Office Desk Buying Guide

How you work

Before you begin shopping, take stock of your work habits. The most common mistake when it comes to purchasing an office desk is choosing one with inadequate workspace—unless you use your office desk primarily as a command center for returning telephone calls and reading and writing e-mail.

If your work involves stacks of paper, you’ll need to dedicate a percentage of your office desk to accommodating them. You’ll also need to take into account whether you work with a laptop or desktop computer and other pieces of office equipment that you need to keep in sight and within easy reach. Flat-screen monitors take up less space on an office desk than CRT monitors. If you have a CRT monitor, you want to be sure the depth of your office desk allows the monitor to be placed so that you can just reach it with your fingertips while seated in your normal position.

How you organize—or don’t organize—your files, books and project materials also affects how much desk surface you’ll need. If you don’t have a place for everything and everything in its place, you’ll need a larger office desk. The general rule of thumb? Overestimate your work surface needs. You can always find uses for extra space, but you won’t be able to create more if all available surfaces have been filled.

Office desk configuration

Once you’ve determined how much work surface you need, think about how you want that space to be configured. Rectangles aren’t the only choice in office desks. Think about where the desk will live in your home and how frequently you need to access files or computer equipment.

Basic computer desks with broad work surfaces and one or two shelves beneath may work well in dedicated home offices, but they disrupt the traffic flow in a room that serves multiple functions. If space is tight and you use your home office only occasionally, look for computer carts on casters or corner desks with triangular work surfaces that maximize space. L-shaped desks are designed for corner placement and offer a bigger work surface, but they are also physically larger than corner desks.

Organization

No matter how tidy or untidy you are when you’re working, there are a few things to look for when you’re buying an office desk: 

• Flip-top wire and cable systems keep cords in order and off your desk, safely and effectively.
• Desks with vertical shelves or cabinets may not provide enough ventilation for desktop PC towers and need to remain open when the computer is in use, but they can be used to store other items if you use a laptop or you can place your tower elsewhere.
• Hutch shelves are nice in theory, but you’ll find yourself standing repeatedly to retrieve much-needed items. They may also limit your choices when it comes to safely positioning your desk.
• Better desks will offer one deep drawer that holds files and one shallow drawer for pens, pencils and notepads. Drawers should move easily, with smooth, balanced suspension and positive locks that keep them closed.

Does it fit?

Your office desk needs to fit more than your work habits; it needs to fit your office and your body. Average desk height is between 28” and 30”, which is suitable for people of average height. If you’re on the tall or the short side, look for office desks with adjustable heights or adjustable keyboard platforms. Keep the following desk-height guidelines in mind when you’re shopping: 

• Typing is done at an ideal height of 26” to 28”
• Mousing at 27” to 29” encourages proper alignment
• Writing longhand is best done at 26” to 28”

Most desks come with at least some (and usually all) assembly required. Before buying, pay close attention to the desk’s specifications when assembled; it may not fit back through the door once it’s put together, and you don’t want to spend a lot for a large piece of furniture you’ll have to leave behind if you move.

You also want to be sure that the room where you intend to put your office desk won’t be overpowered by its size. Unless you’re placing your desk against a wall, most interior designers recommend having at least three feet of space around all sides of a desk.

What’s it made of?

Most office desks come with laminate surfaces available in a variety of colors and patterns. Laminate desks are much more durable than they used to be, and many are resistant to ink stains, spilled coffee and even printer toner. Laminate desks easily wipe clean and are better choices for heavy use, those who work with art supplies or homes with children. Look for high-pressure laminate desks for maximum durability.

Wood office desks add elegance to your workspace, but wood is extremely fragile. Simply writing with a pen can gouge the surface, and wood can be warped and discolored by spills. If you choose a wood office desk, consider getting a separate glass or plastic top to protect the main work area.

Marble and glass are durable, although marble will require special cleanings over time to maintain its luster. Both of these desk surfaces also present challenges to computer equipment; marble desks interfere with Bluetooth and other RF wireless devices, while glass desks make it impossible to use an optical mouse without a mouse pad.

Need to know more?

• Nine Steps Toward the Home Office of Your Dreams
  http://www.inc.com/articles/1998/03/13058.html
• How to organize your desk
  http://lifehacker.com/software/organization/how-to-organize-your-desk-253258.php
• Office Chair Posture and Driving Ergonomics
  http://www.spine-health.com/topics/cd/ergo/ergo03.html