Office Storage Buying Guide
Every workplace requires a range of storage solutions. It doesn’t matter whether you work in a retail store, office space, stockroom or warehouse, each environment will demand a certain level of office storage in order to keep things neat, tidy and safe.
When buying office storage, it’s important to ensure you’re buying the correct types of storage for your needs. It can seem as though your options are limited to just filing cabinets and pedestals, but there is a whole variety of different storage units on the market to suit everyone’s needs and requirements.
In This Guide, We’ll Cover:
- Our top 5 tips for buying office storage
- What to consider when buying office storage
- Different office storage solutions
- Where to buy office storage
Our Top Five Tips for Buying Office Storage
This office storage buying guide goes into a lot of detail about the different benefits of different types of storage available to you, so if you want a more detailed guide on what to buy, then keep reading.
However, if you’re looking for just some quick pointers on what to look for and you’re in a hurry, then check out our top five tips for buying office storage and you won’t go wrong!
- Consider how much space your office has
- Think about what you need to store
- Take a look at different aesthetics to find your favourite
- Set yourself a budget
- Always consider privacy and security
What to Consider when Buying Office Storage
Each office has its own unique purpose and requirements, so when trying to find office storage solutions there are several things to consider: what industry do you work in? What are the working practices of your employees? The answers to these questions can help guide you towards how much storage you might need, as well as the types of storage that are right for you i.e., multiple drawer filing cabinets for paper-work heavy companies or large lockers for offices with a lot of equipment such as video production.
The type of storage cabinets you need can also vary depending on whether you are buying for a large professional office or a small home office. With many of us working from home nowadays, finding suitable storage ideas for small spare rooms and home offices is more important than ever. Open plan shelving and wooden filing cabinets rather than metal ones are a couple of small office storage ideas that can help keep a home office looking more informal and homier.
How Much Space do you Have?
Keep in mind that you need to match your storage solutions to the amount of space available. Keeping as much floor space available as possible is important to ensure everyone can walk around easily (and for health and safety reasons!). You might find that after desks and chairs are put in, floor space is at a minimum, so you will need a good solution for this – tambour door cupboards don’t open outwards, therefore are great for putting into more confined spaces.
You could consider under-desk pedestals to maximise floor space, and ensure that everyone still has their own personal storage, or opt for laptop storage lockers if you would rather reduce the number of individual storage solutions in one room. Credenzas and sideboards are a great option when your office is too small for a full-size kitchen or ideal for a meeting room where the room feels too bare.
| The boardroom | Lobby | Admin office | Creative department | Warehouse | IT department | Breakroom |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Does your Office Have a Specific Style?
It’s also good to keep in mind what the aesthetic of your office is, so you can opt for sleeker, more minimalist furniture or larger, industrial furniture to suit the look and feel of your workspace.
For creative, open-plan offices, modular storage is one of the most popular options as you can display items as well as hide filing and equipment in optional closed compartments. Modular cabinets are also really easy to alter and move the closed and open modules around to create new looks when the creative spirit takes you. On the flip side, steel and metal storage would suit a more industrial office, particularly against concrete, steel and black paint.
With the rise of hot-desking and flexible working, mobile pedestals are ideal for modern offices where personal belongings can’t always stay in the same place.
Combination bookcases are a great pick for home offices, where you need an effective storage solution that also acts as a nice display for personal effects to keep your home office feeling more personal. These come in a range of colours and finishes, with the richer mahogany and walnut tones lending an executive look to your home office. This is also a great option for cheap office storage as it doubles as display and storage.
Do you Need your Storage to be Secure?
Keeping your office equipment neatly and securely tucked away when the office is empty can be a top priority for some organisations, particularly those working under strict GDPR guidelines. There are different options for the level of security that you require: office storage cabinets such as under desk storage are ideal for each employee to store their equipment, whereas a large office cupboard or laptop storage cupboard is also ideal for office managers to keep track of electrical equipment.
Some offices are required to keep a range of keys stored safely, for which a key storage safe is the ideal storage solution. There is also a large range of safes and fire-resistant filing cabinets which are ideal storage cabinets for peace of mind.
What is your Budget for your Office Storage Solutions?
