The choice of the ideal desk is vast. They differ not only in shape and colour, but also in size, material and finish. So choosing isn’t always easy! As most of us spend many hours there, it’s important to choose well.
Below, we have summarised a few criteria to help you find the right office desk for your needs.
Contents:
- Which desk is right for you?
- Where should the desk go? The right position is key
- The right desk width and length
- Reach new heights with the right desk height
- What desk shapes are there?
- Colour & material - glass or wood? That is the question
- What features should the desk have?
- Children’s desk - from preschool age to teenage years
- Checklist for your desk
Where should the desk go? The right position is key
Before you start thinking about the right size, shape, colour and so on, there is one key question: where will the desk go?
To choose the right position before buying, there are one or two things to keep in mind. We all know that good lighting is important when working. Your first instinct? Put the desk directly in front of the window and enjoy the view outside as well. But that isn’t the best idea. Below, we have summarised the dos and don’ts to help you find the right spot for your desk and then choose the right size.
Dos
- Ideally, place your desk to the side of the window at a 90-degree angle. This way, you can look out of the window and benefit from optimal natural light without being dazzled or having reflections on your screen.
- It’s not just the angle to the window that matters. If possible, position the desk so that you can keep both the door and the room in view. This helps you stay aware of people entering and what is happening in the room. It creates a calm working atmosphere.
Don´ts
- Avoid placing the desk facing the window, as this can lead to glare from the sun. This not only strains your eyes, but can also impair your view of the screen.
- Likewise, placing the desk with your back to the window is not an ideal solution, as this can cause distracting reflections and diffuse shadows on the screen.
The right desk width and length
Once you have determined the ideal position for your desk, it is also important to choose the right size carefully. The size depends on the available space and the ergonomic setup on the one hand. On the other hand, it also depends on which items you want to place on the desk. For example, if it only needs to accommodate your laptop or a single monitor, a smaller desk will usually be sufficient. However, if additional equipment such as another monitor, a keyboard, a desk lamp, storage space or even a printer needs to be integrated, a desk with generous dimensions is the better choice.
It is therefore essential to measure in advance how much space you have available for the desk. To ensure a comfortable working environment, you should allow around 80 cm of space beside and behind the office chair for sufficient freedom of movement. In addition, you should also consider ergonomic factors, such as the recommended distance between your eyes and the monitor. Ideally, this distance should be between 45 and 80 cm. For this reason, it is important that your desk has a suitable width. As a general guideline, a good desk size is around 160x80 cm. These dimensions are recommended as the minimum requirement for a desk workspace by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) and Occupational Medicine.*
Reach new heights with the right desk height
When choosing the ideal desk height, there are initially two options: a desk with a fixed height or a height-adjustable desk. Height-adjustable desks can be adapted well to your individual height. Fixed desks, on the other hand, have a set height. This is usually between 72 and 76 cm.
Even a few centimetres can make a difference! If the desk is set too low or too high, back and neck pain can soon make itself felt. You should avoid that. Therefore, the desk height should be adjusted so that your upper and lower arms as well as your thighs and lower legs are at least at a 90-degree angle to each other. To find the right size or adjust the desk correctly, it is best to use one of the many tables or desk height calculators available online. You may also like to read our guide on the topic of “Optimal desk height”.
What desk shapes are there?
Now that you have already considered the position and size, it is time to think about the shape of your desk.
There are various basic shapes that can be distinguished:
- Rectangular desk
- Square desk
- Corner desk
- Bow-front desk & kidney-shaped desk
- L-shaped desk
- Freeform desk
- Secretary desk
First of all, it should be said that for comfortable, ergonomic working, the desktop should be straight or have an inward-curved edge. This allows you to move your office chair close to the desk. Tables with rounded shapes, on the other hand, are ideal for use in conference or meeting rooms, for example.
The choice of the right desk shape should therefore suit both practical considerations and the desired room ambience. Think about how you would like to use the desk and which workflows you want to support. By taking these factors into account, you can ensure that your workspace is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Rectangular desk
When you think of a desk, a rectangular one is probably what comes to mind, right? It is also the version most commonly used in the office or home office. So it is ideal if you use your desk every day.
It is available in different sizes and can be used on its own or combined with other desks – whether side by side or facing each other. Depending on the task and the space available, desks can be arranged in different configurations. There is also the option of linking desks together with additional elements such as triangular or semi-circular extension tops. It also offers plenty of space on and under the desk, e.g. for a mobile pedestal.
Square desk
The square shape is very space-saving and ideal for small rooms or alcoves. It is especially suitable if you use the desk purely as a computer workstation, as it offers a relatively small work surface. So if you also need to work with additional documents or materials, we recommend choosing the rectangular version instead. Like the rectangular shape, it can also be easily combined with other desks of the same height.
Corner desk
A corner desk has two rectangular work surfaces arranged at a 90-degree angle, creating an L-shape. This allows the desk to fit neatly and efficiently into corners. That means you can make the best possible use of the available space – even in otherwise “dead” corners. So it also works well in small rooms. Another advantage is that it gives you plenty of storage space on one side for all kinds of office supplies and equipment, while offering enough room to work on the other. This lets you switch effortlessly between different tasks while maintaining a smooth workflow.
Angled desk
The angled desk is very similar to the corner desk. The only difference is that the angle is set wider. This means it cannot be placed directly in a corner, but it is ideal for a team workstation. Another advantage: it offers plenty of space for office supplies and is therefore often found in administrative offices.
Round office table
A round table creates a harmonious look and can certainly be an eye-catcher. However, it is not as practical as angular desks and is less suitable as a permanent workstation. This shape is therefore better suited to conference rooms or meetings.
