School Furniture - Purchasing Tips

If you are looking for school furniture for the classroom here are a few factors to consider prior to purchase.

School furniture has evolved over the years from the wooden desks with ink wells and benches that were used in the past, to a large variety of modern attractive styles in various colours and finishes. Choosing the best school furniture can be quite a confusing experience as there are so many options to choose from and many needs to consider. You will most likely have a budget in mind for your purchase but given the choices available that shouldn’t limit your choices significantly. Here are the most important factors to consider when purchasing school furniture.

School Furniture-Safety First

Safety in the classroom is paramount and the school furniture you choose should have safety in mind. Basic safety procedures require school furniture and classroom storage to be fire resistant and be assembled in a way that makes them safe to use on a daily basis. For example, tables with fully welded frames, offer strength and stability. Generally speaking, the fewer the parts the less chance of screws becoming loose and parts becoming lost which can lower the furniture’s resistance to every day wear and tear. Consider the thickness of the wood and the finish. Laminate is very hard wearing and these days look just as good as solid wood. When buying Tables and Chairs consider the new European standard (EN1729 part 1) that advises the right furniture height in relation to the age and height of the child in order to develop good posture. Alongside the issues of safety come the needs of the students and staff in terms of comfort and convenience.

Durability

As School Furniture should last for many years, consider if it is easy to keep clean, and will it still look good in 5 or even 10 years? Is the surface wipe clean/washable. With regards to cushions and seating, are the covers removable to wash in order to remain hygienic for use? Does bulky furniture have hand holds or castors, which must be lockable, in order to move without damaging floors. Are metal frames on tables and chairs, powder coated to provide scratch resistance and do they have scuff pads to protect floors? These may seem like minor points individually but all impact on the overall quality and durability of your furniture.

School Furniture on a Budget

Your Budget will always be at the forefront of your mind when it comes to purchasing school furniture, and value for money is paramount. The cheapest furniture may not always be the best choice but again less expensive does not always compromise quality. Buying KD or flat packed furniture is often less expensive as it’s easier and less bulky for the manufacturer to store and transport and therefore these savings can be passed onto the end user. Obviously there is the issue of assembly but if you are prepared for the initial pain there can be financial gains. Buying furniture with a dual purpose can also save your budget and space within the classroom. Easels can also be whiteboards and are available with different surface finishes and even include drying racks. Bookcases can act as room dividers. Buying furniture with castors means it can easily be transported between classrooms and used by different groups. Height Adjustable furniture again allows use by different age ranges.

Looking for High Quality School Furniture?

If you are looking for affordable school furniture talk to the team at Edusentials. We have everything you need at a price that won’t stretch your budget. Contact us on 01772 312 742. Alternatively email us at mail@edusentials.co.uk.