How To Choose A School Furniture Supplier

Buying school furniture is no longer as simple as opening a catalog and making a phone call. There are ever-evolving product options, co-ops and contracts to shop through, bids to offer, and an Internet full of suppliers to choose from. This is why it’s worth the time to choose the best supplier for your needs. Here are some pointers to help you get started.

Establish a vision for your space, and make sure your supplier understands it. This will make the process easier for both of you, and you are more likely to be satisfied with the result. Your company should be able to help you plan your space. Can they help you design a layout, choose products that work, and offer CAD drawings to show you what it will look like? It’s also crucial that your supplier be able to offer multiple quotes throughout the process for different tiers of layouts.

For you to make the best choices for your furniture, your supplier will need to have plenty of options—products that meet standards, a wide range of price points, and reliable inventory. Do they offer purchasing programs like co-ops and contracts? This will save you time and money.

Your supplier’s job is not finished when the purchase has been made. The company you choose should see the project through to completion. This includes delivery and installation. Their work is not over until your space is usable.

A good supplier will not just sell you furniture—they will guide you through the entire purchasing process, from research and pricing to delivery and installation. In some ways, choosing a supplier can be the most important part of your purchase; find a good one, and it can feel like they are doing the work for you, culminating in a learning environment you love.

This article originally appeared in the School Planning & Management July/August 2018 issue of Spaces4Learning.

About the Author

Angela Webb is director of Sales at School Outfitters. She can be reached at 866/619-5311 or [email protected].

Featured

  • Rice University to Build New Student Life Complex

    Rice University in Houston, Texas, recently announced that a groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Moody Center Complex for Student Life (MCCSL) will take place on May 8, 2025, according to a university news release. The 75,000-square-foot facility was designed by architecture firm Olson Kundig with Page serving as executive architect, and it has an estimated completion date of fall 2027.

  • Boosting Student Wellness and Safety Through Indoor-Outdoor School Spaces

    Engaging students through facilities designed for indoor and outdoor learning and activities reflects a growing awareness of how children learn and thrive, with educators recognizing the importance of getting outside and disconnecting from technology. And, as today’s youth grapple with the urgent mental health crisis of increased anxiety and loneliness fueled by both the pandemic and technology, along with a related crisis in youth physical health, the wellness benefits of getting outside have never been so palpable.

  • Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine has been recognized with an EDS 2025 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • Active Learning Classroom

    Striking a Balance: The Keys to Renovating Science Education Buildings for the 21st Century

    The recent renovation of the Durham Science Center at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) provides a roadmap for facilities managers tasked with balancing budget constraints, modern pedagogical demands, and long-term sustainability.

Digital Edition