Convenient access to power is an, if not the most, important design consideration for making office furniture functional. And incorporating power solutions is easier than you think. Surely, you’ve seen them—those handy little grommets with power supply housings that install into desks and other surfaces and put access to charging options conveniently within arm’s reach. What was once a novel concept for office desks is now ubiquitous as we are more dependent on our phones to keep us connected. Our digital dependency has us always just a few clicks away from a low battery, which keeps us tethered to outlets via charging cables whenever access to power is available. And it’s not always in the most comfortable location—often just a wall outlet at floor level. If it’s inconvenient to use the device while charging, you have to leave it on the floor while you glance at it every few seconds, wondering how much battery you have now.
Novel power-into-furniture integration solutions have been available for decades, but recent years have seen many of those same traditional in-desk power options lend themselves to alternative furniture applications. An focus on soft seating installations for chairs, couches, and lounge furniture has created solutions for new, dynamic work spaces. Comfortable seating that is equipped with charging options—either electrical outlets or USB ports—allows a user to charge their devices while they relax or work comfortably. This is ideal for common areas at the office where coworkers can gather and catch-up in informal meeting spaces, or even in your furniture at home.
The shift to working-from-home during the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the focus on integrating power solutions into residential furniture as well. With new design considerations for powering home-office desks, many power and USB options allow for either mounting under or clamping onto the back of the desk. These power monuments preserve precious space on the desktop to keep an uninterrupted work surface, which is especially important since desk space is typically limited in home office set-ups. These under-desk and edge-mount options are easy to install and do not require any cutting or drilling, making them perfect for light duty DIY projects.
For those working from home, any room in the house can serve as an office of sorts. You may find yourself mixing up your day by migrating outside of your dedicated home office area and responding to emails in other living areas that are not traditionally seen as workspaces. A coffee table or the kitchen counter might become a serviceable desk, or you might simply type with your computer on your lap while sitting in your favorite plush chair or couch—these practices are all too common as we continue to navigate the uncertainty of returning to the workplace and are thinking about working at home long-term. Even for leisurely purposes unrelated to work, having charging options in your sofa or chaise lounge—even in the arm of a chair—has its own benefits. Who doesn’t have their phone inches away from their grasp while watching television, if not actively using it for social media or games at the same time? The flexibility is great for guests, too.
Power grommets are easy to install and easy to operate with plug-and-play installation. There are hundreds of different styles, sizes, configurations, finishes, and mounting applications available to best fit your furniture. Learn more at https://www.mockett.com.
