If you’re working in an office, your work desk is the very pillar of your workday. Just as a perfect desk can make your work run smoothly, a wrong one can cause you even more stress than there is in your job description. If you’ve already started considering getting a new one, the situation is clear – you don’t need to wonder if you need it, start browsing! Here are some guidelines to help you out.
What Type of Desk Do You Need?
Choosing a desk begins with figuring out what you really need. If you’re mostly doing computer work on your typical workdays, browse for a desk or a workstation that is designated for computer use. A compartment to hold your CPU underneath your desk is unavoidable, as well as built-in wiring holes for obvious reasons. If your work is paperwork-oriented, look for something that’s as roomy as possible – having to deal with spreadsheets, books and piles of paper on a small desk is as frustrating as work-related things go.
On the other hand, if the nature of your job is somewhere in between the two mentioned categories, you should aim at getting an L-shaped or U-shaped desk that will allow you to compartmentalize your work based on the task you need to tackle at any given moment.
Look at Yourself as a Professional
Being messy is just as fine as being tidy, as long as it makes you a productive individual – some of us find chaos a harmony, while others can’t find their way around anything unless it’s tidy. Keep in mind, however, that if you are a creative genius type of person that likes their cozy mess, you are going to need to browse for spacious office desks, suggest the people behind Ideal Furniture. On the other hand, if you are tidy, something smaller and more practical will work.
Space and Ergonomics
Now, to consider some common factors: your desk should definitely provide clearance for your legs, so you’re looking for something from 29 to 30 inches from the floor. The keyboard should be placed at a comfortable height in order to avoid discomfort and muscle strain. The desktop paraphernalia should be easily reachable and the surface cleverly-devised and spacious.
Surface Material
Laminate is truly the most popular choice – a wooden desk with a plastic finish is the type of desk you’re most likely to see. Metal or steel desks, on the other hand, are significantly more durable than laminate ones and they appear more professional in appearance. Reasonably priced and able to withstand daily use and abuse, metal or steel desks are a solid choice, literally and figuratively.
Wood or veneer is the most elegant choice out there. Veneer, a thin layer of wood, is glued to a more inferior base in order to make the desk look luxurious and attractive. The downsides, however, are outlined in the fact that these desks are prone to damage, stains and wear and tear, while one couldn’t really say that they are reasonably-priced.
Choosing a Model
Well, there isn’t a whole lot of advice that can be given here – you should choose what you like as long as you can afford it. Mahogany, for example, is a popular choice, but if you honestly find a steel desk more eye-pleasing, there is no reason for spending a ton of money in order to impress other people. Be true to yourself!
Functionality is something that comes first when choosing your desk. You’ll be spending hours on end sitting at it and the fact that it looks like a million bucks won’t help you find what you are looking for. Aim for practicality and turn to aesthetics as a means to narrow the choice down.
