Desks

When buying a desk for work or as home office equipment, take into consideration three things: the equipment that sits on top, the room that surrounds, and most importantly, the person behind it.

Computer Desk

Do you plan to put a desktop PC in your work environment? Computer desks have features that accommodate a stationary computer in your workspace. Most have a shelf underneath the main desk space where the keyboard rests. Desks for PCs also benefit from holes, slots, and open-back designs though which cables for the computers and peripherals run. Some computer desks have cabinet-like side shelf for a CPU tower, which aside from looking nice and neat, elevates the PC off the floor and provides a safeguard against water damage.

Pedestal Desk

What exactly is a pedestal desk by definition? A pedestal desk has shelves or stow space usually on both sides underneath the main work area. The build is designed for heavier objects. A heavy base supports the desk is called a plinth, usually made of steel. External panels have nice wood finishes; cherry, mahogany, and walnut are the most popular.

Writing Desk

The formal definition of a writing desk is that it suits hand-written letter composition, drawing, and drafting. It may tilt or angle to accommodate this activity, and the entire top may be hinged to stow papers and drafts underneath without having to fold or scroll large works. A writing desk may be height adjustable or stationary; it may have casters (small wheels) on the legs for portability. They tend to be lighter in weight and inexpensive when compared to pedestal desks and computer desks, and may have stylish, modernist look with a wood or painted finish.

Shop for computer desks and you will notice they come in all shapes and sizes, a wide range of price points pricing. A basic, no-frills computer desk starts at $75, with some pedestal-style computer desks reaching as high $2,000. Most fall into the $100-$200 price range. Features, size, and materials determine price.

Gaming Desks

A gaming desk—see DXRacer desks as an example—can run up to $400 on the high end of the market. Key features include: height adjustability, grommet holes for cable management, a curved table top for ergonomic forearm resting, and a sturdy quality feel. Lightweight gaming tables can be found for around $200 and pack bevvy of cool features.

Many incorporate accessories prime for PC gaming like a built-in cooling pad for a gaming PC to sit upon, a game storage racks, trays for speakers, a real holder for a power strip or surge protector, and hooks to hang gaming controllers. Desks from Lian Li are essentially computer cases shaped as a desk—they come with motherboards built inside of an aluminum table frame. You can replace the motherboard on Lian Li desks should you wish to upgrade down the road.

Hybrid Designs

Multi-use computer desks incorporate elements of pedestal desks into them. Hutch-style credenza desks have shelves and stow spaces above and below the tabletop in conjunction with grommets for cable management, and a drawer-like shelf to store the keyboard. Desks with a tempered glass top offer a clean look and scratch-resistant features.

Two- and three drawer pedestals are common among desks built to hold a PC. Some incorporate a lower shelf for printers and other peripherals at around knee level. Others have a slim top shelf that spans the length of the desk, wide enough for monitors and sit atop.

A desk should complement the room it occupies. Size and shape are two key factors for selecting the best desk for your space. The most common width of a full sized work desk is 60-72 inches, with a depth between 24-30 inches. Make sure to measure the room that you plan to use for the desk to get an idea of the size and shape that you want.

L-shaped desks consists of a perpendicular return table top with drawer space often built in underneath. This gives the work space additional room for lighting, office peripherals, and personal affects. A versatile desk, it makes sense to situate an L-shaped desk anywhere in the office, whether it’s flush in the corner, against one wall, or centered in the middle of the room.

U-shaped desks provide two return units on either side of the main table. This gives the workspace maximum room for working equipment and personal items. This shape of desk can only fit in the center of an office space.

Small desks for the corner are ideal for a bedroom or dorm room where there’s not a lot of space, or as a secondary desk in a larger room. These are most commonly writing desks, though some are classified with computer desks. As the name suggests it is designed to fit flush in the corner of the room.