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The Costs of Poor Office Furniture: How Investing in Quality Refurbished Options Is the Smarter Choice For SMEs

Ida Gorecka • March 17, 2025

If you're running an SME, every spend counts. Whether you're launching a startup, expanding your team, or updating your workspace, office furniture plays a key role in daily operations. But here's what you should know - not all office furniture is created equal.


Cutting corners on furniture might seem like a smart way to save money upfront, but poor-quality pieces can cost you far more in the long run. In fact, substandard office environments cost the UK economy approximately £4 billion annually in lost output. Investing in high-quality refurbished office furniture is a smarter, cost-effective solution. It's better for your budget, enhances productivity, supports employee well-being, and aligns with sustainability goals.


Let's break down how cheap new furniture silently drains your budget, while quality refurbished pieces deliver returns year after year.

The Hidden Costs of Cheap Office Furniture

1. You’ll Spend More on Replacements


The ‘fast furniture’ trend promotes cheap, disposable products, creating endless buying cycles. Many low-cost office items use cheaper materials like particleboard and low-grade plastics from unsustainable sources. These aren't built to last, resulting in wobbly desks, cracked chairs, and peeling surfaces within just a few years-sometimes even sooner.



What seems like a bargain initially-like a £80 office chair-often leads to frequent replacements, ultimately costing more than investing in quality refurbished or modular alternatives. Higher-quality, sustainable office furniture features replaceable components and recyclable materials, reducing both long-term costs and environmental harm.

2. Productivity and Employee Health Take a Hit


Your team spends 35+ hours per week at their desks. If their chairs are uncomfortable or their desks are too small, it directly impacts productivity and well-being. Uncomfortable chairs, desks at the wrong height, and poorly designed workspaces cause real physical strain. 


According to Forbes, workers using poorly designed chairs experience a 17% drop in efficiency due to discomfort and back pain.

Investing in ergonomic, premium refurbished office furniture can improve employee well-being, reduce sick days, and boost efficiency.


Stop settling for less-reach out to our team at Coggin SOS for affordable, premium refurbished furniture that keeps your team at their best.

3. Your Brand Image Suffers


Imagine bringing a new client into your office. If they see wobbly desks, peeling veneers, and mismatched chairs, what message does that send? 


Your office space reflects your business. Clients, partners, and even potential hires take notice of worn-out, mismatched, or cheap-looking furniture. If your workspace looks neglected, it can send the wrong message about your professionalism and attention to detail.


Refurbished office furniture allows you to create a stylish, professional space without breaking the bank.


Find out why now is the perfect time to upgrade your office furniture and how your business can benefit from premium refurbished office chairs and desks.

Why Refurbished Office Furniture is the Smarter Choice for SMEs

1. Save 50-80% Without Compromising Quality


Refurbished office furniture allows you to access top-tier brands at a fraction of the price. Instead of overspending on lower-quality, mass-produced furniture that wears out quickly, you can invest in durable, expertly restored pieces that look and function like new-without the hefty price tag.


At Coggin SOS, we specialise in sourcing and refurbishing premium office furniture from leading manufacturers, ensuring you get long-lasting, high-quality desks, chairs, and storage solutions. Get in touch with our team to explore your options.


2. Customisation to Fit Your Brand


Unlike generic budget furniture, refurbished pieces can be tailored to match your company’s aesthetics and needs.

At Coggin SOS, we offer:


  • Desk resizing - Need a perfect fit? We resize desks to your exact measurements, maximising your space.
  • Fabric & finish choices - Match your brand with a wide range of colours, materials, and styles.
  • Reupholstery & refinishing - Refresh chairs, partitions, and storage to look as good as new.


Still not sure if refurbished office furniture is right for you? Read this article to find out more.

