Office Desks: The Complete Buyer’s Guide

The right office desk underpins how a workplace functions day to day. It needs to suit the space, support the way your team works, and handle consistent use without creating issues over time.

This guide is intended for business owners, office managers and those responsible for setting up or upgrading a workspace. It covers the practical considerations involved in selecting desks and workstations, including layout formats, sizing, materials and what to expect from commercial furniture. The aim is to help you make a well informed decision that will continue to perform as your business evolves.

Office Desk Formats

Choosing the desk format is the first step in determining how the workspace will be laid out. The configuration you select affects how the desk fits within the floor plan, how people move around it, and how much equipment the surface needs to accommodate. Most workplaces are built around a small number of standard formats, each suited to different types of tasks, team structures and space constraints.

Straight Desks

A straight desk uses a single rectangular worktop and is the most commonly specified format in commercial spaces. Its simplicity makes it easy to install, relocate and reconfigure. These desks work well positioned against a wall or arranged in back-to-back runs, making them a practical choice for workplaces that may need to adjust layouts over time.

Corner Desks

Corner desks provide a multi sided work surface, most commonly formed by joining two worktops at 90 degrees. Variations such as 120 degree layouts and desk plus return configurations are also used. This format increases the usable workspace within the same overall footprint, giving room for multiple screens, paperwork or equipment without expanding further into the floor area. The extended surface creates defined work zones that can all be reached from a single seated position.

Depending on the range, the corner may be manufactured as a single worktop or formed by joining two components.

Multi Person Desks

Multi person desks, often referred to as workstation systems or desk pods, use a shared frame to support several users within one structure. They are typically planned around the available floor space and team size.

Common configurations include:

Back to back workstations: Users sit opposite each other across a central spine. This allows more people to be seated within a compact footprint and is widely used in open plan environments.

Side by side runs: Desks are joined end to end to create a continuous line. This layout suits wall placement or narrower sections of an office where depth is limited.

Angled or corner clusters: Worktops are arranged at 90 degree or 120 degree angles to form small grouped pods. These provide a more enclosed workspace while still using a shared structure.

Because these systems share structural components, they use fewer legs and support rails than the same number of standalone desks. This reduces visual clutter, improves legroom and provides an efficient way to scale a workspace as teams grow.

Executive Desks

Executive desks are larger formats typically used in private offices or client facing spaces where the furniture becomes a central feature of the room. They offer a more substantial work surface than standard desks and often include integrated storage such as pedestals or side returns as part of the design.

These layouts are intended to support both day to day work and small in office meetings. Many ranges are available with matching storage, credenzas and shelving so the space can be fitted out with a consistent look and finish.

Office Desk Ergonomics and Sizing

Correct sizing and setup allow a desk to be used comfortably across a full working day. This comes down to a combination of the desk’s dimensions, its height, and how it is positioned within the space.

Width and depth determine how much usable workspace is available. Height influences posture and how the desk interacts with the chair and equipment. Placement ensures the desk works properly within the overall layout rather than creating access or clearance issues.

Considering these factors together helps create a workspace that is practical to use and suitable for sustained daily work.

Desk Width and Depth

Desk size should be matched to the equipment and the amount of space available, rather than selected on appearance alone. Most straight desks fall between 1200 mm and 1800 mm wide, with depths typically ranging from 600 mm to 800 mm.

As a general guide:

1200 mm width: Suitable for a single screen setup where space is limited.

1500 mm width: A common commercial size that comfortably supports many dual monitor arrangements.

1600 mm width: Provides additional working room for larger screens or users who need more spread across the surface.

1800 mm width: Offers the most usable area for multiple screens and documents, but requires more floor space and circulation clearance.

600 mm depth: Keeps the footprint compact, though it allows less distance between the user and the screen.

700 mm to 800 mm depth: Provides better viewing distance, more forearm support and additional space for equipment or paperwork.

