Hi, I’m Nathan, and when I joined Panel Systems Unlimited 2.5 years ago, I had never worked in the office furniture industry before. Coming in with fresh eyes, I’ve learned so much that I now consider myself a furniture insider—and I’m convinced most businesses miss critical insights when shopping for office furniture. From hidden costs to overlooked details, there are secrets I wish every company knew before buying. Let me walk you through the process and share what I’ve discovered—it’ll save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.
The Hidden Realities of Office Furniture
The First Question Isn’t the Right One
One of the first questions I often hear is, “How much does it cost?” It’s understandable—businesses want to know the price upfront. But here’s the insider secret: I can’t answer that without understanding your space first. Every piece (panels, desks, accessories) has a price, and the total depends on your layout. A 6×6 Steelcase station might be $765, but the final cost hinges on your design. I have to slow customers down to explain this, because pricing comes after we tackle the most critical step: space planning. Companies are often shocked by how expensive cubicles are, especially new ones—a single station can cost thousands, draining budgets fast. Used cubicles (Herman Miller, Haworth) offer the same quality at 70% off, with the only trade-off being you might not pick your colors. It’s the exact same furniture, just smarter for your wallet.
Space Planning: Inches Make All the Difference
Once we get past pricing, I dive into space planning—and this is where businesses often don’t grasp the importance. Most companies don’t understand why we ask for a floor plan of their office. They’ll give general room dimensions, like “15×25 feet,” thinking that’s good enough. But rooms aren’t built that precisely, and those inches matter. A 2-3 inch difference can dramatically change your cube count—too tight, and your office feels cramped; too loose, and you waste space. For example, a 6×6 cubicle might fit perfectly in a 12×12 room, but shave off 3 inches, and you’re down to a 5×5, losing workspace or even a whole station. That’s why we provide full-color 3D renderings—they accurately show how every inch impacts your layout, ensuring your space works for you.
Accessories and Beyond: The Full Picture
After nailing the layout, don’t overlook accessories—they’re game-changers for daily work life. Desktop power is a must (no crawling to plug in laptops), monitor arms free up space, sit-to-stand desks boost comfort, and wire management keeps it clean (no dangling cords). These details turn your cubicle into a home away from home. I’ve sat in both cubicles and desks, and a cubicle (~6×6 or smaller) beats a desk if you don’t have a private office, offering privacy and focus that make your day more productive. New furniture also takes 4-12 weeks to manufacture since it’s custom-made, while our 800-1,200 used cubicles ship in 1-2 weeks. Powering cubicles? Run them against the wall with power strips in the panel base (plugged into the wall)—it’s a clean look, saves on cubicle power costs, and avoids electrician fees (power drops, circuits). At Panel Systems Unlimited, we’ve been helping businesses save money and work smarter since 1996. Ready to rethink your office? Call 866-457-2635 or visit www.panelsystemsunlimited.com—let’s make your space work for you!