Bow-front desks and kidney desks
Both bow-front desks and kidney desks bring a sense of movement to your workspace thanks to their rounded shape.
The bow-front desk is defined by its curved shape and therefore looks very modern and dynamic. It usually has three straight edges and a bulge outwards on one side. This elegant option is ideal for reception areas or larger private offices.
The kidney desk is characterised by its rounded table sides and has a particularly harmonious look. Viewed from above, its shape resembles a kidney.
One disadvantage is that, due to the lack of edges, documents can look a little chaotic when placed on it at first glance. For this reason, this type of desk is ideal for use in conference or meeting rooms.
Unlike the other versions, both of these shapes require more space and are also a little more expensive to buy. In addition, their rounded contours make them difficult to combine with other tables.
Freeform desk
Freeform desks are desks that do not fit any of the shapes already mentioned.
Asymmetrical shapes can bring just the right amount of flair to the office – a welcome change from traditional designs is guaranteed. However, because of their unusual design, they are usually only suitable for work to a limited extent and are therefore more commonly used as conference tables.
Writing desk instead of office desk
We also don’t want to leave out the secretary desk and would like to include it among the different shapes. It dates back to the days of the good old typewriter. Its design is particularly compact and it offers plenty of storage in a very small space – drawers and shelves guarantee this. However, the work surface is especially small. Do you occasionally work from home or mainly use the desk for sorting the post? Then a secretary desk is a good solution for you.
If, on the other hand, you spend a lot of time working from your home office or at your desk, it’s better to choose a different option – not least for ergonomic reasons.
Colour & material - glass or wood? That is the question
To make sure you choose the right desk, you should of course also pay attention to the colour and material. Take a look around to see which colours dominate the room where the desk will be placed. Are they mainly light or dark tones? Should the desk blend in with the interior or become an eye-catcher? Desks in white or black are particularly popular, along with light and dark wood tones.
Speaking of wood! When it comes to appearance, not only the colour matters, but the material too. Which raises the question: should the desk be made of wood, glass or another material? In general, the classic desk material is wood. Nowadays, alternatives include chipboard, MDF boards or medium-density fibreboard. In modern designs, glass, steel and other materials are also sometimes used.
Here too, the question is which material fits in with the rest of the interior? A glass desk, for example, looks very modern and elegant. Depending on the finish and colour, a wooden desk can look natural, but also sturdy. Do you want a table that is particularly durable? Then a wooden model is a good choice. But if you want a very lightweight table, a model with an MDF top is more suitable.
Is an ergonomic desktop important to you? Then, as described above, look for straight edges and a surface with as little reflection as possible to avoid glare. In this case, you should avoid a glass top, as it can reflect light unpleasantly.
So it is entirely up to you which material and colour you prefer!
What functions should the desk have?
Storage space: When it comes to features, what matters most is your needs and the requirements of your workspace. Do you need plenty of storage space? Then make sure the desk has practical drawers and spacious compartments to keep your work materials neatly organised. Alternatively, you can always use a mobile pedestal that you simply place under the desk.
Height adjustability: Height-adjustable desks provide even more flexibility and an ergonomic workspace. They are available in different versions:
- Height-adjustable legs: with this option, you can adjust the height to suit your seated body height
- Manually height-adjustable desks with a crank handle
- Electrically height-adjustable desks
With the last two options, you can work both sitting and standing whenever you like. Entirely according to your needs. These are also particularly useful in offices where one desk is used by several employees.
Cable outlet and power socket: To keep things tidy not only on but also under the desk, good cable management is important. This helps create a neat overall look and avoids unnecessary trip hazards. So think about whether your desk should have a cable grommet with or without a cover, or whether you would prefer to buy a cable tray separately. In both cases, it helps hide cable clutter and keep the work surface tidy. By the way, integrated power sockets can also make things much easier.
Children's desk - from preschool to teenage years
For a children's desk, you can also apply most of the criteria mentioned above. However, the children's desk should adapt as flexibly as possible to the child's height and needs. Ideally, the desk will accompany the child from preschool through to the teenage years. So make sure it meets the following criteria:
- Height-adjustable or designed to grow with the child
- Tiltable work surface
- Sufficient space for drawing, writing and studying
- Stability
Why choose a tiltable work surface?
In most cases, a flat work surface is ideal, e.g. for writing. But for reading, for example, an angled surface can be more comfortable – after all, we usually hold a book tilted towards the body. And for drawing or painting, a slanted surface can also make this activity easier for your child. This helps prevent the head from bending forward too much, counteracts a hunched sitting posture and ideally avoids discomfort. It is best if the surface can be tilted by at least 16 degrees and adjusted easily – with no risk to little fingers. This allows you to set different angles depending on the need and activity and create ergonomic working conditions for your child.
Checklist for your desk
What you should consider when choosing:
- Determine the right position
- Find the right size, with enough freedom of movement around and under the desk.
- Choose the right width and length, as these ensure a sufficiently large work surface; 80x160 cm is a good guideline
- The height should suit you; ideally, the desk is height-adjustable – at the very least so it can be adapted to the ideal sitting height
- The optimal shape: recommended for ergonomic working - straight edges
- Choose the colour and material that suit the room.
- Choose the material that suits your needs and requirements. In any case, the desk should be robust.
- Choose the functions you need:
- Storage space
- Height adjustment
- Cable grommet for a tidier workspace
Want to know even more?
In our guide, you’ll find more interesting content on the broad topic of ergonomics at work. Of course, we’re also happy to help with expert advice and practical support: by phone, by email or via online chat. We’re here for you and look forward to hearing from you!