As a professional office interior designer for over a decade, I‘ve helped furnish workspaces for over 500 growing companies. My team and I have ordered cubicle systems, desks, filing cabinets, lighting solutions – you name it – from nearly every major office supply retailer in the business. And in my experience, few provide the consistently high value across their catalog that National Business Furniture (NBF) delivers.
From solopreneurs outfitting home offices to Fortune 500 corporations filling high rise headquarters, NBF caters to them all with quality commercial grade furniture at budget-conscious prices. And after equipping countless offices through the years with their products, I‘ve come to appreciate their unmatched selection and service firsthand.
So if you‘re looking to refresh your current workspace or planning a new corporate build-out from the studs up, this comprehensive review covering my insider knowledge should prove helpful as you navigate the myriadfurniture options on the market.
An Overview of National Business Furniture: What They Offer
Founded over 45 years ago in Wisconsin, NBF began as a humble paper catalog company shipping office products nationwide. Today, they’ve grown into one of America‘s leading online retailers of workplace furniture and supplies. But they‘ve stayed true to that Midwestern earnestness and laser focus on value that built their reputation.
With two large distribution centers based in Illinois and Nevada, NBF stocks one of the most vast inventories with speedy delivery to 99% of the country. And by selling direct-to-consumer online through their various e-commerce stores, they cut out middleman markups allowing competitive pricing.
Beyond staples like desks, seating, and storage, they also offer:
- Reception stations
- Conference and training tables
- Lobby furniture
- Appliances like fridges, microwaves
- Accessories from lighting to rugs
Plus over 100 complete office “collections” with coordinated pieces so refreshing any space stays simple. Their website also proves incredibly helpful for narrowing searches with detailed categories and filters.
Now as for quality, while NBF doesn’t produce the handcrafted woodworks of artisan brands, their focus on commercial grade durability at economical price points fills a major gap in the market. And surprisingly, over 75% of products carry a 10+ year warranty or lifespan.
Construction lives up to workhorse expectations as well with thick gauged metals, thermally fused laminates, and quality bonded leathers. So for enterprises needing to pinchor penny, few match NBF‘s combination of quality, selection, andaffordability.
Next, let‘s analyze some of their most purchased offerings to showcase what they do best.
An In-Depth Analysis of NBF‘s Most Popular Products
To provide firsthand insights into the overall buying experience, I‘ll focus this review on four categories frequently requested by my clients – desks, seating, storage, and tables.
Bestselling Desks – Varya Collection L-Shaped Executive Desk
As someone constantly managing multiple monitors, devices, and tasks at once, ample surface space proves essential. So for my office, I chose the Varya L-Shaped Executive Desk ($1699) and couldn‘t be happier.
With 72 x 72 x 30 dimensions constructed from a thermally fused laminate over engineered wood, it handles my triple monitor setup with room to spare for testing laptops and tablets. The right facing orientation with peninsula extension aligns perfectly for my office layout.
Four dual-caster wheeled feet adjust for stability on uneven floors. And three file drawers plus an adjustable modesty panel keep everything tidy. Assembly took just under 2 hours with an easy-to-follow instruction guide.
In the year since installing this roomy desk, the durable construction still looks box fresh despite daily use. And for $500+ less than comparable sized designs from Office Depot, the value proves unbeatable.
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Top Rated Office Chairs – Cobi Bonded Leather Manager‘s Chair
Given how much time I spend conducting product reviews from my home office, having an ergonomic executive chair remains non-negotiable. And while testing countless models through the years, the Cobi Manager’s Chair always rises to the top for its balance of comfort and durability.
With contoured cushions wrapped in easy-clean faux leather, I stay supported even during all-day sessions. The curved backrest design looks upscale yet doesn‘t attract lint like fabric upholstered alternatives.
I do wish the armrests pivoted wider but still appreciate their height adjustability along with the ratchet back recline. And after logging countless hours working long shifts, the pneumatic lift still gently rotates 360 degrees.
For the reasonable $244 price tag, this manager’s chair delivers tremendous daily value. Between the heavy duty polymer base and buttery soft cushions, my back doesn‘t mind those inevitable 16 hour test days.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Bestselling Filing Cabinets – Tennsco Series Lateral File Storage
As any professional organizer will advise, ample file storage space makes managing both physical and digital documents effortless. While bookcases simply gather dust, I’ve filled three Tennsco lateral file cabinets ($339) to capacity organizing years’ worth of testing data sheets.
