Your desk is where you’re going to spend most of your working day, be that in a formal office setting or working remotely.
But not all desks are created equal.
And then you have to factor in people’s individual working styles and preferences.
Desks come in kinds of different shapes and sizes, and there are a variety of materials used to make them.
So let’s take a look at each in turn.
1. Standing desks
As research has shown that sitting for long periods of time is unhealthy, standing desks have grown in popularity over the last few years.
But they’re far from a recent invention.
In fact, the first standing desks were used all the way back in the 1400s by Leonardo DaVinci.
Although they were often referred to as “tall desks” instead of standing desks.
The average person doesn’t necessarily use a standing desk for their entire day, made all the easier by the fact that the better standing desks are adjustable.
There are three popular types of standing desk.
The first is a “desktop riser” that sites on top of your normal desk but can then be raised or lowered as needed.
The second option is a motorized standing desk, where you can raise or lower the entire working area with the flick of a switch.
And then the third option is a standing desk that’s permanently fixed at height suitable for working while standing.
2. Kneeling desks
A kneeling desk is exactly what it sounds like – a desk that you kneel in front of that can be of any size you wish.
While some people choose to kneel on a cushion in front of their kneeling desk, you can get special seats that are angled forward to provide the most ergonomic position for working at a desk of this type.
Cushioning is particularly important here because the bulk of your body weight will rest on your knees.
A kneeling desk itself is often set a fixed angle, but many are also adjustable. You can often snap in cup holders or other accessories so that your things won’t slide off the desk.
3. Armoire desks
Armoire desks are usually five to seven feet tall, and typically feature two large doors.
At first glance they look more like a storage cabinet than a desk, but all is revealed once you open the doors.
These doors close to conceal the desk when it isn’t in use.
Armoire desks tend to be more popular in home offices where space is at a premium- they’re not entirely practical for a typical corporate office or business environment.
The only real downside to an armoire is they offer a limited amount of working space, which is why they’re most often used in home offices.
4. Treadmill desks
A treadmill desk is a workspace that has been adapted so that people can walk on a treadmill while working.
The idea was that you can now integrate low impact aerobic exercise into your working day, walking at between 1mph and 2mph as you work.
Very few people can or will spend their entire day working from a treadmill desk, so they alternate between it and a standard desk.
Although the health benefits of walking while working are still being analyzed, but studies so far indicate that people using a treadmill desk enjoy increased metabolic activity and lose an average of 3.7 pounds per year as a result of using one.
5. Standard desks
A standard desk features a flat rectangular working surface that’s wider than it is deep.
The surface is supported by a metal frame or legs, a pedestal containing drawers, or a combination of all three.
These desks can come in kidney-shapes designed for left or right-handed people, or alternatively in L-shaped configurations for people who require more desk space.
A typical standard desk is roughly 30-inches tall and measure anywhere from 34 to 72-inches wide and up to 36-inches deep.
6. Credenza desks
A standard desk features a flat rectangular working surface that’s wider than it is deep.
The surface is supported by a metal frame or legs, a pedestal containing drawers, or a combination of all three.
These desks can come in kidney-shapes designed for left or right-handed people, or alternatively in L-shaped configurations for people who require more desk space.
A typical standard desk is roughly 30-inches tall and measure anywhere from 34 to 72-inches wide and up to 36-inches deep.
7. Writing desks
Writing desks are still quite popular, especially in homes without a lot of space.
These are smaller desks that sometimes offer storage under the desk thanks to a hinged lid system, but you won’t find that on cheaper models.
What they do offer is a basic surface suitable for writing or using your laptop or table on – they’re not suitable for a full desktop computer and accessories.
A writing desk is usually placed against a wall, or sometimes in the middle of a home office.
8. Computer desks
Computer desks are a popular choice for home offices.
They have special spots for computers, including the tower, the monitor, and accessories such as cables, a mouse, and a keyboard.
They are similar to writing desks in that they are simple and efficient, but they’re designed specifically for a desktop computer system.
One potential downside to standard computer desks is that their layout might not suit your preferred working style e.g. your keyboard being on a pullout tray or drawer.
Or that your desktop computer might not fit in the pre-designed slot for it.
So, follow the simple rule when it comes buying any desk – more space is typically better.
9. Executive desks
This type of desk is very popular in the corporate world.
An executive desk tends to be:
- Large
- Made from hard wood sources
- Handmade
Most desks of this type will have a lot of storage thanks to the pedestals fitted to one or both sides of the desk.
They might also be shaped like a rectangle, L-shaped, U-shaped, or perhaps kidney-shaped.
They are often ornate, and they’re as much about displaying your social and financial status as they are about providing a functional workspace.
Executive desks can cost several thousand dollars each.
10. Secretary desks
This type of desk is a modified form of some of the first desks ever made back in the 1700s.
It usually has a hinged surface, and is often is topped with a bookcase or some other form of shelving.
A secretary desk is often a very large piece of furniture, and it is designed to take up less space than a large roll top desk.
They’re not as popular as they used to be.
11. Floating desks
A floating desk is mounted to the wall, and they often have shelves or cubbies.
They work really well in bedrooms, dorms, or other rooms with limited space for storage.
A floating desk can be customized to suit your needs, including height and width.
The downside to a floating desk is that it’s not portable and also not adjustable.
Summing things up
Choosing the right type of desk for your home office is important because you’re going to spend up to 10 hours per day sitting at it.
For me, I always choose function over form – I’m far more interested in a desk that I can work at comfortably, for hours on end, than one that looks good. So, the moral of the tale is that you should choose your desk wisely.