But not all laminates are created equal. Cheap desk laminates bubble up and pucker when they come in contact with water that s a good argument for not buying your office furniture at a cheap discount store. You ll also want to consider the future availability of the products. Find out whether the particular furniture line you re interested in will be discontinued soon. Most lines stick around for quite a while, but eventually the manufacturer will quit making them.
Some companies design certain lines to work interchangeably, however.
The Knoll Equity panel and work-space line includes a nonobsolescence commitment, so you can be assured of finding a suitable furniture addition down the line. Before you buy, sketch out a rough layout of your work space. This is especially important if you re outfitting your entire office, but even arranging one room will be much smoother if you plan ahead. Get some graph paper and a measuring tape to make sure the furniture will fit. Researching manufacturers online is handy, but, as with most major purchases, it helps to see the products in person.