Your Questions - answered
Furniture Hub
Explore the Progressive Office Furniture Hub. Get expert advice on Melbourne office fitouts, ergonomic standards, desk heights, and commercial warranties.
All Questions
55 questions
The standard height for a fixed commercial office desk in Australia is 720 to 730mm. This height is designed to suit a user of average height sitting in a correctly adjusted chair. Desk height must align with the user's body...
Read More
The primary Australian standard for commercial office chairs is AS/NZS 4438:1997, which specifies the requirements for height adjustable swivel chairs. This standard ensures that task chairs meet strict dimensional, mechanical, and ergonomic benchmarks for professional use. Using furniture that meets...
Read More
Physical installation typically takes from 1 to 16 weeks depending on the size of the office. You must add an additional 2 to 4 weeks for the design, approvals and manufacturing phases. Rushed jobs generally cost more than those planned...
Read More
A standing desk is any workstation that allows a person to work while standing, including those with a fixed height. Sit-stand desks, also known as height-adjustable desks, use manual or electronic mechanisms to allow the user to switch between seated...
Read More
The number of workstations that can fit in a 100 sqm open plan office depends on the layout and the type of workstations used. A general rule of thumb is to allocate around 4 to 6 sqm per workstation, depending...
Read More
Store items you only need occasionally in your office drawers, such as extra supplies, paperwork, and personal items. Keep daily essentials like your computer, phone, and desk calendar within arm's reach on the desktop. The primary goal is to separate...
Read More
Electric sit-stand desks in Melbourne typically cost between $750 and over $2,000 per unit. Manual crank versions are available at a lower price point ranging from $450 to $900. Final project costs increase when including professional installation and specific technical...
Read More
Commercial-grade office furniture is built to handle eight-plus hours of daily use, five days a week, for years on end, whereas residential furniture is built for occasional home use. This difference is reflected in the frame construction, surface durability, weight...
Read More
Custom office furniture, including bespoke reception desks and custom joinery, typically has a lead time of 8 to 14 weeks or longer. Standard commercial furniture held in stock by Melbourne suppliers usually takes 2 to 6 weeks. Coordinating your furniture...
Read More
Commercial office furniture warranties should provide a minimum of 5 years for structural components and 2 to 3 years for upholstery and surfaces. The most critical distinction is between commercial grade and residential grade warranties, as the latter is not...
Read More
Create privacy in an open-plan office by installing desk dividers, partitioning walls, and monitor filters. Establishing dedicated quiet zones and spacing out workstations also reduces distractions and improves focus. A lack of privacy can make workers feel they are constantly...
Read More
Lumbar support is a chair feature, such as a built-in curve or a pad, designed to provide support for the lower back. It helps maintain the spine in a neutral position to reduce pressure on the muscles and discs in...
Read More
A computer desk is a specific piece of furniture with a flat surface for a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. An office workstation is a complete productivity environment that integrates a desk, a comfortable chair, and storage solutions. The primary distinction...
Read More
The best desk shape depends on your available floor area and required workspace. L-shaped desks provide the most surface area for multitasking with computers and paperwork, while corner desks are ideal for maximising remaining room for other furniture. The choice...
Read More
Whether installation is included depends on the supplier and the procurement model used. Progressive Office provides a full turnkey service that includes design, manufacture, supply, delivery, and installation under one roof. Many businesses overlook hidden installation costs when coordinating between...
Read More
The main types of office filing systems are paper-based and digital. Paper-based systems use physical cabinets and folders, while digital systems use software and cloud storage solutions. The choice between these systems depends on the volume of documents and the...
Read More
A reasonably well-furnished commercial office in Melbourne typically costs between $3,000 to $6,000 per person in furniture. Total project budgets range from $60,000 to $150,000 for small offices under 20 workstations to over $1,000,000 for large scale corporate fitouts. Businesses...
Read More
Ergonomic chairs are designed to contour to the body and provide customised support to reduce strain on the back, neck, and shoulders. Standard office chairs often prioritise aesthetics and simple designs over these specific adjustability features. The primary distinction is...
