Space-saving function proves popular in office
By Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, March 22, 2010
HIGH POINT —
Today's multi-tasking consumer is increasingly drawn to multi-functional furniture, and several resources for home office furniture have developed pieces that fit this growing market niche.
In most instances, the groups blend home office with entertainment functions, but a few office pieces also can double as casual dining, formal dining or even library storage units.
And while the groups themselves have relatively large footprints, executives say they are popular for condominiums and smaller homes because they actually save space by eliminating the need for separate office and entertainment pieces.
But since home office is the principal use of the furniture, features such as keyboard trays, file drawers and wire management are critical to their success.
One of the more popular desk designs, executives say, is the so-called “partners desk” that can be used by two people simultaneously. Such models have keyboard trays on both sides of the desk, which means wire management is critical if one or both users have a wire-laden desktop computer or needs to attach a computer to a printer.
Executives say traditional styling and darker finishes are the most popular, by far, but transitional and contemporary looks have not lost their luster, especially in coastal regions.
What's hot: The Duo-Dining group from Signature Home Furnishings.
Key features: This unique group combines home office with dining and home entertainment. The flat-top desk, which includes a pull-out keyboard tray on each side, can be detached from the wall unit and used as a stand-alone dining table. The base of the wall unit includes file drawers, and the top of the unit can accommodate a flat-screen TV (shown here) or additional storage space.
Why it's selling: Consumers like the multiple functions of the group, and it appears to be especially popular for use in condominiums and homes where space is at a premium, said Albert Lin, Signature's vice president. When used as a home office, the center section of the wall unit is detached and becomes a small stand-alone storage cabinet that features, among other things, a wine rack.
What's hot: The Sterling Office Suite collection from Parker House.
Key features: The versatile desk allows this group to be configured as a corner unit (shown here) or used as a two-person home office by connecting it to the middle of the three storage units. The desk has a pull-out keyboard tray on each side, and the base of each storage unit has shelves that are 22 inches deep.
Why it's selling: The depth of the base units allows for storage of larger journals and binders that are commonly used in small businesses, says marketing director West Allen. But the higher shelves that are part of the hutch aren't as deep and are popular for keeping books and collectibles. In the corner configuration, the group will house a second computer because one base unit includes a keyboard tray and printer storage, he pointed out.
What's hot: The Tailor modular system from Aspenhome.
Key features: This 16-piece group, part of the Chateau de Vin collection, can be configured in dozens of ways to deliver the look of a customized, built-in home office. Centered around a partners desk with keyboard tray on both sides, the group also features storage units with adjustable shelves and three-way touch lighting. Home office and home entertainment can be combined with the addition of a media console and hutch (shown here) or a bar base and top.
Why it's selling: The secret to the built-in appearance, says Ken Levi, Aspenhome's home office designer, is in the expandable media and desk bases with hutches that completely fill an office wall when combined with other Tailor components. “We already have expandable home entertainment walls that adjust to different size TVs, so we applied that concept to home office,” Levi said.
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