Tips for Your Agency > Office

Furniture
Whether you are buying or discarding furniture, follow these tips to minimize waste and save money.

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When purchasing furniture:

• Make sure to buy durable, long-lasting, classic items that will not damage easily if your office relocates, and will remain in style over time.

• Consider leasing furniture so that the manufacturer or retailer is responsible for reuse, recycling, or disposal at the end of the lease.

• Ask suppliers about used or remanufactured furniture; prices for quality, remanufactured furniture typically range from 30 to 50 percent less than new furniture.

• Contact the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), Office of Surplus Activities (OSA) at (212) 669-8550 to obtain surplus items relinquished by other City Agencies.

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When discarding furniture:

• Contact the DCAS Office of Surplus Activities (212-669-8550) to donate usable items for reuse by other City Agencies.

• Donate usable furniture to charitable organizations. Before donating items, City Agencies must follow procedures for relinquishment of City property.

• Recycle damaged metal furniture. Large items that are at least 50 percent metal are required to be recycled in NYC.

• If wooden furniture is too damaged for repair or refurbishing, recycle it by contacting a wood broker to determine if it can be used as scrap wood for mulch, fuel, or other uses. NY WasteMatch, a materials broker in New York, can help your Agency find a local recycler.  Tips For Your Agency

Choosing Dorm Room Computer Desks

Students need a quiet place where they can study and focus. A good computer desk can give you that space, as well as storage for your computer, software and school supplies. A student's needs are a bit different than those of a person looking for a home office computer desk, however. Here are some features to focus on when looking for a computer workstation for your dorm room.

Choosing a Computer Desk:

1. Eye-level monitor stands: Those long hours sitting in front of your computer screen can put a strain on your neck and shoulders if the monitor is in the wrong position. Look for computer desks with raised monitor platforms or add a monitor stand to lift the screen into an elevated position above the computer desk surface.
   
2. Elevating computer-tower stand: Letting your desktop computer tower rest on the floor will let a lot of dust accumulate in the case, creating component-damaging heat build-up. You can extend the life and performance of your computer by choosing a computer desk with a built-in computer tower stand that lifts the tower off of the floor. Be sure that the stand provides plenty of ventilation for fans that cool your computer.
   
3. Computer desks for compact spaces: Dorm rooms aren't known for large open spaces. Make the most of the room you have with a more compact computer desk. A corner computer desk could be perfect for using your space efficiently. If you need something even smaller, you might consider a computer table or mobile computer workstation that you can roll away when it's not in use.
   
4. Additional storage: A good computer desk can really help you get your school supplies, textbooks and electronics organized. Look for a computer workstation with multiple shelves, cabinets and room for media storage.
   
5. Keyboard and mouse trays: Your keyboard and mouse can take up desk space that can be used for other things, and the desktop may not be the most ergonomic position for you to type on. A computer desk with an adjustable keyboard tray and mouse platform will let you customize the position of your keyboard and mouse to fit you.Choosing Dorm Room Computers Desks
   

What to Look for in a Laptop Desk

Laptops have become a part of life. You can now take your computer on the road, to school, to work and even on vacations. If you plan to take your laptop computer with you when you travel but also have a workstation in a home office, then a laptop desk can be a lifesaver. Knowing what to look for in a laptop desk can help you pick the one that's perfect for you and your home office.

Buying a Laptop Desk:

1. Wheels: Is it mobile? Does it need to be? Some laptop desks are designed with wheels. This can be a plus or a minus, depending on your personal work style. If you're a fidgeter who's always tapping and twitching, then a mobile station may not be your best bet (it will always be rolling away from you). If your style is to sit down when the mood strikes and work till you're done, then a rolling station might be perfect. A laptop stand with wheels allows you to easily move your home office from one room to another; if inspiration strikes in the living room, you can set up there. If it hits in kitchen, you're still good to go.
   
2. Clamps: Some laptop desks are uniquely designed to attach to existing furniture. If you like to create a workspace wherever you need one rather than committing a spot on your table to your computer, then this is the solution for you. Instead of clearing your entire desk, you can simply clear enough space to attach your laptop desk and get to work.
   
