The choice for the optimal desk is large. They differ not only in shape and color, but also in size, material and design. The choice is not always easy! Since most of us spend many hours there, it needs to be well chosen.
Below we have summarized a few criteria to help you find the right office table for you.
Table of contents:
- Which desk is right for you?
- Where should the desk be? The right position is the be-all and end-all
- The right desk width and length
- Aim high with the right desk height
- What types of desks are there?
- Color & Material - Glass or Wood? That is the question here
- What functions should the desk have?
- Children's desk - from preschool to adolescence
- Checklist for your desk
Where should the desk be? The right position is the be-all and end-all
Before you think about the right size, shape, color, etc., there is one question: Where will the desk be located?
In order to choose the right position before buying, there are a few things you need to consider. Because we all know that good lighting conditions are important when working. The first intention? Putting your desk directly in front of the window and being able to enjoy the view outside. But this isn't the best idea. Below we have summarized the dos and don'ts so that you can find the right place for your desk and then choose the right size.
Dos
- It is best to place your desk on the side at a 90 degree angle to the window. This way you can look out the window and get optimal light without being blinded or having reflections on the screen.
- It's not just the angle to the window that is important. If possible, position the desk so that you have a view of both the door and the room. This allows you to keep track of people entering and what is happening in the room. This creates a calm working atmosphere.
Don'ts
- Avoid placing the desk facing the window as this can cause glare from the sun. Not only does this strain your eyes, but it can also affect your view of the screen.
- It is also not an optimal solution to place your desk with your back to the window, as this can cause annoying reflections and diffuse shadows on the screen.
The right desk width and length
After you have determined the optimal position for your desk, it is important to carefully choose the appropriate size. The size depends on the available space and the ergonomic design. On the other hand, it also plays a role which items you want to store on the desk. For example, if you only need space for your laptop or a single screen, a smaller desk can usually be sufficient. However, if additional devices such as another screen, a keyboard, a table lamp, storage space or even a printer are to be integrated, a desk with generous dimensions is ideal.
It is therefore important to measure in advance how much space you have available for the desk. To ensure a pleasant working environment, you should allow about 80 cm of space next to and behind the office chair to allow enough freedom of movement. In addition, you should also consider ergonomic aspects, such as the recommended distance between your eyes and the monitor. Ideally, this distance is between 45 and 80 cm. For this reason, it is important that your desk is of appropriate width. As a general guideline, a good desk size is around 160x80cm. These dimensions are the minimum requirement for a desk area by the Federal Office for Occupational safety and occupational medicine (BAuA) recommended.*
Aim high with the right desk height
When choosing the optimal desk height, there are two options available: a desk with a fixed height or a height-adjustable desk. Height-adjustable desks can be easily adjusted to your individual height. Rigid desks, on the other hand, have a fixed size. This is usually between 72 and 76 cm.
Even a few centimeters can make a difference! Because if the desk is set too low or too high, back and neck problems can become noticeable. 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. The best way to find the right size or adjust the desk correctly is to use one of the numerous tables or table height calculators on the Internet. You are also welcome to read our guide on the topic “Optimal desk height”.
What types of desks are there?
Now that you've already considered the position and size, it's time to think about the shape of your desk.
There are different basic forms that can be distinguished:
- Rectangular desk
- Square desk
- Corner desk
- Bow desk & kidney desk
- Angle desk
- Freeform table
- Secretary
First of all, it should be said: For comfortable and ergonomic work, the tabletop should be straight or have an inwardly curved table edge. This allows you to move your office chair close to the table. Tables with round shapes, on the other hand, can be used in conference or meeting rooms, for example.
Choosing the right table shape should therefore correspond to both the practical aspects and the desired room ambience. Think about how you want to use the desk and what workflows you want to support. By considering these factors, you can ensure that your workspace is designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Rectangular desk
When you think of a desk, a desk with a rectangular shape probably comes to mind, right? This is also the variant that is most often used in the office or home office. So ideal if you use the office desk every day.
It is available in different sizes and you can use it individually or combine it - whether next to one another or opposite one another. Depending on the activity and available space, desks can be designed in different shapes. It is also possible to connect the desks with each other using additional elements such as triangular or semicircular extension panels. It also offers plenty of space on and under the table, for example. B. for a roll container.
Square desk
The square shape saves a lot of space and is great for small rooms or niches. It is particularly suitable if you use the desk purely as a computer workstation, as it offers a small work surface. As soon as you work with additional documents or work materials, we recommend that you use the rectangular variant. Just like its rectangular shape, it can be easily combined with other desks of the same height.
Corner desk
With a corner desk, two rectangular work surfaces are placed together at a 90 degree angle, creating an L shape. This office table nestles elegantly and efficiently in corners. This allows you to make optimal use of the space – even in otherwise “dead” corners. This means that it can find its position even in small rooms. Another advantage is that it offers you plenty of storage space for all sorts of office supplies and equipment on one side and enough space to work on the other side. This allows you to effortlessly switch between different tasks and maintains the flow of work.
Angle desk
The angle desk is very similar to the corner desk. The only difference is that the angle is bent at a larger angle. This means that it cannot be positioned in the corner, but it is ideal for a team workstation. Another advantage: It offers plenty of space for office supplies and is therefore usually found in administrations.
Round office table
A round table looks harmonious and can be an eye-catcher. However, these are not as practical as square desks and are less suitable for a permanent workplace. You should therefore use this form for conference rooms or meetings.
