It’s safe to say that you’ve spent a lot more time sitting in front of your home computer or laptop over the past year than you have at any other point in your life. Whether this has been for work or just to pass the time as you watch the skies turn from blue to grey outside your window, you’ve gotten to know your kitchen or dining room table more intimately than ever before. But, while these tables are useful for makeshift home offices, they are not ideal for long-term use. Instead, you need a dedicated desk for your computer.
So what size computer desk should you get? The answer depends on what you need, how much space you have, and what you do, of course. If you’re struggling for ideas, our short but informative guide can push you in the right direction to help you find the perfect desk for work, gaming, or a little of both.
What do you do?
The first thing to think about when picking the perfect computer desk is what you do because some jobs or hobbies demand more computer desk space than others.
If all you need is a single computer (or laptop) and maybe space on either side of a notebook and your coffee, then you needn’t spend too much time looking for a massive computer desk. Conversely, if you have a substantial multi-monitor setup, you’ll need to look at a larger desk to make sure you have enough real estate for everything.
How much space do you have?
You know that not everyone has the luxury of a spare bedroom to set up your home office, and some people will need to be economical with the desk size they choose.
The smallest desk size you can get away with is 30 inches, but even this might not be enough if you need to shift back and forth between your computer and a notebook. You also need to think about storage space. With the desk taking up space on the floor, you may need to move boxes or other items. If so, look for a computer desk with built-in storage to keep pens, books, cables and more.
Hopefully, you have enough space that you can look at slightly larger desks. These executive desks are perfect for professionals working from home and are ideal for putting in a spare bedroom if you have room.
Most ‘full-size’ executive desks are around 60-inches long and 30-inches wide. This should give you enough space for everything you need. They will have enough space for your computer or laptop, as well as somewhere to write. If you’re burning the midnight oil, there will be enough space for a lamp, too, and there should be enough room left for a paper tray, coasters and any little knick-knacks you want to keep on your desk with you.
What does your current setup look like?
Try a adjustable standing desk for increase productivity and efficiency. There is a range of work-from-home or gaming setups that are possible, from a single monitor to double monitor or even triple monitor setups. When deciding on which computer desk size to choose, consider your existing setup and ask yourself if you need to keep this setup, or if this is the chance to adjust it to best suit you.
For multi-monitor setups, most will arrange them on the desk surface, which will demand a full-size computer desk that measures 50-inches across. However, if you don’t have space for this, you could invest in a monitor stand that will elevate the monitors and clear up vital desk space for your keyboard, notebook, and more.
Even if you only have a single monitor, you can still get a lot of benefit from looking at a computer desk with plenty of space. The more free surface area, the less cluttered your desk will be, and this will improve your organisation, improving efficiency and productivity.
What are your preferences?
Besides functionality, you also need to think about what you prefer when looking at desks. You need to choose something that fits your lifestyle. If you want to use your desk for work and hobbies, you may need to look at something slightly larger. Likewise, if you need to share a desk, there should be enough storage space for two people.
So, before picking your computer desk, take a look at the room you plan on using it. Even if it doesn’t look like a home office yet, you can rearrange the furniture to give you enough space, which could help you pick the perfect option.
The perfect desk
Picking the perfect computer desk can feel more overwhelming than you expect. But, as long as you know what you need and what you want, you’ll find the perfect computer desk for any space or environment.
