AOF

When you're furnishing an office, one of the first decisions you'll face is whether to buy new or second-hand furniture. At first glance, the choice can seem straightforward. Buying new gives you complete freedom over finishes, specifications and quantities. Buying second-hand can reduce the initial investment significantly. But price is only one part of the decision.

When you’re furnishing an office on a tight budget, the cheapest desk can look like the most sensible choice. After all, if one desk costs considerably less than another and they both provide somewhere to put a computer, why spend more? The answer often becomes apparent several months down the line.

A few scratches don't necessarily make a used office desk a bad investment. Equally, a spotless desktop doesn't automatically make it a good one. When buying second-hand office furniture, appearance only tells part of the story. The real question is what sits underneath.