Noticeboards & Whiteboards (Display & Presentation) Furniture Buying Guide

How to choose the right type of display & presentation furniture for your office

It can take some time to properly furnish an office to meet your exact requirements. Often, you will be so busy concerning yourself with the hundreds of different desks and chairs on offer and so it can be easy to overlook the smaller details like display and presentation furniture. When kitting out your meeting room in particular, whiteboards, easels and pinboards are essential office items that can be forgotten about until the need for them arises. These items are often needed in other areas of the office, so it is important to work out your exact requirements before making any hasty purchases.

Before you go shopping for any office furniture, we recommend that you make a plan on paper, whether it be a pencil drawing or a CAD design, since this will make it easy to see exactly how a new piece of furniture will fit in your office. Even if you think you have room for a shiny new whiteboard on the wall of the meeting room, your plan might show that while you have the wall space, you might not have the room around it to actually write on the board. Alternatively, you might realise that you could fit a bigger board than you originally planned, giving you more options than you thought you had!

Maybe you think that it is pretty obvious how much space you have for display & presentation products, and that you will make it work even if you have misjudged the space available, or maybe you are simply planning on replacing an item with another that is exactly the same, assuming that this is still on sale. If you leave it to the last minute to buy display and presentation furniture, you may panic buy the first item you see that vaguely matches your requirements. This can be a costly mistake, especially if your lack of forward planning in an important meeting makes you look unprofessional and unorganised, potentially losing you a customer. If your equipment is not fit for purpose, then it will be a wasted purchase. You may also find that your needs are not as specific as you originally expected, allowing you to save money selecting a slightly cheaper item.

Another good tip is to consult your staff about the sort of products they think you should buy. They are, more often than not, the ones who will spend time using the items, so they will have a fairly good idea of what has or hasn’t worked in the past. This may not be an option if you are a sole trader or buying a display cabinet for your own office.

Thankfully, we have created this handy buying guide to help you choose the most practical items possible and ensure you have remembered everything needed to complete your office. We have taken the most likely items you will need to display items and give presentations and broken down the main buying points so that you can decide exactly what will work in your office.

Display Cabinets

Cabinets have been used for thousands of years to store items. In fact, the first known use of cabinets was back in ancient Egyptian times, when Tutankhamen used them to store his possessions. Nowadays, cabinets are used for all sorts of things, but in the office they can be particularly useful for storing awards and trophies that your company might have won, or displaying photographs taken of the employees during team bonding exercises. They come in a variety of forms, from those that are mounted to the wall, like the Wall Mounted Glass Display Cabinet with Sliding Door; to those that are free-standing, like the Wide Mobile Glass Showcase With Sliding Doors. Some are taller than others, while some include drawers, like the Shield® Tower Display Cabinet With Cupboard, which can be a useful storage solution for glass cleaning products and items used to polish your awards.

The very nature of display cabinets is that they are used to show-off your possessions or products while keeping them safe, so many are made with a toughened safety glass. This can quickly become dirty, especially if the items inside gather a lot of interest, as they will get covered in fingerprints. Keeping this clean and clear is essential to maintain a professional appearance, and so the glass should be wiped down with the appropriate products daily.

Types of display cabinet

The type of cabinet you choose will depend a little on your needs and a lot on the style of the rest of the office. Firstly, you will need to establish the size of cabinet that you will need. It all depends on what you intend to use it for, obviously, but if you have a lot of awards, for example, you will need to have adequate shelf space to display these all. You may also want to make sure you have enough room to house any awards you may also win in the future, and in this case, a larger cabinet might be essential, or you might even need more than one. If you only have a few items to display, choose a smaller cabinet, since these items will look less impressive when surrounded by lots of empty space.

We recommend you look for cabinets with adjustable shelving, so that you can comfortably place any size of award or certification inside. It is also a good idea to look for a cabinet with a mirrored back, as this can help to make a room look and feel larger and airier. This tip is particularly useful in smaller offices.

