Over the last decade, the number of modular furniture systems has increased dramatically. The pioneers of modular workshop furniture, Dura, created the concept of fully integrated storage system in 1997, when it brought the first modular workshop system, the Dura 600 Series, to market.

Designed by British industrial designer Dominic Wishlade, the system has won several awards, including the globally recognised Red Dot Design Award and the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade.

Since it’s introduction in the 1990s, thousands of businesses around the world have invested in their workshops with Dura furniture. This success hasn’t gone unnoticed and today, there are several similar systems on the market, however there are key differences that will have a big impact to you and your business.

What is Modular Furniture & Why Should You Consider It?

In essence, modular furniture is used to create a single, flowing workshop installation, with several smaller items, such as drawer units and cupboards, securely connecting together. Consider each unit as a building block, with varying size and functionality.

There are several benefits to using a modular system. The entire space can be tailored around your preferences, with appropriately sized storage placed in suitable locations. This makes the most of the available space, whilst also introducing structure to the workshop. Most systems can be reconfigured, too, offering greater flexibility.

If your company has a workshop, laboratory or workspace of any size or kind, using modular systems will benefit your business.

Key Features to Look for When Buying Modular Furniture

Visually, most modular furniture shares a similar appearance but there are key differences between each system on the market, and these can have a dramatic impact on your business.

Dura’s approach has always been and will always be without compromise to the customer. Put simply, to compromise in any area compromises your workshop and your business.

Searching online, it is common to see several similar looking products at a range of price points and, in our experience, this is a direct reflection of quality.

For example, almost all systems will use steel, however cheaper systems will use thinner sheet as it is cheaper to buy, easier to bend and lighter to transport. This comes at a cost to you and your business; this thinner metal is less resistant to flex and it reduces the overall strength of the unit, especially over longer periods of use. Dura uses 1.2mm thickness throughout and even thicker gauge steel in key strength areas to ensure longevity.

Pay attention, too, to the construction methods used throughout. Where there is metal-on-metal, this will cause issues in the long run, with the untreated surfaces between the sheets prone to corrosion. This also creates a very thin edge which can snag clothing.

Most doors will be single skin, flexing when you open and close. This is more than a mild unconvince, the movement will cause hinges and locks to wear prematurely.

Dura, by comparison, uses envelope folds throughout its furniture, enabling every edge to be treated and powder coated, with concealed edges increasing the safety of the space. Doors are double skinned, improving the rigidity and security of the unit.

Whilst looking at the construction, look also at the components used throughout. Drawer runners are always a tell-tale sign of the quality of the unit, but also look at locks, castors and gas struts. Dura only uses trusted component suppliers, such as Fulterer for our drawer runners. These are industrially tested and rated, with a long, hard-earned reputation for performance.

Another benefit to Dura is the self-supporting design. Wall cabinets and back panels all attach to backstraps which are connected to base units, enabling much greater flexibility with the design of your room. You can create islands within the centre of the space, rather than just long ‘runs’ down walls, plus you are not reliant on the strength of your wall to bare the weight of your wall cabinets and their contents.

Think, also, about where your furniture is manufactured. If it is imported, how easy will it be to get replacement parts or additional units should the need arise? If one drawer fails due to misuse and can’t be repaired, it’s not just one drawer or even one unit that is compromised, it’s the start of the entire system’s demise. Dura manufacturers all its furniture in the UK, with complete traceability for every single piece. Accidents can – and do – happen and, with Dura, you can order a replacement part or a complete replacement unit quickly and easily, maintaining the overall modular system for years to come.

Longevity is another important aspect, and not just of the furniture but of the manufacturer. Dura has a long proven legacy stretching back to the 1990s and the mounting points between our furniture have remained consistent for decades. Other brands, especially brands that outsource the design and manufacturing of their products, do not have this control or track record. Should you come to reconfigure or expand your workshop in years to come, you may find key aspects have changed and your workshop will lose its consistency throughout the space.

Finally, is specification and customisation. Put simply, are the units fit for purpose? Can they handle the loads you are looking to put in them, or are you going to overload the drawers? Will all of your tools fit, or are some too big? Don’t overlook these aspects as it will lead to the immediate failure of your new workshop.

With Dura, not only has our extensive catalogue developed around real workshop requirements over decades, but every single piece can be customised to exactly match your corporate identity and brand. Compared to the vast majority of systems – which usually only offer a single colour choice, commonly black, blue or grey – Dura offers hundreds of colours and finishes, with even more bespoke touches. This is more than just aesthetics, it sets the tone for the entire workshop and everyone in it, from colleagues to customers.

Modular vs Mobile Furniture: Which is Better?

It is not uncommon for mobile toolboxes – or multiple mobile toolboxes – to be considered an alternative to a modular installation. Whilst mobile units do offer a similar approach, creating a workshop from multiple smaller units, they cannot deliver the same results.

Mobile units will never give the same strength or rigidity as a modular system. Their very nature means you’ll never have a completely solid surface to work from. Mobile units also lack adjustability, so unless you floor is completely level and flat, you worktop will always be inclined and most likely unsteady.

The vast majority of mobile units only offer drawer storage, too. Those with cupboard space often only have small storage capacity at a lower level. Taller mobile units, with integrated high cabinets may appear to be a one-stop-solution, but as these faux-wall cabinets are loaded up, the centre of gravity rises, reducing the stability of the unit, especially if it is then moved.

Where to Buy the Best Modular Furniture in the UK

The best place to buy modular furniture is direct from the manufacturer, or from one of their design partners. It has become increasingly common for online stockists to offer modular furniture, but these off-the-shelf options have limitations. For example, if you require a spare part for the system, it’s unlikely the stockist will be able to obtain this.

Similarly, if you go to expand the system in years to come, the stockist may have changed suppliers or the product discontinued.

By working directly with the manufacturer or one if its design partner distributors, you have a direct link to the source of the furniture, which brings the benefits mentioned above to your business.

Always make sure you get hands on with your furniture before you buy it. Pictures can easily mislead you to thinking something is bigger or stronger than it really is, only by seeing furniture yourself will you feel the quality – or lack of it.

Buying direct doesn’t mean more expensive, either. By working with the supplier directly, you can often buy exactly what you need, rather than pre-defined packages which may not meet your exact requirements. You’ll often get additional support, too, such as installation.

Finally, always check the warranty periods and aftersales support. Should you have a problem with installation or suffer accidental damage, who can you contact to resolve the issue? And what support will they be able to offer? For off-the-shelf items sold in packages via a stockist, they are unlikely to have the specialist knowledge or product access to fully support you.

Choose the best solution first time

Whilst there are now many modular workshop furniture options on the market, Dura – the original innovator of the modular workshop system – remains the optimum choice for the professional space. The company combines decades of workshop design experience with an extensive, award-winning range of modular furniture, built in the UK to the highest standards.

Buying and installing workshop furniture is not an every-day task, but it is something you and your employees will be using every day, an area your business relies on. Dura offers both the level of support and quality of product your business needs to thrive, today, tomorrow and every day beyond.