Is Furniture Refurbishment Worth It for UK Firms? Grasping the Sustainable Workspace Revolution

Sam Coggin • April 14, 2023

Boosting Business Sustainability: Harnessing the Power of Office Furniture Refurbishment for a Greener and More Cost-Effective Workspace

The concept of sustainable living has permeated various aspects of our daily lives, and the workplace is no exception. As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of the modern world, the importance of implementing eco-friendly practices has become more apparent. One such practice is the refurbishment of internal office furniture, which promotes a sustainable work environment by extending the life of office furnishings. In this article, we will explore the significance of office seating reupholstery, desk resizing, and other refurbishment services for businesses across the UK and the benefits they provide.


The Rising Demand for Sustainable Workspaces


As the world continues to grapple with environmental challenges, businesses are increasingly taking responsibility for their impact on the environment. By focusing on sustainable practices, companies can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to the global efforts towards creating a greener future.


Refurbishing office furniture is a prime example of a sustainable practice that aligns with this objective. Instead of discarding old or worn-out furniture, companies can opt for refurbishment services that breathe new life into their workspaces while simultaneously promoting sustainability.


The Benefits of Office Furniture Refurbishment


1. Cost-Effectiveness



Refurbishing existing office furniture is often more cost-effective than purchasing new pieces. Reupholstery and resizing services require fewer resources and thus represent a cost-saving alternative for businesses looking to reduce expenses. By opting for refurbishment, companies can allocate the saved resources towards other business growth initiatives.


2. Environmental Impact Reduction


Refurbishing office furniture helps to minimise the environmental impact of producing new furniture. Manufacturing new furniture often involves the extraction of raw materials, energy-intensive processes, and the generation of waste. By reusing and refurbishing existing furniture, businesses can conserve resources and reduce their overall carbon footprint.


3. Customisation Opportunities


Refurbishment services offer businesses the opportunity to customise their office furniture to better fit their brand and aesthetic preferences. By reupholstering office seating and resizing desks, companies can create unique workspaces that reflect their values and company culture.


4. Employee Wellbeing


A well-designed, aesthetically pleasing workspace can have a positive impact on employee wellbeing and productivity. By refurbishing and customising office furniture, businesses can create a comfortable and inviting environment that fosters employee satisfaction and boosts morale.


5. Supporting Local Economy


By choosing local refurbishment services, businesses not only contribute to a sustainable work environment but also support the local economy. Hiring local craftsmen and service providers promotes job creation and helps to strengthen the community.


Conclusion


Office furniture refurbishment, including office seating reupholstery and desk resizing, offers numerous benefits for businesses in the UK. By embracing these sustainable practices, companies can significantly reduce their environmental impact, save on costs, and create unique workspaces that foster employee wellbeing. As the world continues to shift towards sustainable practices, office furniture refurbishment stands as an essential component of the eco-friendly workplace of the future.

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One Size Doesn't Fit All: The Benefits of Resizing and Repurposing Office Desks

By Ida Gorecka • September 8, 2025
Your office transformation is approved. Budget's signed off. New layout's finalised. There's just one problem: those 1600mm executive desks that worked perfectly in the old corner offices are now 400mm too wide for your new collaborative pods. The reception desk you spent £3,000 on last year? It's the wrong height entirely for your rebrand. Most facilities managers would see this as a disposal problem. Skip hire , landfill tax , 12-week lead times for replacements. But what if that's completely backwards? What if the furniture that doesn't fit isn't a problem to solve, but an asset to unlock? Every year in the UK, around 1.2 million desks and 1.8 million office chairs are sent to landfill and only 14 % of them are being reused (Source: WRAP , Lancashire Business View ). Those old, "wrong-sized" desks you're planning to skip? They can be professionally refurbished and resized to your exact specifications in 7-10 days , at 40-70% less than new , with zero waste and a 12-month warranty . This article is for facilities managers, procurement leads, and fit-out teams who want practical, product-focused solutions. You’ll see when resizing and repurposing makes sense, the savings it delivers, the compliance boxes it ticks, and how to roll it out step by step. Curious what your current desks could deliver if resized or refurbished? Book a free assessment - we’ll map options, costs, and timelines for you.

Why Paying More Isn't Always Better: The Smart Choice of Refurbished Ergonomic Chairs

By Ida Gorecka • August 19, 2025
Refitting an office today means juggling a lot: tighter budgets, faster timelines, and pressure to deliver on ESG goals. And when it comes to ergonomic chairs, the one piece of furniture an office team relies on every day, many assume paying more for “new” automatically means better. But that’s no longer true. Refurbished ergonomic chairs offer the same comfort , durability , and support as new, backed by warranties , come with less cost and with far shorter lead times . For facilities and procurement teams, that means more budget freed up for other priorities, and fewer delays holding back your project. At Coggin SOS, we work with organisations that once assumed refurbished meant second-best. Until they saw the results. High-performance, fully warranted ergonomic chairs. Fast delivery. Circular outcomes they could actually report on. And savings of up to 80% compared to new (check out our case studies here ). In this article, you’ll learn what refurbished office chairs really offer in practice, why they’re becoming a preferred option for FM teams and procurement leads, and how your next fit-out or move could be both greener and smarter than you think. Thinking about your next office project? Contact our team and see how premium refurbished ergonomic chairs can give you comfort, savings, and sustainability in one.

Beyond Recycling: The Role of Office Furniture in a Truly Sustainable Economy

By Ida Gorecka • August 7, 2025
If you're here, you're probably managing a lot. A relocation, a refurbishment, or a growing ESG brief. Maybe you’re under pressure to meet sustainability targets, stay on budget, and deliver results your team and clients can actually see. And right now, office furniture might not be on your radar. But it should be. In most organisations, furniture is still treated as an afterthought. It’s functional, it’s bulky, and when it’s no longer needed, it’s often sent straight to landfill. But here’s the truth: when you start thinking of office furniture as a strategic asset within the circular economy , everything changes. For your budget . Your carbon reporting . Your project timelines . Your reputation . This article is for you if you’re tired of defaulting to skips. If you want smarter ways to meet ESG goals without blowing your budget. If you’re ready to make office sustainability a measurable advantage - not just a checkbox. We’ll show you just how much office furniture is wasted each year, what it’s really costing your business, and how the circular economy can apply directly to your projects. You’ll learn how organisations like yours are saving thousands, avoiding skips entirely, and turning unwanted furniture into reportable ESG wins - plus practical steps to get started today. Curious what your office clearance could be worth? Get in touch with our team for a free circular furniture audit.