The Best Modular Desk

Buying Guide

The humble desk doesn’t get nearly enough respect. It holds our stuff and takes our coffee spills without complaint. If we’re really busy, we might not even see the surface of it, but we spend as much time there as we do in our beds (or more).

Needless to say, those who are buying a new desk will want to make that purchase count. Certainly, there are expensive desks out there that will appeal to a certain executive vanity. But for those who plan to move or just want a little flexibility in their office space, modular desks are a great solution.

What is modular furniture? In a nutshell, it’s furniture whose design can be modified to fit your style and — most importantly when it comes to desks — your space. This includes desks with interlocking sections that can be moved around in different configurations, as well as those that expand somehow (or have the capacity to do so).

In most cases, the basic design will be the time-honored L-shaped desk. As you might imagine, these are desks that incorporate a right angle that’s perfect for placement in a corner. Depending on the configuration, the actual space that you work in (for instance, where your computer would be placed) might be right in the middle. If one end of the desk is longer than the other, you might work on that side while the other one serves as storage for printers or other gear.

The first thing you’ll need to ask yourself is how much work space you need. Is your office going to be purely digital, with most of the day spent typing away at a computer without accessories? Or maybe you’re planning to do some crafting, with lots of material spread out over a wide space? A large work area doesn’t necessarily have to mean a huge desk surface. Modular desks, in particular, can offer a lot of space-saving solutions when it comes to storage. A simple monitor stand can save a lot of room all by itself, allowing you to slide your keyboard underneath the riser when it’s not in use. Shelving is also a great way to save room. Look for a model with shelves underneath the desk if you need a place to stow a full-size PC or bulky files. If you’ve got a lot of items that need to be readily accessible, consider shelving on top of the desk. I’ve you’ve got the space, you might go for a full-size credenza, which can serve as a miniature bookshelf at the expense of a few feet toward the back of your desk. Not only does that allow your desk to pull double-duty, but it can also bring a little erudite flair to your work area.

Even the smallest desk is still going to take up a fair amount of space, and that means it can’t help but make a visual impression on the room. While functionality is your first concern, buy with an eye toward style as well. That’s easily done by considering the decor in the surrounding area. An angular, modern desk can fit in perfectly in an airy, sparsely decorated room. Wood tones and classic design will create a tone of quiet study, while mirrored or glass surfaces are more apt to spark creativity.

The surface of your desktop has a lot to do with functionality as well. Most inexpensive and mid-range desks are topped with some form of particleboard treated with laminate. It can come in a range of colors, and while quality can vary wildly, it’s usually suitable for everyday use. Glass surfaces can be great if you’d like to show off the paint scheme in your office, and they’re generally easy to clean — but you may want to reconsider them if you’ve got a lot of wires and connections that would normally be hidden by a more solid surface. Steel-topped desks are a less common option, and they can make an impression. Just make sure they’re scratch-resistant, and that you have an extra friend to help move them.

• You may have a pretty good idea of how big you want your desk to be, but do you know how high it should be? Most desks are built to stand between 28 and 30 inches tall, which is fine for most users. It’s a height that ensures that the average person is able to type on a keyboard with their arms at roughly a 90-degree angle. (That’s a position that will save you a lifetime of back problems down the road.) If you’re unusually tall or short, don’t despair. Most desks have legs that can be adjusted a few inches up or down. To find your ideal desk height, just divide your own height in inches by 2.5.
• Speaking of ergonomics, standing desks are all the rage in many offices. Working upright can improve your mood and lower your risk of excessive weight gain. Some studies have found they can even lower your blood sugar and risk of heart disease. If you’d like the option to stand at work, you don’t have to settle for one type of desk or the other. There are conversion kits on the market that can easily convert a standard desk to a standing one on the fly.