How to Choose the Right Office Desk?

Your desk is where the work actually happens. It's where you take calls, answer emails, spread out paperwork and spend most of your day, so it's worth getting right. The wrong desk can leave you cramped, uncomfortable and short of space, while the right one makes every working day easier.

Whether you're setting up a home office, refreshing a single workstation or kitting out a whole team, this desk buying guide from Low Cost Office walks you through everything you need to know, from desk types and sizes to heights, storage and finishes.

What Should You Consider Before Buying an Office Desk?

Before you start browsing, take a few minutes to think about how you'll use your desk. Ask yourself:

• How much space do you have?
  • Measure the room and leave enough space to pull your chair out comfortably.
• What will you use it for?
  • A laptop needs far less room than two monitors, a printer and piles of paperwork.
• How many hours will you sit at it?
  • For long days, comfort and adjustability matter most.
• Do you need storage?
  • Drawers and pedestals keep files and stationery within easy reach.
• What style suits your space?
  • A home office may call for something that blends into your living space, while a corporate office may need a uniform look.

Types of Office Desks

Rectangular Desks

The rectangular desk is the classic office desk, and for good reason. It gives you a straightforward, spacious work surface that fits neatly into most office layouts. Rectangular desks are ideal for computer work, paperwork and meetings, and they can be placed side by side to create bench-style workstations for teams.

For smaller spaces, the UO Home Office Ashford Desk is a compact 1200 x 700mm rectangular desk designed for home and small offices. For larger offices, our office desks range includes Jemini rectangular desks in widths from 800mm to 1800mm, in a choice of finishes.

Best for: most offices, home offices and anyone who wants a simple, efficient workspace.

Radial Desks

Radial desks, also known as corner desks, have a curved work area that makes the most of corner space. The curved shape keeps everything within comfortable reach, creating a more ergonomic setup and a larger workstation without taking over the room.

The Jemini Radial Left Hand Cantilever Desk measures 1600 x 1200mm, giving you plenty of space for a monitor, keyboard and paperwork. It's available in left and right hand versions to suit the layout of your room.

Best for: making the most of corners and creating larger workstations in compact offices.

Height Adjustable Desks

Height adjustable desks, often called sit-stand desks, let you switch between sitting and standing throughout the day. Changing position regularly helps improve posture and reduces the risks that come with sitting for long periods, which makes these desks a popular choice for modern workplaces and home offices alike.

The Leap Height Adjustable Desk adjusts electrically from 595mm to 1245mm at the push of a button. It has a memory keypad that saves three personalised height settings, anti-collision safety technology and a child lock, and it comes with a 10-year warranty. For a softer, more ergonomic edge, the Leap Single Desk with Scallop Top has a curved front that brings you closer to your work.

Best for: anyone who spends long hours at a desk and wants to move more during the day.

Desks With a Fixed Pedestal

A desk with a fixed pedestal has drawers built into the desk itself. This creates a stable, permanent workspace with storage right where you need it. Fixed pedestal desks are ideal for long-term setups in corporate or home offices, where you need a dedicated desk with plenty of storage.

The 5 Star Modara Desk 2 Drw Fixed Pedestal is a 1200 x 750mm desk with a lockable two-drawer pedestal and a modesty panel, making it a great fit for home offices and smaller workspaces. For more storage, the 5 Star Modara Desk 2 Drw Fixed Pedestal comes with both a two-drawer and a three-drawer lockable pedestal, giving you space for files, stationery and personal items. You'll find more options in our home office essentials range.

Best for: dedicated workstations that need built-in storage.

Desks With a Mobile Pedestal

A mobile pedestal is a separate set of drawers on wheels that sits under your desk. Because it can be moved easily, it's perfect for flexible offices, hot desks and collaborative spaces where layouts change often.

The Jemini 3 Drawer Mobile Pedestal has three box drawers for stationery and office supplies, and it's mounted on four castors so you can move it wherever you need it. It's designed to complement both Jemini and Arista desks, so it pairs neatly with many of the desks in our range. Browse our full range of pedestals to add storage to any desk.

Best for: flexible offices and anyone who wants storage they can move around.

Executive Desks

Executive desks are larger, more substantial desks designed for managers and private offices. They offer generous workspace, a professional finish and extra storage options, creating a polished look that makes a strong impression on clients and visitors.

The Avior Rectangular Executive Desk is a premium wooden desk measuring 1800 x 900mm in a warm Nova Oak finish. It offers plenty of space for a monitor, paperwork and meetings, making it ideal for a manager's office or boardroom.

Best for: managers' offices, boardrooms and client-facing spaces.

Office Desk Sizes

Choosing the right size is one of the most important parts of buying a desk. Too small and you'll be cramped. Too big and it will overwhelm the room.

Office desks typically range from 800mm to 2000mm wide. Here's a quick guide to help you choose the right width:

• 800mm to 1000mm: ideal for small home offices, compact spaces and laptop use. A narrow desk fits neatly into a spare room or the corner of a living space.
• 1100mm to 1200mm: the most popular size for a single user with one monitor and some paperwork. It gives you enough room to work comfortably without taking over the room.
• 1400mm to 1600mm: perfect if you use two monitors, handle lots of paperwork or simply want a more spacious setup.
• 1800mm to 2000mm: best for executive offices, shared desks and meeting space, giving plenty of room for multiple screens, documents and visitors.

Depth is just as important as width, especially if you use a large monitor. Office desks usually range from 600mm to 1200mm deep:

• 600mm to 700mm: suits compact home offices and laptop users who don't need a lot of desk space.
• 750mm to 800mm: the standard depth for office use, with comfortable room for a monitor and keyboard.
• 900mm: gives you extra space for a large monitor or multiple screens, so you can keep them at a comfortable distance.
• 1200mm: typical of radial and corner desks, as well as larger executive setups, giving you a generous working area.
• Quick tip: your monitor should sit at roughly arm's length from your eyes, so if you use a large screen, choose a deeper desk.

Which Desk Finish Should You Choose?

Your desk finish sets the tone for your whole workspace. It affects how bright the room feels, how well the desk blends with your other furniture and the impression it gives to clients and visitors. Our office desks come in a wide range of wood-effect and solid finishes:

• Oak:
  • A warm, classic finish with a natural grain that never goes out of style. Oak suits traditional and modern offices alike, and works especially well for executive desks.
• White:
  • Clean, bright and contemporary. A white desk reflects light around the room, which makes it a great choice for small home offices and spaces with limited natural light.
• Beech:
  • Light, soft wood tone that feels fresh and welcoming. Beech is a popular choice for home offices, schools and busy workplaces.
• Walnut:
  • Rich and dark with a luxurious feel. Walnut adds a touch of sophistication to managers' offices, boardrooms and reception areas.
• Maple:
  • Pale and subtle with a smooth, even grain. Maple keeps a room feeling open and airy, and pairs easily with most office chairs and storage.
• Grey:
  • Modern and understated. Grey finishes give a sleek, contemporary look that suits open-plan offices and minimalist home workspaces.
• Black:
  • Bold, stylish and professional. A black desk makes a strong statement and works well in modern offices and creative spaces.
• Natural:
  • A light, organic wood effect that brings warmth into any space. Natural finishes create a calm, relaxed feel, ideal for home offices.
• Quick tip:
  • If you're furnishing a whole office, choose one finish throughout and match your pedestals and storage to create a consistent, professional look.