Creating a home office is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. With the continued rise of hybrid and remote working, professionals across the UK are rethinking how and where they work. The traditional office is being replaced by more flexible workspaces, including compact home setups tailored to personal productivity and comfort.
However, designing a home office that supports your workflow and looks good doesn’t have to involve a large investment. While high-street showrooms and design catalogues might suggest otherwise, there are smarter, more sustainable ways to create a professional environment from home—starting with used office furniture.
At The Office Chair Man, we’ve helped thousands of customers across the UK furnish their homes and offices with top-tier, refurbished furniture that performs like new but costs significantly less. Our carefully curated and restored stock of premium chairs, desks, and storage solutions provides the foundation for ergonomic and stylish workspaces—on a budget.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to transform your space into a functional, inspiring home office using high-quality second-hand furniture. From planning and budgeting to sourcing and maintaining your furniture, this article offers everything you need to know to set up a workspace that’s kind to your wallet and your wellbeing.
Buying used office furniture can save you up to 70%—and still get you ergonomic features, long-lasting materials, and unique design touches.
Start by taking stock of what you’re working with. Not everyone has a spare room to convert into a study, and that’s perfectly fine. Many effective home offices are built into corners of bedrooms, under stairs, or in open-plan living areas.
Consider the following:
Your job role should dictate what furniture you need. A graphic designer may require more surface area and dual monitors. A writer might need more emphasis on comfort and silence. A virtual assistant may need extra storage for paperwork and tech accessories.
Ask yourself:
A modest investment in ergonomic furniture can pay for itself quickly through increased productivity and reduced physical discomfort. That said, setting budget boundaries from the outset helps avoid overspending.
A basic breakdown might look like:
While tempting, avoid buying the cheapest options new. High-quality used furniture often outperforms budget flat-pack alternatives in both comfort and lifespan.
Write down the furniture and accessories you absolutely need. For most people, these essentials include:
If your budget is tight, you can add non-essentials later once your core setup is complete.
Refurbished office furniture typically costs 30% to 70% less than its brand-new counterparts. This allows you to access furniture designed for the rigours of commercial use—built to last a decade or more—at prices that rival disposable alternatives.
Investing in used doesn’t mean settling. You’ll likely be buying higher-grade items for less money, compared to budget furniture with shorter lifespans and weaker materials.
Used office furniture is the eco-conscious choice. Each year, thousands of tonnes of commercial furniture are discarded in the UK—most of it perfectly reusable. By choosing second-hand, you help reduce demand for new manufacturing and extend the life cycle of quality goods.
This reduction in landfill waste, transport emissions, and raw material consumption contributes directly to environmental conservation—something more consumers and businesses are prioritising.
Office furniture built for professional use is typically manufactured to higher standards than residential or flat-pack equivalents. Brands like Herman Miller, Steelcase, and RH Logic use durable materials such as aircraft-grade aluminium, industrial mesh, and moulded foam.
By purchasing used, you gain access to craftsmanship and ergonomic design features that would be prohibitively expensive when bought new.
Used furniture also brings a layer of uniqueness to your workspace. Instead of mass-produced, one-style-fits-all desks and chairs, you can find classic designs, unusual finishes, and retro-inspired pieces that bring personality into your home office.
This is especially important in creative industries, where the aesthetic of your workspace can influence mood and mindset.
Specialist retailers like The Office Chair Man refurbish furniture to a high standard, often replacing worn parts, reupholstering fabric, and ensuring all moving components function like new. This provides a much safer and more reliable purchase than buying used privately.
Key advantages include:
Whether you’re buying from a showroom or a second-hand dealer, always inspect:
Even small faults like a missing screw or a stiff gas lift can become major frustrations during daily use.
Your desk should support your posture, your equipment, and the tasks you perform daily. Consider:
Budget range: £75–£200 for a high-quality second-hand model.
Perhaps the most critical element of your setup. A good chair protects your back, neck, and shoulders throughout the day. Key features to look for:
Avoid dining chairs, stools, or decorative options for prolonged work. Budget £100–£300 for a fully adjustable refurbished chair.
Keeping your workspace organised boosts mental clarity and efficiency. Think vertically when space is limited.
Plan storage around your actual usage—avoid buying more than you need.
Natural light is best, but supplement it with:
Functionality doesn’t mean sacrificing personality. A thoughtfully designed workspace should reflect your personal style while encouraging focus and creativity.
Upcycle used furniture for a completely custom look:
These upgrades cost little but make your space feel like your own.
Always deep clean used furniture before use:
Routine cleaning maintains a fresh, professional workspace.
Even used furniture can last for years if properly cared for.
A functional, comfortable, and stylish home office doesn’t have to cost a fortune. By choosing used office furniture, you’re not only saving money—you’re investing in quality, reducing your environmental impact, and creating a space tailored to your individual work needs.
At The Office Chair Man, we believe that every professional—whether a freelancer, remote employee, or business owner—deserves access to well-crafted, ergonomic furniture. Our wide range of refurbished chairs, desks, and storage units provides exceptional value without compromising on comfort or design.
With the right approach and guidance, furnishing your home office on a budget becomes not only achievable but enjoyable. Explore your options, prioritise your essentials, and build a workspace that supports both your performance and your wellbeing.
Let us help you make it happen.
Explore expertly refurbished collaborative and breakout furniture and create a comfortable, professional workspace for less!
Yes, it absolutely can be—provided it’s sourced from a reputable supplier. Unlike budget furniture often designed for light, occasional use, most office-grade furniture is built to withstand heavy daily usage in corporate environments. Refurbished office furniture, particularly chairs and desks from brands like Steelcase, Herman Miller, and RH Logic, are known for their longevity.
At The Office Chair Man, we inspect, clean, and restore every piece before resale to ensure full functionality and a long service life. Many of our customers have used our refurbished chairs and desks for five years or more with minimal maintenance.
A complete, high-quality setup can be achieved for as little as £250–£600 depending on your needs. Here’s a typical breakdown:
| Item | Price Range (Used, Approx.) |
| Ergonomic Chair | £100 – £300 |
| Desk (Standard/Sit-Stand) | £75 – £200 |
| Storage (Pedestal/Bookcase) | £40 – £100 |
| Lighting & Accessories | £30 – £100 |
This is a fraction of the cost you’d expect to pay for equivalent items new—especially when dealing with high-end office-grade furniture.
A good home office chair should have the following:
Chairs lacking these features may look appealing but can lead to discomfort or injury over time. It’s worth prioritising these attributes over aesthetics.
Reputable suppliers thoroughly clean and sanitise all used furniture before resale. This includes:
If buying second-hand from an individual seller or online marketplace, you may want to clean the furniture yourself using antibacterial sprays, fabric-safe disinfectants, or steam cleaners.
Yes, adjustable sit-stand desks are increasingly available on the used market. These may be manual crank-operated or electronically powered. Refurbished electric models often undergo motor testing to ensure smooth height transitions.
Keep in mind:
Purchasing from a refurbisher means you’re more likely to get a tested and guaranteed product.
At The Office Chair Man, we only sell refurbished furniture. That means it has undergone a full quality control process—including any necessary part replacements—to ensure comfort, safety, and functionality.
Absolutely. In fact, many buyers choose to add personal flair to their used furniture:
These low-cost personalisations can enhance both style and comfort—without sacrificing budget.
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The Office Chairman where we combine over 25 years of experience in supplying only the highest quality recycled office furniture and used office chairs. Providing remarkable customer service at exceptional value for your money.
68 St Johns Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 5AL
Combining 25 years of experience in supplying only the highest quality used office furniture and used office chairs. Providing customer service levels at exceptional value for your money.
