How to choose a desk? Things you should know before buying

Choosing the right desk is a crucial step in creating an ergonomic and functional workspace. Whether you work remotely, are a student, or a gaming enthusiast, a well-chosen desk can significantly impact your productivity and comfort. A poorly chosen desk can lead to back pain, poor posture, and general discomfort, which in turn can reduce your productivity.

In this article, we will look at several key aspects to consider before purchasing a desk. We will discuss:

• How to choose a desk based on its purpose?
• Where is the best place to put it in the room?
• How to adjust the desk height to your height?
• How to sit properly at the desk?

How big should a desk workspace be?

Your desk should provide enough space for your equipment, workspace, and extra room for accessories and free movement. The choice of the right desk size largely depends on the type of work you do:

• Office work: If you spend most of your time on the computer, working with documents, and organizing daily tasks, you need a desk that accommodates everything without feeling cramped. The minimum desk size for office work is 100 cm wide and 50 cm deep. This is enough space for a laptop, notebook, and a few accessories. However, for greater comfort, a desk with a width of 120-140 cm is better.
• Gaming and multi-monitor work: For gamers and those working with multiple monitors, the appropriate desk needs to be a bit larger. The minimum size is 120 cm wide and 60 cm deep. This allows for a large monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other necessary accessories. If you use two or more monitors, the desk should be appropriately larger—optimally 140-160 cm wide and 80-90 cm deep. In this configuration, it's important that the desk width allows for the monitors to be positioned at a comfortable distance, ensuring work comfort and minimizing neck and eye strain.
• Manual work: Those involved in manual work, such as drawing or writing, need a desk with a larger work surface. The minimum size is 100 cm wide and 60 cm deep, but it’s better to choose a desk with dimensions of 120-140 cm wide and 70-80 cm deep. This ensures enough space to spread out materials, tools, and supplies, which is especially important for more complex projects.

How to assess how much space you need?

To accurately assess the right desk size for you, you can use a simple method. Measure your elbow span in the writing position and add extra space (about 20 cm) on each side for comfort. In this case, the minimum desk width should be 60 cm + 2 x 20 cm (extra space) = 100 cm.

Where should the desk be placed in the room?

The placement of the desk in the room greatly affects work comfort, productivity, and health. Proper furniture arrangement can help avoid lighting and ergonomic issues while maximizing available space. Let’s look at how to optimally place the desk in the room to create the ideal workspace.

The importance of natural light and how to position the desk relative to the window

Natural light is not only beneficial for health but also improves mood and increases productivity. A desk placed near a window allows for natural light for most of the day. The ideal solution is to place the desk sideways to the window, which minimizes reflections on the computer screen and ensures even lighting of the work surface.

How to avoid light reflections on the computer screen?

To avoid light reflections on the screen, do not place the desk directly in front of or behind a window. Light coming from behind can create reflections that strain the eyes and make work difficult. Similarly, when light falls directly on the screen, reflections can be inevitable. Positioning the desk at an angle to the window or sideways to the window allows for optimal use of natural light without these issues.

The best places for the desk depending on the size and shape of the room

In large rooms, you have more freedom in desk placement. You can place it in the center of the room or against a wall, depending on your preferences. In smaller rooms, a better solution may be to place the desk in a corner or install a foldable wall table, which maximizes available space and leaves more room for other furniture.

Recommendations for placing the desk relative to the door and other furniture in the room

Avoid placing the desk with your back to the door. This setup can cause discomfort and a sense of insecurity when you cannot see who is entering the room. A better solution is to place the desk sideways to the door or so that you have a view of the entrance while sitting at the desk. Additionally, remember to maintain an appropriate distance from other furniture, such as cabinets, shelves, or the bed, to ensure free access to the desk and other parts of the room.

How to ensure enough space around the desk

It is important to have enough space around the desk to move freely and work comfortably. It is recommended to leave at least 70-90 cm of free space behind the chair to allow easy sitting and standing. If possible, try not to place the desk directly next to other furniture, which will help avoid a claustrophobic feeling.

Ideas for optimal use of available space:

• Use vertical space: Shelves and bookcases above the desk can help store books, documents, and other necessary items without taking up additional floor space.
• Organizers and drawers: Invest in desk organizers and drawers to keep your desk and surroundings tidy. This maximizes your workspace.
• Corner desk: If you have limited space, consider a corner desk that efficiently uses the corner of the room, leaving more free space in the central part of the room.
• Minimalism: Avoid excessive items on the desk. A minimalist approach not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also helps focus on work by reducing distractions.
• Foldable wall tables: This is a great solution for small spaces. Foldable tables can be easily mounted on the wall and folded away when not in use, saving space and maintaining order.

How to choose a desk for your height?

Choosing the right desk and chair height is crucial for ensuring comfort and health while working. Proper furniture adjustment helps avoid spine problems, wrist issues, and general fatigue. Here’s how to choose a desk and chair based on the user's height.

