Is a desk more than just a work surface?

A desk is clearly a work surface, but to some, it has become a whole lot more.

The desk can be described as a status symbol in corporate culture. The desk can portray, symbolise and project the personality of the individual or the corporate image of the organisation and is much more than a divider of departmental space

The size and shape of desks have evolved over the years, depending on the equipment needed on the desk top for users to fulfil their tasks.

From the the earliest straight desks in the 1800's, when there were only pens and paper, to the development of the typewriter in the middle of the 19th century and the advent of the typists return desk, through to the large crescent desks required from the 1980's onwards, have all been technology driven.

It is currently being said by some, that as todays electronic technology advances and the associated hardware gets slimmer and smaller, that desks could turn full circle back to simpler under engineered models. This, coupled with better telecommunication systems, means remote working is certainly a possibility for some.

However, we still do not have the 'paperless office' which was talked about and promised back in the 1980's, infact computers produce as much if not more paper than ever. I'm just looking at the top of my desk to confirm exactly that...I can't even see the colour!

So, by all accounts, the desk is going to be around for the foreseeable future.... even if it's just somewhere to put everything on, sit at and drink coffee!

FINISHES?

By far the most popular MFC heat and scratch resistant board is in Beech, however, it's not quite that simple- especially if you are trying to match in with an existing piece of furniture! There are countless different versions of Beech, depending on who makes each range!

Other popular finishes and their variations are Maple, Cherry, Walnut and Grey.

White and Black are mostly available in glass desks, which are also becoming more popular.

Sometimes there is a choice of finish available in a particular range, but more than likely the model, make and name will determine the finish for you.

LEGS?

Legs can be anything, from solid panels to match the top to a simple metal cantilever L shape, to the more design led cable managed legs. These allow any power cables to be fed in, tidied and enclosed.

Most of these are finished in silver metal but there is sometimes a choice of colour.

Real wood products are a lot more expensive! Rather than using solid wood because of price and sustainability issues, thin veneer sheets of real wood are pressed onto shaped MDF board.

The skills involved in matching up the veneer grain, polishing and lacquering is still a skilled process amongst the workforce in any factory.

DESK SHAPES?

1. Straight Desks

'Straight desks' vary in width from 1800 -1200mm(w) x 800mm(d), there are some return desks which measure 1200(w) or 1000(w) x 600mm(d).

Executive Ranges which have thicker desk tops (36-40mm), can be 2000mm(w) and usually will come bow fronted, making the desk 900/1000mm deep from the bow.

All the 'Home Office' products which are available with pull-out keypads, integral printer and CPU stands as standard, differ tremendously in size and shape.

2. Wave Desks

'Wave desks' are similar to a 'Straight' but with one end ,as you sit at it, either the Left or Right is deeper than the other, usually with 1000, 900 or 1200mm depth- again the range and make would determine this.

3. Crescent Desks

'Radials', 'Workstations', 'Crescents', and 'Corner' desks are still generally the biggest selling. The basic 1600x1200x800x600mm shape is still there at the top of our list.

These do occasionally cause a bit of confusion, as to what is a Left Handed or Right Handed version.

Really it all comes down to which where the 1200mm side curves or 'returns' round to as you sit at the desk. If it curves round to the Left, then it is a Left Hand desk. A set of 600mm deep desk height drawers is then to your Left!

There are 1800mm in this readily available, however anything smaller will usually not be 'off the shelf' in a lot of ranges.

4. 120 Degree

For most offices this will never be an option, as these are of primary importance in large open office areas like Call Centres where there is a requirement for a little more shape than a straight bench type layout.

These are usually seen in 3-way groups which can be added to if there is a need to work and interact in teams or as small departments. The size of these is 1200x1200x800x800 or 600x600mm.

DESK HEIGHTS?

Any work surface has to be set at a certain ideal working height, which when sitting is normally 720-730mm no matter the range chosen.

The only time that this has been higher in my experience, is when a builder has built in an office in a new build home, they inevitably make them too high, up to 800mm or more, which causes problems when the client comes to choose a chair that will be at correct height.

Most desks have a set of levelling feet, but these are what they are, only for levelling up on an uneven floor to about 25-30mm per foot. Height adjustable desks that can adjust between 680-1000mm electronically, are not within the budgets of most companies or organisations.

I hope that these thoughts and observations may be of help to you when it comes time to purchase!