Bow desk and kidney desk
Both the curved and kidney desks bring dynamism to your work environment thanks to their rounded shape.
The arched desk is characterized by its curved shape and therefore appears very modern and dynamic. It usually has three straight edges and an outward curvature on one side. You can use this elegant variant ideally for the reception area or larger individual offices.
The kidney desk is characterized by its rounded table sides and looks particularly harmonious. If you look at this shape from above, it resembles a kidney.
One disadvantage is that filing documents can seem chaotic at first glance due to the lack of edges. For this reason, you can use this type of desk wonderfully in the conference or meeting room.
In contrast to the other variants, both of these forms require more space and are also somewhat more expensive to purchase. In addition, the curves make them difficult to combine with other tables.
Freeform table
Freeform tables are desks that do not correspond to any of the shapes already mentioned.
Asymmetrical shapes can bring the right swing into the office space - a change from traditional shapes is guaranteed. However, due to their unusual design, they are usually only suitable for working to a limited extent and are therefore more likely to be used as conference tables.
Secretary instead of a desk
We also don't want to withhold the secretary from you and have it included in the forms. This dates back to the days of the good old typewriter. It is particularly compact in shape and offers a lot of space in the smallest of spaces - drawers and shelves guarantee this. However, the work surface is particularly small. Do you occasionally work from home or do you primarily use your desk to sort mail? Then the secretary is a good solution for you.
If, on the other hand, you work a lot in the home office or at a desk, then it would be better to use a different variant - not least because of the ergonomic aspects.
Color & Material - Glass or Wood? That is the question here
In order to choose your desk correctly, the color and material must of course not be neglected. Look around to see what colors dominate the room where the desk will be. Are the tones more light or dark? Should the office table fit into the furnishings or be an eye-catcher? Incidentally, desks in white or black are very popular alongside light and dark wood tones.
Speaking of wood! When it comes to appearance, it's not just the color that plays a role, but also the material. This brings up the question: Should the desk be made of wood, glass or another material? In general it can be said: the classic desk materials are made of wood. Alternatives now include chipboard, MDF boards or medium-density fiberboard. In modern designs, glass, steel and other materials are sometimes used.
The question also applies here: which material fits in with the rest of the furnishings? A glass table, for example, looks very modern and elegant. Depending on the design and color, a desk made of wood can appear natural, but also robust. Do you want a table that is particularly durable? Then a model made of wood is a good choice. However, do you want a very light table? Then a table with an MDF board is more suitable.
Is an ergonomic desk top important to you? Then, as described above, pay attention to straight edges and a surface with as little reflection as possible to avoid glare. In this case, you should avoid a glass plate as it can reflect light unpleasantly.
So it's entirely up to you which material and color you prefer!
What functions should the desk have?
Storage space: When it comes to functions, it depends particularly on your needs and requirements for your workplace. Do you need a lot of storage space? Make sure that the office table has practical drawers and spacious compartments to organize your work materials neatly. Alternatively, you can always use a rolling container that you simply place under the table.
Height adjustability: Height-adjustable desks provide even more flexibility and an ergonomic workplace. These are available in different versions:
- Height-adjustable legs: With this variant you can adjust the height to your height when sitting
- Manually height-adjustable desks for cranking
- Electrically height-adjustable desks
With the last two variants you can work either sitting or standing as you wish. Completely tailored to your needs. These are also particularly interesting in offices where a table is made available to several employees.
Cable outlet and socket: In order to ensure order not only on the table but also under it, good cable management is important. This ensures a neat appearance and avoids unnecessary tripping hazards. So think about whether your desk should have a cable outlet with or without covers, or whether you should buy a cable duct to go with it. In both cases, it helps to hide the tangled cables and keep the work surface tidy. By the way, integrated sockets can also make things easier.
Children's desk - from preschool to adolescence
You can also consider most of the criteria mentioned above for a children's desk. However, the children's desk should be as variable as possible to suit body size and needs. Ideally, the table accompanies the child from preschool to adolescence. Therefore, make sure that it has the following criteria:
- Height adjustable or grows with you
- Work surface to tilt
- Sufficient space for painting, writing and learning
- Stability
Why have a work surface that tilts?
In most cases, a straight work surface is optimal, e.g. B. when writing. But e.g. For example, when reading, an inclined surface can be more comfortable - after all, we usually hold the book at an angle to our body. And when painting, a sloping surface can make this activity easier for your child. In this way, bending of the head is avoided, a hunched sitting posture is counteracted and, hopefully, discomfort is avoided. It is ideal if the surface can be tilted at least 16 degrees and can be easily adjusted - without any danger to the little fingers. This means you can adjust different angles depending on your needs and activity and ensure ergonomic work for your child.
Checklist for your desk
What you should consider when choosing:
- Find the right position
- Find the right size. With sufficient space to move around and under the desk.
- Choose the right width and length. Because these ensure a sufficiently large work surface; The guideline is 80x160 cm
- The height is tailored to you, ideally the desk is height adjustable - at least so that it can be adjusted to the ideal sitting height
- The optimal shape: Recommendation for ergonomic work - straight edges
- Choose the color and material that suits the room.
- Choose the material that suits your needs and requirements. In any case, the desk should be robust.
- Choose the features you need:
- Storage space
- Height adjustment
- Cable passage for more order
Do you want to know more?
In our guide you will find further interesting content on the broad topic of ergonomics when working. Of course, we are also happy to provide you with advice and assistance: via telephone, email or online chat. We are here for you and look forward to hearing from you!