Finding the Ideal Desk

In today’s digital age, the options for office desk styles is limitless.  There are tons of brands, configurations, and features that make finding the ideal desk a challenge.  Whether you are shopping for your home office or professional office, there are several things to consider when choosing a desk that will be the right fit.   Below you will find some tips for helping to determine what desk style best suits your needs.

Configuration

There are many desk configurations out there: U-shaped Desks, Executive Desks, L-Shaped Desks, and Corner Desks.  How do you determine what desk is best for you?  The first question you must ask yourself when deciding is where the desk will be located and how much space is available to you.  If you are putting the desk in a small room, a U-shape desk might be too large for the space.  Furthermore, is the desk going to be against a wall or in a corner?  In small spaces, a simple straight desk might be the ideal choice.  If you want some extra work surface area and have a corner, an L-shaped desk or corner desk with extension pieces might be the way to go.  If you are trying to fill a large private office a U-shaped desk or a desk and credenza set might be the best option.  When you are beginning to investigate desks, make sure you consider the space you have and that will help you determine the proper configuration.   Finally, work surface area plays a key role in determining the proper desk configuration.  A U-shaped desk provides you with much more surface area compared to a basic straight executive desk.  So think about what you will be using the desk for and let that play a factor in the configuration you choose.

Storage

One of the most important aspects of a desk is how much storage does it have and what type of storage.  Some desks come with just one small hanging pedestal with a pencil drawer and a single file drawer while other desks come with multiple drawers in varied sizes and configurations.  Ask yourself how much space for files do you need.  Many companies have gone digital with paperwork and no longer require large files, other industries still require large amount of letter or even legal sized files to be kept.  Determining what you need for your individual desk can save money in the future.   If you don’t get enough storage space you will likely have to purchase an external storage unit later and having too much storage can result in wasted space under your desk.  So prior to deciding on a desk make sure it has the right number of storage pedestals for your needs.

Traditional vs Modern

Does your office have a modern contemporary feel, or does it tend to be more traditional?  You must make that determination prior to buying furniture.  Open areas and bench style desks are popular currently but if you have traditional furniture already it will not match.  The type of décor in your office has a huge impact on the desk you select.  There are a lot of options for desks in any style so you are not limited by the type of office you want or currently have but you must factor it in to the decision. In addition, there are many different shapes of similar desks.  Desks have different edge types and different top configurations and shapes.  You do not want to be the only person in the office with rounded corners while everyone else has perfectly square edges.  Color matters as well.  You do not want to have too many colors even if they match.  A consistent office color scheme helps the office look more professional and helps tie everything together.  So prior to picking out a desk for yourself make sure it fits with the theme of the office and matches the people around you.

Technology Packages

Simple and basic desks are still around and are still very popular, but technology has led to some high-tech desk designs.  Sit/Stand desks continue to rise in popularity.  You no longer have to sit all day or stand all day.  These desks have simple motors in them that allow the height of the desk to change based on the mood you are in for that particular moment.  Many companies even make attachments to existing desks to allow for a sit/stand feature to be utilized on older furniture.  In addition, many desks now integrate power and USB ports right on the desk surface.  This feature is extremely helpful for people who work on laptops and help keep the desk more organized with less wiring. So what tech features are you looking for?  Do you even want or need any high tech features on your desk?  Knowing the answers to these simple questions can help you determine what desk is right for you.  Finally, do you write a lot on your desk or do you work with large plans.  Drafting tables can be integrated into an office with ease and might be the ideal solution to your individual needs.  Some of these tables even offer light options to help you work.  Make sure whatever technology you need is factored into the decision.

Construction Material

Many people claim to want a wood desk despite not knowing what that means.  In the modern office furniture world, wood desks are typically wood veneer desks and not solid pieces of wood.  Solid pieces of wood tend to warp and become disfigured over time.  This has led to the popularity of wood veneer desks.  Wood veneer desks are thin pieces of wood that are glued to a core panels that will not warp.  This provides better durability and prevents disfigurement while providing the natural wood look.  Veneer desks tend to be more expensive than laminate desks and usually are used for executive style or high-end offices.  Most desks today are constructed of laminate materials which typically are plastics designed to look like natural wood.   The main benefit of laminate desks is they are more affordable and are extremely durable.  For most people laminate desks are a great choice and most people won’t notice the difference between wood veneer and laminate surfaces.  Finally metal desks still have a strong presence in the office.  These desks are typically found in more commercial spaces and or schools and offer great durability.  Metal desks typically have a laminate top to make the work surface softer and easier to write on.  There is no wrong material for a desk as they all get the job done.  Make sure you ask what a desk is made of prior to purchase to ensure you get what you want and know what you are getting.

With all the desk styles and features out there, finding the right desk for your needs is key to ensuring you are happy with your purchase and remain productive throughout the day.  If you found these tips helpful, please share on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.