How to Buy Used Office Furniture

Buying used office furniture can be a great way to save money and add class to your office environment.  Used office furniture can be purchased direct from the company after a sale or foreclosure, and adverts for these 'closing down sales' can be found in your local newspaper or on Craigslist. 

Before you go out and make your purchases, however, you need to learn how to make an assessment of the furniture to make sure that it's worth the money you're paying.

First and foremost, realize that there's a significant difference between the office furniture that was used prior to the age of the personal computer, and after it.  A great deal of used office furniture comes from the era when people typically didn't have a computer on their desk and, therefore, is missing important elements such as a tray for the keyboard and holes drilled into the back to allow the easy running of cable and cords. 

If you're not planning on putting a computer on the desk, some of the old-fashioned desks you'll find in secondhand stores can be excellent choices, simply because of their beauty.

Used office furniture needs to be of a high quality so it can endure the test of time.  Some used office furniture will made from the cheap particleboard furniture you see in discount stores and home improvement stores.  Generally speaking, this furniture is very heavy and doesn't hold up very well over time. Instead, opt for high-quality solid wood, such as oak and maple.  Glass used office furniture is also a good choice, as it tends to be resistant to scratching and cleans up very nicely.

Some used furniture for offices can be very expensive because it happens to be antique.  Many antique stores carry a fine selection of furniture that is fifty years old or older.  If you're looking at a piece that comes with a high price tag, be sure you have a friend who is knowledgeable about antiques to go with you to appraise it.