Designer desk

The current social and health situation has forced many workers to stay at home and the dramatic increase in smart working has led to a redefinition of domestic spaces, caused by new needs. The first residential environment that is needed today is the one intended for study, designed specifically for remote working. The designer desk It is one of the cornerstones of the workstation and for this reason it is necessary to choose it carefully and measure it on your needs. Starting from the type of support surface, to move on to the materials and the relative costs and maintenance, up to the shape and colors, everything must be analyzed with care and awareness.

Let's now see how to get to know this important piece of furniture better, through some useful guideline.

The desk: types and dimensions

To make an optimal choice, the first aspect to consider is the spatial availability within the home environments. The study corner is usually created in the living room but sometimes the sleeping area is also well suited to accommodate this new function. In fact, the bedroom is a private and less frequented area of ​​the house, where the smart worker can find tranquility and silence, precious allies of work activities. The workstation is characterized by a seat, a support surface and some furnishing accessories that have the purpose of improving performance through light and the organization of space.

Usually, in small spaces, the rectangular desk with a maximum depth of 90 cm is the most suitable. The advantage of these models is given by the versatility and the simple and linear design, suitable for any style. If you have larger spaces available, one of the most popular solutions is represented by the corner desk. The advantages of this model are the width of the top and the possibility for the user to get closer to it. This aspect is of fundamental importance to prevent unpleasant damage to posture caused by an incorrect daily position. Furthermore, a deeper desk also offers more space to arrange files, documents and work tools, without having to add additional furnishing elements, which are instead necessary in the case of smaller desks.

Then there are the modular desks, extendable or compact, which are chosen if you need to obtain maximum flexibility. The importance of the desk top in terms of profile, depth and size is therefore evident. Another choice concerns the layout of the desk: in fact, you can opt for a floor model or one leaning against the wall, depending on the spatial conformation of your home environments. In this regard, it should be considered that the first requires space on the floor, while the second can be obtained from niches or composed of shelves. It will be possible to choose particular models equipped with drawers, wheels and shelves or, in the case in which the desk is used by multiple users, solutions that can be adjusted in height. Finally, when space is very limited, the support surface can be hidden, inside cabinets and storage units that, once not in use, will incorporate it behind a simple door. These are typologies that are very popular in small houses or where it is important to maintain order and give greater flexibility to the workstation.

It is therefore clear that the type of desk should be chosen based on the use that is made of it and the specific needs, with a view to ensuring the psycho-physical well-being of the person who uses it.
As for the size of the table, as for the typological choice, much depends on the square footage available and on personal needs. It ranges from small desks with a depth of 60 cm, up to 1.5 m deep tops perfect for even a desktop computer. From the point of view of length and height, you can choose according to your taste and the functionality you want to enjoy. Usually the standard height is about 75 cm but you can choose adjustable models or alternatively, chairs that adapt to the support surface.

The importance of desk ergonomics

A fundamental prerequisite for choosing a desk consciously is ergonomics. This piece of furniture must be designed to ensure the safety and healthiness of the user. In fact, disorders resulting from incorrect posture that workers maintain for many hours every day are increasingly widespread. In addition to opting for a seat that follows the lines of the body, it is necessary to choose a desk that allows adequate accommodation of the legs and correct positioning of the arms.

Furthermore, it is good to take some small precautions in daily habits, thanks to which the user will increase their level of comfort. The empty space left between the PC keyboard and the worker must guarantee the accommodation of the forearms, while at least 50 cm between the screen and the eyes will be necessary to preserve the sight. Furthermore, for the work surface it is preferable to choose light and low-reflecting colors, capable of calibrating the light and maintaining the right atmosphere for the user.

In a period in which work has found a new dimension within domestic environments, it is essential to pay particular attention to the choices that are implemented, to promote constant personal well-being.

If you want to learn more about this topic, read the article “Working from home: How space meets current needs" click here

Material and stylistic choices

From an aesthetic point of view, materials and colors play an important role in defining the style and final result of the desk. The most common materials are PVC, MDF, wood, glass and metals; the first two are the most economical and versatile, suitable for all environments, they are also used for the worktops of children's and teenagers' bedrooms. Plastic desks can be colored or have various shapes and are distinguished by their simple maintenance. Wood is perhaps the oldest and most used material for high-quality writing desks, introduced during the medieval period. Today, it continues to have an excellent response, even if the material, more robust and long-lasting, involves higher costs. Given this fact, to improve performance, wood is treated with a layer of paint that increases its durability and preserves its integrity. Finally, glass and metal are the most valuable and particular materials, used especially in desks intended for studies and living rooms. Metal is among the most resistant materials and for this reason ensures a very long duration. Glass, on the other hand, gives elegance but is more fragile. Both materials require careful maintenance and continuous cleaning because they tend to attract dust.

In any case, the desk must also be chosen based on the style of your home. In more classic and rustic-looking environments, wooden desks are the most suitable: equipped with drawers with brass handles and sinuous shapes, they will fit in coherently. For lovers of minimal and modern style, the perfect desk will have clean lines and a square shape. White PVC or a light wood top are preferable for an immediate Scandinavian "effect". In this case, a shelf positioned inside a niche will also be suitable, in the case of small spaces. Otherwise, if you appreciate original and extravagant pieces of furniture, vintage desks in raw wood with drawers and sturdy legs will give a shabby-retro touch. Finally, in modern and elegant homes, study corners that blend perfectly into the environment will be preferable, thanks to the use of refined glass and metal desks.

The desk and the “extra touch”

In order to keep the study corner tidy and personalize your workstation, it will be good to pay attention to details and best satisfy your needs. In this regard, depending on your needs, the desk can be equipped with drawers and shelves where you can keep everything within reach. In case you want to organize files or texts necessary for your profession, you can integrate a small bookcase.

Sometimes, storage or supports for storing tablets and mobile devices will also be useful. To recharge these systems, cables and cable glands or holes integrated into the support surface will be necessary, to avoid the accumulation of wires and electrical extensions. Finally, if the desk is positioned in a domestic environment where noise is felt, it will be very useful to integrate some sound-absorbing panels capable of increasing the concentration of those who have to work and also contribute to the decoration of the walls.

It is important to remember to provide the desk with adequate lighting, through table lamps that must diffuse a focused light, considered essential as it is a real work surface.
In conclusion, it is of fundamental importance to keep in mind that a properly organized environment will be able to maximize work results and consequently personal satisfaction.