While the cabinets usually have a glass element, the frame is generally made of something strong and sturdy which can give the item of furniture a unique look. If you have a traditional office that features a lot of wooden furniture, then you will most likely prefer a cabinet that will match this. It is more likely, however, that you will be looking at a cabinet which will be slightly cheaper and easy to maintain. However, if your office features a lot of stainless steel or chrome, then you will need a frame made of the same material. The frames are sometimes available in different colours, like the Shield® Wall Display Cabinet, which comes in blue, red, or green, and so can help to brighten a dull office, or complement one that is full of colour. The colour of the walls and carpets will also play a part in choosing the best product for your office. Black or white units are a nice choice for modern offices, since they have a more contemporary feel than traditional wooden cabinets.

Display cabinet placement

Another thing to consider is where you would like to place your cabinet. If you purchase one of the freestanding cabinets, it may be a case of finding an empty wall with enough space around it to ensure a comfortable fit. If you would prefer to house it in a corner, then you would be best choosing a corner cabinet like the High Level Corner Glazed Display Cabinet. If you don’t have any floor space available, then a wall-mounted cabinet is the obvious choice for you. It is important to take the appropriate measurements before parting with your money and ending up with a large cabinet that does not fit properly in the space available.

Purpose of a display cabinet

So, the final thing to consider is, do you really need a display cabinet in your office? Of course, your office will function perfectly well without one – it serves no direct purpose when it comes to employee output. And, if you are a brand-new business that is yet to have anything to display, then this might be an expense you can wait to make, since the cabinets can be rather pricey. However, if yours is an office that welcomes visitors on a regular basis, a display cabinet in the reception area can present a very favourable image to potential clients, and possibly help to close a sale. Even if yours is a small office that rarely has visitors, putting the company achievements in an easy-to-see display cabinet will help to boost morale and motivation, as your employees will be proud of the awards. If you decide that a display cabinet is an essential purchase, make sure to buy one that is stylish and impressive, and keep it well maintained, since it is a piece of furniture that aims to show off how well your company is doing. One that is dusty and falling apart is just not going to show your awards at their very best.

If you don’t have any awards, take your employees on a team-building exercise and fill the cabinet with photographs from that day. It will help make for a positive and happy workplace, which will, in turn, make for harder-working staff.

Whiteboards

Choosing a whiteboard probably seems like a fairly simple task. You need a board you can write on, and it needs to be white – do you really need a buying guide to help you buy one of those?

Well, it can be more complicated than it looks. As with everything else, there is a whole marketplace full of different whiteboards, and the one you choose could be the difference between a productive brainstorming session and a lacklustre meeting.

Types of whiteboard material

Did you know, for example, that whiteboards can be made of all different types of materials? Avoid those made of melamine, since these are generally not very durable and prone to wear and tear. The next grade up from this are whiteboards made of steel. The surface usually needs treating to make it easier to erase pen marks after use and it can stain over time, particularly if you use the wrong type of markers on it. However, if you only need a whiteboard for occasional use, this might be the best option for you.

If you will be using your whiteboard on a regular basis, then it makes sense to go for a more upscale option. Glass and enamel boards are usually much easier to erase, stain resistant and more tolerant to wear. Glass, in particular, is the best choice for offices that use their boards often. If you hold daily meetings in the board room, or you have a busy sales office and want to display targets and top sales-people (something that could potentially change a lot), you will want a board that easily wipes clean and doesn’t stain.

If you intend to use your whiteboard as a surface to project images onto, the surface material is extremely important, since stained whiteboards can detract from the picture you are trying to show and make it difficult to keep the attention of your audience. You will also want the smoothest surface possible, since anything too porous or uneven will alter the picture shown. In this case, you would be looking for an enamel surface, although most experts recommend using projector screens that are intended for this use.