Read More
Wood is typically more expensive but offers greater durability for furniture intended to last many years. Laminate is a versatile, cost effective alternative available in a wide range of colours and patterns to suit modern office designs. Material selection is...
Read More
Well-made and properly maintained commercial office furniture generally lasts 5 to 10 years. The actual lifespan depends on the product quality, intensity of use, and the maintenance routine implemented by the business. The most critical factor is whether the furniture...
Read More
A quality office workstation must combine ergonomic support, a desk type suited to the available space, and integrated storage to ensure productivity. The primary focus is on comfort and the reduction of physical strain during extended use. The final selection...
Read More
The choice depends on your available floor area, budget, and whether your team requires individual dedicated spaces or shared collaborative zones. Match the desk type to the specific tasks performed and the total square metres available. Space efficiency relies on...
Read More
Yes, Progressive Office provides a free design and layout consultation with no obligation to all clients. This service includes complimentary floorplan design to optimise the layout of the workspace. Locking in a layout before any physical work begins is the...
Read More
An office fitout is a comprehensive process to improve the layout and functionality of a workplace, while furniture installation is the physical assembly and positioning of pieces. A fitout focuses on the strategic environment, whereas installation ensures the furniture is...
Read More
A complete office fitout includes all work required to make a space functional, including initial design, planning, construction, and the installation of furniture, fixtures, and equipment. The process ensures the environment meets business needs and all health and safety requirements....
Read More
Kneeling chairs work by distributing body weight between the pelvis and lower legs to reduce spinal stress and encourage an upright posture. They are most effective for users looking to reduce back pain and improve circulation during work. These chairs...
Read More
Mailroom storage uses pigeon hole units and sorting ledges for the distribution of mail and consumables, while general office storage employs vertical, lateral, and multi-drawer cabinets for document archiving. The primary distinction is that mailroom storage is built for temporary...
Read More
Staff lockers improve workplace morale, productivity, and security by providing employees with a dedicated space for personal belongings. They reduce office clutter and enhance employee retention by creating a more professional and employee-friendly environment. The specific benefits of locker installation...
Read More
Glass partitions maximise light and connectivity, whereas partitioning walls provide higher levels of privacy and noise reduction. The choice depends on whether the priority is visual openness or acoustic and visual separation. The decision between glass and partitioning walls depends...
Read More
An office design and fitout brief should include clearly defined goals and objectives, a set budget, and requirements for improving workflows and client impressions. Every business has different needs, so the brief must be tailored to specific operational requirements rather...
Read More
Partitioning walls and cubicle walls made from sound absorbing materials provide the best acoustic privacy. Partitioning walls are the most effective permanent solution for reducing noise levels in a commercial office. The effectiveness of any partition depends on its height...
Read More
A reception desk is typically a comprehensive workstation designed for front-of-house staff, while a reception counter often refers to specialized, high-impact pieces like the Stone Reception Counter. The primary difference lies in the balance between staff utility and aesthetic material...
Read More
Determine your boardroom table size by first deducting 900mm to 1,200mm of clearance from the room perimeter. Then allocate 600 to 750mm of table edge per person based on the meeting duration and equipment requirements. The most common specification mistake...
Read More
The provided context does not specify if staff can remain in the workplace during a fitout. It does state that fitouts are frequently used to refurbish existing office spaces to improve layout and functionality. Professional commercial fitout specialists are essential...
Read More
Furnishing a meeting room depends on the intended use, whether it is a formal boardroom, a flexible team meeting space, or an informal huddle room. Each requires different priorities, ranging from prestige timber veneer tables for leadership to stackable chairs...
Read More
Fire-resistant filing cabinets are worth the investment if you store important documents that require protection during an emergency. They provide a necessary layer of safety and security for critical business records. The requirement for fireproofing depends on the criticality of...
Read More
The priority should be the quality of the manufacturer and the reliability of the supplier rather than the country of origin. Purchasing directly from a manufacturer can reduce costs and allow for custom furniture tailored to specific office conditions. The...