For corner configurations, sizing is determined by the layout:

Symmetrical corner desks: Both sides are equal in length, such as 1500 mm x 1500 mm or 1800 mm x 1800 mm, commonly used in 90 degree or 120 degree arrangements.

Desk and return setups: A larger primary worktop, usually 1500 mm to 1800 mm wide, is paired with a shorter return around 1000 mm to 1200 mm.

Many commercial desks are available with a scallop cut out at the rear of the worktop. This recessed section allows cables to pass through cleanly and enables monitor arms to be fitted without drilling into the surface. Scallops are typically used on desks 700 mm deep or greater, where there is enough material to include the cut out without affecting strength.

Desk Height and Adjustment

Desk height directly affects posture and overall comfort. Most workplaces will be choosing between a fixed height desk and an adjustable sit stand desk, depending on how much flexibility is required.

Fixed height desks: These are manufactured to a standard working height, usually between 720 mm and 750 mm. Some systems allow for small adjustments during installation, but the desk remains at that set height once in place. This format suits environments where the users are known and the setup will not need to change frequently.

Sit stand desks: These use a telescopic, motorised frame to provide a wide adjustment range, typically from around 620 mm to 1270 mm. The height can be changed throughout the day to alternate between seated and standing positions, or set precisely for different users.

Correct height matters because a desk that sits too high forces the shoulders up, while one that is too low encourages the user to lean forward. Height adjustable options are increasingly specified to address this, particularly in shared workspaces or roles where people spend long periods at their desk.

Desk Placement

Desk placement should allow movement around the workspace as well as practical access to power and data. Allowances for clearance are just as important as the desk size itself.

Circulation and chair clearance: A desk requires space behind it for the chair to move. As a guide, allow at least 800 mm to 1000 mm of clearance for a single user. In back to back layouts, a shared zone of around 1500 mm helps ensure both users can move without obstruction.

Power and data access: Desks positioned away from walls or floor boxes will need planned cable runs or integrated power solutions. Considering this early avoids visible cabling and reduces the need for after the fact modifications.

Vertical and corner clearance: Corner desks need open floor space on both sides to be fully usable. For sit stand desks, check overhead clearances so shelving, lighting or services do not interfere with the desk at full height.

Most commerical suppliers, including Office Furniture Company (OFC), can assist with floor plan design to help with the best desk placement for your site.

Office Desk Materials and Construction

Material selection affects how a desk looks on day one and how well it holds up over years of use. The worktop and the frame are separate elements, but they need to perform together both structurally and visually. Choosing the right combination is less about appearance alone and more about durability, cleanability and suitability for the environment.

Worktop Materials and Finishes

Most commercial desks use laminated worktops because they balance durability, cost and ease of maintenance. The surface needs to cope with daily use, regular cleaning and the movement of equipment without deteriorating.

Common options include:

Laminate: The standard choice for most workplaces. It is hard wearing, easy to clean and resistant to everyday scratches and spills. Alongside plain colours such as white, woodgrain finishes like Oak, Beech or Maple are often selected to achieve a timber appearance without the cost or upkeep of solid wood. Custom laminates can be specified where a particular finish is required.

Edge banding: This is the protective strip that seals the exposed edge of the worktop. Commercial grade desks use a thicker 2 mm PVC edge designed to withstand knocks and prevent chipping. Maintaining this seal is important because damage can allow moisture into the substrate, which can shorten the life of the desk.

Timber veneer and solid timber: Typically used in executive settings. Veneer provides a real timber surface over a stable core, while solid timber offers a heavier, bespoke finish. These options present well but are generally softer than laminate and will show wear more readily.

Glass: Selected mainly for a specific aesthetic. It is easy to clean but shows fingerprints quickly and provides a harder, more reflective working surface than other materials.

Desk Frame Construction

The frame provides the structural support for the desk and is critical to long term stability. Most commercial desk frames are manufactured from steel, chosen for its rigidity and ability to carry equipment loads without flexing.

Frames are typically finished with a powdercoat. This baked on coating is more durable than conventional paint and is designed to resist chips, scratches and everyday impacts from chairs, cleaning equipment and general use.

