Office Desk Buying Guide

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Whether you work from home or not, every home will benefit from having an office desk. An office desk gives you and your family a central area for handling tasks like filing, storage and paying bills along with helping to organize and control paperwork. An office desk can also act as a place to keep your computer and printers, scanners, etc.

This buying guide will explain some features to look for in a desk as well as different materials to look for to be sure that you are getting a desk that meets your needs. Whether you are looking for a wood office desk, a plastic desk, an executive office desk for a big fancy office, or anything in between, you can use this guide to be sure you are getting all you can from your desk before you purchase it.

Budget

Let's face it, the price of the desk is going to determine which style you will be able to afford. Office desks range in price from about $30.00 for a cheap dorm-room type model all the way up into the thousands for an executive office desk and everything in between. Obviously the more money you can spend on a desk the more features you will get including things like adjustable height, glass or wood tops vs. laminate or plastic tops, sturdier construction, etc.

If you are on a very tight budget but still want to get a solid, nice office desk, consider shopping at flea markets, yard sales and thrift stores. Any cosmetic problems can usually be fixed with a little elbow great, stain, paint, etc. and you can often get an office desk for next to nothing that you might otherwise not have been able to afford. When shopping for used office desks, just be sure that the construction is solid and that it doesn't sway or wobble.

Lighting

Working at an office desk requires good lighting. When shopping for a desk, be sure to look for one that has enough room to place a lamp for task lighting for while you work. You can also look for a smaller desk that has shelves above where you could install a light under the bottom shelf to provide extra lighting if you don't have room for or can't afford a larger office desk.

Ergonomics

Working with your body in the wrong position can harm you, so it is important to look for an office desk with ergonomic features. Be sure that the height of the desk works well with the height of your chair. You should be able to fit both legs comfortable underneath the desk while you are sitting. The make adjustable desks where you can change the height of the office desk to fit perfectly with your chair, and if you have the extra money this is a worthwhile splurge. You'll also want to be sure that you have enough leg room under the desk to turn your chair all the way right and left without hitting anything with your knees.

Your Needs

You'll also need to look at what your particular needs are for a desk to be sure that you get one that fits your home or business. If you plan to just use your office desk to help keep your family organized, you'll want to look for a desk with lots of built in storage. If you are looking for a computer center for your home you should look for an office desk that is designed to hold all the parts of your computer like your monitor, printer and keyboard and make sure all of your equipment will fit on the desk. Buying an executive office desk for a home office will require that you pay more attention to the ergonomics of the desk since you will be spending lots of time there.