What about the frame? Aluminium frames are generally thought to be the most hard-wearing and practical, while a wooden frame may suit the style of room by coordinating with the rest of the furniture. Steer clear of cheaper frames made of imitation aluminium or plastic, as these will become worn a lot quicker.

Whiteboard sizing

The next thing to consider is the size of whiteboard you need. Generally, the bigger whiteboards offer better value for money and will allow you to write more before you need to erase and start again. If you have a really intense brainstorming session, a larger board will allow you to excitedly scribble down ideas without having to worry too much about how much space you are using. However, the size of board you end up buying will really depend on the space you have available and you also don’t want a board so big that you require a ladder to get to the top of it, since that will be quite an obstacle to your speedy brainstorming! So measure your wall space and be realistic about the size you need. You will want the centre of the board to sit at eye level for best communication purposes and you will want to be able to reach the top of the board without too much effort. Equally, you will want the board to sit far enough up off the floor that you won’t have to slouch down to write at the bottom. So bear this in mind when measuring up.

If you do not have as much wall space as you would like, then you can purchase a space-saving whiteboard like the Bi-Office Trio Magnetic Space-Saver Whiteboards. These have two doors which open out to provide more whiteboard space, effectively doubling the amount of room you have to write on. It is also convenient for separating ideas, since the hinges cut the board into three different sections.

It is possible that you will not have room for a wall-mounted whiteboard at all, or perhaps you would just like the convenience of being able to move the whiteboard from room to room. In this case, you could purchase freestanding whiteboards like the Ultralon Mobile Landscape Whiteboards. These have a revolving surface so that you can keep information on one side and continue writing on the other. However, they do tend to be smaller than wall-mounted boards and this does mean that you can’t view all the information at the same time, causing you to have to flip back and forth between the sides.

Whiteboard placement

If your whiteboard is not for a typical office environment then you will have other factors to consider. If it is to be hung outside, for example, you may prefer to purchase a board that has a waterproof cover, like the Province Tamperproof External Noticeboards. Or, if you need a board to hang in a reception area, or somewhere in your workplace that has a lot of visitors, you will be more concerned about the appearance of the board. It is possible to purchase frameless boards for this purpose, which give a smart, clean-cut look, like the Frameless Colour Edged Whiteboard, which can also add a flush of colour to a bare wall.
Make sure to also take note of the type of fixings used on wall-mounted whiteboards. Where possible, choose corner fixings which are more secure and offer better peace of mind. Rail fixings are also very safe, but avoid fixings that hang the whiteboard like a painting, since they are not always strong enough for long term use, especially if you will be using your board a lot.

The cost of buying a whiteboard

Money will play a big part in the whiteboard you choose. It is possible to purchase small boards for as little as £5, which are ideal for those who just want somewhere to scribble their thoughts, but they are likely to be lower quality and less durable than a whiteboard that costs around £500. While it is important to stick to your budget, you should also remember that you get what you pay for.

Whiteboard accessories

Once you have chosen the perfect whiteboard for your office, don’t forget to purchase the necessary accessories. You will need whiteboard pens and erasers, as well as the correct cleaning supplies to keep your whiteboard looking its best for longer (while you may find other products work to clean the board, it will be kept in better condition with specialised supplies). You may also want to check if your whiteboard includes a holder for pens and erasers, especially if there is no convenient place to store these nearby. And remember to NEVER use anything other than whiteboard pens on your board, since sharpies, highlighters and any other type of pen will be difficult to remove and are certain to stain no matter how hard you scrub with whiteboard cleaning products. Another great tip is to wait at least ten seconds after writing to erase something, as this will ensure the whiteboard pen has dried properly and it will be easier to remove without smearing.

Noticeboards

Surely every office needs a noticeboard of some kind? Somewhere to pin up important memos and advise employees of staff meetings and team building events. Some employees might need a noticeboard to themselves, where they can put important dates and documents where they can see them, or even pin some photographs of their family – particularly if they have to travel a long distance for their job. They also make for a good way to communicate with visitors, if you have any business news that you want to share with them.

