The Complete Guide to Cubicles, Room Dividers & Partitions

Outfitting a waiting room is easier said than done. Whether it’s a small reception area or a huge lobby, you’ll need to cater to your guests’ needs as well as the needs of your front desk staff. Here’s what you should consider before selecting your new waiting room furniture.

Reception Desks

The receptionist desk is the centerpiece of the waiting room. As such, selecting a desk that will make a positive first impression on your guests and employees is important. The right reception desk should be beautiful, functional, and durable enough to last you several years. Not only do you want to make a positive impression on guests, but you also want to make sure your receptionists have the space and tools they’ll need to work effectively, including a large enough work surface space and plenty of storage. For a full look into how to select the right centerpiece for your waiting room, read our complete guide to reception desks.

Reception Seating

Keep the seating in your waiting room comfortable and mix it up. Offer guests chairs that they won’t mind sitting in for several minutes at a time or longer, depending on your typical waiting room flow. 

In addition to the support of the chair seats and backs, you’ll want to offer a mix of different seating types for added comfort. You should provide guest chairs with and without arms, some bariatric seating, and potentially sofas, benches, and hip chairs if your typical guest requires it. Learn everything you need to know about adding seating to your reception area by reading our complete guide to waiting room seating. 

Décor

Though it may not be as obviously functional as desks and chairs, décor plays a huge role in the overall look and feel of your waiting area, and it can impact how your guests perceive your business overall. By incorporating the right wall décor, area rugs, plants, and light fixtures into your space, you can make your waiting area feel more like home, which guests will certainly appreciate. Get a glimpse into how to decorate your reception area by reading our complete guide to office décor.

Accessories

So you’ve heard that sitting all day, every day is detrimental to your health, and you’d like to do something about that. Great! Deciding to get a standing desk for your office is easy, but choosing the right standing desk for your space and work style is another matter entirely. To help you make the right choice, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to standing desks thatincludes everything you should consider before taking the plunge.

What Size Standing Desk Should I Get?

Standing desks come in a huge range of sizes, from compact to executive, so be sure to determine what size desk you need before you begin shopping. 

Measure the Office 

Measure the size of your office to determine how large of a desk will be possible within the space. When measuring the square footage of the area where you’d like to put your desk, allow at least 2 feet of space around it.

Measure Doorways and Stairwells 

In addition to the room where the desk will be going, you will also want to measure any doorways or stairwells that the desk must travel through on the way to your office. If there will be a lot of slender doorways or narrow stairwells to navigate on the way to your room of choice, you may want to consider getting a desk that isn’t too big or comes ready to assemble (RTA) just to make sure that it will make it into your office in the first place. 

Measure Yourself 

That’s right—you are one of the most important things to measure. Measure where you want your arms to fall when standing so that you know whether or not you’ll need a desk with a keyboard tray. You’ll also want to note a comfortable place for your eyes to land on your monitor or monitors to determine the height of the desk you should get and whether or not you will need a monitor stand for your computer.

Tip: The top of your monitor should be 2” to 3” higher than your eye level.

What Types of Standing Desks Are There?

Standing desks or stand-up desks come in a few different styles to satisfy the needs of a wide range of users. Depending on whether you have an existing desk and your budget, you may want to consider each option to select the one that's best for you.

Standing height desks have a work surface measuring around 42" tall. If you have a lot of space in your office, you may want to add a standing height desk to the space and alternate between using that and your regular desk. Remember that standing all day can be as detrimental to your health as sitting all day, so if you only have a standing height desk and no standard height desk, you will also want to get an ergonomic drafting stool so you can still alternate between sitting and standing.

Adjustable height desks have a work surface that moves up and down with you. If you only have space for 1 desk and want to make switching between sitting and standing as easy as possible, an adjustable height desk is the best option. With an adjustable height desk, you can do all your sitting and standing in 1 place. Adjustable height desks will have either a gas lift, a manual lift, or an electronic lift adjustment mechanism. In some collections, the adjustable height desk is made up of the bridge on a U-shaped desk or the return on an L-shaped desk.