Standard desk heights and how to adjust them to the user's height

The standard desk height ranges from 70 to 75 cm, which suits most people’s needs. However, the ideal desk height can vary depending on the user's height. To adjust the desk height to your height, you can follow these guidelines:

However, to precisely check the appropriate desk height, sit at the desk and make sure your forearms are parallel to the floor and your wrists are in line with the keyboard.

Benefits of height-adjustable desks

Height-adjustable desks are an excellent solution for those who want to customize their workspace to individual needs. They offer the flexibility to adjust the height for different users or changing needs, which is especially beneficial for health. Standing work reduces the risk of health problems associated with prolonged sitting, and the ability to easily adjust the desk to the most ergonomic position increases work comfort.

How to choose a chair for the desk and user's height?

Choosing the right chair is just as important as the desk height. The chair should be adjusted to your height and allow for an ergonomic sitting position. Here’s what to look for:

• Seat height: It should be adjustable in the range of 40-55 cm from the floor. Sit so that your feet rest flat on the floor and your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle.
• Seat depth: The seat should be deep enough to support your thighs while leaving a few centimeters of space between the seat edge and the back of your knees.
• Backrest: The chair backrest should support the natural curve of the spine, especially the lower back.

Recommendations for ergonomic chair setup:

• Backrest: Set the chair backrest to support the lower back. Use a lumbar pillow if the backrest is not properly contoured.
• Armrests: Set the armrests at a height that allows free arm placement and keeps the elbows at a 90-degree angle. The armrests should support the arms without lifting them.
• Seat height: Adjust the seat height so that the feet rest flat on the floor and the knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. Use a footrest if the feet do not touch the floor.
• Seat tilt angle: Set the seat tilt angle to evenly distribute body weight on the seat, reducing pressure on the lower back.

How to sit properly at a desk?

Proper posture at the desk is key to health and work efficiency. By correctly positioning your body and equipment, you can avoid spine, wrist issues, and reduce fatigue. Below are tips on how to sit properly at a desk and how to organize your workspace.

Body posture

Proper body posture helps maintain spinal health, reduces the risk of pain, and increases work comfort. Improper posture can lead to back, neck, and wrist pain, which in turn can reduce productivity.

Detailed description of the correct sitting position (back, arms, legs):

• Back: Sit straight with the lower back supported by the chair's backrest. The natural curve of the spine should be maintained, which means the lower back (lumbar) should have slight support.
• Arms: Forearms should be parallel to the floor, and wrists should be in a straight line with the keyboard. Elbows should be bent at a 90-degree angle.
• Legs: Feet should rest flat on the floor, and knees should be bent at a 90-100 degree angle. Ensure you have enough space under the desk for your legs to move freely.

How to position the monitor, keyboard, and mouse to minimize body strain?

• Monitor: Position the monitor directly in front of you, about 50-70 cm away from your eyes (about an arm's length). The top edge of the screen should be at eye level or slightly below to avoid excessive head tilting.
• Keyboard and mouse: The keyboard should be at a height that allows for a natural hand and wrist position. The mouse should be placed next to the keyboard at the same height to avoid unnatural wrist movements.

Recommendations for monitor distance and height

• Distance: The monitor should be 50-70 cm away from your eyes. If using two monitors, position them so that both are within view without excessive head turning.
• Height: The top edge of the monitor should be at eye level or slightly below, allowing for a neutral head and neck position. You can use a monitor stand to adjust its height.

Breaks and exercises

Regular breaks are essential to reduce eye strain, avoid muscle stiffness, and improve blood circulation. Standing up and stretching every 30-60 minutes can greatly improve well-being and concentration. Examples of simple exercises that can be done at the desk to prevent fatigue and pain:

• Neck stretches: Slowly tilt your head to the right, holding the position for 10 seconds, then to the left. Repeat several times.
• Shoulder stretches: Raise your shoulders up to your ears and then lower them, trying to touch your shoulders with your ears. Repeat 10 times.
• Arm circles: Extend your arms to the sides and make small circles, first forward, then backward. Repeat 10 times in each direction.
• Lower back stretches: While sitting, bend forward, trying to touch the floor with your hands. Hold the position for 10 seconds, then return to the starting position. Repeat several times.
• Leg exercises: Raise one leg for a few seconds, keeping it straight, then lower it and repeat with the other leg. You can also perform foot circles to improve circulation.

Summary

Choosing the perfect desk is the key to comfortable and efficient work. Before making a purchase, consider what you will use it for, the appropriate dimensions, and how to adjust its height to your height. Remember to place the desk in a spot that provides good lighting and ergonomics. Proper posture while working, regular breaks, and simple exercises will help you avoid pain and improve your productivity. With these tips, you can create an ergonomic and comfortable workspace that makes daily tasks more enjoyable and effective.