Furniture Firms Clash Over Office Design: Function Vs Aesthetics

Office Design Function Vs Aestetics

Furniture Firms Clash Over Office Design: Function Vs Aesthetics

The debate is heating up among home office furniture suppliers over the priority of function versus aesthetics. While some suppliers are steadfast in their belief that functionality reigns supreme, others are shifting their focus towards the allure of aesthetics to meet the evolving needs of consumers.

There’s a growing sentiment that consumers are seeking less about storage and more about style. Micah Swick, president of a renowned furniture company, believes that the modern consumer is gravitating towards fashionable designs rather than practical storage. With the advent of compact and powerful gadgets like laptops and tablets, the need for bulky storage has significantly reduced. This shift has allowed consumers to prioritize creating a comfortable and pleasant environment that reflects their personal style.

Swick suggests that customers are seeking tranquility in their workspace, which can be achieved through the aesthetics of the furniture. Lighter finishes and curves, for instance, can add a touch of calmness to the workspace. Chuck Auten, a vice president at a high-end furniture manufacturing company, echoes this sentiment. He believes that as technology continues to evolve and reduce the need for physical storage, the demand for large, bulky storage units will decrease.

Auten’s company is focusing on producing decorative writing desks that can double as home office furniture. These desks are designed with a mix of materials like shagreen, eglomise glass, wrapped raffia, and embossed leathers, making them beautiful enough to be placed in various parts of the home. He suggests that customers are looking for feminine desks that blend in with and enhance their interiors.

However, not all suppliers share this perspective. Companies like AspenHome and BDI still emphasize the importance of function in office furniture. Dave Adams, vice president of marketing at BDI, suggests that customers often don’t realize the importance of functional features until they start shopping. They may initially be drawn to a piece due to its aesthetics, such as when deciding how to choose the best standing desk, but it’s the features that ultimately sell the product.

Adams believes that intelligently designed office furniture considers organization and workflow. It incorporates features like cable management, keyboard drawers, file storage, and supply organization to create an efficient workspace. He argues that office furniture should inspire creativity and create a space where people enjoy working.

A company spokesperson also highlighted the growing need for function-forward designs, storage, and multipurpose work surfaces. Consumers want office furniture that can fit into any room and save space. For these consumers, a writing desk or a lift-top workstation with an attached file cabinet could be the best sit stand desk option. Modular configurations are also perfect for multiple people working simultaneously.

In the end, the function versus aesthetics debate may be dependent on each companyโ€™s identity. Companies known for their style may lean towards aesthetics, while those specializing in office furniture may prioritize function. Understanding the consumer’s needs is key to striking the right balance.

The industry continues to navigate the shift towards remote work, weighing its pros and cons. As suppliers grapple with the function versus aesthetics debate, one thing is clear: the home office furniture landscape is evolving, and suppliers must adapt to meet changing consumer needs.

author avatar
Guy Director
Higher Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. Ergomotion Director since 2005.

Google Reviews

Ergomotion

Google Reviews

Shelley Jensen 07/09/24

Google
Guy (the owner) delivered the desk and set it up quickly. He then gave me a lesson on how to use it and how to get the most out of it. Arrived on time and was absolutely lovely to deal with throughout the whole process. Highly recommend.

clifford sneider 06/09/24

Google
Guy was fantastic and the desk is amazing

Jo Manning 08/08/24

Google
I bought an adjustable desk from Guy a couple of years ago, got great service and good price. Recently we had a tiny issue which could not be fixed over the phone. Guy was more than happy to come out and look at it 2 days later. All fixed! I really appreciated his patience with me and accommodating us so quickly. Great old fashioned service and piece of mind. I love it. I know where to get my second desk when needed. Thank you Guy. Jo Manning

Deborah Hunt 25/07/24

Google
ergomotion were fantastic to deal with. excellent customer service and a great product.

Andrew Pieterse 14/06/24

Google
Great service and really quick shipping. It is great to know that you are getting quality parts from a Scandinavian manufacturer with your standing desk purchase rather than the cheap knock off stuff you get from other major brands. Reasonably priced for the quality too!

Janette Clarke 20/05/24

Google
Guy was very accommodating with meeting him at a time that suited me. He assembled the desk prior to me collecting so I only had to carry it inside with help (it's pretty heavy). The desk is great, the storage racks underneath with the 6 x built in powerpoints was worth the extra money. I have a functioning & tidy workplace.
Guy was brilliant, I highly recommend.
Janette

Nickel 10/05/24

Google
Have now purchased 2 stand up office desks off Guy, benchmark sales service from him, all via email, so easy; from quote to plug in, only matched by the strong quality of these machines, solid and stable. If only everything in life was this easy and reliable.

Jennifer Fadriquela 23/03/24

Google
I purchased an EDesk this month from Ergomotion, and it was a remarkably smooth transaction. Guy was eager to answer all my questions before my purchase. As a first-time buyer of a standing desk, I truly appreciated how he addressed my queries with thorough details and provided options within my budget.

The delivery process was also smooth, despite a slight delay in the ETA. Guy ensured I received all necessary updates from the courier/removalist.

I've been using the desk for a couple of weeks now and I'm satisfied with it. It's sturdy on all height adjustments and the motor works as expected. I also like oak finish because it's clean-looking and suits my room setup.

Overall, I'm happy with my purchase and I'll definitely recommend Ergomotion to someone looking for their desk needs.

Josh Oliver 04/02/24

Google
I've had an ergomotion desk for 10 years. It's still as good today as it was brand new. Over the years Guy has always responded promptly to any guidance I've needed (mostly help putting the desk back together after removalists take it apart).

Michael Cheung 18/01/24

Google
Great service from Guy and the team at Ergomotion! Helped with all my queries and was able to source a standing desk part for me when many others weren't able! Highly recommend!
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