Purchasing guide: Choosing your storage cabinet with Manutan

How do you choose storage furniture for your business? As the world of work is transforming, there are many solutions available today to adapt to new uses. Follow the steps to define your selection criteria and priorities in order to choose cabinets and other shelving furniture at prices that suit your budget. We also present the advantages of the Manutan range, which has been specially designed to meet the constraints of workspaces in all types of business sectors. 

What steps should you take to properly furnish your workspaces? 

There are many factors to consider when choosing storage cabinets for your company, both when installing them and when adapting them to changes. As a decision maker, make sure you follow a proper process to create a pleasant and safe workspace for your employees. 

Choose materials according to location 

Metal is a resistant material, which is used to manufacture safety cabinets, for example. A metal cabinet can withstand accidental collisions, for example in a place where transport trolleys pass through. Safety cabinets guarantee a high level of security for sensitive objects and documents. 

Wood helps to make a working environment more welcoming. It is used primarily to furnish spaces that receive the public as well as communal areas. It is also suitable for offices, helping to create a setting that resembles the interior design of homes. 

Plastic is widely used in the manufacture of professional storage furniture and is both resistant and durable. Plastic storage cabinets can be adapted to various locations: offices, storage areas, etc. 

Many manufacturers, concerned about the environmental impact of their products, are now using recycled plastics and metals in order to make more environmentally friendly furniture. 

Each material has its own technical and aesthetic benefits. Their cost will also be a factor in your choice. Establish priorities in order to better define a price limit for your future office furniture. 

Adapt to the available space 

The layout of a room is based on its size and function. Start by gathering information on the dimensions of the premises and existing furniture in cm. Don’t forget to take note of the dimensions of the entrances, to be sure you can fit the furniture in. 

The layout must also accommodate the new uses of office spaces. For example, open spaces should be furnished in an open-plan way to make it easier to move around. Storage cabinets for communal supplies should be easily accessible and not interfere with the people in close proximity. 

To free up floor space, high cabinets are preferable. Low cabinets, with doors or drawers, serve two purposes. They are used to store equipment and supplies and allow items to be placed on top, which may be decorative or intended for frequent use. 

The choice of the type of cabinet or cupboard doors is also important. Sufficient space must be available to open an office cabinet with conventional doors. Other alternatives, such as sliding doors or curtains, allow space to be optimised. 

Identify the type of supplies that need to be stored 

By discussing with your employees the items that need to be stored, you can gather valuable information for selecting the right storage cabinet options: 

• To ensure confidentiality, sensitive documents should be stored in furniture with a lock, code, or padlock; 

• It is also necessary to know the size of the products for storage in order to determine the depth of the cabinets; 
• 180° opening doors make it easier to handle bulky items; 
• Telescopic frames are specially designed for the storage of suspension files; 
• Cabinet shelves have a maximum load capacity that must be respected. 

Identify the amount of storage space required 

Whether you are relocating or setting up for the first time, the dimensions of the supplies can be difficult to assess. Take the time to consult with future users of the storage space to find out how much space is needed to optimise their working conditions. 

If you work in an organisation where records are largely paperless, keep in mind that there will always be paper documents that need to be kept for legal purposes. 

Finally, think ahead by considering backup solutions when the layout of the premises is likely to change regularly. An ideal supplement to storage cabinets, office trolleys are a functional storage solution and are designed to make life in the workplace easier. On wheels, with shelves, drawers, or even baskets, these trolleys are a valuable asset for office life. 

Organise your professional spaces with the Manutan storage range 

Manutan has developed a range of storage solutions specially adapted to the professional environment and its changing requirements. Its range of storage cabinets, bookcases, and trolleys is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of business sectors. 

Storage cabinets 

Storage cabinets are available in a variety of models in order to respond to the layout challenges of companies. This range offers a choice of sizes, prices, locking mechanisms, materials, and installation systems. 

Cabinets are divided into two main categories: high (on average 195 cm high) or low (on average 75 cm high). The high cabinets are available in widths of 92.5 cm, 100 cm, 120 cm, and 160 cm for the extra-large model. 

Aside from traditional hinged doors, curtain doors provide an attractive way of closing furniture. Curtain cabinets can also be used as a bookcase by leaving the curtains open. Finally, both sliding doors and curtains save space compared to hinged doors. The disadvantage of sliding doors is that they do not allow the cabinet to be fully opened, like with hinged or curtain doors. 

Manutan offers several materials and colours for its storage cabinets. Different shades of wood are available to match the current trends. It is also possible to opt for a sleek design with glass doors. 

These cabinets are available in two types of structure. Single unit storage cabinets, made entirely of metal, are sturdy and stable. They can withstand heavy loads and are highly resistant to all kinds of environments. They are delivered already assembled. Therefore, measure the door frames in cm before you buy. Demountable cabinets are delivered as kits. They are made of metal, wood, or plastic and must be assembled on site. Regardless of the size of the doorways in your premises, you can easily move this type of furniture around. 

Office bookcases 

Bookcases are timeless pieces of office storage furniture. The hinged door bookcase combines easily accessible shelves at the top with hinged doors at the bottom. These doors make it possible to hide certain documents from the view of visitors and even to protect them with a built-in lock. 

The bookcase is also available in a low model with a height of 72 cm. The low bookcase offers a direct view of its contents and acts as a side unit, thanks to its 80 cm wide and 46 cm deep top shelf. This shelf is ideal for the installation of a printer, for example. This type of model can easily be transformed into a low cabinet with the addition of hinged doors. 

The 80 cm wide by 80 cm high square storage unit with two drawers offers great versatility. It can be placed on the floor or fixed to the wall. 

These small office units with shelves and drawers, with or without doors, fixed or with wheels, are perfect for remote working. Indeed, Manutan has developed a range of products with sizes and prices suitable for the needs of home offices. 

Manutan, a responsible brand 

Manutan pays special attention to the environmental friendliness of every product whether the furniture itself or the additional accessories. Manutan brand storage cabinets and office furniture are designed to meet a number of environmentally friendly criteria: 

• Recycled and/or recyclable packaging; 
• Recycled and/or recyclable materials; 
• Wood from responsibly managed forests; 
• Products are manufactured primarily in Europe. 

These products are also subject to rigorous selection and testing to ensure the highest quality. The products are tested by Manutan’s teams in the short, medium, and long term. Finally, we are committed to offering our products at fair prices, in line with the quality and durability of our furniture. 

  

By choosing storage furniture that is adapted to the needs of your employees and their environment, you capitalise on ‘Well-working’, which is a source of productivity for your company. Discover our ‘Office Furniture’ and ‘Cupboards and Cabinets‘ ranges to access our wide range of storage solutions.