What are fixtures in an office?

Fixtures in an office are items of equipment and furnishing that are permanently or semi-permanently attached to the building or its utility systems, as distinct from movable furniture and personal belongings. Common office fixtures include hardwired lighting systems such as recessed ceiling lights, panel lights, and pendant fixtures; electrical and data infrastructure like built-in power outlets, network ports, wall-mounted screens and video conferencing displays that are wired in; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning fixtures such as radiators, wall-mounted AC units, vents, and thermostats; plumbing fixtures in office kitchens and washrooms, including sinks, water coolers connected to supply lines, toilets, and lavatories; built-in cabinetry, fitted storage, reception counters, and window treatments like blinds that are screwed in place; and security fixtures such as access card readers, CCTV cameras, and fire alarm devices. In commercial leasing, the distinction between fixtures and fittings matters legally: fixtures belong to the property and remain with the landlord when a tenant vacates, whereas "trade fixtures" or "tenant's fixtures," which are items a business tenant installs for conducting its trade, such as shelving, display units, partitions, and specialized equipment, may often be removed by the tenant at lease end, provided the property is restored to its original condition. Office fit-out companies specialize in installing these fixtures, and lease agreements typically contain detailed clauses about what may be installed, altered, or removed. Understanding office fixtures is therefore important for tenants negotiating fit-out allowances and for landlords preparing spaces between leases.