Investing in quality office desks has always been an essential part of workplace organization. It’s no longer just the corporate offices that are equipped with ergonomic furniture, adjustable chairs, and multifunctional accessories. The truth is that today, with the rise of telecommuting and work from home culture, any room can be your office. However, without the right desk, your office may not be as productive or healthy.
So, if you want to achieve your professional goals, you need the best office desk for your workspace. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about office desks. We will cover the essential elements of an adjustable desk, how to choose the perfect desk that suits your needs, and how to use it not only for productivity but also for your well-being. Our aim is to make you feel more prepared and confident about your office setup.
Sit back, relax, and adjust your current desk (or make a mental note to replace it with a better one soon), it’s time to get started!
The benefits of investing in quality office desks
One of the biggest misconceptions in modern society is that office jobs are easy and cushy. People tend to assume that those who work in office buildings just waste their time on social media. And don’t even get us started on those lucky souls who work remotely in their pajamas, barely seeing the light of day. But let’s be real, those of us who actually work in offices know the struggle is real.
Multiple scientific studies have linked sedentary work to increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type two diabetes and other health problems. Being stuck in a chair all day can wreak havoc on your body if you don’t take care of yourself.
On top of that, office work is often accompanied by high levels of stress and anxiety. Anyone who’s had to deal with a project deadline knows what we’re talking about. Chronic stress is also a known health risk. While no office equipment can eliminate stress completely, a well-designed workspace can make a difference. That’s why even seemingly minor elements like office desks matter.
Having an adjustable and ergonomic office desk helps you in the following ways:
- Enables upright working position, resulting in increased productivity
- Enables you to work in a healthier way
- Adjustable desks have been shown to enhance cognitive function and promote increased brain activity
- Adjustable desks reduce overhead expenses
- Quality office desks improve teamwork collaboration
We could talk a lot more about the benefits of adjustable office desks, but since we’ve done it in a numerous articles, let’s move on!
How To Find the Ideal Office Desk
Buying an adjustable desk that suits your needs can be more challenging than it seems at first glance. In fact, it can be as daunting as picking a restaurant for a first date. The decision-making process involves taking into account numerous factors.
Here is what you should think about when browsing for your dream office desk:
- How many people will use the desk?
- Have you considered the layout of the room you plan to put the desk in?
- Have you done a good enough market research?
These are the main questions you should get out of the way before rushing into the browser. The more time you put into planning everything, the easier it will be to choose the best adjustable desk.
Let’s take a look at how each question affects your choice of desk.
Number of people who will use the office desks you are purchasing
When sharing an adjustable desk with a colleague, it’s important to choose wisely, unless you’re ready to engage in a daily game of “desk height tug-of-war”.
How to choose an adjustable desk that will be used only by you:
How to find out if the office desk you liked is the One for you:
- To find the optimal desk height for you, simply sit at your current desk or table and stretch both arms out onto the counter. Then, measure the distance from the floor to your elbows, and voila, you've got the perfect desk height.
- To determine the ideal height for your standing desk, stand up and reach your arms forward. Measure the distance from the floor to your elbow height in this position, and that's the height your adjustable desk should reach.
After you’ve done these exercises, you know what is the height range your desk should provide.
How to choose an adjustable desk that you will share with others
Sharing a desk can be a real pain in the neck, especially if your partner leaves behind crumbs or worse, moves your things around. However, it’s important to consider the needs and preferences of others who will use the desk with you. So, put your negotiating hat on and work together to find the perfect desk that will make everyone happy (and crumb-free!).
How to Choose the Best Position for Your Adjustable Desk
When selecting a desk, it’s important to consider the size of the room and the number of people who will be using it. Whether you’re furnishing a shared office space or setting up a home office, the dimensions of the desk are crucial.
Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of choosing a desk size based solely on aesthetics, rather than practicality. They might opt for a larger desk, thinking it will look more impressive, or a smaller desk to save space. But this can lead to problems when the desk arrives and doesn’t fit the room.
While desk size is an important factor, it’s crucial to match your needs with the dimensions of the room. This is especially true when space is limited, such as in a home office.
By taking the time to carefully consider the desk size, you can ensure that you create an efficient workspace that meets your needs and makes your work life easier.
Examples of problems that may ariese due to impromper office sizing:
- Not enough distance between office desks
- Too much space between desks, which means unused area
- Restricting freedom of movement
- Prevents storage organization, cable and tech management
With just a tape measure and a bit of patience, you can avoid the headaches of unhappy colleagues and make sure everyone is comfortable and productive in the office. And let’s be honest, anything that saves us from grumpy colleagues is a win in our book.
Have you done a good enough of a market research?
As mentioned before, investing in high-quality adjustable desks can be a significant expense. However, it’s crucial for creating a positive work environment and improving the quality of work. Therefore, it’s essential to approach this decision with careful consideration and precision.
Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of prioritizing price over quality when choosing office equipment. While price is undoubtedly a critical factor, it shouldn’t be the only one to consider.
3 reasons why price is not the most important factor when choosing office desks:
- Even if you get the cheapest or most expensive desk, its price won't determine the space it creates. The dimensions of the desk should fit the room, regardless of its cost.
- Desk durability should be a top priority over price, as the most expensive and best looking designer desk may not necessarily be the most durable and well-made option available.
- Price alone does not determine a desk's functionality
How to maintain a healthy posture while working at your desk
Once you’ve found the best adjustable desk for you, it’s important to know how to use it properly. Sitting down and turning on the computer won’t cut it. Just like any other workflow, there are best practices that you should follow to ensure that you work in a healthy way.
Although office work may not be as physically demanding as other professions, it still poses health risks. Adjustable desks can alleviate some of these risks by allowing you to work in different positions, including standing, which is great for your spine, lower back, and joints.
However, taking care of your health goes beyond just having the right equipment. Protecting your vision while working at a desk is also crucial. While adjustable desks offer more options to protect your eyesight, they can’t control how much time you spend in front of a screen or force you to wear computer glasses. Ultimately, it’s up to us to take responsibility for our health in the workplace.