How to choose the
ideal home office desk
It’s critical to get the right desk for your work
Sitting at the wrong desk can lead to:
Joint stiffness or pain
Muscle discomfort or tension
Acute or chronic neck, shoulder or back injuries
Treatment and rehabilitation costs
Reduced productivity
Avoid these table options
There are many tempting table options when working from home, but most weren't designed for a full day of computer work.
Coffee
Portable
Bench
Kitchen
Patio
Get comfortable with the right style of desk for you and your equipment
1
Consider the seated height
Measure your seated floor to elbow height to find your ideal maximum seated desk height. Do this on your task chair with heels firmly on the ground and while pushing your shoulders down.
Fixed height
Select a desk lower than your elbow height and allows you to sit beneath it. Or you will need to raise the chair and use a footrest
Height adjustable
Select a desk with a minimum height adjustment lower than your seated elbow height. Or you will need to raise the chair and use a footrest
2
Consider the width
Wide enough to fit your equipment and environment
Between 1200mm to 1800mm wide will be adequate for most users. Select the shape that best fits your space, computer placement and work needs.
3
Consider the depth
Deep enough to position the monitors and everything else in between
At least 750mm to 800mm deep is needed for most users. Any less is generally inappropriate for most work applications.
4
Consider standing
Regularly standing can increase comfort,
productivity and general health
Measure your standing floor to elbow height to find your ideal maximum standing desk height.
Standing
Bolt on solution to enable fixed height desk users to stand. May work for you depending on desk load capacity, adjustment mechanism, and dimension suitability.
Sit to standing
An ideal sitting and standing solution. Select a desk with minimum height lower than your seated elbow height and maximum height as high as your standing elbow height.
5
Other considerations
Under desk draws
Desk features that stop you from sitting with your elbow above desk height or in front of the monitors will prevent good posture. Avoid them.
Table with apron
A desk thickness should not exceed 25mm. Table aprons obstruct your legs and prevent you sitting with your elbow above desk height. Avoid them.
Keyboard tray
Some research suggests negative tilt keyboard trays may improve wrist posture and reduce forearm muscle strain. They can also be used to lower the effective desk height.
Invest in the right equipment to maintain productivity and promote long term comfort and health
