Last updated on May 16th, 2023
Office desks are a huge decision, yet many people don’t consider anything beyond if a desk looks good and is within their budget. Although our budget matters and can make a huge difference in how you feel about which desks you can pick from: it’s not the only important factor.
Physical features of the workspace such as poor furniture ergonomics have been the subject of complaint in the workspaces for many years. With WFH arrangements and people using their home set-up as their office, these complaints increased drastically (Webber, 2020).
These are five important tips and questions to consider before purchasing the right office desk for yourself.
Why Does Your Office Desk Matter?
Before you go shopping, it’s vital to remind yourself of why the right office desk is important. A good corner office desk will inspire you to get more work done and will excite you to stay organized and prepared to take on the work week. Your office desk will need to be a good height compared to your chair to ensure you’re comfortable while sitting at it: and it will have to have a durable finish on the top, so you don’t have to fear it getting damaged easily.
This should be a space that’s inspiring to you, even if your job isn’t that exciting. Invest in getting the perfect desk for yourself.
1. Consider How Much Office Space You Have
When looking at office desks, consider what type of space you have available. If you don’t have much room, corner office desks can be awesome because they ensure you don’t have to worry about taking up more than a corner. On the other hand, if you have more space and want to show off, a corporate desk with a cowl or hutch can also be a great fit.
The less space you have, the more careful you’ll have to be with your desk. If you have a massive office and need a lot of workspaces, you might even want to consider getting two corner desks you can connect into a U-shaped space that will let you access all of your work at any time.
2. You Can Share Your Office Productively
If you have to share your office: it’s a good idea to consider the desk situation of the other person in it. If the other person is your partner or someone you’ll be living with for a long time, consider getting two desks that are built to be together.
A Smart 2-Way Desk Pod with Modular Express Desk Mounted Screen Divider is a great option because it ensures you have your own huge workspace while also having it separated so that whomever else is at the other desk has their own space as well. This also ensures that you can still interact if you need to, but you have to stand up before you are able to distract or pull their attention to you.
3. Will You Want to Stand or Move Around?
Not everyone wants a desk where they’ll always have to sit at the same height forever. Some people like to stand while they work, while others like to have the option to change their minds from day to day.
If you like that idea, consider height-adjustable desks that will let you set their height to your own needs day by day. Although it can take a moment to adjust the height, being able to do so may allow you to feel more excited about work and more inclined to complete projects when they’re due.
4. Do You Need More Storage Than You Have?
Storage is vital to any office: do you have enough? If you’re struggling with finding spaces to put things, and your desk surface is a huge clutter of papers and files, consider getting a desk that comes with built-in storage.
Even a simple Smart Desk, Drawer Unit, and Sandon Chair Package can offer everything you need for a basic office set, while still inspiring you to get as much work done as possible.
If you need, even more, consider getting an office desk with a hutch or above-head storage that will help you store even more documents. If you’re not sure what documents you have, now might be a good time to consider decluttering and cutting back on what you own.
5. What Styles or Finishes Excite You?
Beyond function: what looks good to you? Some people like to go for the all-white look for an office desk, while others like a classic timber finish that makes it look more natural. It’s a good idea to remember how hard it is to keep a white surface clean and how sturdy a solid wood or wood veneer desk can be.
If you’re not sure what desks visually interest you, consider flipping through office inspiration on sites like Pinterest since they allow you to view dozens of different visual options until you find one that makes you want to get to work.
If you still can’t find anything that feels quite right: remember that regardless of what type of desk you get, you can create a unique and beautiful workspace for yourself by adding your own personal touches.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Although you want the desk of your dreams, there are some things you should be careful to avoid during desk shopping. One of the biggest problems is if you buy a desk without first measuring the space you want that desk in. Buying an office desk and then realizing it’s way too big or small for your needs after you’ve spent the time constructing it can be heartbreaking. Don’t let this happen to you. Instead, take a moment before you purchase and measure everything out.
Another mistake some people make is assuming that they’ll suddenly be clutter-free by the time their desk arrives, and they don’t need storage. Almost everyone has some clutter on their desk and letting it sit there can be damaging to your productivity. Instead of allowing this to happen, shop for desks that have storage for you to organize into.
Everyone Should Get Their Perfect Desk
Having a desk, you love and are excited to work in can make a huge difference in how you feel about your workday. Take the time to shop for the best one possible and get a desk you’ll look forward to working with.