current economic environment, which is why they turned to EthoSource, a used office furniture supplier, to help outfit their offices in King of Prussia, PA and San Antonio, TX.

EthoSource, a nationwide office furniture liquidator, handles high-end office furniture from all across the US. Many times,the furniture is in like-new condition or has very minimal wear and tear. This provides a great opportunity for businesses to purchase quality office furniture at a fraction of the price compared to new.

With employee productivity and cost savings at the forefront, EthoSource was able to deliver exactly what NextGEN was looking for. NextGEN’s new offices were outfitted with pre-owned Vitra office desks, which are the epitome of office efficiency. “The quality of the desks and all of the accessories are fantastic. We really like the desks because they are an all in one encompassing product where we have lighting, computer stations, monitor arms, everything in one. In addition to that we really like that everything is mobile, so we can change and move things without a lot of difficulty.” Frank Brewer, CEO of NextGEN, explained.

Brewer also enjoyed that all of the office furniture they purchased is pre-owned. “In the economic environment we were looking to buy pre-owned furniture because we thought that would be a good way to go. We’ve been very happy with the quality of what we see. Everything here is pre-owned but it’s very difficult to tell and we are very happy with the way everything turned out.”Along with purchasing pre-owned Vitra desks, NextGEN received pre-owned Haworth Zody task chairs, Vitra conference tables, and Knoll Brno chairs.

Brewer, with a new, efficient and aesthetically pleasing office is pleased with the outcome of the office furniture project and the job EthoSource has done. “I would recommend EthoSource to others especially with the state of the economy. There is an abundance of pre-owned furniture in the market and I think EthoSource knows how to find quality product and deliver it to their customers.”

via Security Company Utilizes Used Office Furniture to Create Contemporary Look.