Noticeboards differ from whiteboards, in that they tend to hold information that needs to be seen for a certain length of time without being removed. So, for example, if the manager of a company wants all employees to turn up to a staff meeting on Tuesday at 10am, the notice will remain pinned on the noticeboard until that time. Of course, he could write this on a whiteboard too, but it runs the risk of being erased before everyone has seen and processed the information.

Noticeboards also look more professional, since most of the notes pinned on them will be printed and neat, while whiteboards do not lend themselves to creating the most beautiful handwriting (it is possible, of course, but not easy). Too many notices and not enough pins can lead to the noticeboard looking chaotic and unloved, and prevent each notice getting the full attention it deserves, so keep an eye on this and make sure it stays tidy and that each corner of each notice is held in place with a pin.

Nowadays, it is possible to buy magnetic whiteboards like the Convex Magnetic Whiteboard, which allows you to hold papers on the board with a magnet. This is certainly a good option in place of a noticeboard, although papers are more likely to slip and will also get in the way when the whiteboard surface is needed. Magnets are more likely to be shifted if someone accidentally brushes past the board too. It is probably better to buy both if possible.

Types of noticeboard

So what variables do we need to consider for noticeboards? Well, material choice is a key aspect of design and helps to determine the cost of each product. The cheapest boards are made of cork, like the Earth-It Cork Board MDF Frame, which gives a traditional pin-board appearance, but is unfortunately not ideal for heavy use, as the constant inserting and removing of pins will cause separation in the cork.

Felt boards like the Themeboard Aluminium Framed Felt Noticeboard are better at hiding the effects of wear and tear. These mid-range noticeboards tend to come in a wide variety of colours, so that you can choose the shade that best suits your office. It does mean you will have to take the colour of the walls and carpet into consideration, but allows you to inject a fun slice of colour into an otherwise formal workplace. These boards usually come with an sturdy aluminium frame, since this is generally considered the most durable material for this purpose, but it is also possible to find felt-surfaced unframed boards.

Noticeboard sizing

And just as you did for the whiteboards, you need to decide whether you need a smaller one for each employee to have on the wall beside their desk, or a larger one for meeting rooms. Do you want one that can be easily transported throughout the workplace, like the Little Acorns Freestanding Mobile Noticeboards, or does it need to be a permanent feature in the reception area? In the case of the latter, you might want to consider a noticeboard with built-in lights like the Illuminated Shield® Aluminium Frame Showcases which will show off your notices to full effect and be sure to impress visitors.

You can also purchase noticeboards for outside areas, which are great if you have a small reception area but would still like to inform guests of events involving your business. You could try something like the Aluminium Framed Exterior Shield Showcases which include weatherproof, lockable doors so your notices are safe from rain, wind and tampering.

Noticeboard frames

While most noticeboards come with aluminium frames, it is also possible to purchase boards with wooden frames, like the Bi-Office Designer Soft Touch Noticeboards, or even boards with no frames at all, like the Eco Friendly Frameless Felt Covered Noticeboard. The style you choose really comes down to a question of taste and what will look better in your current office environment. However, if your final choice of surface material is cork, it is recommended to purchase a product that includes a frame in order to provide a bit of extra protection to the edges.

Noticeboard accessories

And finally, don’t forget to purchase plenty of pins – they have a habit of disappearing! You can purchase them in all sorts of different shapes, sizes and colours too, so that you can customise your board to your personal taste.

Other board styles

So now that you’ve settled on a whiteboard and/or a noticeboard style that is right for your office, let’s consider any other possible options.

Chalkboard

Instead of a whiteboard, you might prefer a chalkboard like the Drymaster Chalk Writing Boards. While these may take you back to your schooldays, they still remain a popular option for some workplaces. They can be made with hardboard, laminate or steel, with steel being the far superior material.

