Unlike antique, vintage, period, collectable or simply old-fashioned dark, heavy and sometimes somewhat depressing office furniture, (desks in particular), modern office furniture displays a “less is more”, light, airy and bright appearance, which is nonetheless just as or even more practical and functional than early pieces.
In fairness, it must be said that old-fashioned office furniture reflected highly skilled carpenters’ (the suppliers’) craftsmanship and available materials for making office furniture – mainly wood, as well as the social norms, customs and attitudes of their time.
Wooden furniture did have a few drawbacks. Solid wood (as opposed to modern laminates and quality veneers) is prone to surface damage, like scuff marks and stains from spilled liquids, which are absorbed through its relatively soft, porous surface layer. Yesteryear’s office desks were large; a large desktop has a large surface, capable of absorbing spilled liquids, such as tea, coffee, water and ink, which were commonly found on desktops in old-time workplaces.
In the manufacture of modern office furniture, composite, man-made materials and rustproof metal alloys are used, which result in a durable, lightweight, waterproof and/or water-resistant, easy to maintain and keep clean, move, quick to assemble and very cost-effective product.
The range of modern colour and style choices is significant, eminently suitable for a bright, pleasant and modern workplace environment, which is, in turn, highly unlikely to become old fashioned in the foreseeable future.
Visually and functionally, modern offices have undergone a complete change, no longer consisting of a series of individual, enclosed spaces and heavy desks and chairs. Flexible, open plan, modular, and semi-partitioned workstations complete the picture. Boardrooms, meeting rooms, executive offices and kitchens remain separately enclosed, because of their functions.
In Britain and in Europe, the old-fashioned office environment was very different from that of today. Windows tended to be small, letting in minimal natural light, largely to keep out the cold in a cold climate, since interior heating didn’t feature in offices of old. Interior office spaces were not bright, cheery or well-lit.
Moreover, while the strictly-observed social class system existed, formality was the order of the day. Business was a serious…business, with no call or room for light-heartedness, humour, smiles or banter in the workplace. An air of ceaseless, industrious work, gravity and sombre demeanour was expected, and that’s what prevailed.
No one bothered about employees’ well-being, contentment, comfort or health in the workplace. They were there to work, no matter what. Anything else was not the employer’s concern. Workers had virtually no rights in the office, and the word “productivity” and its vitally important implications didn’t exist.
If anything, running a successful business enterprise is far more serious than ever before. The business world is fiercely competitive, so it’s important to put as much as possible in place to encourage, ensure and maximise the productivity of employees and executives alike. Inevitably, such measures include the working environment, the office and its appointments.
Choosing and buying a concern’s new, up-to-date furniture is the perfect way to enhance, complement and/or refresh the business’s corporate image, company culture, and its role as a trend-setting, successful organisation that’s kept up with the times.
Furnishing a modern office is not usually accomplished via a retail store that caters to the general public. Corporate buyers typically deal directly with professional suppliers of office desks and chairs, cabinets, filing and storage systems, boardroom tables, reception couches and counters, plus virtually every other piece of furniture or accessory item that is needed to transform a bland space into a well-appointed, professional workplace.
With a well-established, proud track record, spanning some 18 years, and incorporating 60 years’ combined expertise, specialisation and experience, Quantum Office Furniture specialises in the supply of an exceptional range of office furniture required to set up a cutting-edge, attractive and totally modern workplace, which actually works with, and for, the company and its principal assets – its employees.
Each business is unique; most business owners know what type of look and office scheme they want for their workplace, which is why our user-friendly Quantum website focuses mainly on providing clear images of each desk, chair and office element that we supply and install on a nationwide basis in South Africa. Quantum is ready to supply the wow factor that works for you.