How companies waste millions on offices – and why subscriptions are the answer
The office is one of the biggest expenses for fast-growing companies – but also one of the least efficient. Millions are tied up in furniture that quickly loses value and in facility management services bought separately through costly contracts, while offices often sit half empty in the era of hybrid work. The result? Capital burned on resources that aren’t being used.Today, no company can afford to lock money into assets that don’t deliver direct value. That’s why a new model is emerging – where furniture and FM services are no longer purchased but subscribed to. Flexible, cost-effective, and designed for workplaces that can change as quickly as the business itself.
UpdatedSep 04. 2025
Photo: © by Chris Alfeus, Unsplash
Capital slipping away – many companies burn money on office furniture and FM services that go unused.
Capital slipping away – many companies burn money on office furniture and FM services that go unused.
When resources can no longer be taken for grantedIn a time when many companies are struggling to survive, every dollar counts. With growing uncertainty and economic pressure, it has never been more important to use assets in smarter ways.
At the same time, the way we work is undergoing a fundamental shift. According to McKinsey, office attendance has stabilized at about 30% below pre-pandemic levels – with employees spending an average of just 3.5 days a week at the office (McKinsey & Company, 2023). This leaves companies stuck with expensive office furniture and FM services that are only used part of the time – tying up capital and creating inefficiency.
To meet this reality, the subscription model is emerging as a strong alternative. Forbes highlights that subscription-based businesses deliver both stable revenue and stronger customer loyalty, while also providing the flexibility and financial predictability companies need today (Forbes, 2022)
At the same time, the way we work is undergoing a fundamental shift. According to McKinsey, office attendance has stabilized at about 30% below pre-pandemic levels – with employees spending an average of just 3.5 days a week at the office (McKinsey & Company, 2023). This leaves companies stuck with expensive office furniture and FM services that are only used part of the time – tying up capital and creating inefficiency.
To meet this reality, the subscription model is emerging as a strong alternative. Forbes highlights that subscription-based businesses deliver both stable revenue and stronger customer loyalty, while also providing the flexibility and financial predictability companies need today (Forbes, 2022)
“Companies spend huge amounts on office resources they don’t use – a waste of money in the hybrid work era.”– Financial Times (2023)
When the office becomes a cost trap
For fast-growing companies, the office can quickly become one of the biggest expenses. Furniture is bought in large volumes, while services like cleaning, coffee, and plant care are contracted separately. The result is money tied up in furniture and companies stuck with multiple agreements that together drive costs higher.
But a clear shift is underway. McKinsey shows that the entire facility management (FM) industry is being reshaped. New digital solutions and integrated models make it possible to both cut costs and increase flexibility (McKinsey, 2019)
A CBRE study confirms the trend: more than three-quarters of FM executives rank cost savings and better value for money as top priorities heading into 2025 (CBRE, 2025).
Forbes also emphasizes that companies gain by consolidating their FM services into one model – Integrated Facility Management (IFM). This reduces administration, improves quality, and makes it easier to adapt as needs change (Forbes, 2023)
For fast-growing companies, the office can quickly become one of the biggest expenses. Furniture is bought in large volumes, while services like cleaning, coffee, and plant care are contracted separately. The result is money tied up in furniture and companies stuck with multiple agreements that together drive costs higher.
But a clear shift is underway. McKinsey shows that the entire facility management (FM) industry is being reshaped. New digital solutions and integrated models make it possible to both cut costs and increase flexibility (McKinsey, 2019)
A CBRE study confirms the trend: more than three-quarters of FM executives rank cost savings and better value for money as top priorities heading into 2025 (CBRE, 2025).
Forbes also emphasizes that companies gain by consolidating their FM services into one model – Integrated Facility Management (IFM). This reduces administration, improves quality, and makes it easier to adapt as needs change (Forbes, 2023)
Photo: © Shauna SummersA desk ready for work – but with no activity. Many offices sit half empty while companies keep paying high costs for furniture and services that go unused.
Photo: © Daniel FaròFruit at the office is a classic FM service – but when deliveries, cleaning, and other services are bought separately, costs and complexity quickly add up.
The second-hand market – a dead end
Selling used office furniture may sound like an easy fix when a company moves or downsizes. In reality, it’s often the opposite. According to Star Tribune, large amounts of furniture end up being recycled – or even dumped – when companies shift to hybrid work. The market is already saturated, demand is low, and the practical costs of pickup, storage, and resale quickly outweigh any potential revenue (Star Tribune, 2024).
The changing office dynamic makes it even harder. As more people work remotely, the need for physical office space shrinks – and so does the demand for second-hand furniture. A report in Vice shows how companies specializing in buying office furniture from relocations and downsizings are now struggling with massive oversupply. Furniture sells for a fraction of its original price, making both resale and logistics economically questionable (Vice, 2023).
At the same time, the problem is just as big on the FM side. Today’s model – where companies use multiple vendors and sign separate contracts for cleaning, coffee, plant care, and reception – creates both costs and unnecessary complexity. McKinsey shows that companies that streamline procurement and FM management can unlock up to 20% in annual cost savings by optimizing processes, contract structures, and supplier collaboration (McKinsey, 2023).
