How To Choose the Perfect Desk for Your Work-From-Home Needs

Working from home often means using your dining table or an old table as a makeshift office. But spending hours on end at a workspace that isn’t tailored to your needs can quickly take a toll on productivity (not to mention your posture!).

With remote work now a permanent fixture for many, it’s time to invest in the ideal desk, a decision that can transform your WFH experience. Here’s how to find the right desk for your work-from-home needs.

Why Now Is The Time To Find Your Perfect Desk

Before we jump into the details, let’s first explore why now is the best time to invest in a real office space. A dedicated, functional desk can do wonders for your motivation and focus. Think about all those times you’ve had to hunch over your kitchen counter, lost paperwork around the house, or dealt with the distracting clutter of multipurpose areas.

A new desk will fix all of this because you’ll finally have a space dedicated to one thing and one thing only: your work. Since you’re committed to the WFH lifestyle, it’s time to fully dive in by getting a quality desk that will serve as your workstation for many years to come.

How To Find the Perfect Desk

You’re in this for the long haul, so you’ll need a desk that fits your particular needs. It’ll take some time and dedication, but once you find the desk that’s right for you, you’ll never know how you lived without it.

Here are some things to keep in mind while searching.

Consider Desk Types and Materials

The first step to finding your dream desk is understanding the different types available and which materials make the most sense for your needs. Are you someone who prefers an active workstation? Standing desks might be a game changer, improving ergonomics while allowing you to break free from hours of sitting. For those with a lot of unused wall space, a large L-shaped desk could be the perfect fit, providing a substantial amount of space.

When it comes to materials, wood desks are a classic choice that offers a durable feel. However, they can be a bit heavy and costly, especially if you go for solid wood. On the other hand, metal desks are sleek, lightweight, and quite modern. Some find that they feel too cold or industrial for their home aesthetics, but this comes down to personal preference.

Another option to consider is glass. A glass desk adds elegance and lightness to any room. They’re not always the most practical for those working in spaces with kids or pets, as fingerprints and scratches might become a problem, but if your new office will be secluded, this will be less of an issue.

No matter what you go with, the key to getting it perfect lies in matching the desk type and material with your habits and preferences. For example, a lightweight metal desk might suit those who occasionally redecorate, while a wooden standing desk may appeal to someone looking for visual warmth and health benefits.

Determine How You’ll Set It Up

Before buying a desk, figure out where it will go in your home and how you want to organize the space. If you skip this step when choosing your perfect work-from-home desk, you could end up frustrated when the new desk doesn’t support your workflow the way you had hoped.

To get this right, pinpoint the spot where you’d like your desk to go. Is it a cozy nook in the living room, an unused corner of your bedroom, or a spare room you’re converting into an office? Measure the space carefully to confirm that the exact dimensions will work. It’s always better to check twice than to end up with a desk that’s too big for the area.

Next, consider how you’ll set up your workspace. For maximum efficiency, aim to have everything you need within arm’s reach. This could mean using desk organizers, drawers, or shelving units to keep paperwork, pens, and other essentials neatly stored. Will your new desk have the space for all of this? Now is the time to figure that out.

You also want to think about cable management. Few things kill the vibe of a workspace faster than a tangled mess of cords trailing behind your desk. You can always use cable clips, sleeves, or grommets to keep things tidy, but you might be able to find a desk that has cable management built in, so that’s worth looking into.

Choose Ergonomic Options

Ergonomics should be a top priority when selecting a desk, as comfort and posture can impact your health and productivity. First, consider your desk’s height. Ideally, you should be able to rest your elbows at about a 90-degree angle while keeping your wrists parallel to the desk surface. Adjustable desks make this easy to achieve, but if you’re looking for something sturdier, you’ll want to take a close look at its standard sitting height.

Ideally, the top of your monitor should be at or just below eye level to prevent neck strain. If your desk doesn’t have built-in adjustments for this, you might need to pair it with a monitor stand or riser. Similarly, consider accessories like a keyboard tray for optimal wrist support and additional adjustability.

Think about the overall design of the desk too. Does it give you enough legroom? Is there sufficient space to rest your arms without overcrowding the surface? These seemingly small details become incredibly important when you spend long hours at your desk every day.

Figure Out Your Budget and Where To Buy

A lingering question for many during the desk-buying process is how much is too much to spend. It largely depends on your priorities and resources. If you want to invest in something that’ll last you all the way to retirement, then the sky’s the limit. However, it’s perfectly fine to go for something more practical. This is your decision, so it needs to be something you feel good about buying.

While it might be tempting to go for the cheapest desk available, you should think twice about that decision. A flimsy desk might save you money upfront, but you could find yourself replacing it much sooner than expected. However, that doesn’t always mean buying the most expensive option, either. For most people, the ideal desk will be somewhere in the middle.

At Click N Furnish, we have office furniture sets that will fit any budget while still offering the level of quality you should expect from such a purchase. Browse our offerings to find something that will work for you.