Summer 2018

Accessories
should never be an Afterthought
Office furniture accessories play an important role in the way an office looks and functions,
so careful consideration should be given from the start of the design process and not be
seen as an additional extra to be decided later on.
Leaving accessories as an afterthought can result in the finished
office layout looking messy or incomplete. A minimalistic look,
for instance, can end up lost under piles of paper and trailing
leads if storage and cable management are not considered,
and a natural “biophilic” approach can be undermined where
ergonomics are neglected, resulting in unhealthy workspaces.
The main concern when looking at accessories will always be
safety and there are various standards to take into account that
relate to different types of equipment - covering aspects such as
fire safety, flammable materials, accessibility, and the installation
and use of electrical equipment. As with office furniture,
accessories should always be made from suitable material and
be compliant with the relevant health and safety standards.
The utilisation of space and the accessibility of shared and
personal equipment are also important considerations when
selecting furniture accessories. There are many different
solutions available for maximising space and utilising natural
traffic flow, however it is essential to first have a good
understanding of how people interact with their workspace in
order to ensure sufficient space and storage are provided.
Selecting accessories that are either ergonomic by design,
or that enable ergonomic environments, is essential for
promoting employee well-being. This may include equipment
such as foot rests, monitor arms and specialised equipment
such as ergonomic keyboards for heavy users. Also consider
accessories that counter the negative effects of lighting and
other environmental factors, such as those which offer glare
and noise reduction.
Finally, although office accessories are practical items by
nature, this doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish too and by
selecting these products at the start of the process they
can complement and complete the overall look. The right
accessories can not only reduce clutter and facilitate a more
functional, professional looking workplace; the range of
options available in material and design opens up possibilities
for a seamless looking environment, allowing the original
vision to be matched by the end result and not diminished by
‘afterthought accessories’.
Carolyn Gara - ABL
“The team at OFAS are supportive, organised, patient and always excellent to deal with. They
accommodate our business and printing requirements to an exceptionally high level that has helped
our company grow and succeed over the past 3 years. They make us feel like a valued customer and we
look forward to many successful years ahead with them.”
Arrow Group Global Ltd - Chris Royston
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www.ofas.org.uk SUMMER 2018