Office Desk

Start with a budget.

Quality varies with price. Generally, you get what you pay for. An inexpensive office desk will be less durable. If all you need is a place to store your office supplies and work, then an inexpensive desk is a good buy. On the other hand, if you want to buy a sturdy, well-constructed desk that may be with you for decades, consider more expensive models.

Measure your available space twice, buy once

Once you have determined what you can spend, look at the space where you want to place your desk. How much space is available? Will the desk be set along a wall, in the middle of a room, or in a corner? Measure the width and depth of the space and keep these measurements handy.

Beware of particle board

An office desk having a white or black laminate surface is probably made with particle board, which is why laminate desks are often inexpensive. Particle board does not last as long as metal or wood. These desks usually come unassembled and can be difficult to put together. Once assembled, these desks may have loose joints creating an unsteady work surface. Use care and good tools while assembling.

Test drive before you buy

Sit at a desk on a chair like the one you will use before you buy. Make sure your knees have enough clearance to slide under the work surface when sitting.

Got file drawers?

The last feature to consider is whether or not you want your desk to have file drawers built into it. An office desk without file drawers may provide more room for your legs and anything you want to store under it, like a hard drive. On the other hand, a desk that has file drawers can eliminate the need to buy a separate file cabinet, saving you space and money.

You can buy office desks at these online retailers

Everything Office Furniture has a variety of traditional and computer desks.

Staples offers a selection of office and home desks. You’ll find compact, steel, laminate and writing desk models.

Ikea will deliver basic desks with and without drawers to your door.