One major drawback for chalkboards is that the dust from the chalk has been known to irritate those with asthma or allergies. If you have any employees who suffer with this, then you should avoid purchasing a chalkboard. The chalk dust can also settle anywhere around a room, but if you have your office cleaned every evening, then this should not be so much of a problem.

One thing that certainly is better about choosing a chalkboard over a whiteboard, is that you can always tell when a stick of chalk is about to run out. It won’t dry out if left in the sunlight or without a lid on it, and some people simply prefer writing with chalk. It is easier to create shading with chalk, than with whiteboard pens, so if this is something that is important to you, you may prefer a chalkboard. The boards are easier to clean too as you only need a damp towel to make the surface black and clean again.

Drywipe boards

Alternatively, you might prefer to purchase a glass drywipe board like the Write on Magnetic Glass Whiteboards. These offer a stylish option for brainstorming or explaining an idea during a meeting, but they do tend to be the priciest boards available. That said, they provide an extremely smooth surface for writing on and are very resistant to stains. Some people do find glass boards harder to read, simply because of the transparent nature of the board, but this is a problem that could potentially be solved by placing it up against a plain white wall. Even then, however, it is thought that the pens are clearer on a whiteboard and there tends to be less glare from the sun. Glass boards also tend to be much heavier than traditional whiteboards, so if you intend to mount it on the wall, corner fixings are essential.

Magic Whiteboards

An amazing temporary solution to your whiteboard needs are the Magic Whiteboards on a Roll. These use static to stick to any smooth surface and are easily removed without leaving any marks on the wall. Use your ordinary whiteboard pens to write on the paper and then wipe off and reuse as often as you like. The paper can be moved and placed elsewhere if necessary and you can make a whiteboard that exactly matches your specifications in size.

Of course, there are limitations of use. While the whiteboard paper is reusable, after time the pen doesn’t erase so well and the paper will need to be replaced. If you are looking for a short-term solution, however, this could well be the answer. It also has a blackboard version, if you prefer the to write with white pens on a black background.

Snap poster frames

If it is poster display that is your priority, a noticeboard is not your only option. Snap frames, like the Aluminium Snap Frame Poster Frame, are really good at keeping papers safe from tampering or wear, but often are limited to only hold one sheet of paper at a time. If you intend to use your frame to display weekly meeting times, then it is quick and easy to change the memo inside and your employees will know exactly where to find the most up-to-date information. There are lockable options, if the information you intend to display has the potential to upset people, and you can choose from wall-mounted or counter top frames. They usually come in a range of sizes and are a fairly cheap and durable option. It may be worth purchasing a few to hang in high-traffic areas and keeping a check that the content is always up-to-date.

Paper hanging frames

Paper hanging frames like the Trapease Paper Hangers are an innovative way to temporarily display charts and graphs in a meeting situation. Easy to install and available in a range of lengths, they are able to accommodate a range of different paper and card thicknesses and will certainly impress visitors. It is not recommended to hang these in front of a window, however, as direct sunlight will make it difficult to read the papers.

Flipchart Easels

These are really just mobile whiteboards with a flipchart attached by a clamp for convenience. It is easy to change the flipchart pad when it has run out and is a great option if you want the ease of a whiteboard with the permanent nature of a pad. It is possible to buy magnetic versions, in case you wanted to use the whiteboard for another purpose, like the Citadel A1 Dry Wipe Flipchart Easel.

Panel Display Systems

If you have a large amount of notices to hang, or you are attending an exhibition or an event where you want your company to stand out, panel display systems offer poster signage on a much bigger scale. Choose from tabletop versions like the Citadel Plastic Frame Desk Top Display Screen or full-sized versions like the Busyfold 1800 Folding Display Systems.