Adjustable monitor risers are a fantastic aftermarket alternative for those who don't want to spend a ton on a stand-up workstation. If you want the benefits of an adjustable height desk but don’t want to get rid of your old desk, an adjustable height monitor stand is your ticket. These stands and mounts can be attached to your existing desk (or simply placed on top) to provide a low-cost alternative to a standing desk.

What Are Standing Desks Made of?

Laminate is the most affordable option. Although laminate can look like it has real wood grain, it is actually made from a form of particle board with or without a wood grain print. Desks with a laminate surface construction are ideal for high-traffic offices because laminate does not scratch or dent easily and is generally easier to maintain and keep clean. Laminate is also affordable, making it a great choice for businesses on a tight budget. 

Wood veneer is a smart option for those who want a real wood look without the solid wood cost. Wood veneer desks have a similar base as laminate furniture (typically particle board) but feature a thin layer of real wood on top. Veneer desks can be trickier to clean and care for than laminate, but the veneer layer provides a much richer look that many offices prefer.

Solid wood desks are hard to find, but they are the best quality option available. As the name implies, solid wood desks are made of solid wood. These beautiful desks are of the highest quality, but they are very heavy and can be quite expensive. It’s more common to find adjustable height desks with a metal framework and solid wood top.

Metal desks are modern and durable. Although you can find all-metal desks, most come with a wood or glass top and have a metal framework for stability and industrial aesthetics. Metal desks are usually made of steel, though the gauge may vary. The desk may come in either a chrome or powder-coated finish.

Do I Need Standing Desk Accessories?

Anti-fatigue mats help soothe sore feet. We recommend you stand 15 minutes for every hour you sit at work. Because extended periods spent standing can be hard on your body, we also recommend that you add an anti-fatigue mat to your workspace. Anti-fatigue mats are thicker than the average mat, often with a padded construction that may include a foam insert. This allows you to stand for long periods without straining your legs. An ergonomic sit or stand chair mat takes it a step further by providing both a plush anti-fatigue mat and a smooth plastic chair mat in one handy unit. You may also want to consider keeping appropriate footwear at the office since standing in high heels or uncomfortable dress shoes will make standing difficult.

Keyboard trays keep wrists and fingers comfortable. Just as moving throughout the work day is important, so is positioning your wrists properly when typing. This is why measuring your body in relation to where your wrists fall naturally is so crucial. If you have your eye on a stand-up desk that does not come with a built-in keyboard tray, you may want to inquire about what types of add-on keyboard trays are available. Your wrists should remain at a 90-degree angle, not tilted too far up or down.

Wrist pads assist in ergonomic performance. A similar aide to a good keyboard tray, a wrist pad may also help you stay more comfortable while standing. A gel or foam wrist pad will help guide your arms, forcing them into the most comfortable and ergonomically appropriate position to encourage better blood flow and keep aches and pains at bay.

Looking for a new office chair for your desk? With so many options, it can be tough to know what to choose. Use our comprehensive guide to office chairs to help you narrow down your options and decide which chair is best for your needs.

Type

Computer chairs are the most basic of the bunch. Computer chair is an overarching term encompassing several types of desk chair, including ergonomic chairs and armless chairs. Any chair you use at a computer desk could, in theory, be considered a computer chair. Computer chairs or desk chairs on NBF.com typically feature very few ergonomic adjustments.

Executive chairs are upgraded versions of computer chairs that usually feature a high back and stately design. The most distinguishing feature of an executive chair is the presence of a headrest, whether built-in or detachable. The higher back and headrest of an executive chair give it a more impressive look befitting for corner executive offices, hence the name executive chair or manager’s chair.

Ergonomic chairs feature multiple ergonomic adjustments that enable users to easily find their ideal seated position by adjusting the chair accordingly. Ergonomic chairs are commonly recommended for task seating as they can conform to a wide range of body types and user needs.