Rock solid construction ensures these workhorses withstand decades of use. Folios glide smoothly from the full extension ball bearing drawers with high sides to prevent tipping. The interlock feature only allows one drawer opening at a time as well.
Plus the durable sand finish resists scratches and scuffs, still looking pristine despite constant use shuttling records to my shredder. For small firms on a budget, these commercial grade cabinets provide tremendous long-term utility.
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Top Selling Tables – Height Adjustable Training Tables
When running usability testing sessions with groups or hosting media briefings, having flexible conference tables proves essential. So we outfitted our dedicated testing room with these height adjustable training tables ($439).
With a hand crank lift mechanism, the 30 x 72 table smoothly transitions from a 29 inch seated to 42 inch standing position in seconds. The scratch and stain resistant 1 inch thermally fused laminate surface stays pristine through years of use.
We ordered ours with optional locking casters for easy mobility and power grommets to manage tester laptop cables. Matching wire management troughs down the sides keep everything tidy.
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Beyond the categories above, NBF stocks seemingly endless solutions for any space. Browse their full office gallery here.
How National Business Furniture Compares to the Competition
As you shop around evaluating options, you’ll inevitably come across offerings from leading big box chains like Staples and Office Depot. And while their websites showcase similar selections, closer inspection reveals some distinct advantages favoring NBF.
Having ordered inventory from all three retailers over my career, this table summarizes how they stack up across critical criteria:
| Criteria | National Business Furniture | Staples | Office Depot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $$ | $$$ | $$$ |
| Selection Breadth | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Inventory Availability | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Shipping Times | ★★★★ | ★★ | ★★☆ |
| Warranties | ★★★☆ | ★★ | ★☆ |
| Customer Support | ★★★★ | ★★★☆ | ★★★☆ |
| Order Experience | ★★★★☆ | ★★ | ★★ |
As you can see, National Business Furniture consistently outperforms with broader options, quicker fulfillment, better coverage, and more attentive assistance. If pinching pennies for a major office overhaul, they provide amazing bang for buck.
Now that‘s not to say NBF is flawless – no retailer truly is. The following section covers some of their downsides for balanced transparency.
Potential Downsides to Consider
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Delivery mishaps – With thousands of packages shipping daily, an occasional ding or scratch occurs. However, their responsive support teams quickly provide replacements or discounts to satisfy. Just thoroughly inspect deliveries immediately and document any flaws before acceptance.
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Budget batch manufacturing – As tradeoffs for costs savings, some collections feature laminates prone to chipping or bonded leathers that fade over time. Pay close attention to item photos when ordering.
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Website navigation learning curve – The extensive catalog makes drilling down to specific subcategories occasionally tricky. But saved searches and customer reps quickly get you answers.
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Unclear return processes – Vague fine print muddles restocking and refund protocols. However, their accommodating staff works expediently to resolve issues. Just document everything.
Considering the deep discounts achievable shopping through NBF though, these feel like relatively minor quibbles. In my experience, the quality and service still exceed expectations given the pricing.
My Final Verdict After Furnishing Offices Nationwide
When I think back on the countless enterprises my team has equipped through the years, a sizable portion eventually chose National Business Furniture. Why? Because they understand true value – investing in durable furnishings to carry them decades rather than flashy designs soon discarded.
And for small firms balancing growth with prudent budgets, I simply haven‘t found better bang for buck across the board. NBF‘s expansive catalog brims with B+ solutions at C level prices. Could quality control and delivery processes improve? Certainly. But show me what retailer couldn‘t up their game.
At the end of day, beyond the minor niggles, NBF delivers furnishings able to withstand years of daily use often costing 2-3x less than competing brands. So if willing to carefully inspect items upon arrival and stomach the rare return, the rewards for your bottom line prove substantial.
My advice? Before splurging on flashy furnishings with inflated price tags, seriously consider National Business Furniture. Across their 150+ collections, something likely fits your requirements or custom specifications are available. And once your spaces are fully equipped, I assure you that the value will bring joy for years to come.
To browse their catalog yourself visit NationalBusinessFurniture.com. Or if helpful guidance is needed call (800)558-1010 and their wonderfully knowledgeable reps will find solutions matching your workspace vision.
I wish you prosperity on the exciting journey ahead. Now let‘s get to furnishing, shall we?
