If you work from home, are making the switch to working from home soon or just need a functional space to do some work, chances are you’ll want an office desk that fits your needs. Selecting the perfect office desk isn’t easy, however. With so many types and styles on the market, it will take time to find the one that’s perfect for your home. You’ll have to consider a lot of factors, like how often you’ll be using it, what your furniture layout looks like, what furniture styles you like and more, and only then will you be able to start making decisions on picking from the right office desks for home. But with how much time you’ll spend in front of your desk, choosing the one that’s perfect for you is less like selecting a random piece of furniture and more like choosing a sofa or a bed – it’s important that you match your needs. So how do you go about selecting the right desk?
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Plan for Your Needs
One of the most important and most obvious steps in choosing an office desk for your home is to consider how you’ll be using it. Do you work from home daily for multiple hours a day? Do you own a desktop or a laptop? What type of work do you do? Do you need additional space at your desk for items besides a computer? Once you consider what type of work you’ll be doing at your desk, you can begin to plan out a shape for it based on function.
For example, an office desk that features a desktop setup will need additional room for a monitor, keyboard, mouse and any miscellaneous accessories, while an office desk that’s designed for a laptop won’t need as much additional space and can be used for many purposes. You also might need room behind the desk to hide cables if your work involves a desktop or electronics, while if your work is largely done on paper, these things will be less necessary. Take into account the size of your working items and how much space you’ll need for them. By making a list of all the items that are necessary to a functional work environment, you can strategically plan for a shape that fits your exact needs.
Plan for Comfort
An office desk isn’t just about holding all of your work – it also needs to be comfortable and accessible during long workdays. It may be tempting to pick an ornate wooden office desk for its beauty and because it will make a fantastic addition to your home, but if you’re spending eight hours a day at your desk, you may want to consider something more modern that’s designed for an ergonomic and accessible lifestyle. Things like storage and height will need to be considered in order to make your life easier and keep your work from feeling tedious or uncomfortable.
When it comes to choosing a style of office desk for comfort reasons, again you’ll need to consider your needs. Standing desks might seem like an attractive option, but make sure that you purchase a chair or stool that allows you to sit as well. Making sure that you have the choice to stand or sit will greatly improve your level of comfort. Similarly, don’t choose a writing desk if you need a deeper amount of space – or do consider choosing one if you don’t.
Plan for Your Office Layout
How much room do you have available in your home office? If the answer is “not much,” then it’s probably not a good idea to invest in a corner or L-shaped desk that will take up more room than a writing desk or hutch desk. You’ll want to think about whether you want a desk that includes shelving or cabinets for storage that’s easily accessible while working. Consider the accessories that won’t necessarily be sitting on your desk but will take up space in your room. Do you use a printer while working? Do you have bookshelves or decorative elements? What are the dimensions of your home office? You can avoid your office feeling like a cubicle by choosing a desk that takes up an appropriate amount of space while still giving you room to breathe.
Plan for Your Budget
Don’t choose an office desk that takes up a majority of your budget! While a desk might be a very important feature of your home office, there are a variety of other items you’ll need to invest in when assembling the room. Chairs, lamps and storage choices can all be expensive additions that you’ll need to take into consideration. Consider how much you’re willing to spend on an office desk and how many additional expenses you might have before committing to a high- or low-priced desk.
Plan for Your Home
With everything else taken into consideration, you’ll want to make sure that you choose a desk that’s right for your home. This means looking into furniture styles and eras, materials and construction and colors. There’s a huge variety of desks available on the market, ranging from antique hand-painted tanker desks to large modern executive desks These office desks come with sharp corners as well as curves and can feature designs like latticework, hand-carved woodwork and glass utilized in unique ways. Think about the furniture you already have in your home as well as any furniture currently in your office and try to match accordingly with types of wood, colors and furniture styles, especially if your office desk will be visible to guests and visitors.
With all of these tips in mind, you’re ready to start searching for the right office desk. If you’re looking for something that’s practical, comfortable, affordable and beautiful, the vintage or antique desks you’ll find at Chairish might be the answer for you, no matter if you need a straightforward working desk or an ornate and elegant piece.