Selling used office furniture may sound like an easy fix when a company moves or downsizes. In reality, it’s often the opposite. According to Star Tribune, large amounts of furniture end up being recycled – or even dumped – when companies shift to hybrid work. The market is already saturated, demand is low, and the practical costs of pickup, storage, and resale quickly outweigh any potential revenue (Star Tribune, 2024).
The changing office dynamic makes it even harder. As more people work remotely, the need for physical office space shrinks – and so does the demand for second-hand furniture. A report in Vice shows how companies specializing in buying office furniture from relocations and downsizings are now struggling with massive oversupply. Furniture sells for a fraction of its original price, making both resale and logistics economically questionable (Vice, 2023).
At the same time, the problem is just as big on the FM side. Today’s model – where companies use multiple vendors and sign separate contracts for cleaning, coffee, plant care, and reception – creates both costs and unnecessary complexity. McKinsey shows that companies that streamline procurement and FM management can unlock up to 20% in annual cost savings by optimizing processes, contract structures, and supplier collaboration (McKinsey, 2023).
“Too much office furniture gets thrown away because it can’t be sold for a fair price.”— Star Tribune, 2024
The future of the office is a subscription
More and more companies are realizing that the office of the future won’t be built by buying more things – but by subscribing.
We already stream music on Spotify instead of buying CDs, and we use software as a service (SaaS) instead of paying for expensive licenses. Now the same shift is happening in the office world. The difference is that it’s no longer just about individual pieces of furniture, but about the entire ecosystem of services that keep a workplace running.
Furniture becomes a service, where desks, chairs, and meeting rooms can be swapped or scaled up and down as needs change. At the same time, traditionally separate FM services – cleaning, coffee, plant care, reception – are bundled into one subscription. The result is an office that’s as flexible as the business itself.
This is the model that companies like Beleco are driving forward. By combining furniture and FM services into a flexible subscription, they make it possible for companies to free up capital, avoid long contracts, and design offices that can change as quickly as their business.
Instead of tying up money in assets or getting stuck in multi-year agreements, companies get a predictable monthly cost – and the freedom to scale up, scale down, or pivot entirely. Flexibility becomes the standard – and this model is now emerging as the new normal.
More and more companies are realizing that the office of the future won’t be built by buying more things – but by subscribing.
We already stream music on Spotify instead of buying CDs, and we use software as a service (SaaS) instead of paying for expensive licenses. Now the same shift is happening in the office world. The difference is that it’s no longer just about individual pieces of furniture, but about the entire ecosystem of services that keep a workplace running.
Furniture becomes a service, where desks, chairs, and meeting rooms can be swapped or scaled up and down as needs change. At the same time, traditionally separate FM services – cleaning, coffee, plant care, reception – are bundled into one subscription. The result is an office that’s as flexible as the business itself.
This is the model that companies like Beleco are driving forward. By combining furniture and FM services into a flexible subscription, they make it possible for companies to free up capital, avoid long contracts, and design offices that can change as quickly as their business.
Instead of tying up money in assets or getting stuck in multi-year agreements, companies get a predictable monthly cost – and the freedom to scale up, scale down, or pivot entirely. Flexibility becomes the standard – and this model is now emerging as the new normal.
Photo: © BelecoThe office of the future at the push of a button – from furniture to fruit and FM services, all bundled into one flexible subscription.
Photo: © BelecoEverything in one place – with Beleco’s platform, companies can manage furniture and FM services digitally, flexibly, and cost-effectively.
The next chapter for sweden’s growth companies
Tying up capital in furniture and getting stuck in FM contracts belongs to the past. In a time when resources must be used more wisely than ever, and work life is changing at high speed, subscribing to the office – with both furniture and services included – is becoming the natural way forward.
This new model isn’t just about saving money. It’s about creating workplaces that can grow, shrink, and evolve as fast as the business itself.
For companies, it’s no longer a question of “buy or rent.” It’s about freeing up capital, simplifying operations, and building an office environment that truly supports the business. The question is not if more companies will subscribe to the office – but which ones will take the step first.
Tying up capital in furniture and getting stuck in FM contracts belongs to the past. In a time when resources must be used more wisely than ever, and work life is changing at high speed, subscribing to the office – with both furniture and services included – is becoming the natural way forward.
This new model isn’t just about saving money. It’s about creating workplaces that can grow, shrink, and evolve as fast as the business itself.
For companies, it’s no longer a question of “buy or rent.” It’s about freeing up capital, simplifying operations, and building an office environment that truly supports the business. The question is not if more companies will subscribe to the office – but which ones will take the step first.
Want to know more about our solution?
Book a meeting with Beleco.Learn more at beleco.com or get in touch to discuss how you can make the most of your unused square meters and adapt to the new standard.
Book a meeting with Beleco.Learn more at beleco.com or get in touch to discuss how you can make the most of your unused square meters and adapt to the new standard.
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