Keeping one eye on the costs of your office storage solutions is key when looking to furnish your office. Office Furniture Online offers a range of storage options for every budget. A good rule of thumb is to match the volume of storage you purchase to the surface area of desk space you will have, as generally, your employees will need as much storage space as desk space.
For high-quality office storage units from Office Furniture Online, you can expect to pay between £100 to £500+, depending on what range and product type you choose. The cheapest units we provide are our CPU holders, ideal for storing computer towers, which range from £19-£28.
Different Office Storage Solutions
If you’re still unsure of what office storage your workplace requires, here’s a breakdown of the different office storage solutions Office Furniture Online has to offer.
Office Cupboards
We have an extensive range of office cupboards that suit a variety of purposes and requirements. From spacious double door cupboards and space-saving sliding door variations to specialised units such as first aid/hazardous storage cupboards, there’s a huge variety of high-quality cupboards available in an array of combinations and material finishes.
Our double door cupboards are perfect for keeping folders and miscellaneous office equipment out of sight, which can help an office feel tidier and more streamlined. Our narrow cupboards also perform the same function – just in a slimmer version! Thanks to clever design and maximising the dimensions of their structure, you’re able to safely and securely store a range of items while taking up a fraction of that valuable floor and wall space.
If you’re searching for a means of office storage that offers you a large and versatile capacity, tambour cupboards present themselves as an adaptable and dependable piece of office furniture.
Filing cabinets
One of the most versatile storage systems is filing cabinets – these storage units can perform many functions that enhance your office’s everyday operations. The advantages of a filing cabinet include its ability to hold large amounts of files without taking up too much floor space, as well as allowing employees to categorise and store files or folders. This makes it easier for employees to retrieve information and increases productivity.
Office Furniture Online offer one of the UK’s largest selections of filing cabinets – available in all different shapes and sizes, including wooden filing cabinets, metal filing cabinets, multi-drawer filing cabinets and fireproof filing cabinets all in a wide range of colours.
Under desk storage
Under desk storage pedestals are designed to fit snugly under an office desk, with the addition of wheels, which means they can easily be transported from one location to another. Designed to securely hold paperwork, filing, personal items and stationery, mobile desk pedestals are available from Office Furniture Online in a wide range of styles and sizes to fit underneath a variety of desk heights and surfaces.
Lockers
Ideal for retail, business and education environments, office lockers are a great way to store personal belongings and securely store office property such as laptops. Lockers help to play an essential role in guaranteeing privacy and security for your office workers and their personal effects, as well as allowing them to keep their desks clearer to improve productivity.
Choose from an array of different colours to suit your environment, from bright and bold to muted tones, as well as wire mesh lockers ideal for construction sites and contemporary offices.
Credenzas and sideboards
An office credenza or sideboard is a fantastic addition to any open plan workspace, meeting, or conference room. They are ideal storage units, with ample space on the top to hold refreshments or decorative objects, and they’re ideal for both modern and traditional offices.
Interestingly, credenzas were first introduced for the purpose of testing rich people’s food for poison before it was placed on the main dining table. Luckily for us, credenzas are used for much less sinister reasons today. They are more stylish than lockers and cupboards and give a great look to a room.
Credenzas come in a range of shapes and sizes, from compact one-door models to larger credenzas with built-in fridges and light-up storage.
Office storage boxes
Plenty of businesses will need extra space dedicated to keeping important documents, storing warehouse items, or maybe even an archive to keep old files secure. Our range of storage shelves are ideal for these solutions, for everything from lever arch file storage to racking bays for warehouses.
But whether you choose open-plan office storage or keep everything behind doors and drawers, you might still need some extra organisation – and that’s where office storage boxes come into play. For example, shelving bays are ideal for warehouses, and our selection of BiG shelves come complete with pre-fit clear office storage boxes from Really Useful Boxes. With a secure clip-on lid and handles for convenience, you don’t have to worry about finding separate boxes that fit perfectly – just choose the width and height of the shelving bay you need.
If you want an office furniture supplier you can trust, shop with OFO today. If you still need help deciding which storage solution is best for your workspace, do not hesitate to contact a member of our customer services team at customerservices@officefurnitureonline.co.uk or by calling 0333 7777 575.
