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Office furniture is functional and durable. While it is fantastic that such pieces can last for so long, they become outdated after a while. If your office furniture has seen better days, it could be time for an upgrade. However, not every budget allows for all-new replacement furniture. There is a more cost-efficient way to give your office space a boost without spending a fortune. Learn how painting and wrapping office furniture can help freshen up your workplace with this helpful guide.
There are many reasons to paint or wrap your existing office furniture. Find out why vinyl wrapping and painting methods are so beneficial to creating an elevated feeling around the office.
Sometimes, spending hundreds of dollars on new desks, conference tables and filing cabinets is not feasible. Painting or wrapping office furniture can be a practical, money-saving solution that makes used pieces look new.
Not only does painting and wrapping save the initial investment to buy new pieces and have them delivered, but it can also help save any costs of removing the old furniture from the premises.
The world is becoming more concerned with making environmentally friendly choices. Recycling and upcycling are increasingly popular trends as people become conscious of ways to reduce their carbon footprints. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 80% of the furniture consumers discarded in 2018 went to landfills. When you choose to revamp current pieces of office furniture, you are also helping contribute to the sustainable use of resources.
Instead of tossing old office furniture out as waste, reusing it will decrease the need for manufacturing new products.
As you shop for office furniture, you may find your options tend to be a bit limited. One of the best things about painting or wrapping office furniture is that that are so many looks to choose from. Office furniture vinyl wraps come in thousands of different patterns, and your paint choices can be unique to your work environment. Whether you want a sleek, professional look or something that brightens up the whole space, you can customize the appearance of your current office furniture to your liking.
Some factors can help you determine whether refurbishing your current office furniture will be sufficient or if you need to buy new office furniture. As you evaluate your existing furniture’s condition, keep an eye on these particular details.
Office furniture manufacturers usually build their products to last, but that’s not to say it doesn’t become a little worn and tired-looking over time. Don’t think some cosmetic damage means it’s time to toss the entire piece. Vinyl wrapping or painting can easily remedy nicks, scratches, discoloration, missing laminate and other visual flaws on the furniture. Even if a filing cabinet or desk has some missing hardware, you can always replace it with new, and it will still be significantly cheaper than replacing the entire piece.
If you recently refreshed your office’s interior design and the furniture clashes, it may be tempting to buy new. Resist the urge and use the furniture you already have. Not only do you know that the pieces you own will work with your layout, but you will also save money. Investing in a vinyl wrap for office desks or painting those filing cabinets will give you all the freedom you need to match your furniture to the new office decor.
Even the best offices need an upgrade sometimes. Unfortunately, not every budget allows for a shopping spree to replace thousands of dollars worth of office furnishings. Upcycling your workspace by painting or wrapping office furniture is an incredible alternative to purchasing brand-new office interiors. You can do an equally refreshing change for a much lower cost. Not only that, but you can tackle the work gradually instead of trying to schedule all new furniture moves around work hours.
If you’re considering wrapping or painting office furniture, you may wonder which route is better. Take a look at the pros and cons of wrapping and painting office furniture to get a better idea of what will fit your office needs.
Find out why vinyl wrapping your current office furniture can be the best option for your workspace.
This upcycling method is so easy to complete. You can vinyl wrap filing cabinets, select the right vinyl wrap for office desks and more without disrupting business activities. There is no noise, no mess, no fumes to worry about and it doesn’t require removing or installing anything.
Office furniture vinyl wraps are the perfect solution for a long-lasting look. They come in a wide range of styles that do not fade and are even UV-resistant. Your vinyl-wrapped furniture will look new for many years to come. It’s also easy to clean, with a sleek surface that wipes down.
Since vinyl coverings are such a durable material, they make the ideal choice for office furniture upgrades. Vinyl wraps are highly resistant to rips and tears, which means they are less likely to become damaged compared to other office furniture finishes. The less damage it takes on, the longer your furniture will continue looking its best and saving you money in the long run.
A huge benefit of vinyl wraps is that they often meet fire certification standards. In addition to visually upgrading your office furniture, you can feel safe knowing it comes with safety protections.
Here are some essential considerations when determining if the vinyl wrapping method is the right choice for upcycling your office furniture.
