Commercial Office Furniture: Durability, Sustainability, & Ergonomics

The way people work is changing, so the modern office (or home office!) should change to accommodate employee habits. 

If you’re considering new office furniture, it's essential to think about what your office needs. Do you need durable pieces that will last for years? Do you want to prioritize comfort and ergonomics?

This blog post will elaborate on some of the most common office furniture materials and address the four things you need to consider when looking for new office furniture:

• Durability
• Sustainability
• Aesthetics
• Ergonomics

Resource: Are you interested in learning more about ergonomic furniture? Download our free guide to office ergonomics!

Common Materials Used for Commercial Office Furniture 

The material options for office furniture are vast, but these are the most common materials – and often the best.

• Standard steel sheet metal: Steel sheet metal is versatile because it can be bent to fit different requirements without extensive manufacturing processes. 
• Phenolic: This plastic material requires less processing than MDF and is sturdier.
• Polypropylene: Often used for desk chairs, this plastic is durable and easy to clean.
• Upholstery: Most office furniture is made from durable upholstery that is easy to clean, whether vinyl, leather, or cloth.

Manufacturers have a lot of quality materials to choose from for their office furnishings, but it’s critical to know the difference between good and great materials. Consider durability, sustainability, and aesthetics. 

Durable Commercial Office Furniture Materials

When you look for materials, you want to choose the ones that will last the longest. Metal is more durable than phenolic, and phenolic is more durable than MDF. 

Depending on how much use the furniture will get, you can determine the type of material to use. 

For example, if you’re looking for furniture for a high-traffic office, like a doctor’s office, perhaps consider vinyl upholstery so it will stand up to repeated use. 

Don't forget that you could have the most durable material available, but it can still cause injury if not positioned correctly. The best office furniture has the perfect blend of ergonomics, durability, sustainability, and pricing. 

Environmentally Sustainable Office Furniture Materials

Manufacturers need to ensure their materials follow all the relevant standard guidelines. These involve entry-level compliance certificates like RoHS and Prop65 and more in-depth standards like ANSI/BIFMA. 

• RoHS: Restriction of Hazardous Substances is an EU standard for regulating harmful materials/chemicals, and it’s become a day-to-day standard for US manufacturers. 
• Prop 65: You want your materials to comply with Prop 65, or your products might require warnings that exposure to the materials used can lead to cancer or other illnesses. 
• ANSI/BIFMA standards: the American National Standards Institute governs material quality and testing standards for office furniture.

Simply abiding by these standards doesn’t mean the manufacturing processes are as sustainable as they can be. For example, powder coating components can be a wasteful process, but a reclamation system can help manufacturers recover unused powder coating, reducing overall waste. Ask your manufacturer about their sustainability!

What Are the Easiest Materials to Clean?

If you are concerned about keeping the materials clean, consider leaning toward metal, which is easier to clean than a wood surface since it isn't porous. 

Plastics are usually easy to clean, too. You can wipe it with a damp cloth without worrying about stains getting into porous nooks and crannies.

Also, pay attention to what kind of cleaners you’re using – some wood finishes might be sensitive to certain cleaners.

Aesthetics and Finish

You want your materials to look good! For this reason, a plain steel keyboard arm will be powder-coated or finished. 

Corporate office furniture needs to be durable and functional, but it can also look good to match your professional environment. 

A Word About Ergonomics

Don't forget to consider ergonomics when you are picking out office furniture. If you spend a lot of time sitting and using the furniture, you need to ensure it is ergonomically correct, so you don't suffer any long-term repetitive use injuries. 

Look for ergonomic solutions in your office furniture that will encourage mobility. The worst thing your employees can do is sit down with their morning coffee and not stand up or take a break until lunchtime. Look for office furniture that encourages movement and proper positioning.

The Best Materials for the Best Commercial Office Furniture

You need to use the best materials to get the best office furniture. Communicate with your commercial office furniture supplier to understand what materials are going into their products.

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(Editor's note: This article was originally published in February 2021 and was recently updated.)