If you’re trying to find used office furniture for your home office, you might want to start with Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona. Desks, office chairs, cabinets: these are just the beginning of the items that you’ll find at our stores. We’ll look at how to shop for furniture and why it’s important to choose a store that will do something meaningful with the money you spend.
Best Prices
Goodwill is known for having excellent prices on used furniture, largely because the goal is to give back to the community in every possible way. Whether you’re looking for a sturdy table to double as a desk or decor to match the culture of your company, you’ll likely spend a lot less here than you will at other consignment stores. There’s no need to break the bank if you’re looking for functional furniture that will make it easier to get your work done.
Plus, spending less doesn’t have to come at the cost of the workplace environment. When you search for the ‘best used office furniture store near me’, remember that the fancy antique store may not have better pieces. In fact, they may have items that are both more expensive and less suitable for you.
True Value
The real value of items is wrapped up in their journey. A Goodwill item can easily become the most treasured possession in your office simply because you’re giving it a new life. Instead of encouraging more production by buying new, you’re reviving an otherwise discarded piece of furniture. Plus, this is your chance to spot a diamond in the rough.
Beat-up, old-looking furniture may need little more than sanding and a few new accessories (e.g., handles, etc.) to be brought back to life. If you feel comfortable with a paintbrush or you’re looking for a reason to dust off your power tools, this is the excuse you’ve been looking for. When you restore a piece from Goodwill for your home office, the pride you take in the work can make it that much more satisfying to use.
Goodwill is known for selling high-quality goods. This means that you can find brand-name furniture here, but more than that, it means that the items you’ll find typically have good bones. Mass-produced items may work for some situations, but they don’t always have the character needed to make an impression. For a room that you’re going to use day in and day out — one that your livelihood depends on — it can make a big difference if you put the effort in. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean shopping for the most expensive pieces available.
How to Get the Best Deals
Buying anything at a thrift store can take some planning. While it certainly has happened before, rarely will the perfect piece just throw itself in front of you as soon as you enter the store. At Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, we recommend keeping the following in mind as you wander:
- Inspect: Goodwill is known for accepting quality furniture, meaning you shouldn’t have to worry about the piece containing hazardous materials. Still, it’s worthwhile to thoroughly examine the piece so you know what you’re getting into. Pull out the drawers, run your hand down the side, and take note of any scents that might be coming from the bottom.
- Branch Out: Branching out is a great way to run across home office furniture that might never have crossed your path before. Plus, it can tell you more about the vibes of the different Goodwill thrift shops in your area. Go often enough, and you’ll become a pro at how, when, and where to shop. It’s something of a lost art form that is truly worth its weight in gold.
- Ask: While we highly recommend making a piece your own by relying on your inherent skills, we can also honestly say that not everyone has the time or the desire to give up their weekends for the sake of staining a desk. If you suspect that a piece of used office furniture is just going to sit around for weeks in the garage (giving rodents the chance to build their nests there), that’s something to keep in mind.
- Be Creative: That old sewing table might look like little more than an antique relic, but it might actually be a great desk for your home office. Cheap chairs might look like anything but your standard ergonomic rolling chair, but might just be the best thing for your back if you work a standard 9 to 5. Your new upholstery could be the comfort you’ve been searching for.
- Wake up: The thing about hunting for bargains is you’re not the only one. People are motivated not just by the cost-saving, but by the thrill of the search. What will it take to score the best piece? In most cases, it means waking up a little earlier than the next person.
Creating a Home Office You Love
Working from home has become more common than ever, but even though it’s normalized, it’s still relatively new. Most employees aren’t used to thinking about ideal desk height for their torso size or taking a side in the great debate between standing vs. traditional. They don’t always think about the wattage of their bulbs or the strain that causes on their eyes. However, these are all things that we need to consider, and this is true even for those who work in the cubicle offices that are so often ridiculed today.
Part of creating a space that you’ll actually want to be in means giving it the time and attention it deserves. If you’re going to spend 8+ hours of a day in a room (or, in some cases, corner), you’d better have things in there that both comfort and inspire you. The good news is, that it might be easier than you think. Imagine what it will be like to face a difficult challenge at work. If you’re doing so at a desk that you personally restored from scratch, it might be a little easier to work through the problem. After all, you have physical evidence right in front of you that proves you can go the extra mile.
Shopping at Goodwill
Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona is a nonprofit that wants to empower people to lead more fulfilling lives. Whether that means turning old clothes into a custom quilt or helping an individual revamp their resume, what you give to Goodwill goes back to the community in ways you’ll never even know. It’s a positive cycle that can stretch for generations, particularly when Goodwill is all about imparting skills that will last a lifetime.
If you want to make your home office a place that you’ll want to be in, buying used furniture is an excellent way to upcycle. It’s good for the environment, and it’s good for your neighbors. Even more, it’s better for you because you wind up with pieces that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Keep an open mind and remember that quality can lie beneath a few layers of dust. Visit a Goodwill today to get the process started.