Read More
Boardroom tables should include recessed or pop-up power and data modules featuring HDMI and USB-C connectivity. These must be integrated with recessed cable channels that route directly to floor boxes or wall plates. Technology integration must be decided at the...
Read More
The provided context does not specify the exact differences between dealership and standard office furniture. However, both require commercial grade specifications to withstand high daily usage and maintain durability over time. The primary distinction for any business furniture is whether...
Read More
Dealership furniture consists of purpose-built furniture and fitout solutions designed specifically for automotive dealership showrooms across Australia. Progressive Office manages the entire process from design and manufacture to storage and installation to ensure consistent quality across all network locations. For...
Read More
The provided documentation does not specifically detail the reconfiguration of demountable office partitions. It does note that selecting compact and easily rearranged furniture is essential for maintaining space efficiency in small office environments. The ability to rearrange furniture and optimise...
Read More
The provided information does not specify whether office partitions require council approval or building permits in Victoria. Progressive Office focuses on the supply, design, and professional installation of Australian made partitions across Melbourne. What types of office partitions are available?...
Read More
Select chairs based on the intended duration of meetings and the level of formality, choosing adjustable conference or mid-back chairs for long sessions and side chairs for short visits. The choice between swivel castors and static sled bases depends on...
Read More
An ergonomic office chair must provide customised support through adjustable seat height, seat depth, and lumbar support. Key features include adjustable armrests, backrest recline, and breathable mesh materials to reduce body strain. Selecting a chair based on specific adjustability points...
Read More
Office partitions in Melbourne start from as low as $150. Total costs depend on whether the project requires individual desk dividers or larger free standing wall partitions. The final expenditure is determined by the specific privacy and acoustic requirements of...
Read More
Filing cabinets should be lockable to ensure that important documents are kept safe and secure. The provided context does not contain information regarding whether cabinets should be mobile or fixed. The selection of a filing cabinet depends on the volume...
Read More
Custom or bespoke office furniture is created through a process of custom manufacturing, 3D rendering, and CAD space planning. This ensures the final pieces meet specific space and people requirements without design misunderstandings. The process spans from initial conceptual design...
Read More
Vertical filing cabinets are tall and slender units, while lateral filing cabinets are wider. The choice between them depends on the available office floor space and the total volume of documents requiring storage. The primary difference is the footprint and...
Read More
Choose desk dividers for an affordable, low-commitment visual barrier or partitioning walls for a permanent solution that increases privacy and reduces noise levels. The choice depends on your budget and whether you require acoustic separation or simple visual privacy. The...
Read More
National dealership networks maintain consistency by using a single supplier to manage the production, storage, distribution, and installation of furniture across all locations. This centralised model ensures identical product quality and specifications at every site. Centralised inventory management is the...
Read More
Progressive Office manages the fitout process through in-house CAD space planning, the supply of a wide range of commercial furniture including Australian-made options, and professional installation. They deliver to business premises and provide pre-set up packages directly to residential addresses...
Read More
Client-facing spaces require a combination of durable reception desks and comfortable seating such as sofas or lounge chairs. The selection must balance aesthetic style with high quality materials to withstand heavy commercial use. The specific furniture choice depends on the...
Read More
The best choice depends on the item and timeline, with standard stock suited for quick turnarounds, direct importers for bulk single-category orders, and custom furniture for specific spatial requirements. Coordinating multiple supply sources often creates gaps in warranty support and...
Read More
Hospitality-grade furniture is built to withstand heavy and frequent use in commercial environments while maintaining guest comfort and style. It typically incorporates reinforced materials like glass fibre or UV stabilised polypropylene to ensure longevity in high-traffic settings. The primary requirement...
Read More
The provided text does not specify particular materials for partitions, but it distinguishes between affordable desk dividers and more permanent partitioning walls. The selection depends on whether the business requires a temporary budget option or a permanent solution for noise...
Read More