Looking to furnish your classrooms on a budget?
As every school administrator knows, furnishing classrooms for quality furniture that students actually want to use is no small feat. The only issue? Quality school furniture isn’t cheap.
US schools spend an average of $17,277 per pupil each year. The vast majority of that goes to teacher salaries and the bare essentials for the classroom (books, pencils, paper, basic supplies). What’s left for furniture?
The problem is furniture is a big-ticket purchase. Most schools are working with limited budgets and dated furnishings that have seen better days. Schools typically spend $300-$450 per student on classroom furniture. But there are smart administrators finding ways to make their dollars go further.
This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of finding budget-friendly furniture that doesn’t sacrifice durability, comfort, or student enjoyment.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Why Quality Is Worth It
- Furniture Shopping Secrets
- The True Cost of Low Quality Furniture
- Buying New Furniture vs Refurbishment
- Working with an Educational Furniture Supplier
Why Quality Is Worth It
There’s one thing few people know…
Cheap furniture always costs more in the end.
Let’s face it. Kids are hard on furniture. Slamming desks, tipping chairs backwards, and slamming desks shut in protest of one too many math equations… classroom furniture is not intended to withstand miniature gladiators in training.
In an effort to save money, schools will frequently try to refurbish existing furniture rather than purchase new. But only if the existing furniture was made with longevity in mind.
Cheap furniture needs to be repaired all the time. Broken chair legs, cracked desk tops, wobbly tables… a thousand “little” repairs that add up quickly. Before you know it, you’re spending more money on repairs than you would have if you had just purchased quality furniture to start.
Quality furniture lasts. 15-20 years at the very least in a school environment. All of that quality is amortized over two decades of use.
When you calculate it like that, quality furniture is the more budget-friendly option.
Furniture Shopping Secrets
If you want to learn how to get quality furniture on a budget…
You need to be willing to do one simple thing.
Plan ahead.
Nearly all schools make the same mistake when it comes to furniture. They wait until the last minute to buy furniture. June rolls around, budgets have to be spent or they get cut next year, and suddenly administrators everywhere are frantically trying to buy and spend on whatever furniture is left in stock.
You know what that means? Prices are highest and selection is at its lowest.
Successful administrators plan far in advance. They begin looking for furniture in the fall and winter months when manufacturers have pre-build programs in place. These programs allow you to “pre-order” furniture at this year’s pricing in preparation for the inevitable price increases next year.
Another little trick?
Buy directly from educational furniture suppliers and not from general retailers. Educational specialists know how budget cycles work in schools and how to plan accordingly. They offer bulk discounts, extended warranties, and payment plans to make high quality furniture for schools affordable.
You should also seek out manufacturers who have gone above and beyond testing their products for durability and longevity. Classroom furniture is pushed to the limits each and every day. You want furniture that will withstand whatever is thrown at it.
The True Cost of Low Quality Furniture
Here’s a little secret…
Cheap furniture costs you much more in the long run.
Budget furniture breaks down quickly and frequently. Desk tops crack. Chair glides wear out and scratch floors. Metal components rust and break.
What does this mean for your budget?
- Replacement costs
- Floor repair bills
- Disruption to students caused by broken furniture
- Staff time to repair and maintain
One school district calculated that their budget for repairing floors damaged by cheap chair glides exceeded what they would have had to spend on quality furniture with proper floor protection.
It gets worse… another hidden cost of budget furniture is student engagement.
Uncomfortable, falling apart furniture simply impedes the learning process. Students can’t focus when they’re sitting on wobbly chairs and writing on desk tops that look like they’ve been hit with a sledgehammer. High quality furniture lays the foundation for a more comfortable and distraction-free learning environment.
Buying New Furniture vs Refurbishment
Still not sure if you should buy new furniture or refurbish what you have?
Let’s help you out.
Refurbish when:
- The frame structure is solid
- Only superficial components need replacement
- The furniture is less than 15 years old
- You have ultra-tight budget constraints
Buy new when:
- Frame damage or instability is present
- Furniture is over 20 years old
- Refurbishment costs exceed 60% of the new furniture cost
- New technology needs are required
The key is an honest evaluation of your current stock. Resist the temptation to try and save a few dollars here and there by patching up furniture that is long past its prime. You will end up spending more money in the long run.
Working with an Educational Furniture Supplier
Working with a school furniture supplier isn’t as simple as choosing the first one you find online.
Selecting a school furniture supplier is serious business. You need partners who understand the school environment. Not just from an academic perspective but in a budgetary and scheduling way too.
Look for a supplier who offers the following:
- Extended warranties (12 years or more)
- Bulk purchase discounts
- Summer delivery programs
- Flexible payment terms
- Product testing certification
Educational furniture suppliers typically have programs that are specifically designed for schools on tight budgets. They understand that you need to furnish your classrooms with high quality furniture that fits within your budget, not luxury items with five figure markups.
The best suppliers are flexible and work with you to find furniture solutions that fit your budget without sacrificing quality. They may offer phased replacement programs or help you identify which pieces must be replaced immediately and what can wait a little longer.
Making Your Budget Work Harder
There are some key ways to make your furniture budget go further. The key is prioritizing the items students use every day the most.
Focus on the essentials first:
Student seating. Ergonomic, comfortable chairs make the biggest impact on learning and should be the first place you focus your spending.
Desk surfaces. Students need stable, long-lasting work surfaces. Look for materials that can withstand scratches, stains, and the everyday wear and tear of the classroom.
Storage solutions. Good storage can make or break a classroom environment. Consider storage options that will keep your spaces organized and make the most of learning time.
Then apply these budget-stretching strategies:
- Multi-functional furniture that has several uses
- Modular pieces that can be reconfigured for different classroom layouts
- Mobile furniture that can be moved between spaces
- Color coordination that creates visual flow without custom painting costs
Get Started
Budget-friendly furniture doesn’t have to be cheap. It does require smart shopping and looking for the most value you can for every dollar spent.
The first step in the right direction? Assess your current furniture with an honest eye. What furniture is in dire need of replacement? What furniture can be refurbished? What furniture can wait another year?
Next, contact an educational furniture supplier who is sympathetic to your struggles. Request quotes on both new furniture and refurbishment costs. Compare the total cost of ownership, not just the initial out of pocket costs.
The prices won’t get any lower, but quality furniture will serve your students for the next two decades.
Final Thoughts
Functional and comfortable learning spaces don’t require unlimited budgets. It just requires smart planning, working with quality suppliers, and focusing on the long-term value.
Quality furniture is an investment in your students’ success. When your students have comfortable, high quality furniture, they can focus on the learning at hand rather than being distracted by broken and uncomfortable seating.
The trick? Finding educational furniture suppliers who understand your budget restraints and can help you make educated choices. Don’t let tight budgets force you into false economy purchases that will end up costing you more money over time.
Plan ahead now for next year’s furniture needs. Your students – and your budget – will thank you.