3. Foldability: Portable and semi-portable laptop desks are designed to be folded up and put away when they're not in use. If you work in fits and starts, needing a desk one week and open space the next, then consider a folding laptop desk. When assembled, it acts as a regular desk. When you're done, simply fold it up and tuck it away until you're ready to work again.
   
4. Shelves: If you're setting up a more permanent home office, it's worth investing in a laptop desk with shelves, drawers and even cupboards. You can find laptop desks in every color and configuration imaginable, so you're sure to find the right laptop desk for your situation.
   

When you're moving to a new residence, king beds are often some of the last items you want to pack, but moving king beds doesn't have to be an excruciating ordeal. The moving process will be slightly different whether you have platform beds, storage beds, a canopy bed, sleigh bed or another model of king-size bed, but there are a few things you can do to make moving king beds a bit easier. Don't let moving your king-size bed become a hassle; follow these tips to make it as easy as possible.

Moving King Beds:

1. Move the mattress and box spring. A king-size mattress can be a bit heavy. However, with the help of one or two people, you shouldn't have too much trouble moving it out of the house. The average door in an American home is 80 inches tall. Considering king-size mattresses are 80 inches by 76 inches, you shouldn't have to force it through any doorways. A California king mattress is too long to fit through the door standing up, but it is only 72 inches wide. Some beds, like platform beds, don't come with a box spring. If your bed does come with a box spring, it is usually very light and shouldn't be a problem aside from being a bit awkward and bulky to carry. To save space, the mattress and box spring can easily be placed on their sides, standing up, inside a moving van.
   
2. Disassemble the bed frame. Trying to move most king bed frames without disassembly is going to be very difficult, especially if the bed has a king headboard. When you buy king beds, make sure to keep the assembly directions so you know how to do it in reverse. With some basic tools, you shouldn't have too much trouble. If you have a storage king bed, make sure to empty all the drawers and remove them from the frame. You'll want to replace the empty drawers in the moving van to give extra support to the frame, but it will be lighter to carry outside without them.
   
3. Wrap it and pack it. After you get it outside, wrap the bed frame completely in blankets to prevent scratching, especially if you have a wooden bed frame. You can secure the blankets over the king bed frame with duct tape. Once you arrive at your location, just repeat these steps in reverse.
   

Buy King Beds

Any living room can be granted that finishing touch simply by adding a side table to two. Placing a side table against one end of a couch or between the two ends of your living room sofas can quickly tie together your home furniture. However, end tables aren't just a living room accessory; they can help enrich your entire home. Next time you shop for end tables, don't just stop at the living room. There are many other places in your home for end tables. Here are some ideas to get you started on a full-out end table assault on your house.

Decorating with Side Tables:

1. Living room: The living room can't be ignored as the premier room for side tables. Try some end tables at the sides of your couches. If you still haven't had enough, place a round end table toward the center of the room for drinks, decorations and reading materials.
   
2. Family room: Side tables work just as well for the sofas and armchairs in your family room as the ones in your living room. In addition to the standard side tables, make sure you have coffee tables for your family room. Also, the family room is a great place to get coasters to protect your assorted end tables from drinks.
   
3. Hallway: The hallway might not come immediately to mind, but it can be a great place for an end table. If you have a wide hallway, find a tall, long side table to act as a sofa table. Place a few decorations on it, and it can add some class to your hallway.
   
4. Bedroom: Instead of some bedside cabinets, place a console table on each side of your bed. It's quite a bit simpler than a night stand and will give you a surface for your glasses, alarm clock or favorite book.
   
5. Bathroom: If you have a large enough bathroom, get a glass accent table to place against the wall or in the corner. Accent tables will help grant the bathroom a sleek atmosphere. Plus, you can use it to hold reading materials or any other bathroom items you don't want cluttering the countertop or the drawers.
   

Buy Coffee, Sofa and End Tables