Employees spend majority of their time at their desks. Thus, before furnishing your office space, you need take some serious considerations to guarantee that you have a comfortable and efficiently utilized workspace. The most important factor to consider when choosing an office desk is to satisfy employees’ efficiency requirements so that they can do their job to the best of their abilities. The desk you purchase should be able to accommodate all of their work items, including a computer, office supplies, equipment -if required and depending on their job functionalities. But it must also make your office look elegant, big, and welcoming too. When searching for an office desk, keep these considerations in mind once you’ve decided on a budget and an office furnishing solution provider.
Size
How much space do you have for each department? This question will assist you in determining the size of office desks or workstations in contrast. Take into account the room’s size, if your office is huge and extravagant, a large, elegant desk will work well. For smaller spaces, however, use a more compact alternative or workstations instead. With a smaller desk, you’ll be able to fit in more office elements, such as additional chairs and storage units.
Ensure that the buffer space around the desk is convenient for utilization. A desk should be placed no less than 80 cm from the wall to enable employees to move their desk chair freely without limitations and without damaging the adjacent wall every time they stand up. Also, consider the space to the sides of the desk. The passage beside the desk should be no less than 60 cm.
Desk size is also influenced by job functions. Executive desks tend to stand between 180 cm and 250 cm including side unit and are usually placed alone in the director’s private office. For shared workspaces, the minimum needed space for employees is 120 cm.
Storage Needs
What kind of storage do you require? A desk with a few drawers may be attractive on the surface, but it isn’t necessarily practical. You’ll find yourself piling up paperwork and equipment on your desk, causing it to get cluttered.
A desk with many drawers, on the other hand, may make you appear rushed and clattered. It’s a waste of space and money to have empty drawers. Consider everything you’ll need to complete your everyday tasks. Calculate how much storage space you’ll need using this information.
Different departments require different storage spaces. Reflect on the everyday utilities that different departments require. IT support departments require shared and private storage for equipment and wires and larger workspaces that handle two computers – or sometimes more – at the same time, while other departments require smaller desks but bigger storage spaces for files. On the other hand, executives who have less storage requirements would just need standard set of drawers embedded in their desks.
Number of Employees in the Space
Space capacity vs. number of employees required to fit in the space is an important criterion prior to deciding which desk to purchase. Because the space available is constant, the desk size is one important factor and will impact the type of desk and its placement too.
Every space must have sufficient floor and unoccupied space to avoid compromising health, safety and welfare of your employees. Employees in a shared office must have enough space to access their desks and move around freely.
One optimum space utilization desk position is the wall placement position, where desks are overlooking the wall with their backs to each other. This placement – although not an authority position – allows for ample space behind the desks to move chairs at ease. Another efficient solution for shared spaces is a workstation. Workstations are designed to increase collaboration and maximize space utilization with smart storage solutions.
Office Décor
Buying desks that complement the rest of the office furniture and are aligned with the brand persona will help maintain the overall appearance of your office. Considering your company’s interior helps you attain a sleek and professional impression. Make sure that desk style and color complement the rest of the room’s décor and wall paint.
Starting with the central question of whether you want a traditional or contemporary style can make the process go much more smoothly and assist you in putting everything together. If your company is modern and has a young personality, consider lighter desk colors that can accommodate modern wall branding and colorful chairs. If your company is on the classic side of branding, consider dark wood desks that go well with elegant office accessories and décor.
Technology Requirements
What technological requirements do you have? Do you require a desk with built-in ports to accommodate electric cords? Is it better to have the opening on the side, top, or perhaps both? Make sure you consider the above questions thoroughly. Consider how you’ll power your computer, mobile devices, and other accessories. Before making a purchase, visualize your exact technology requirements. Desks that have smart accessories avoid employees bending to plug and unplug their devices on a daily basis.
Desk Ergonomics
An ergonomic desk is one that is meant to keep the user from getting hurt or working uncomfortably. Upper limb discomfort, elbow pain, neck pain, and back pain are all preventable injuries. An ergonomic workstation improves the user’s focus and productivity by providing optimal comfort. An ergonomic desk and chair should be set up at the appropriate height for the individual. Check that your desk is at the right height, invest in an adjustable desk to meet different employee preferences. Objects on the desk, such as the keyboard and mouse, should be at a comfortable distance and within easy reach and make sure your monitor is placed correctly.
