If you’re thinking of setting up a home office, or if you really need to update your home office setup, one of the easiest ways to get started is to read an instructional article; after all, that’s why you’re reading this.
However, chances are that the majority of articles focus on picking the right chair, and with good reasons. Picking the right chair can be extremely important, since you’ll be spending a lot of time sitting in the chair.
Still, chairs are just one half of your basic setup – you’re going to need a desk as well. Office furniture suppliers at Business Office Outfitters share some tips on finding the ideal desk for your needs.
Desk Size Matters
One of the first things you need to consider is the size of your desk. In order to pick the right size of desk, you need to consider two things. First of all, if you’re constrained by the available space, that should be your guiding star. No point in getting an amazing desk which you cannot fit into your work space.
However, if available space is not an issue, you should consider your use case. What do you want to do with the desk? If you’re looking to put your small form-factor laptop and an additional screen, you don’t need a large desk. In fact, it may look off if the only thing on a large desk is a small computer.
On the other hand, if you have numerous external devices, like printers, scanners, 3D printers, etc that you will be using day to day, a large desk is actually necessary.
Storage Needs
Desk can serve many purposes. The basic one is a work surface where you can write, type, or do whatever your work entails. However, one of the most used secondary uses of desks is storage. If you have a lot of things to store, your desk design will certainly gear towards those with drawers and cabinets. If security is also your concern, consider models with locks or even safes integrated in the design.
The downside of a desk with more drawers and cabinets is that it may appear a bit bulky and cluttered, especially if you’re not using them. Fortunately, there are plenty of designs that it is really difficult not to find a suitable desk for your needs.
Technology Needs
Even though most people don’t consider desks as technological pieces, there are certain desks which incorporate technology to make your life easier. The simplest thing is having integrated electrical sockets which you can use to plug your devices rather than using an extension cord.
That’s not the end of it. Thanks to the advent of the internet of things (IoT), integrating various switches and controls into the desk itself has never been easier.
Even though most people don’t strictly consider this technology, the sliding keyboard tray, and cable management holes and channels do serve important purposes and should be considered as well.
Finally, motorized desks that transform from a sitting desk to a standing desk are becoming more common and affordable – and certainly healthier than all sitting desks.
Don’t Neglect Design
Even though your desk is a functional item first and foremost, it will still be a large part of your work space. That means that you should be happy with the aesthetics of it.
Make sure you like the color and the design of the desk. Most people would agree to a desk they don’t like because the functionality suits them. However, with the wide variety of desks available, you should be able to find something functional and visually pleasing.
