| If you're working from home on a full-time | | | | and materials, and stand 29 to 31 inches |
| basis, you may feel the need for a functional | | | | high. They can have features such as an |
| home office. With so many styles and designs | | | | adjustable keyboard tray, and drawers. When |
| of computer desks, office chairs and other | | | | selecting a standard desk, if you aren't |
| pieces of office furniture to choose from, it | | | | purchasing all of your office furniture at |
| might seem like an impossible task. But with | | | | once, keep in mind any additional pieces you |
| some careful planning, you can create a | | | | may want to match to your desk in the future. |
| functional and practical home office you can | | | | |
| be proud of. | | | | Executive desks also are 29 to 31 inches |
| | | | high, but are generally more elaborate in |
| Deciding where it will be located and how | | | | detail. They can feature wider desk tops than |
| much space you will have to work with, is the | | | | standard desks, and have features like |
| first step in planning your home office. Will | | | | storage compartment, storage drawers and a |
| it be in a section of your basement, part of | | | | file drawer. Executive desks tend to be |
| your family room or in a separate room? To | | | | available in richer finishes and offer more |
| select the perfect location for your office, | | | | features than a standard desk. |
| take into account any privacy issues that | | | | |
| might arise, if the area is well-lit and the | | | | L-shaped desks are composed of two desks that |
| locations of all available power sources. | | | | form an L. These are designed to maximize |
| | | | floor space and are ideal for smaller areas |
| After knowing where you will set up your | | | | since they can be installed in a corner of |
| office, take measurements. How much space you | | | | the room. L-shaped desks are very popular |
| have to fill will be the deciding factor in | | | | because, in addition to a place for the |
| determining what other pieces of office | | | | monitor and keyboard, there is also a work |
| equipment you will be able to include. It | | | | area within arm's reach. |
| will give you a better idea when shopping for | | | | |
| an executive desk if you have space for a | | | | U-shaped desks are made of two desks flanked |
| credenza, bookshelf or more than one filing | | | | on either side of a credenza. These U-shaped |
| cabinet. | | | | desks are ideal for those who need the extra |
| | | | workspace. However, of all the types of |
| If you will need to see clients or business | | | | computer desks, they do take up the most |
| associates, you will want your home office to | | | | space. If you are sharing your home office or |
| be professional looking, yet be a comfortable | | | | have the room, a U-shaped desk is a good |
| and welcoming place. Consider purchasing a | | | | choice. |
| side chair for visitors that matches your | | | | |
| office chair, or if there is room, a small | | | | Office chairs come in many shapes and styles. |
| sofa. | | | | You will want to choose an office chair that |
| | | | will not only complement the desk you |
| When choosing a computer desk, consider the | | | | selected, but be comfortable as well. It |
| following: | | | | should also support you ergonomically. |
| | | | |
| - available floor space | | | | If you have limited space to work with when |
| | | | setting up your home office, consider |
| - whether the desk layout or the components | | | | purchasing a computer workstation. They are |
| of an office suite favor right hand or left | | | | very compact and usually have a keyboard |
| hand setup | | | | tray, places for the CPU, monitor and |
| | | | printer, and other features like utility or |
| - if it will blend with your decor | | | | file drawers. Some types of computer |
| | | | workstations have the added benefit of being |
| - if the work surface is large enough to | | | | on casters, so that they can be moved easily. |
| accommodate your needs | | | | Since they come in a number of |
| | | | configurations, they can be a viable |
| - the size and layout of the desk | | | | alternative to the standard computer desk. |
| | | | |
| The four basic types of computer desks are | | | | With a little planning, you can create a home |
| standard, executive, L-shaped and U-shaped | | | | office that is both a practical and enjoyable |
| and generally refer to the layout of the | | | | place to work. Hopefully this article will |
| desk. | | | | help you decide what type of desk and other |
| | | | pieces of offices furniture you will need |
| Standard desks come in a variety of styles | | | | when designing an office space for your home. |