Why is the choice of laboratory furniture so important?
Laboratory furniture is about much more than just aesthetics or storage. It plays a key role in:
- Ensuring personnel safety against chemical, biological, or mechanical risks.
- Guaranteeing work comfort and preventing musculoskeletal disorders.
- Optimizing flow, organization, and productivity.
- Complying with current standards for research, analysis, or teaching laboratories.
Main types of laboratory furniture
Laboratory benches
The central element of any laboratory, the bench must be sturdy, chemical-resistant, and suitable for the tasks at hand. Available in stainless steel, laminate, or resin, it can incorporate sinks, electrical outlets, or weighing stations.
Storage cabinets
Cabinets are used to store glassware, reagents, and sensitive equipment. Certain specialized cabinets (e.g., ventilated safety cabinets) provide protection against flammable or corrosive products.
Shelving and racks
Useful for organizing space vertically, shelves and racks must be stable and durable, often made of epoxy-coated steel or stainless steel to withstand demanding environments.
Mobile furniture: drawer units and carts
Mobile drawer units and utility carts allow for the safe transport of tools and samples, while maximizing workstation flexibility.
Essential criteria for choosing your laboratory furniture
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Chemical and mechanical resistance: essential for laboratories using solvents, acids, or heavy equipment.
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Modularity: modular furniture makes it easier for the laboratory to evolve according to future projects.
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Ergonomics: adjustable height for work surfaces, accessible drawers, optimized circulation space.
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Safety standards: compliance with ISO, NF, or sector-specific standards such as those for pharmaceuticals or chemistry.
How to effectively layout a laboratory?
The layout should be carefully planned from the design stage. It is recommended to separate preparation, analysis, and storage areas. Heavy equipment like a laboratory oven or centrifuges should be placed on sturdy furniture, ideally near workstations to limit unnecessary movement.
Optimizing the work surface
Benches must be large enough to accommodate all necessary equipment without cluttering the space. Provide secondary work surfaces if needed for special manipulations (microscopy, precision weighing, etc.).
Maximizing storage space
Use tall cabinets for rarely used equipment, base cabinets for consumables, and ergonomic drawers for small items (pipettes, tips, tubes, etc.).
Which material should you prioritize for laboratory furniture?
Stainless steel
Perfect for environments where cleanliness and resistance to chemical agents are paramount (pharmaceutical, food laboratories).
Laminate or melamine
Suitable for educational laboratories or preparation areas where contact with aggressive substances is limited.
Phenolic resin
A material highly resistant to chemicals, high temperatures, and mechanical impact.
Current trends in laboratory furniture
Laboratory furniture is evolving to meet new requirements:
- Modular furniture for greater flexibility.
- Integration of technology (USB ports, integrated extraction systems).
- Eco-friendly and recyclable materials.
- Ergonomic design promoting standing or sit-stand work.
How to maintain your laboratory furniture?
Regular maintenance extends the lifespan of your furniture:
- Clean surfaces with suitable products to avoid chemical damage.
- Regularly check the condition of hinges, casters, and ventilation systems.
- Protect surfaces against accidental spills by using bench mats if necessary.
Why choose Rewake for your laboratory furniture?
At Rewake, we offer a wide range of refurbished laboratory furniture:
- Furniture tested and restored to ensure safety and durability.
- Custom solutions for every type of laboratory (research, education, industry).
- Expert support from selection to delivery and installation.
- Competitive pricing to optimize your scientific equipment budget.
Discover our selection of furniture and benefit from personalized support to create a functional, ergonomic, and compliant workspace.
Want to know more? Also discover our selection dedicated to laboratory ovens to complete your laboratory in a high-performance and secure manner.
Second-hand laboratory furniture: an economical and responsible alternative
Investing in second-hand laboratory furniture is an increasingly popular solution. By opting for refurbished equipment, you benefit from several advantages:
- Lower costs compared to buying new furniture.
- Immediate availability, without waiting for manufacturing lead times.
- An eco-responsible approach by limiting the production of new equipment.
- Furniture verified and restored according to high quality standards.
At Rewake, all our refurbished equipment is carefully inspected, tested, and restored to perfect working condition to ensure safety, compliance, and durability.
Laboratory furniture supplier: how to choose your partner?
Choosing a laboratory furniture supplier is a strategic decision for the successful layout of your workspace. Here are the essential criteria for selecting a reliable supplier:
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Technical expertise: prioritize an actor specialized in the laboratory field, capable of understanding your technical constraints.
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Wide range of products: benches, safety cabinets, fume hoods, modular tables... A good supplier must offer a complete range.
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Customization capacity: every laboratory is unique; it is essential that your supplier offers custom solutions.
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Warranty and after-sales service: a good supplier is committed to quality and offers post-installation support.
Rewake meets all these criteria by offering a rigorous selection of refurbished furniture for professional laboratories, with recognized expertise in scientific equipment.
Laboratory furniture company: why call on Rewake?
As a laboratory furniture company, Rewake positions itself as a committed and competitive player:
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Strong specialization in the layout and equipment of research, biology, chemistry, and teaching laboratories.
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Quality products, verified and restored by specialized technicians.
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Personalized advice to design ergonomic, secure spaces that comply with current standards.
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Strong environmental commitment by promoting the reuse of existing equipment.
Whether you are a university, hospital, industrial, or private laboratory, Rewake offers a solution adapted to your needs and budget.
Standards to respect for your laboratory furniture
Installing laboratory furniture involves complying with several standards to ensure safety and performance:
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NF EN 13150 standard: specifies mechanical strength requirements for benches and workstations.
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EN 14056 standard: concerns the chemical resistance of surfaces used in the laboratory.
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ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 standards: quality of design and use of equipment for accredited laboratories.
At Rewake, all furniture offered complies with the main safety and performance standards required by modern laboratories.
Tips for optimizing your laboratory layout
To maximize the efficiency and safety of your space:
- Opt for spacious and chemical-resistant work surfaces.
- Plan for overhead storage to free up floor space.
- Use ventilated cabinets for the storage of dangerous products.
- Create specific zones for preparation, manipulation, and analysis.
- Think about mobility: furniture on casters facilitates the maintenance and modularity of your space.
Examples of laboratory furniture configuration
Molecular biology laboratory
Prioritize resistant phenolic resin benches, ventilated cabinets for solvents, and fume hoods for handling dangerous reagents.
University teaching laboratory
Opt for robust, modular, and easy-to-maintain furniture: laminate benches, height-adjustable chairs, secure storage for teaching materials.
Pharmaceutical laboratory
Install ISO-certified furniture, with stainless steel surfaces, chemical safety cabinets, and laminar flow hoods for sterile areas.
Your laboratory project starts with the right furniture
Laboratory furniture is a fundamental pillar of any scientific space. By choosing suitable, refurbished, and compliant furniture, you optimize the safety, efficiency, and longevity of your laboratory while respecting your budget and the environment. With Rewake, equip your laboratory with confidence thanks to our selection of professionally tested and approved furniture.
