Office workstations are essential designed to provide employees with efficiency and productive environment for their day-to-day work. They are so critical that they can significantly affect employee productivity, health. and even morale. While there are so many important elements of any workstation, storage units, a chair, and a desk are no doubt the primary ones. Let’s focus on the desks.
An office desk is where you perform tasks. As such, it should provide enough space to accommodate all the necessary equipment, including document holders, computers, and phones, to name but a few. Yes, you need a desk that is comfortable and stylish, but you also want something that allows you to stay organized. Here are several tips (let’s call them RULES for purposes of this post) to help you track down an ideal desk for your office.
Rule No. 1: Consider Ergonomics
Sure, comfort is key, and no office desk would be ideal if it doesn’t offer ergonomics, which is perhaps the most important aspect of any furniture. Designed to support your body’s natural posture, ergonomic desks are meant to keep you super comfortable, effectively keeping the risk of strain and injury at bay. Some of the features to consider in this sense include height adjustability and compatibility with office chair.
Desks that allow for height adjustments enable users to alternate between sitting and standing. This flexibility can help alleviate discomfort associated with prolonged sitting, including back pain and poor blood circulation. Standing desks or sit-stand converters are excellent options for those looking to incorporate movement into their workday. When it comes to chair compatibility, the desk height should align with your chair for a comfortable posture. As a rule of thumb, your elbows should assume an angle of 90 degrees when working on the desk, while your feet should rest flat on the ground.
Rule No. 2: Think About Your Office Layout and Storage Solutions
Your office floor plan layout is a huge factor you must consider when selecting your office desk. Make sure your choice fits within the available space, complements the office design, and offers enough storage for your stuff.
So, how do you consider the desk layout? Well, look at the desk’s size and configuration. Modular pieces are known to offer adaptability and flexibility to allow for easy rearrangement of your office space without needing to buy new furniture every time. This flexibility is especially crucial for organizations that may need to regularly change their office layout quickly and easily.
Talking of storage, an ideal desk should have shelves or drawers for storing office supplies, documents, and files. A within-reach storage can boost productivity by ensuring all essential items are easily accessible. Hence, you won’t waste time looking for that file or this rubber stamp.
Rule No. 3: Consider Aesthetics and Personalization
There is no compromising on the fact that an office desk should be visually appealing. A well-designed desk that reflects your personal style can also create a more inviting and inspiring environment. Choose a desk that complements your office decor and personal taste. Whether you prefer a modern, minimalist design or a more traditional look, the desk should blend into the overall aesthetic of your workspace.
Personalizing your desk with items that inspire you, such as plants, artwork, or photographs, can enhance your workspace’s atmosphere. However, be mindful not to overcrowd it with too many items, as this can lead to distractions. And there is color psychology, which can influence mood and productivity. For instance, blue is often associated with calmness and focus, while yellow can inspire creativity.
Rule No. 4: Don’t Forget Quality/Durability
Unless you want to be replacing your office furniture every now and then (and no one wants so), choosing a strongly-built desk is a must. Look at the material. Durable desks are typically made of wood- yes, hardwood. These can last for years without needing any major repairs or maintenance. But there are also desks built with MDF boards. You will be checking to see how thick and strong the board is. What about metal desks? Well, they are also durable, of course, depending on the density of the metal, but you may dig deeper into your pocket to have one.
