As the current WFH status continues, now is a better time than ever to upgrade or invest in a new office desk. But before you go swapping your dining table for something a little more professional, it pays to think about the form and function of your next desk model. Our desk buying guide covers all the important factors, from placement to design, as well as extra tips.

Overview:

• Finding a Desk to Suit Your Working Style
• What Size of Desk Works Best?
• Desk Configuration
• Types of Desk Storage
• Choosing a Desk Material

Finding a Desk to Suit Your Working Style

Finding the right desk to suit your workflow is important. Perhaps you need a desk for sending emails and making phone calls? Or maybe you need a desk for drawing? With multiple desk styles to choose from, take a look at the following to establish which model works best for you.

Computer Desks

Computer desks are designed to provide a comfortable working space for you and your laptop or desktop computer. With computer desks, its more about having adequate enough space so that you're neither sitting too close or too far from your PC, rather than storage and other features.

Writing Desks

A writing desk is the more traditional type of desk and includes draws for documents and stationary, as well as small surface area.

Executive Desks

Often heavier and more elaborate, executive desks come with a wider surface space and lots more storage including drawers and cabinets. These desk models usually act as the centrepiece for a large office or workspace.

Secretary Desk

Secretary desks are petite in size, classic in design and come with smaller sets of storage, ideal for anyone with a limited amount of available working space.

Standing Desk

It's true that sitting down for too long can be bad for your health, so luckily this is were standing desks come in. These desks allow you to stand comfortably while working, with many versions now with adjustable features, so that you can change the height of the desk to suit you.

Floating Desk

Floating desks are made to be wall-mounted and can easily be folded away when not in use, making them the ideal desk type for anyone lacking space.

Drafting Table

A drafting desk or drafting table comes with a tabletop that can be positioned at any angel, making them a great choice of desk for anyone with working on hand-drawn projects.

What Size of Desk Works Best?

When it comes to desk size, there really isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, therefore it makes sense to simply measure that space where you'll be placing your desk and go from there. However, if you're choosing between a sitting or standing desk type, there are a few 'human' factors to consider...

Sitting Desk Minimum Requirements

For sitting desks, the minimum width required to fit an average adult is around 61cm, leaving just enough space for equipment and elbows. Depth-wise, a clear space of around 46cm for knees and 60cm for feet allows for comfortable sitting, while a minimum desk height of 74cm will give you enough space to slide both yourself and you chair in easily.

Standing Desk Minimum Requirements

Standing desks come with just a minimum width requirement of 51cm per adult person.

Tip! A comfortable workspace requires an ergonomic office set up. Ensure that the top of your computer monitor is approx 8cm higher than eye level and that your chair is high enough to allow your elbows to bend at a 90-degree angle for typing.

Desk Configuration

Rectangular Desks

Standard or rectangular desks are the most common and versatile desk shape. Place yours against a wall or in the centre of a room, depending on your available space and needs.

Corner Desks

Corner desks area a space-saving solution that provide more desktop space in a smaller area. Just bare in mind that with corner desks, you're most likely to be facing a wall with the door behind you, so try to place yours closer to a window.

L-Shaped Desks

Often larger than a corner desk, L-shaped desks offer more tabletop space and storage.

Wheeled Desks

When unlocked, the castors on a wheeled desk allow you to move a whole unit, including a heavy computer and/or equipment with ease. The castors then lock securely back into place once the desk is in its new location.

Tip: Wall-mounted desks require the least amount of space and can be installed in almost any room.

Types of Desk Storage

Maximise on workflow and minimise on clutter by investing in a desk with adequate storage. From drawers to shelves, hutches and desk organisers, these types of desk storage to help you work productively...

Drawers, Shelves and Cabinets

If you work is more than just digital, think about investing in a desk with drawers, shelves or a cabinet. This way you keep your tabletop clear whilst keeping your files out of your line of sight and well-organised.

Hutch

Essentially a hutch is a desk with a set of shelves or compartments sitting overhead. Typically seen as a more classic type of desk storage, hutches can vary in shape and size depending on your available space and needs.

Cable Management & Keyboard Try

For an easy and efficient way to free up space and hide cables and electrical hardware, invest in a desk with built-in cable holes and/or a slide-out keyboard tray.

Desk Organisers

Anyone with no more than a few bits of stationary should look at placing a desk organiser on top of the their desk.

Choosing a Desk Material

As we've seen, desks come in many shapes and sizes and the same is true for material, so think carefully about exactly what material you'd like your desk to be based on personal taste, styling and function.

Wooden Desks

A classic, sturdy wooden desk will compliment almost any room provided you choose the right shade of wood. Shop styles that include a plethora of wood tones from espresso to pure white with species ranging from birch, ash, oak and more.

Metal Desks

Offering a sleeker, more modern look to your home office, metal desks feature metal in either all or part of their framework and rarely as a whole.

Glass & Marble Desks

For an upscale look, opt for a glass or marble-topped desk but be wary that these models do require more maintenance and cleaning.

Tip For a budget-friendly option, choose a desk made from composite wood and veneers, which also tend to be lightweight.

For more home office tips, read how our guide on setting up a background for video calls and find out which lighting suits your type of work set up.