If you can only choose one, whiteboards do tend to be the most versatile option, since you can use magnets on many of them to hold memos and you can even buy versions that have lined, mathematical or musical scored backgrounds. However, what works for the majority might not work in your office, so it is important to assess all options and perhaps buy two or three different boards for ease.

Projection Furniture

Videos and PowerPoint displays can be very impressive when trying to get your point across during a business meeting. An expensive projector needs the appropriate equipment to display your ideas with the maximum effect. If you had just planned to sit your projector equipment on top of the table in front of a screen of some kind, you may not get the reception you had hoped for.

The type of stand or trolley you choose will depend a lot on how to plan to use your projector. If, for example, you will be projecting DVD content onto a screen, or a PowerPoint slideshow from your computer, you will need a multimedia cabinet like the MM80 Multimedia Projector Cabinet, which gives you plenty of shelving to hold all of your different electronic equipment, as well as a lockable door to keep everything safe and tidy when not in use.

If your needs are simpler, and you only want something that can easily be brought out of storage when needed and packed away when you are finished, a Folding Projector Stand might be enough for you. It provides an extra shelf for your laptop but on a temporary basis.

However, if yours is the sort of projector that you only place overlay sheets on, then a trolley like the Workstation OHP Trolleys might be better for you, since it gives you the surface you need to make amendments to your presentation and is height adjustable as required.

Projection Screens

No matter how big and clean your whiteboard is, nothing is better for projecting images onto than a projection screen. If you have an important PowerPoint presentation to show to potential clients, or a video that you want your employees to watch to help with their customer service skills, you will want a projection screen that you can easily roll away when not in use.

While it is true that you could potentially project images onto a plain white wall, hanging a projector screen is a far better solution, since it offers higher reflectivity and a brighter picture. Advances in technology also mean that you could potentially fit a TV to the wall and connect your computer to it to give your presentation. However, even the biggest television won’t give you as big a picture as a projection machine and it will cost a fair bit more.

Projector screen sizing

When choosing the right projection screen for you, size will be an important issue. If you intend to buy a wall mounted screen, you will obviously need to measure the available space. Projector screen measurements used to focus on the width of the screen, which was more useful in terms of working out the exact size to buy. However, as screens have become more advanced and started to compete with television screens, they have started to display the diagonal size instead. So when choosing a screen, remember to take this into account and double check the size given.

Throw ratio

Another thing you might want to consider is throw ratio. This will be important as it will mean you will have to measure the space in between the projector and where you would like to hang the screen. The throw ratio is calculated as distance compared with the width of the screen, so with a throw ratio of 1.5:1, for example, you will get a 10-foot image for every 15 feet of distance between the screen and projector. Most people agree that a screen with less than 8-9 feet diagonal is too small for a good quality picture, and that if you are unsure of the size you need, too big is always better than too small.

If you have a projector with a zoom lens, you will have some flexibility with throw ratio, and in this case, you can concentrate more on filling the wall space, rather than worrying that your picture will be drowned on a too-big screen, or will be lost off the sides of a too-small screen. You will also need to think about how it is placed on the walls. It needs to be positioned high enough (at least four feet from the ground) so that the audience can see the whole screen and far enough away from the corners of the room so that viewing angles are not compromised. This could be a factor when considering the size of the projector you would like to buy.

Types of screen

If you will have a projector room specifically allocated to presentations, you may be happy to have a static screen that is constantly ready to be used, particularly if this is something that happens often in your office. However, motorised screens like the Eyeline® Electrically Operated Projector Screens are a more practical choice for rooms that are also used for other functions. They simply scroll away at the touch of a button, for quick and easy storage. You can also purchase manual versions, if that is what you would prefer, and of course, these tend to be cheaper.

For the best quality picture, you should look for a model that comes with tensioning. This product has been made to keep the screen flat and immobile, so that it is unaffected by things like air conditioning or people simple walking past and creating a breeze. If you think this is something you can live without, this will of course make for a cheaper purchase, but if you will be holding many high-profile meetings, a product with added tension might be essential.

