Of all the furniture we use desks are probably the most functional. Choosing a desk is often a balance of personal choice, budget and space. Desks come in all sorts of sizes and are made from different materials. What you want out of your desk will obviously make a difference in what kind of desk you choose.
One of the choices we make when choosing a new desk is whether to find a desk to fit the space we have, or whether to choose a desk and then find the best space to put it. When choosing a position for a computer desk for example, the direction of light will probably be a contributing factor. There are few things more annoying than either not being able to see because of dim lighting, or worse, not being able to see a screen because light is hitting it from an angle that creates glare.
Most computer desks come with special features to accommodate screens, towers, and sometimes a special space for printers, scanners and other peripherals. Corner desks are particularly popular for computer users, as the screen and keyboard can be in the middle with plenty of space for organising paper, DVD’s etc all within easy reach. A corner desk is a good solution if you have limited space in a room, or have a room dedicated as office space.
Almost any desk will come complete with drawers for easy organisation and storage. When choosing a desk for home, if you know the space your desk is going to occupy beforehand, you can make more of a choice as to where the drawers are situated. This can be especially important if you need to move in and out of your desk space easily, and whether you prefer right or left-handed access. Generally we don’t have this sort of option with an office desk and it can be frustrating, sometimes even painful if you are constantly banging your knee on drawers.
Executive desks, being more expensive, and usually larger, are less likely to have those sorts of problems. They are also nearly always built and finished in much better materials than a standard office desk too. Oak, walnut and mahogany desks are as popular as ever, especially with leather trimmings.
While modern desk designs perhaps have more to offer, particularly in accommodating computers there is still perhaps nothing that says style like antique desks. An antique desk in a den is rather like cigars and port, they just go together naturally.
Budget, function and location all come together to help us decide from the wide range of desks that are available. What is your desk like?
