How to Choose the Perfect Office Desk Furniture for Your Workspace

Shop smart with some basic steps

Office workers spend nearly six hours a day sitting or standing at their desks on average. That’s more than 28 hours per week, or 1,335 hours per year. Any purchase you’re going to spend that much time with demands a little extra attention.

At Walmart Business, we know there are tons of office desk styles, shapes, materials, features and price tags to consider. That’s why we’ve created this guide: to help you find the one that’s right for you, no matter how you work.

Before you start shopping for an office desk

Set a budget

The first step in almost any buying process is to set a budget. Price affects every facet of a desk, from build quality to extra features. If you know how much you’re willing to spend on each desk, you can make realistic decisions about your options.

Office desk furniture can range widely in price. The most affordable end of the spectrum is populated by spartan options made from flimsy, manufactured materials. They won’t ding your budget too badly, but they probably won’t address workers’ ergonomic needs very well or last very long.

As you climb the ladder of prices, you’ll get more and more bells and whistles. By the time you reach $1,000 a desk, you’ll likely see solid wood construction, elegant design and high-tech features such as integrated charging and adjustable height.

Most businesses will likely find themselves between those financial extremes. For reference, experts estimate that furnishing each employee’s workstation costs $1,500–$2,500.

If you’re only buying a few desks, you may be able to spend more on each one (and your employees will thank you for it). If you plan to buy in bulk, consider buying your computer desks wholesale to bring the per-unit price down.

Choose a shape

Every office has its own unique size and shape. The smaller your space, or the more unusual its shape, the more you’ll need to carefully consider your office layout. 

Office desks typically come in one of three shapes. 

• The standard rectangular desk is the most common. It may come with or without drawers. 

• L-shaped desks include a main desk and a smaller desk return attached at a right angle on one side. That provides something close to 1.5 desk-length work surfaces. L-shapes are common for executives, who often use one section as a dedicated computer workspace and the other as an area for collaborative work.

• U-shaped desks push that extra space even further, incorporating a main desk, a bridge and a credenza. It’s the biggest shape and usually includes lots of drawers and cabinets for storage.
  

Choose a style

An office desk can come in several different styles.

• Executive desks are large, double-pedestal desks that include lots of storage.

• Computer desks are small to mid-size desks with computer-focused features such as a compartment for a tower, a drawer for a keyboard or built-in wire management.

• Compact desks are space-optimizing affairs designed for small offices.

• Writing or laptop desks are characterized by a large work surface, but limited storage and a minimalist design aesthetic.
  

Mixing and matching these styles will help you make the most of your square footage without impeding the flow of foot traffic.

Consider aesthetics

Your decor is one of the first things clients or visitors will notice about your office. An attractive space with a cohesive style can project professionalism and make a strong impression. But office design is about more than first impressions.

It’s no secret that our environment affects how we feel, or that how we feel affects how we act. So it should come as no surprise that when workers are satisfied with their work environments, they’re more likely to produce great work.

The office desk plays a key role in the design of your space. Before you buy, try to come up with a visual plan or identity for your workspace. Whether you go colorful and dynamic or neutral and restrained, that vision will guide you toward certain colors, materials and styles of desk.

What to look for in an office desk

Desks can come with plenty of useful features, but you may not need all of them. Built-in storage can reduce clutter in your office while keeping important tools within arm’s reach. Integrated charging can help ensure employee computers stay powered up. Think about your day-to-day operations and how your staff will use each workstation.

But if you’re looking for the office desk must-haves, you have to start with build quality and ergonomic support.

Quality construction

If you’re able to invest in well-built, durable furniture, it can save you money in the long run by making repairs and replacements less frequent. Desks made of plastic, particle board, low-quality laminates, composites and medium density fiberboard (MDF) often sport highly affordable price tags, but are more likely to chip, warp or crack. 

High-quality laminates are a step up from these options. Solid wood, bamboo and metals such as aluminum are also great options. Not only do these materials last a long time, but they’re often easy to maintain using common office desk cleaning supplies.

Ergonomic support

Chairs may be the centerpiece of office ergonomics, but desks are their complement. When the two are in harmony, they can reduce the risk of injury and boost productivity.

Ergonomics experts recommend desks that allow workers to rest their elbows at a 90-degree angle and keep their wrists straight at the keyboard.

Desks with keyboard trays can make this standard easier to achieve, and so can desks with adjustable heights. These not only let workers choose their preferred height but also allow them to transition from sitting to standing. When paired with anti-fatigue mats, that can further buoy ergonomics.

Let Walmart Business help

Office furniture doesn’t need to break the bank. Just look at the offerings available on Walmart Business, where you can find more than a thousand desks at affordable prices, along with office chairs, conference tables and more.

With a free Walmart Business account, you can even apply your business’s tax-exempt status to your purchases and save even more. Click here to create your free account today.