Office Desks 101: All Your Questions Answered

With the return to the office delayed for many of us across the globe, it’s time to focus on the office furniture we are using because remote working is here to stay. Today, we discuss desks, desks and desks. A desk is irreplaceable in an office. It is where our computer lives, our most important files are, and most importantly, where we spend most of our day. Whether you’re setting up a home office or just replacing the old rickety desk, there’s so much to choose from that it can be overwhelming. This guide to office desks is designed to answer all of your questions, whether you’re purchasing for your company or buying one for yourself 

1. WHAT SHOULD THE IDEAL HEIGHT OF A DESK BE?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to choosing a desk. If your height is between 5’8” and 5’10”, a desk's ideal height would be between 28 to 30 inches. However, if you are shorter or taller than that height range, you may find it tough to sit and work at such a desk. Every office has employees with varied heights, so the best option would be to use a height-adjustable desk. These desks can go as low as 22 inches and as high as 49 inches, providing comfort to most employees.

Tip: If you, however, feel that your desk is too high, try raising your office chair and using a footrest to support your feet.

2. HOW DO I CHOOSE THE SIZE OF MY HOME OFFICE DESK?

The size of your home office desk is entirely determined by the size of your space and the type of work you do. Here is a quick 2-step assessment you can do before buying a home office desk-

Step 1: Measure the square footage of your space to determine how large of a desk will fit into the room. While measuring, make sure to allow for at least 2 feet of space around it.

Step 2: Measure your doorways and stairways to make sure transporting the desk isn’t going to be a hassle. If your stairwells and doors are too narrow, you may want to consider getting a desk that isn’t too big, a foldable home office desk or one that you can assemble.

3. WHAT IS THE CORRECT POSTURE TO SIT AT A DESK ALL DAY?

The correct sitting posture remains the same as we mentioned in our Office Chairs 101 article.

1. Position your elbows at a 90° angle to your desk
2. Sit in as close to the desk as possible
3. Bring your keyboard and mouse in close so your elbows are in line with your ribcage
4. Place your feet flat on the floor or footrest
5. Sit right back into the chair, with your hips and back in full contact with the backrest

4. WHAT DESK DIMENSIONS SHOULD I GO FOR IF I HAVE 2 MONITORS?

If you want a desk to hold dual monitors, first measure the size of your monitors. Assuming that each monitor is 24”, you will need a minimum of 48” of real estate on your desk. These monitors will need to have some space between them, along with some extra space for other items on your desk. Hence, opt for desks with over 50-55 inches of main real estate. Remember that ultra-wide monitors need more real estate than 24” monitors.

You can also consider using monitor arms to make it a convenient experience for you. Our Leap Dual Monitor Arms can hold up to 8kg per arm, accommodate screen sizes of 27” and come with a 5-year manufacturer-protected warranty!

5. SHOULD MY DESK FACE THE WALL?

The answer to this depends on your personal preference. If you have a small office space to work with, setting up your desk to face the wall can save room tremendously. Having a desk facing the wall can limit distraction and help you focus. It also lets you keep your workspace clean and tidy as the wires will be tucked away behind the table. However, it can give you the feeling of being closed off from the rest of the room, so keep that in mind.

You can determine what works best for you if you’re a professional with a big enough home office. If you do decide to set your desk facing the wall, you can use the space on the wall to put up some bookshelves that may be useful to you.

6. WHAT TYPES OF DESKS ARE IN THE MARKET?

Here are the common types of desks that are available in the market. Compare and contrast these desks and what they offer to determine which one is the best one for you –

• Executive Desks – Used in large office spaces and are equipped with file and box drawers to store paperwork and supplies
• Computer Desks – Scaled-down versions of executive desks have wire management capabilities and are ideal for home office
• Compact Desks – Scaled-down versions of computer desks, perfect for space-saving and can fit virtually anywhere
• L-shaped Desks – Allows you to utilise corner space that might have gone unused, perfect if you need extra desktop space or want a space-saving option
• U-shaped Desk – Typically massive and is the best option for anyone who needs a lot of space to complete their work. Plenty of filing and utility space as it comes equipped with a credenza.
• Sit-stand Desk – Allows the user to alternate between sitting and standing, which is great for a healthy posture and productivity
• Writing Desk – These desks have a table-like design and spacious work surfaces. Does not have much storage space, so additional mobile pedestals are suggested.

7. WHAT TYPE OF MATERIAL SHOULD MY NEW DESK BE MADE OF?

Below are some popular options of materials that desks come in:

• Laminate – Ideal for high-traffic offices or high-touch workspaces as they do not scratch or dent easily. Easy to maintain, clean and very affordable
• Wood Veneer – Great in-between option for a real wood look minus the high cost. Durable and provides a rich look to your space.
• Solid Wood – These desks are made of solid wood of the highest quality. However, it can be heavy and quite expensive.
• Metal – Most metal desks have a wood or glass top with only a metal framework. Highly stable and great for industrial aesthetics.
• Glass – The work surface of a glass desk is usually made of tempered glass to prevent shattering. The framework can be metal or wood. Glass desks are easy to clean but show fingerprints and dirt quickly.

8. STANDING DESK VS SITTING DESK?

Everything is great in moderation, and the same goes for sitting. If you don’t get out of your seat much during your regular workday, you’re doing more harm to your body than good. Between sleep, relaxing, commuting and working, we spend an average of 9 hours sitting down. Research links sitting for extended periods to clusters of health risks like blood pressure, excess body fat around the waist, and cardiovascular disease.

Therefore, an ergonomic sit-stand desk is a perfect option if you lead a sedentary lifestyle. It reduces aches and pains, gives you a chance to increase your metabolism, and has many health benefits!

9. WHICH IS THE BEST SIT-STAND DESK OUT THERE?

If you want to invest in a standing desk, we suggest you opt for an adjustable standing desk instead of a non-adjustable one. This will ensure you have full control of the desk height.

The Leap 1200 x 800mm Sit-stand Desk has a maximum height of 1245 mm (49 inches). It comes with a handset with options to set a minimum and maximum height, a memory button with three programmable memory positions, settings to lock the handset and options to set the sensitivity and retracted height. It also features a six-access anti-collision software that will prevent any accident when you or an item comes into contact with your desk!

Moreover, its LED display shows the actual desk height and turns off after 10 seconds for low consumption.