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How To Choose A Home Office Desk

Whether you have a designated office or you’re using a makeshift space, sourcing a good desk is arguably the most important decision in making your work from home routine a success. There are plenty of options when it comes to home office layout ideas. First and foremost, you will need to decide where your home office will be located. Whether you’re upgrading from a cubicle to a private office or simply finding space in a spare bedroom or the living room, the desk you choose will be the difference between a productive workspace and an uninspiring one. If you do have a dedicated home office that does not have to double up as another space, you will have a lot more flexibility with your choice of desk. However, if you are making it work in another room of the house, the key furniture element within the space will be your choice of desk.

We have also laid out some key factors to take into consideration when sourcing your best work from home desk.

Layout & Space

In order to find a desk that meets all of your needs, you’ll have to ask yourself a few questions:

How much surface area do you need?
Do you use multiple monitors?
Do you need storage space?
Is your space restricted?

The answers to all of these questions will help guide you towards selecting a desk that best matches your specific needs and makes the most sense for your day-to-day work. Determining exactly how much space you have to work with and where your desk will go will also help steer you towards the right choice. In fact, there are plenty of solutions for a small home office layout. You should think about things like electrical outlets, windows, doors, and pathways when nailing down the right dimensions for your best work desk. Read on for specific recommendations on options for your best work from home desk.

Number of Hours You Work

Whether you are a full-time employee or a part-time employee can also play a role in the decision-making process when selecting a home office desk. The overall number of hours you work should help inform the style of desk that will work best for you. For example, if you work 40+ hours a week you will want to make sure you have a desk and chair combination that you will be comfortable in for long periods of time. If you work shorter, more sporadic work hours you will have more leniency on the style of desk and chair you choose for your space. Style, location and lighting will all have a direct impact on the successes of your work days!

Types of Desks

  • Corner Desk: Corner desks are a great option for larger offices or for when you want to have extra work space. Intended to maximize corners and angles, these desks come in a variety of styles and sizes. They are generally on the larger more heavy-duty side, however you can definitely find smaller options for more compact spaces.
  • Credenza Desk: A Credenza desk is often used as a secondary workspace. This desk can be used with an executive or computer desk, allowing for maximum surface area and storage. In addition to a flat surface, a credenza may contain cabinets, shelves, drawers, and a filing area.
  • Executive Desk: Executive desks are commonly used in large offices with ample space to spare. These big desks almost always have a double pedestal design equipped with file and box drawers for housing office paperwork and supplies.
  • Floating Desk: Floating desks are installed directly onto the wall. These desks free up valuable floor space and allow for a nice streamlined finish. They have no legs, so it is not wise to store heavy objects on them. Some of them fold down, while others are permanently mounted so they protrude from the wall at all times. They typically have a drop-down desktop or a built-in storage system with an integrated surface for laptops or monitors. A floating desk is a great choice if you are looking for a space saving option! 
  • Folding Desk: Folding desks are great for temporary desk needs or desks that need to be moved around often. They usually have a surface that can easily fold down into a thin piece making them easier to store or move around if you prefer a portable office setup.
  • Ladder Desk: Ladder desks are vertically oriented desks that offer multiple levels of storage. They are convenient for those looking to squeeze a home office into an existing room. This option is particularly great for a living room.
  • Secretary Desk: A secretary desk is often made of a base of wide drawers topped by a desk with a hinged desktop surface, which is in turn topped by a bookcase usually closed with a pair of doors. Secretary desks have an upper board that folds down to form a writing surface. It typically hides little cubbies and drawers where small objects can be stored. When the surface is no longer needed, it folds back up for storage making this another great option for use in a common area of the home.
  • Standing Desk: Standing desks are a great option for those who work long hours and want to be able to stand and stretch throughout the work day. They are generally conceived for writing, reading or drawing while standing up or while sitting on a high stool.
  • Traditional Desk: A traditional desk is the most popular style of desk. This type of desk is similar to a table but may also include shelves or drawers for storage. Our Jorn desk is a modern take on the traditional desk. Designed to adapt to your lifestyle, The Jorn Desk requires zero commitment to one setup. Each shelf type’s height and position along the back of the desk are adjustable and can be customized to meet the creative needs of your unique work environment. You can even remove all shelves if you please for a more minimal look! Check out our Jorn desk collection here!
  • Writing Desk: Writing desks generally tend to be on the smaller side when it comes to dimensions. They are meant for light use, which makes them a great option for part-time work. They are typically made of a thin rectangular writing surface and four legs, with open space beneath. Writing desks look great and can often be used for multiple functions. 

Personalization

Once you have an idea of space and dimensions, you’ll want to focus on your own personal style as well as the design characteristics of your home to help you nail down your best work from home desk option. Materials will be important to consider here as they often determine the color and style of a desk; choosing materials that pair with the overall design aesthetic of your home will keep your space uniform and allow you to feel right at home while working!

We understand how important personalizing your space is, so we created our Jorn Desk to be highly customizable. From surface design to finish and shelving to the number of monitor stands, you can customize your desk to make sure it is just right for you! We offer over 280 surface color and print options, so there is something for everyone, and you can go as bold or as subtle as you’d like!

In addition to materials, you will also want to organize, decorate and personalize your workspace to your liking to get you motivated and energized during the work day! You can choose extras that enhance the comfy feeling of your home office, like a stylish mug for a pencil holder, trendy notepads and sticky notes, and a decorative wastebasket under a modern console table nearby. Artwork also offers an excellent way to bring your own style and personality to your office space. And since this is your home office, feel free to add as much of your personal life as you’d like. Adding a potted plant, flowers or a view to an outdoor space, can bring a fresh and lively feel to your workspace. Lastly, set up any other items that motivate you to create and inspire you throughout the workday!

Style of Work

The type of work you do will also have an impact on the style of desk you will want to use. For example, if you use your desk primarily for writing, drawing, or note taking, the Jorn Writing Desk or Work Desk will be a good option for you. If you work with a laptop, desktop or multiple screens, the highly customizable Jorn Media Desk will be a perfect fit! The Jorn Media Desk is designed to cater to your lifestyle and your personal needs. Its modular shelves, customizable shelf surfaces, sleek storage spaces and incognito media holes enable you to work your way, efficiently and in style. Each shelf type's height and position along the back of the desk are adjustable and can be customized to meet the creative needs of your unique work environment. You can even remove all shelves if you please for a more minimal look! Whether you're a minimalist fanatic or require a shelf for every gadget in order to function—we got you.

Selecting the best work from home desk and making it your own will play a huge role in your day-to-day work productivity. Make sure you take all of these key factors into consideration when planning your work from home office space and selecting the right furniture for you and your needs. If you are looking for ways to increase productivity, be sure to check out our desk organization tips to make the most of your time!