3. Scalability Without the Stress


If you’re growing, refurbished office furniture offers flexibility. At Coggin SOS, we make growing your workspace simple and stress-free:



  • Bulk availability - We stock large quantities of high-quality refurbished furniture, ensuring consistency across your office.
  • Modular & reconfigurable solutions - We provide adaptable workstations and storage that evolve with your business, reducing future costs.
  • 10-Day turnaround - No long lead times. Our refurbished pieces are ready to go, helping you scale quickly to meet demand.

4. Sustainability Matters (And Your Customers Care)


ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors are now essential business considerations. Today's consumers, investors, and employees expect companies to demonstrate genuine commitment to sustainable practices.


Your office furniture choices directly impact your environmental footprint and reflect your company's values. By choosing refurbished furniture, you demonstrate a visible commitment to reducing waste and conserving resources-something that resonates with clients, partners, and team members.


At Coggin SOS, we don't just touch on sustainability, we help you quantify it. Every sustainable choice with us is captured in an exclusive savings certificate, showing:


  • Items kept from landfill
  • Carbon savings
  • Material recycling rates
  • Money saved versus buying new


You can use this certificate to show customers, staff and stakeholders your commitment to sustainability, strengthen tender applications, and prove your green credentials.

Make the Best Choice for Your Business and Start Saving Today

Can you afford to keep losing money on disposable furniture? Investing in quality refurbished pieces elevates your workspace, performance, and ESG credentials all at once. 


At Coggin SOS, we're committed to helping SMEs like yours create productive, professional workspaces without the premium price tag. Our refurbished office furniture delivers the quality, durability, and style your business deserves-all while supporting your sustainability goals and protecting your budget.


Want to stop paying the hidden tax of poor furniture choices? Get in touch.

Government Office Furniture Assets: End of Year Investment Strategy with Sustainable Options

By Ida Gorecka • March 24, 2025
The financial year-end is approaching quickly. As budgets are finalised and procurement decisions loom, that familiar "use it or lose it" pressure creates a real dilemma for procurement professionals like you. You need smart investments that deliver genuine value, not hasty purchases that waste resources. While juggling procurement frameworks, sustainability targets, and public spending oversight, you need practical options. Premium refurbished office furniture offers the ideal solution that ticks every box on your procurement checklist while helping you beat that March budget deadline. Let's take a closer look at how this office furniture strategy can turn budget pressure into a genuine win for your department.

Understanding the Circular Economy in Office Furniture: A Comprehensive Analysis

By Ida Gorecka • March 20, 2025
Did you know that the way we design, use, and dispose of old office furniture is at a crossroads? With growing environmental concerns, tightening regulations, and shifting corporate sustainability goals, businesses can no longer afford to overlook the impact of their office fit-outs. The traditional 'take-make-dispose' model is outdated - and it's costing you money.  Modern organisations are shifting toward a more sustainable model , one where office desks, chairs, and storage units are reused, refurbished , or recycled instead of ending up in landfills and polluting our environment. This approach, called the circular economy , is all about getting the most value out of materials while reducing waste and cutting carbon emissions. Find out more about the circular economy and how it relates to your business here . But how does it actually work for your business? Let's break it down.

Sustainable and Cost-Effective Office Furniture Solutions for Higher Education: Make the Most of Your March Budget

By Ida Gorecka • March 11, 2025
As March comes to a close, you’re likely looking at your remaining budget and deciding where to allocate it before the new financial year begins. Right now, educational institutions across the UK are in the same position, balancing cost-saving priorities with the need for high-quality, sustainable solutions, and meeting 2025 ESG targets . One of the smartest investments you can make right now? Refurbished office furniture . Your faculty offices, admin spaces, and student support areas are in constant use, and worn-out furniture can affect productivity, comfort, and even the professional image of your institution. But upgrading doesn’t have to mean spending big or increasing your carbon footprint. Read on to learn why refurbished office furniture is the best choice to help you save costs, streamline procurement, and contribute to your institution’s ESG goals-all while ensuring a hassle-free, high-quality solution.
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