Alternatively, you can buy mobile projector screens, like the Eyeline Vertigo Portable Floor Projection Screens, which is easily rolled up for simple storage when not in use. Other portable solutions include tripod screens like the Eyeline Presenter Tripod Projector Screens, folding screens like the Fastfold™ Deluxe Portable Projector Screens, and tabletop screens like the Eyeline Tabletop Projector Screen. If you are looking for a particularly large screen, none of these will give you this (especially the desktop screen), since they are made to a certain size for ease of transport. However, they offer a range of different options for storage and convenience, and may be something to consider.

Projector screen material

And what about screen material? Like with the other boards we have mentioned, you have probably assumed that there is not much leeway in material types, but there are a few different options that would suit different environments.

• Unless you have a very old-fashioned projector, you will want to avoid glass bead surfaces, since these will give you an inferior quality of picture.
• Plain white matte screens, like the Rollfix Heavy Duty Electric Projector Screens, tend to be the most popular and are the most versatile, projecting light in all directions for the most uniform picture.
• A grey high contrast material, like that on the Velvet Fixed Frame Projector Screens, will improve the contrast of the picture, as the name suggests, so that darker images will appear more striking as the screen reflects less light.
• High gain surfaces reflect up to 30% more light than plain white matte screens. These are good if your projector has a particularly low brightness but are not good if you have a large audience, since the viewing angle will be poorer, and those at the side of the room may not see the picture as well.
• Rear projection screens, like the Eyeline Rear Mounted Projection Screens, are ideal for those that have nowhere to place their projector in front of the screen, as these allow it to be placed behind the screen instead. This prevents any shadows being projected onto the screen when people walk in front of it but does require a short throw lens and somewhere for the projector to sit behind the screen for best results.

TV Furniture

Whether you intend to use your television to show media packages to potential clients, training videos to your staff, or just as something to watch on their lunch break, you will want a stylish and attractive place for it to sit.

Sizing your TV furniture

Naturally, the size of your television will determine the size of the cabinet it needs to sit on. As TVs are getting bigger and bigger, cabinets are too, and so you will need to make sure you have the space required to house it. Don’t forget to measure the depth of the television too, as newer cabinets tend to be slightly narrower than more traditional ones, simply because TVs are becoming thinner over time.

Having said that, if you do intend to keep freeview/digital boxes or DVD players inside the cabinet, the depth of these may be more important than the depth of the TV. Try and keep in mind everything that you intend to keep inside the unit.

If your plan is just to pop the TV on top, and nothing else, a simple stand might be all you need. Something like the LCD & Plasma Mobile Stand comes with a shelf so you can have somewhere to keep the remote, and is easily transported to be stored away until needed. Alternatively, you might prefer to purchase a wall-mounted shelf, if you know you will want the television in one place all the time, like the Height Adjustable Shelf For LCD and Plasma Stands.

TV furniture materials

But, if it is a proper television unit you are after, wooden models tend to be the most popular, making it easy to choose something that will coordinate with your office furniture. They are also often available in glass, metal or a combination of two or more materials. You should choose something that fits in with the current style of the room, since it is unlikely that you will want the television to be the main focus in a workplace environment.

Doors or no doors

You can also decide whether you would like a unit with doors to conceal the television when it is not in use, like the Secure 240 TV Cabinet, or without doors if it will be in use more regularly like the Secure 110 LCD/IT TV Cabinet. Many of these cabinets are also available with caster wheels on the bottom so they can be transported into other rooms if necessary.

Lecterns

If you are going to be giving big speeches or presentations on regular occasions, you may like to invest in a lectern. This gives you somewhere to place your notes and definitely exudes a professional appearance.

