Gone are the days when office desks were simple. They are now very elaborate, made from a variety of materials, and come in all shapes, sizes, materials, and configurations. You will find some that are modular and some that are pre-wired, while there are still some that are more traditional. So when shopping for office desks, it’s a good idea to determine what you’re looking for first.

size and configuration

Believe it or not, not everyone likes the feeling of being stuck behind an L-shaped or U-shaped desk, nor is it appropriate for all work conditions. These can be very nice and certainly allow the owner plenty of room for all of their gear and files. However, they take up a lot of space. Unless you have a fairly large office or are working in an open floor plan, these types of desks may be too much.

On the other hand, you can find much smaller office desks that have a cupboard above for filing and cabinets below that will serve the same purpose without taking up as much space.

Technology

One of the most important features of modern office desks is how well they work with technology. About twenty years ago, new desks were made for desktop users, but you’ll find that more and more are designed for people who work on laptops. This means there is no sliding keyboard drawer and no CPU space underneath.

However, you’ll still want your desktop to be able to connect efficiently. This usually means that there are cut-out sections inside the desk for you to run various cables and power cords through. If you are going to have a phone, a lamp, or a computer on your desk, then it is important to choose from office desks that have this functionality.

Modularity

Modular offices became very popular in the 1970s when there were many open floor plans in office buildings. Over the years, they have fallen out of fashion as everyone wanted to have their own “real” office. But with times as tough as they are right now, sometimes modular is better. This type of office allows you to change settings at any time, easily move parts and make an office from loose parts. By looking at office desks that are part of a modular system, you may end up saving money in the long run.

Style and Materials

Depending on the type of office you have, the look, style, and materials of the office desks you’re looking for can be important. Especially if you’re shopping for a desk for an executive (or for yourself!), then you’ll want the best possible. You can find desks in a variety of materials, from cherry and mahogany to oak and walnut, all of which create a very different look, but remember that functionality is always more important than looks when it comes to buying office desks.