Office Furniture Guide

Your guide to the maze of office furniture, office chairs and office desks.

Laying Out Out the Rules for Office Desks

Before choosing office desks you need to consider the office setup, is the team to sit at individual workstations or should desks be grouped together to facilitate team interaction and maximise space?

In a more classic office arrangement individual workstations can be arranged in seperate office rooms or around a wall. However, when desks are arranged in the centre of a room you need to consider the ergonomics of the layout and create a smart solution for cable management.

Design & Material

Glass

Glass desks are becoming a popular choice for the modern office. If you want to create the feeling of an open space then glass tables are ideal as they appear less chunky then wooden desks. Glass desks are usually moulded from hardened tempered glass and available in clear, frosted, black, white and a range of vibrant colours. Another recent style is a glass top combined with wooden side panels or integrated storage - the combination of materials can create a sophisticated modern feel and is perfect for those who like glass but prefer a warmer look.

Wood

What we may refer to as wooden computer desks are not usually made of solid wood. Although you could get your hands on solid wood desks they are not very common in the office environment as they are costly and the surface not very scratch tolerant. Office desks are generally made of either wood veneers, or MFC. Wood veneer is an MDF or chipboard base covered with a thin layer of real wood. (Although cheaper than solid wood these desks are rather expensive and scratches easily). MFC desks are made of a chipboard base covered with melamine – which is a laminated wood effect paper. (A more affordable and tolerant option.) Whatever wood material you choose they should be available in your preferred wood: oak, maple, beech, walnut or cherry to name a few.

White

White is a very popular colour for office desks – it is timeless and crisp and a white surface will make the room feel lighter and larger. Just keep in mind that white surfaces will require frequent cleaning as dust and dirt will show easily and white surfaces reflect the light and can therefore be a bit hard on the eye. White desks are available in glass, melamine and mdf or if you still prefer a wooden effect choose a light colour like maple or beech for a similar effect.

Executive

An executive desk is a computer desk where a bit more consideration has gone into the design, quality and functionality, something that is also reflected in the price tag. An executive desk should probably have the effect of standing out a bit more than the general computer desks in the office but you can select an executive desk that matches the rest of the office by selecting a matching style, design or colour. If you are looking to redo the entire executive office you can select matching storage and chairs from the same range.

Economy

When you are on a more restricted budget you can still acquire a functional stylish office desk for under £100. Keep it simple and go for the best quality fittings that your budget allows. The cheaper office desks are normally made of MFC and of a basic design but can still offer good value for money. Your office desks do not need to make a statement as you can easily bring in style to the office with eye catching accessories.

Height Adjustable

A height adjustable desk can be ideal for a number of reasons. If you can change between sitting and standing positions or adjust your table and chair for a perfect fit - this will increase both comfort and productivity. With height adjustable desks around the office each worker can have a desk that is ergonomically perfect for their height rather than the standard desks that do not accommodate for those shorter or taller than average. Such desks are also ideal for those sharing a workstation. There are various models available and your choice would probably be determined by your budget and how frequently the desk needs to be adjusted. Height adjustable desks are equipped with either a manual crank or a bit more expensive electric adjustable function; some models also have a preset height adjustment function that allows for perfect adjustability in seconds. Finally, consider the weight limits of height adjustable desks before buying.

Set up

The classic office set up of individual workstations is no longer the only obvious choice for an office arrangement. When space is limited, team interaction is vital and open plan office spaces are becoming the norm this calls for alternative desk arrangements that furniture supplier may refer to as desk pods and bench desking.

Bench Desks

Bench desk ranges are ideal for maximising space in open plan areas. One large desk is divided into smaller individual workstations but by sharing desktop and legs such a set up work out cheaper than buying separate office desks. Bench desks are normally equipped with smart cable managements solutions, which is necessary in an open plan environment. To allow for flexibility and a growing team it is best to choose a bench desk from a range that is likely to be available in the future. Other solutions for high density office environments include call centre desks and study carrels that offer privacy screens, cable access ports and monitor shelves.

Cable Management

More technology usually means more cables and unless they are neatly integrated into the furniture then they will most likely be in the way and make the office look untidy. Many modern desks will allow for some degree of cable management, ranging from a hole for cables to more sophisticated under-desk and leg-cabling solutions. Before buying a desk find out if cable management is available for that design and whether it is included in the price or offered as an extra. For an integrated solution you may also want to look into how easily you can get to the cables once everything has been fitted. There are also many products out there that can be added to existing desks that lack cable management.