Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-04-14

In selecting office furniture there
are two points which the business
man bears in mind. These are eff
fective appearance and conven-
fence. They are achieved by prop
er arrangement of furniture of a
standardized line and of a grade in
keeping with the standards of the
business.
The first thought in selecting the
furniture of course is the finish. 1t
must harmonic with the office fix
lures and trim. The next point for
consideration is the grade.
All the leading manufacturers
make several grades of furniture,
varying in prices, based on the
construction and quality of mate
rial used. These grades are so num-
bered that an experienced furniture
man can tell what number in any
line corresponds with the same
grade in other lines.
1t is well to know this, especially
in considering proposals on several
different lines. For competitive
bids it is always necessary to speci-
fly furniture to correspond with a
certain grade of some standard
manufacture. Otherwise the COM
parison of prices will be misleading,
as some houses will quote on
grades inferior to those offered by
others.
How to Judge Business
Furniture.
The selection of material and the
construction can be judged by see
ing how well the different parts
match in grain and color. In desk,
for example, look at the framework
and legs. Are they lighter or dark
err than the panels or drawer
fronts? Do the panels of the desk
match the writing bed? Note
whether some of the drawer-fronts
arc darker than others.
In a good desk the writing bed,
drawer-fronts, panels, frame and
all parts exposed are perfect
match in grain, and rubbed to
uniform finish. A desk in whcih
the various parts do not match is
of low grade material and will be
of inferior construction.
The final consideration is the size
of the various pieces of furniture,
These should be in proportion to
the size of the office for the sake
of harmonious appearance. The
size should also be based on the
number of pieces needed out of
regard for the convenience Of en-
ployees.
good method is to draw a plan
of the office, showing doors and
windows; and a chart showing the
progress of papers through the Of
flee. A straight line is the short
est route for office transactions to
follow and a chart often discloses
the fact that orders, for instance,
double on their tracks in going
from mail desk to shipping room.
Value of Careful Planning.
The plan enables the experienced
furniture man to recommend the
proper size and position of each
piece of furniture. The furniture
can then be drawn in to scale, CIV
ing an accurate idea of the appear
ance and convenience offered by
the complete installation.
To realize the value of careful
planning in furnishing the office
consider it from the standpoint of
office rental. Take the figure for
annual rental, plus the last two
items, add interest. depreciation
and maintenance charges.
Reduce the total to terms Of an
nual expense per square foot Of
floor space. The figures will offer
telling proof of the value of saving
floor space, and will demonstrate
the fact that too much emphasis be
placed on the proper selection and
of office furniture.