Drafting stools are ideal for standing height workstations as they allow the user to easily switch between sitting and standing. Most drafting stools come with very few ergonomic adjustments, but all are height adjustable and have a much greater height range than computer chairs.

24-hour task chairs are, as the name implies, designed to be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These heavy-duty seating options are reinforced to withstand constant use, making them ideal for applications such as military bases and 24-hour call centers.

Kneel chairs are ergonomic seating solutions designed to put the user upright by encouraging a kneel-like posture. Kneel chairs were especially prominent before active seating options gained popularity, but they’re quickly being replaced by ball chairs and other active sitting solutions.

Active seating is taking the world by storm. With new research confirming that a sedentary office lifestyle leads to increased health issues, standing desks are becoming more popular. However, you can take steps to make even the process of sitting healthier by incorporating active sitting. Active seating includes the ever-popular ball chair and newer, more unique solutions such as leaning chairs. These chairs and stools force the user to balance while seated, providing comfort while allowing the user to burn energy and stay active by fidgeting.

Upholstery

Fabric upholstery is a woven material that helps give furniture a homelike look and feel. Fabric is available in many colors and patterns and is a popular choice for most office settings.

Genuine leather upholstery is either full grain or top grain genuine cowhide. Full grain leather is kept as close to its natural state as possible to show its grains and natural imperfections. Top grain leather is the most common type of genuine leather upholstery—it’s thinner and more flexible than full grain leather. Top grain leather is also sanded to remove imperfections, giving it a more polished look.

Faux leather and vinyl upholstery are manufactured alternatives to genuine leather. Faux leather and vinyl are made of either polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), both of which give the look of leather at a lower cost.

Mesh is a textile that provides more breathability than any other type of upholstery. Mesh is durable but can be trickier to clean due to its porous design.

Seat Type

Pocketed coil systems are made up of a number of individual pocketed coils that help evenly distribute weight for user comfort. The coils are usually outfitted with a layer of foam on the top and bottom, with the top layer being less dense to create a cushioned feel.

Fabricated foam is one of the most common materials found in upholstered office chairs. This type of foam varies in density. The denser the foam, the more firm the feel.

Molded foam is made by pouring a liquid foam material into a mold. This type of foam offers more consistent support and holds its shape for longer than fabricated foam. This allows for more contour and a more comfortable feel.

Memory foam has a unique chemical makeup that allows the seat to adjust to your body temperature. Therefore, the seats retain more heat than others, allowing them to mold their shape as the user moves. Memory foam seats are known for providing a superior level of customized support. In addition, this material is hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites.

TEMPUR® material is the ultimate in office chair comfort. Found in Tempur-Pedic® office chairs, this type of seat material goes beyond basic memory foam to conform to your specific body type, offering the same level of support one expects from a mattress.

Casters

Soft floor casters are designed to roll effortlessly on soft flooring like carpet. This type of caster comes standard on most office chairs.

Hard floor casters are designed for hard flooring like tile and wood. Hard floor casters are available for most chair models, but they need to be special-ordered in most cases. Consult a furniture expert if you’d like to purchase hard floor casters for your chair.

Adjustable floor glides are sometimes used on office chairs in place of casters. Although these are not common, they are good for users who prefer not to roll in their office chairs.

Size

Standard-size office chairs are comfortable for the majority of people. A standard-size office chair is designed to support users measuring 5’ 5” to 6’ 0” tall and weighing 250 pounds or less.

Petite office chairs are designed for smaller users who feel that standard-size office chairs are too large. Petite chairs can still support up to 250 pounds, but they feature a shorter cylinder and shallower seat pan ideal for users who stand at 5’ 4” or shorter.

Big and tall chairs are designed for larger users. Not only does this type of chair offer a larger seat and back, but it can also support more weight than standard chairs. Big and tall chairs can support at least 300 pounds, but many support 500, 700, or more. Be sure to check the description of your big and tall chair to ensure it supports the correct weight.