Laboratory furniture is not the most memorable furniture out there, but it needs to be practical for daily use.
Although laboratory furniture is not generally too memorable in looks, all furniture plays an important role in the lab. The tables uphold expensive and often heavy lab equipment and specimens, the waste bins must be able to safely house biohazards and/or toxic materials, and all furniture throughout the lab is used on a daily basis. But despite the perceived simplicity of laboratory furniture, making the best decision for your lab may be more difficult than you’d expected. Here’s how to make an educated and informed decision when choosing your laboratory furniture.
What Kind of Laboratory Furniture?
The most important part of choosing laboratory furniture is picking furnishings that have an essential purpose in the lab. Some of these include:
- cabinets for chemicals and general storage
- light tables
- hoods for containment of chemical fumes and laminar flow
- desks and workstation furniture
- carts for transportation
Comfort
Since many lab technicians will be working long hours processing specimens, having comfortable lab furniture is a must. However, it’s very important to note the difference in definition between what most people identify as comfort and what is considered comfort in a laboratory setting. For instance, in a laboratory, most workers will be mostly on their feet. Therefore, it’s less important to think of comfort in the traditional means of soft, cushiony seating. Instead, think of ergonomic laboratory furniture that’s easily adaptable to any position in the lab. For example, people of all shapes and sizes work in labs, so try adding some height-adjustable laboratory furniture to make their lives much easier.
Materials of Manufacturing
Since laboratory furniture is used for long periods of time all day long with little breaks, it’s important to have high-quality furniture that can endure much more activity than residential or office furniture. Plus, many labs deal with toxic chemicals or high levels of heat, meaning the materials must be durable enough to prevent wear from exposure. Stainless steel and treated wood are all great choices of materials when it comes to choosing materials for laboratory furniture. In environments with harsh chemical exposure, try adding polypropylene to that list.
Made to Last
In addition, because of all the use laboratory furniture receives, make sure to pick sturdy materials that are meant to last for several years into the future. Industrial grade materials made for withstanding even the toughest of work environments are a must-have for any laboratory furnishing.
Choose Edwards & Hill for Your Laboratory Furniture and Design Needs
Are you ready to redesign your office to maximize productivity and creative thinking? Edwards & Hill can help you design and install the perfect designs for your business. Edwards & Hill is a leading office, education, medical, and hospitality furniture provider with high-quality design and installation services for any style or scale. We have our headquarters in Annapolis Junction, Maryland, as well as another convenient office location in St. Louis, Missouri. If you are ready to get your office design started, contact us online or give us a call at 301-317-4250. For the St. Louis office, please call 314-797-5077. For more furniture design tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Flickr, and YouTube.
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