Lectern materials

They come in many forms and the cost can vary depending on construction, with the cheapest being made of particle boards covered with wood-style vinyl. The next grade up uses high-density particle board and a tougher melamine veneer, while real wooden lecterns are, of course, the most expensive and also the heaviest. If you would like audio features built into your lectern, then wood or wood veneer is your only real option.

Lecterns are also available in acrylic, polyethylene and metal. Moulded polyethylene options like the Coloured Panel Front Lectern are the most durable option by far, and come with the added bonus of being available in almost any colour you can think of – perfect for injecting a touch of colour to an otherwise dull office. They tend to be relatively lightweight, which is good if you intend to move the lectern from room to room, and are often budget-friendly. Acrylic and metal lecterns do not tend to be the most aesthetically pleasing of options, but are often a convenient and lightweight choice.

Floor-standing or table top?

You may be interested to know that you are not limited to floor-standing lecterns, either, although these are certainly an option. Table lecterns are suitable if you already have a table or other surface to stand behind, but need a barrier to hide your notes. Something like the Tabletop Folding Lectern is ideal, since it can be easily folded and stored when not in use, leaving your table free for another use.

Lectern wheels

Other things to take into consideration are whether you would like caster wheels on the bottom. If you intend to move the lectern from room to room a lot, these may be a necessary addition, and something like the Trilogy Mobile Lectern would be ideal. However, if you know you will only ever be giving presentations in one area, the caster wheels could be more of a distraction than a help – especially if you accidentally lean on the lectern too heavily while giving a speech! In this case, the Laminate Front Folding Lectern would be a much better product for you.

Leaflet Dispensers

If your business is one that produces a lot of different services, it is likely that you have a lot of different leaflets scattered around the place for visitors and potential clients to look at. These need to be displayed neatly and professionally in order to create a good impression and make it easy for people to find the leaflet they are looking for. We recommend placing the leaflet dispensers in areas of high traffic, in order to be seen by the most amount of potential clients possible. There are various different styles on offer, and you need to pick the one to best suit your situation.

Types of leaflet dispensers

• Revolving leaflet dispensers: Choose from freestanding units like the Pirouette Bespoke Leaflet Dispensers or tabletop options like the Revolving Tabletop Leaflet Dispensers.
• Static leaflet dispensers: The Wave Leaflet Dispenser is a stylish example of a freestanding one of these. If you would prefer a tabletop version, look at the 3 Tier Expandable Leaflet Dispensers.
• Wall-mounted leaflet displays: A convenient option where space is limited, a product like the Panorama Wall Mounted Leaflet Dispensers will keep leaflets in order. The drawback of these, compared with the other options is that you can’t move it to a different location if you decide it would be more effective elsewhere.

When purchasing, keep in mind the size of the leaflets that you will be looking to organise. If you will be storing standard A6 leaflet, for example, you will want a dispenser that fits these perfectly, as otherwise the leaflets will be screwed up and dog-eared in a display that is too small, or falling over and looking lost in one that is too big. You will also want to pay attention to the number of tiers available in each product. You should make a note of all the different types of leaflets that you will be looking to display and ensure that you buy a dispenser with enough tiers that you can place a different leaflet in each slot. While you can, of course, double up on different types of leaflet in one slot, the ones at the back may not get seen until all the ones at the front have been taken, which may result in less sales for you.

With this in mind, you should also make sure to keep your dispenser topped up at all times. Ensure you always have spare leaflets to hand in a drawer or cupboard to replace the leaflets that have been taken. Each tier doesn’t have to be huge – if you can only fit two or three leaflets in at a time, that’s fine, but make sure that every time a potential client takes one away you replace it as soon as possible.

Leaflet dispenser materials

Most leaflet dispensers are made from strong acrylic which can be transparent or colourful, depending on your individual choice. It is also possible to purchase wire dispensers which give a more unusual look to your office.

While display and presentation furniture will never be your first concern when furnishing an office, it is details such as these that can really help to improve the first impression that your visitors have of your business. Choose wisely and stand out!