AllCounterHeightTablesShop Smart - Save Money® on counter height tables
Sat-Sun 5am-8pm PST
Desks Buyer's Guide
Desks are the cornerstone of most home offices and are an essential furniture piece for people of all ages. Choosing a desk is a personal decision because each person organizes their space and time differently.
Make a To-Do List
Before you start looking at desks, make yourself a typical to-do list. What will you use the desk for? If it will primarily be a computer workstation, you will need enough room for your monitor, printer, keyboard and mouse. Will you use a desktop or a laptop?
If you have many other items on your to-do list, you will want to plan enough space to accomplish all of these tasks. Also consider what supplies you need for these tasks. Think about how frequently you use each supply so you can make sure your desk allows you to organize them in an efficient matter.
Measure
Identify where you want to place your new desk and measure the space. This will help you decide what style of desk you should be looking at. If you have a small space, you may want to look at corner desks or desks with hutches to maximize your space. An L-shaped desk or an executive desk will fit better in a large space.
Look at the dimensions of the desk carefully, taking into account drawers, cabinet doors and other features that will take up more room when opened.
Also think about height. Having the right height desk will make performing your tasks more comfortable. For average height adults, follow the following guidelines for the most ergonomic desk heights depending on your tasks:
- • Writing: 28-30 inches
- • Using a mouse: 27-29 inches
- • Typing: 26-28 inches
If you will use your desk for a variety of tasks, you may want to get a desk with a pull out keyboard tray, mouse platform, or other features that provide multiple heights for multiple tasks.
Look at Materials and Construction
Desks are often listed with information that explains how they were constructed. These construction elements can tell you about the dresser's quality and the longevity of the product.
Joinery refers to how the panels are joined together or jointed. The two most common and sturdy types are mortise and tenon and dovetailing. Mortise and tenon refers to the simple joining of a peg with a matching shaped hole. This method is practical and sturdy enough that one would be hard-pressed to find a home in America without an example of mortise and tenon joinery.
Dovetailing, in which trapezoidal shaped notches are joined together much like the teeth of a zipper, is considered the most durable and strongest joint method.
Choose Your Style
Desks are available in many different styles so you can choose one that matches your décor style. Ranging from modern to rustic, you’ll want to select a style that will complement your décor.
