Gone are the days when office desks were simple. Now they are very elaborate, made from a variety of materials, and come in all shapes, sizes, materials, and configurations. You will find some that are modular and others pre-wired, while there are still those that are more traditional. So when shopping for office desks, it’s a good idea to first determine what you’re looking for.
size and configuration
Believe it or not, not everyone likes the feeling of being stuck behind an L-shaped or U-shaped desk, nor is it appropriate for all work conditions. These can be very nice and certainly allow the owner plenty of space for all their equipment and files. However, they take up a lot of space. Unless you have a fairly large office or are working in an open floor plan, these types of desks may be too much.
On the other hand, you can find much smaller office desks that have a filing cabinet above and cabinets below that will serve the same purpose without taking up as much space.
Technology
One of the most important features of modern office desks is how well they work with technology. About twenty years ago, new desks were being made for desktop users, but you’ll find that more and more they’re designed for people who work on laptops. This means that there is no sliding keyboard drawer and no CPU space below.
However, you’ll still want your desktop to be able to connect efficiently. This usually means that there are cut-out sections within the desk so that you can run various cables and power cords through it. If you are going to have a phone, lamp or computer on your desk, then it is important to choose among office desks that have this functionality.
Modularity
Modular offices became very popular in the 1970s, when there were many open floor plans in office buildings. Over the years they have gone out of style as everyone wanted to have their own “real” office. But with times as tough as they are right now, sometimes modular is better. This type of office allows you to change configurations at any time, move pieces around easily, and make an office out of loose parts. By looking at office desks that are part of a modular system, you may end up saving money in the long run.
Style and Materials
Depending on the type of office you have, the look, style, and materials of the office desks you are looking for can be important. Especially if you’re shopping for an executive desk (or yourself!), then you’ll want the best possible. You can find desks in a variety of materials, from cherry and mahogany to oak and walnut, all of which create very different looks, but remember that functionality is always more important than looks when it comes to shopping for office desks.