By the time school starts at the latest, most parents begin asking which desk is the right one for their child starting school. Keep in mind that children have different requirements for their desk than we adults do. They are constantly on the move and grow quickly. That’s why a children’s desk should not only grow with them, but also be sturdy enough to last for several years.
From the best desk for children starting school, to the right desk height, to suitable accessories – our guide will help you find the right desk for your child. Let’s create the perfect learning environment for your child together.
- What is special about a children’s desk?
- At what age does my child need a desk in their room?
- Which desk is best for children starting school?
- Should a children’s desk be height-adjustable?
- Why should a children’s desk have a tilting top?
- What is the right desk height for a children’s desk?
- How your child sits ergonomically at a desk
- What accessories should a children’s desk have?
- Where should the desk be placed in a child’s room?
- Which material is suitable for children’s desks?
- Children’s desks in white, colourful, pink…which design would you prefer?
What is special about a children’s desk?
A desk for children is specially designed to meet the needs of children and teenagers. This applies to the desk shape, height and ease of use. These features are mainly based on the height and growth of children and young people. You may also find children’s desks listed as youth desks or student desks.
At what age does my child need a desk in their room?
Children’s desk from age 3 to 4
If your child is not at school yet but enjoys drawing for long periods or has fun writing their first letters, an ergonomic children’s desk can make sense even before school starts. Sitting on the floor or at the kitchen table for longer periods can quickly lead to an unhealthy posture. With a tilting desk designed for your child, sitting is much more upright and therefore healthier.
Children’s desk from age 6
As soon as your child starts primary school, we recommend a suitable children’s desk. This helps your child sit healthily and upright without having to worry about postural problems. Combine the desk with a suitable, ergonomic children’s desk chair.
Which desk is best for children starting school?
When children start school, the question arises of which children's desk is the right one. But how do you find the perfect desk? There are several independent testing institutes such as Stiftung Warentest, TÜV and Öko-Test that deal with this topic and test these desks for functions, possible harmful substances and durability. You can use these tests as a helpful guide, but they are no substitute for detailed advice from a specialist retailer. Still, there are a few useful benchmarks and features that matter when buying a high-quality desk for children:
1. A children's desk that grows with your child
This type adapts as your child grows. It can be adjusted in height, so your child can benefit from it for several years and sit ergonomically at their desk at every age. In most cases, it can even continue to be used as a desk for teenagers. It is important that you can adjust the desk easily and ideally without any tools.
2. Stability and quality
Since a children's desk is naturally meant to last for several years, it also needs to stand up to a lot. For example, test whether the drawers open and close quietly. Get advice and pay attention to the following: How much weight can the desktop support? Does the desk have a sturdy base? Is it easy to move?
3. Harmful substances
Pay attention to the level of harmful substances in the children's desk. In Germany, manufacturers must be able to prove the absence of harmful substances with a quality seal. One possible harmful substance is formaldehyde, for example. Of course, the children's desk should not contain this. So make sure to look for test marks such as the GS mark (“Tested Safety”).
Should a children's desk be height-adjustable?
Height-adjustable desks generally consist of a desktop mounted on freestanding legs. In most cases, you can adjust the desk to the right height by hand. Some models are even electrically height-adjustable. This makes it easy to switch between sitting and standing at any time. But a height-adjustable children's desk offers a few more advantages as well
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A height-adjustable desk for children grows with them
As already mentioned, it is a major advantage if the desk can grow with your child. That way, your child can benefit from it not only when starting school but also later in secondary school.
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Protecting your child's back
Your child is still growing. That is why a child's back needs special protection. Thanks to the height adjustment, you can always set the desk to the ideal height for your child. In general, it is important that the feet rest flat on the floor and the arms can rest comfortably on the desktop.
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Not to be overlooked – learning becomes more fun
A real highlight: raising and lowering a modern children's desk. It makes working much more enjoyable than at a conventional desk. A positive side effect: your children enjoy learning more, and in the best case this can even have a positive effect on their school grades.
Why should a children's desk be tiltable?
The tilt serves a very clever purpose – with a tiltable desktop, your child sits much more upright and straighter than at a flat tabletop. This means children automatically adopt the "right" posture when they are learning and doing their homework. A particularly great side effect is that kids sit more ergonomically while also protecting their sensitive backs.
How much tilt should it have? Ideally, the tilt should be at least 16°. This creates the right distance between the eye and the work surface. It is important that tiltable children's desks are fitted with a lip at the lower edge of the desktop. This prevents exercise books, books and pens from sliding off the desk. On some models, this lip can also be folded back down so it does not press against the child's forearms when it is not needed.
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Tiltable and height-adjustable children's desk |
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+ Can grow with the child + Relieves pressure on the spine + Encourages active sitting and changes in sitting position + Improves performance and concentration ∼ The desk often needs to be cleared before it can be tilted ∼ Slightly more expensive to buy |
What is the right desk height for a children's desk?
Children grow quickly, so ideally the desk should be height-adjustable. This also allows your child to adjust the desk and chair perfectly to each other.
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First, the chair must be adjusted correctly. To do this, your child should place both feet flat on the floor, with the thighs and lower legs forming a 90-degree angle.
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Once the child is sitting ergonomically, the desk is adjusted.
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Ideally, your child should be able to rest their forearms comfortably on the desk, forming a 90-degree angle with the upper arms.
In general, you can also use the following table as a guide for desk height.
| Child's height | Desk height |
| 93–116 cm | 45 cm |
| 108-121 cm | 53 cm |
| 119-142 cm | 59 cm |
| 133-159 cm | 64 cm |
| 146-177 cm | 71 cm |
| 159-188 cm | 76 cm |
| 174-207 cm | 82 cm |
However, these are only recommendations. The best approach is to try it out together with your child to find the right desk height.
