Your laboratory furniture selection can impact productivity, efficiency, and functionality. As a result, it’s critical to weigh some of the major factors before deciding which furniture, benching, and worktops to install. All labs have different requirements, so thinking about it ahead of time will help you get the most out of whatever you choose. Here, we’ll break it down for you and go over all of the major factors to consider before making a decision, whether you’re working on a large lab build project or updating a few areas of your laboratory.
Design
The importance of aesthetics varies according to the type of lab. However, due to the nature of the work, most labs will prioritize the functionality of their furniture choices over the design. Having said that, some labs will continue to be concerned with overall appearance. If your lab does not need to be hard-wearing and durable, you will have much more freedom to create the desired finish. However, if durability and style are important to you, there are still excellent options available; just keep in mind that these may be more expensive.
Another important consideration is that design and functionality can sometimes coexist. Because the layout of your furniture should be as simple and easy as possible for everyone to work in, this becomes a design consideration.
Budget
The budget for your furniture, benches, and worktops should be established well before you begin to make any specific decisions, and it should always reflect the lab’s needs. While it may be tempting to save money by cutting costs, it is critical to ensure that your lab’s requirements are still met.
Certain worktop materials are less expensive for a reason, whether it is because they are less durable or more portable. You’ll need to consider all of the properties each type of worktop provides, from heat and chemical resistance to appearance. This applies to all of your other furniture options. From your benching to your furniture systems, the budget should be tailored to your needs, and this should not be viewed as an opportunity to save money on your project.
It’s also important to consider the long-term costs of the materials you choose. If you select the appropriate materials for your lab’s needs, your maintenance costs should be minimal. However, if you have to constantly repair or replace worktops, furniture, and benches, you will not be getting good value for money. Often, it pays to spend a little more, so factor this into your budget.
Location
Thinking about which rooms you’ll be furnishing is important because it can influence what you’ll need. From educational settings to medical labs, the requirements will vary greatly. Consider how much storage you’ll need, whether mobile or stationary furniture will work best, and what materials will withstand use in this location. Certain requirements must be met, which are not required on a non-BREEAM project.
Exposure
While this primarily concerns your choice of worktops, it can also be useful to consider what your other furniture will be exposed to. For example, if your lab uses corrosive chemicals, you must ensure that your workstations can withstand anything used in the lab without being damaged. Trespa worktops and other Trespa furniture are popular options in these cases due to their strength and durability in a variety of applications. Meanwhile, if you’re working in a cold room, you should consider how well your materials will withstand the environment. Stainless steel typically performs best in colder environments, so it is the best choice for any workstations, benches, and furniture if possible.
Space
Space constraints can have a significant impact on your decisions. Whether you have a lot of space or very little, you’ll need to consider what furniture is required in that area and how you can make it work with the options available to you. Furniture can be combined into larger units that contain everything you need, or it can be separated into individual elements – the choice is entirely yours.
Regardless of the amount of space available, bespoke solutions can help you make the most of every inch of floor, wall, and even ceiling space. At InterFocus, we can collaborate with your team to create the ideal lab design and implement the furniture that best suits your needs.
However, if your budget is limited or you simply want to choose from the available options, there are numerous ways we can accommodate any space. From mobile furniture to adjustable shelving, all you need to know is what you want to do with each space.
Workflow
Within your lab, you’ll want to maximize workflow efficiency through your choices. Whether you require workspaces suitable for group work or the space must be functional for multiple purposes, this consideration will have a significant impact on the type of furniture you select. Mobile lab benches and trolleys are useful for more flexible workflows because they are easily portable. Meanwhile, stationary furniture and benching systems are often best suited for situations where everything needs to have its own place and optimal organisation
