Office Desk Buying Guide
Are you looking for the perfect Office Desk? With so many options available it’s hard to know where to begin. After all, it’s a considerable investment and needs some careful thought. Desks come in a variety of styles and materials so it’s important to find the right one for your needs. Let us help you choose with our desk buying guide.
Which office desk design is best?
Bench desk
Bench desks usually have a back to back arrangement and are laid out in a row. They differ from standard office desks in that they have one continuous surface. A benefit of this is that they can have a shared desk frame with fewer legs. This makes them very cost effective, but also means they’re not height adjustable.
They can seat large teams or just two people. The design helps with productivity as employees can communicate and collaborate more easily.
Wave or Linear desktop?
Wave desktops have a curved design and are deeper at the ends. They allow a little extra desktop workspace and have good ergonomics. Their ‘wave’ shape allows you to sit slightly ‘within’ the desk. This gives a bigger desk surface without taking up too much space in the office.
Linear desktops have a straight front edge which can be either ABS lipped or moulded using polyurethane. They allow for optimal use of office space.
How will IT cable storage be managed?
Poor cable management creates an untidy work environment with a tangle of wires beneath your office desk. This can be avoided with a cable tray and an electrical trough beneath the desktop.
Some desks also have sliding desktops which allow easy access to the cables and power sockets below.
Attaching a desktop connectivity unit to your office desk also helps with cable management. You can plug your devices in on your desktop so no more awkward reaching under the desk.
PC, Laptop or remote processing?
If you're using a desktop PC you'll need to consider how to store it. Options include mounting it under the desk in a PC sling, or PC housing with lockable doors.
A laptop can be converted into a desktop PC with a docking station. This is an essential accessory if you're combining home and office work. A laptop docking station can incorporate into a monitor arm for even more convenience.
For remote processing (with the server(s) housed in a separate server cabinet), there'll be less hardware to store at the desk. This means the client units can be located in an electrical trough or even a below desktop cable tray. This allows more legroom or toe space under the desk.
Which desktop finish suits my budget and style?
There is a huge range of options when it comes to desktop materials and finishes. From durable laminate to glass-like acrylic there is a desktop to suit all tastes and budgets.
Try to think about how the desk will be used before selecting a material. For example, an office desk that’s in use for 24 hours in a shift work environment will need high grade, durable materials in its construction. Choosing a desktop finish is a balance of durability, cost and aesthetics. Luckily most suppliers will be able to send you samples. This way you can see whether the desktop matches your work environment.
How much should I spend?
Cost is a key consideration when buying a work desk but that doesn’t mean the cheapest option is best. Low cost furniture may be worse for your budget as it will need replacing after a couple of years.
Buying quality, durable furniture may seem more expensive initially, but in the long run, it's a more economical choice. A cheap office desk may need replacing a few times over a 10 year period, but a higher spec option will only have to be bought once. This enables you to save money. It also helps the environment by saving furniture from ending up as landfill.
If you’re looking for an office desk for your business, then look no further than the extensive range we stock at Technology Desking!