How your child can sit ergonomically at their desk
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Seat height: Adjust the chair correctly. Ideally, your child should sit so that their thighs and lower legs form a 90-degree angle. Their feet should rest flat on the floor.
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Desk height: The desktop must be high enough for the child to rest their elbows lightly on it. The desk should therefore be positioned just below the elbows.
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Tilt: Adjust the tilt so that your child sits upright at the desk without hunching forward.
If the chair position, desk height and tilt are set correctly, the right ergonomic sitting posture usually comes naturally. This is a great way to help prevent poor posture from an early age.
What accessories should a children's desk have?
To make sure your child benefits from their desk for a long time, it should include certain features or at least be possible to add them later:
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Drawer / storage space: Many children's desks already come with integrated drawers and storage compartments. This provides a practical place to keep bits and pieces, pens and paper neatly stored.
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Storage trays: You can also add further storage trays to keep things tidy. However, there should be enough space on the work surface for them. Simple stackable cardboard and plastic boxes or filing racks are available for this purpose.
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Mobile pedestal: Of course, all the pens, books and exercise books need to be stored somewhere when they are not in use. If the existing desk drawers are not enough, it is worth buying a mobile pedestal. This helps prevent clutter at your child’s workspace. The pedestal can also be conveniently stored under the desk. Available in various colours, they can also be perfectly matched to the desk.
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Desk pad: The pad protects the desk from doodles and possible damage to the desk surface. Children also love desk pads because they are available in a wide variety of designs and patterns.
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Pen tray/pen groove: Some models are equipped with an extra pen groove on the lower edge or on the side of the desktop. It offers space for several pens and other small items. This small tray is particularly practical when you need to switch quickly between pencil, eraser or fountain pen. The groove is also useful when the desk is tilted, because everything stays in place and does not fall off the desk.
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School bag storage: Some children’s desks are equipped with storage for school bags. This is usually attached to the side like a kind of holder. That way, your child can take out the items they need at any time without having to bend down.
Where should the desk go in a child’s bedroom?
The perfect location depends on the daylight. This way, your child always has the best light for working. Ideally, the light should come from the side. Or from the front. However, in such a way that it does not dazzle the eyes. Another advantage: if your child sits by the window, they can glance outside from time to time. This is a wonderful way to relax the eyes.
The light at a child’s workspace should ideally come in from the side
In fact, the hand your child uses for writing and drawing is also important. Quite simply to avoid awkward shadows while writing. Our tip for you:
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Right-handed: light should come from the right – shadow should fall from the left
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Left-handed: light should come from the left – shadow should fall from the right
When your child reaches their teenage years, they will usually need a computer. Both for school and for leisure. Even then, make sure the light from the window falls correctly. The sun should not shine onto the screen. If you use a desk lamp, position it so that the light does not fall on the display either. Ideally, the light should come from the side.
Which material is suitable for children's desks?
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Wood fibre boards (also MDF boards) are particularly robust. They are also very easy to clean, even when removing dried-on stains, and are resistant to dents and scratches. However, some inexpensive models may contain harmful substances. So be sure to look for the relevant certification mark.
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Desks made of solid wood look elegant, but are often more sensitive than wood fibre boards. Small scratches can appear quickly. However, wood can also be sanded down easily. And with proper care using oil or wax, the desk will soon look as good as new again. Hardwoods such as beech or oak are best suited for children's desks, as they are very durable. If you want to use the children's desk for a long time, for example for younger siblings as well, then it may well be worth considering buying a slightly more expensive solid wood desk.
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Desks made of metal are generally painted. The material makes the desk extremely stable and robust. However, it also makes it heavy. Especially with metal desks, make sure there are no sharp edges or corners. This helps prevent anyone from getting hurt while playing around at the desk. Incidentally, for many children's desks only the frame is made of metal, while the desktop is made of another material.
Here is another overview of the most important material properties:
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Children's desk made of solid wood |
Children's desk with coated desktop |
Children's desk made of metal |
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+ Stylish appearance ∼ More sensitive than wood fibre boards + But lasts a very long time with proper care + Largely free from harmful substances ∼ Slightly more expensive |
+ Plastic coating is extremely durable and easy to maintain ∼ Watch out for harmful substances → check the certification mark + Low price segment |
+ Extremely stable ∼ Paint may chip, but can also be repainted ∼ There must be no sharp edges or corners |
Children's desks in white, colourful, pink... which design would you like?
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Simple in white: Most desk models for children are white. The colour is simply practical and blends harmoniously into any child's bedroom. Especially if the rest of the furniture is also in white. Of course, you can also combine the simple desk with colourful rugs, curtains or great wall decorations. Another advantage: the white desk also fits perfectly in a teenager's room if your child later no longer wants it to be quite so colourful.
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Country house style in wood: If the room is already furnished in cosy natural tones, a wooden children's desk is naturally a perfect match. For example, a beech corner desk for a teenager's room. A table made of light wood also looks great with a white bed in country house style.
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Colourful, pink, bright: The little ones especially love bright colours. That's why children's desks are also available in pink, blue, red and green... basically in all the colours a child's heart desires. Ideally, choose the desk together with your children. But please don't overlook quality alongside the design.
Want to know more?
In our guide, you'll find more interesting content on the broad subject of sitting. Of course, we're also happy to help with advice and practical support: by phone, by email or in the online chat. We're here for you and look forward to hearing from you!