You can use vinyl wrapping on various office surfaces, but it has some limits. Office furniture that is rusty or has rough surfaces will not be a good match for this refurbishing method. All vinyl wraps must adhere to their surfaces, and unfortunately, rough, untreated or rusted areas do not allow for this to happen.
Since vinyl comes in sheets, there are limits to the shape it can conform to. The ability to successfully and flawlessly 3M vinyl wrap a desk will be a lot easier than trying to wrap something with many complex curves. Keep this in mind when evaluating whether to wrap your office furniture in vinyl for your upgrade.
While most offices have indoor climate control, you should note that vinyl wrapping can fail and crack in response to extreme temperature changes. If the temperatures around the vinyl become significantly colder or hotter, the chances of it peeling back or cracking are high.
Can you paint office furniture? Learn how painting can be the most beneficial choice to make over your office interiors.
Unprotected furniture is vulnerable to scratches. Adding a couple of layers of enamel paint can help provide additional protection against potential damage from regular wear and tear.
Paint comes in every color of the rainbow and finishes from matte to glossy. What are the best colors to paint furniture? You have the freedom to select the colors that best suit your office’s overall style and a finish that will be easy to clean and maintain.
When making the final decision to choose paint for your office furniture upgrade, be sure to remember these points.
Even paints manufactured with low volatile organic compounds will still emit fumes and odors that are not ideal for enclosed spaces. Painting may require you to move the furniture to a well-ventilated area to keep yourself and co-workers safe while the makeover is underway.
Though paints come in various types for different purposes, they can still wear after a while. If subjected to too much wear and tear, paint can peel or even chip off. Ask a professional what kind of paint to use on a desk.
When painting, it can be tricky to get that flawless, upscale look you are hoping for. An unprofessional paint job can look streaky, runny or uneven. It may be best to hire a professional to ensure that it turns out with minimal flaws.
Learning how to paint office desks requires a methodical approach to come out looking the absolute best. Learn how to get the job done right with this office furniture painting guide.
If you want to paint with a nice finish, you need to prep the surfaces you are about to cover. Lightly sanding the top layers of office furniture will allow the paint to adhere much more easily. While it takes a little bit of work, you will be happy with the results.
Applying primer is an essential step to achieve that professionally painted look. Not only does it help achieve the true color of the paint, but it will also assist with allowing the paint to stick and stay.
Painting is a process and trying to rush it can result in a less-than-ideal outcome. Paint slowly to ensure you do not miss any spots or leave streaks and uneven coverage behind. It will likely take more than one coat, so be sure to allow enough time for the first coat to dry before doing another one.
Find out how to apply vinyl wraps with ease to your office furniture for an entirely new look that is sure to last.
Be sure to thoroughly clean all surfaces of the pieces you are working with. Take time to remove any oils or residue, as these can hinder the vinyl wrapping’s ability to properly stick.
Vinyl wrapping comes in sheets, so you will have to measure and cut each section of vinyl according to the furniture. While measuring, add one inch on all sides to allow for overlapping. Using a utility knife, carefully cut the sections.
Peel back about six inches of the film from the wrapping and press the adhesive side to the edge of the surface. Use a squeegee to press out any bubbles as you continue to peel and stick the wrap.
Repeat this process until you have covered the entire piece. Allow it to sit for at least 48 hours before using to ensure the vinyl wrap has properly adhered. If there are any air bubbles, you may use a small pin to pop them if they have not gone away on their own after this time.
Sometimes, refurbishing office furniture isn’t enough. Our collection of Sunline cubicles comes complete with our high-gloss finish, so there’s no need to repaint or wrap them. With our pre-finished office furniture, you’ll save any time you might have spent trying to refurbish old cubicles. At Arnold’s Office Furniture, we offer various finish options so you can choose one that will complement your office space.
If your office needs more than a cosmetic makeover, allow our office experts to help modernize or upgrade your workspace. We offer a wide range of top-of-the-line office interiors, including:
When you choose Arnold’s Office Furniture, you get incredible benefits:
If you are ready to invest in new office interiors, contact us at Arnold’s Office Furniture today!
Written by:
Rob has more than 25 years of experience in the office furniture business. He has used his extensive knowledge in his role as Senior Vice President to ensure our office furniture meets the needs of the modern corporate office environment and he regularly lends his expertise to various articles posted on the Arnold’s Office Furniture blog. Learn more about Rob!