How to choose a desk: what to consider

A desk is the surface you work at, so the details that fit your body matter. These are the things worth settling before you choose one. The numbers are common rules of thumb, not fixed rules.

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Height and posture

Desk height is commonly about 72-75 cm. Check it against your chair: your forearms should rest on the surface with the elbows at about a right angle.
The top of a screen should be about at eye level or slightly below. A laptop usually needs a stand or a separate screen to get this right.
A height-adjustable desk lets you stand part of the time; check the range, the motor's noise and whether it remains stable when raised.

Size and depth

A depth of around 60-80 cm is common; a deeper desk suits one or two screens or paper work. A width of around 120-160 cm suits one person.
Check the space under the top for your legs and the chair, including any drawers or a frame beam.

Cables and power

Plan where the cables will go: a cut-out, a tray, a channel or a leg that can carry them. Check the distance to the socket.
A desk against a wall may be fine; a desk in the middle of a room needs a different solution.

Storage

Drawers add storage and weight; a shelf or a tray keeps things off the surface. A clean desk often works better with a place for what you need every day.

Light

Place a desk so that daylight comes from the side rather than from behind or in front of the screen. A lamp, set on the side opposite your writing hand, reduces shadows.

Materials and care

Solid wood can be refinished; laminate and veneer resist wear in different ways. Glass shows marks, and metal can scratch.
A top with a soft finish is kinder to wrists and a mouse; a hard one is easier to clean. A desk mat can help.

Questions worth asking the maker

What are the exact height and top dimensions? If adjustable, what is the range and weight limit? Where do cables run? What is the top made of and how is it finished? What are the delivery and return terms?

Sources and further reading

A label covers one aspect of a product, such as where the wood came from or which chemicals are in a textile, not its whole footprint. These pages explain what each covers; they are not endorsements, and Formground does not rate products.

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