Decide on a desk that's right for you

Find one that promotes proper posture and allows you to work comfortably

By Rehana Begg

Many people do not give careful thought to the functionality of their desk space. We shove the desk in a corner and pile a computer, peripherals, household bills and letters on it. Suddenly, the desk becomes a catch-all for the family mess. Why do we still relegate technology to a dingy desk in makeshift quarters of the home?

Instead of hiding your desk, choose one you can integrate with your décor and makes you feel more productive. The right computer furniture can help make technology feel right at home.

Evaluate your desk space dilemmas

Selecting a desk depends not only on your work requirements and personal taste but also should “promote good posture by striking a balance between work, rest and play,” says Susan Yearwood, a professional organizer and owner of Yearwood Efficient Solutions in Ottawa. Even in small areas there are many ways of creating a workstation that’s a pleasure to use.

The desk should relate to the furniture in the room. “Your home office style should reflect, if possible, the style of your home, particularly if it’s a room used for other purposes,” says Martin Myers, owner of Quasi Modo Modern Furniture in Toronto.

Myers recommends Knoll’s Propeller Table Desk on glides. This desk has a stylish yet hard-wearing plastic laminate or wood veneer top with a seamless urethane edge. Aluminum legs have two separate channels for wire management, and another component can be attached to the main desk to form an L-shape. Yearwood says an L-shape is a functional choice as it gives you an efficient, ergonomic work area.

Multi-purpose your desk area

When you’re sharing the desk with your family or spouse, discuss individual needs so that everyone’s interests are served. If the shared workspace is to house two separate activities, such as paying the bills and using the computer for homework, plan the workspace so one task does not infringe on the other. The work area must be simple, flexible and accommodating while surfaces should be hardwearing.

Make sure the desk surface is deep enough to hold your computer and the chair can be tucked under the desk to save valuable space. Yearwood, who is also an occupational therapist, recommends a desk with legroom that allows you to swivel and stretch your legs out.

Don’t forget storage possibilities

Convenient storage is another factor to consider, since clearing away desk clutter can make your work area seem larger. If working at home is to be a success, a well-designed desk with carefully planned storage — to hold everyday and occasionally used items — is essential. Look for a desk with shelf areas to hold papers, computer software or baskets filled with office supplies.

Desk design points

Planning: Decide where the desk will be placed according to your work needs. If it is in the shared family room, consider placing it away from, rather than facing, the common area.

Technology: Place it close to power outlets; install power outlets for desktop equipment at the back of the work surface where you can reach them easily without having to bend down.

Furniture: The workstation is the focus of office life. Make sure it stands at a convenient height (a standard size is 29”). When you are seated, the top of the computer screen should align with your eye level and the keyboard should sit at a slightly lower level so that your elbows are at right angles as a step to prevent repetitive strain injury. Use a copyholder to place documents at eye-level and near the monitor.

Lighting: Desk lighting should fall without creating shadows or glare. Position the computer with the window to your side to control light levels.