Common frame styles include:

4 leg: A traditional configuration that is straightforward, stable and widely used across general office environments.

Loop leg: A continuous frame that creates a more enclosed visual profile. This is usually selected for aesthetic reasons rather than functional differences.

A frame: Angled legs that give the desk a more architectural appearance. Often specified where the furniture is intended to contribute to the visual design of the space.

T leg: Commonly used on sit stand desks, with the column centred on the foot to provide balance and even weight distribution through the full height range.

Sit Stand Frame Components

Height adjustable desks use different lifting methods that affect how the desk adjusts, how much weight it can support and how it performs in daily use.

The main adjustment types include:

Manual adjustment: Height is changed using a winding handle or mechanical system, typically where adjustment is occasional rather than frequent.

Pneumatic adjustment: Assisted lift operation allows quicker changes without power and is generally suited to lighter loads and moderate adjustment ranges.

Electric adjustment: Motorised systems raise and lower the desk at the push of a button. Common in environments where adjustment is regular or where the desk supports multiple screens and equipment.

The frame design also influences how the desk performs:

Telescopic stages:
Two stage legs offer a standard adjustment range, while three stage legs provide a greater height range to suit a wider variety of users.

Load capacity and stability:
The lifting system and frame determine the load the desk can carry and how stable it remains across its height range.

Controls and safety features:
Some electric desks include programmable height settings that can be set for individual users and anti-collision features to reduce the risk of impact.

Colour and Finish

Colour selection is usually driven by the desired look of the workspace and how much day to day wear it needs to conceal.

Darker frames, such as black, are commonly used in higher traffic environments because they are less likely to show scuffs or contact marks. Lighter finishes like white or silver can help a space feel more open, particularly in smaller offices or where natural light is limited.

The frame and worktop should be considered together so the desk feels consistent rather than a mix of unrelated components.

Office Desk Features and Integrations

Most desks are supplied as a core unit, with additional elements selected to suit how the workspace will be used. These are typically specified during planning, although many can be added later if requirements change.

The right combination depends on the type of work being carried out, the level of technology involved and how permanent the setup needs to be. Rather than treating these as extras, they are usually considered as part of making the desk function properly within the environment.

Cable Management

Cable management routes and contains power and data so the workspace stays safe, accessible and easy to maintain as layouts change.

Under desk trays or cable baskets carry leads from equipment on the work surface to connection points without leaving cables exposed. Open trays allow easier access when adjustments are needed, while enclosed trays create a cleaner appearance where the underside of the desk is visible. Cable holes in the worktop allow leads to pass directly through the surface rather than running over the edge. These are typically fitted with removable covers to maintain a tidy finish.

In workstation runs, central cable channels or spines distribute services along the length of the desk, reducing the need for multiple floor connections and keeping cabling contained within the furniture.

For sit stand desks, flexible guides or retractable supports manage the extra cable length created by height movement, preventing strain on connections as the desk raises and lowers.

Soft Wiring

Soft wiring distributes power through the furniture instead of running individual leads from each desk to a wall outlet. Desks are connected to a central supply, and power is then shared across the workstation run. This approach reduces visible cabling, removes the need for multiple extension leads and allows layouts to be expanded or reconfigured without major electrical changes.

Soft wired systems still connect back to the building’s power, but the infrastructure sits within the workspace itself, making it more suitable for larger installations, shared environments and offices that expect to change over time.

Privacy Screens and Acoustic Panels

Desk mounted screens are used to create separation between work positions without fully enclosing the space. They provide a visual boundary that helps reduce distraction while still maintaining an open plan layout.

Screens are typically mounted above the worktop at a height that offers privacy when seated but does not block sightlines across the office. Getting this balance right is important. Too high and the space can feel closed in. Too low and the screen offers little benefit.

Acoustic panels use a similar format but are made from sound absorbing materials to help reduce background noise in busier environments. These are often specified in shared work areas where conversations, calls or general activity need to be moderated rather than eliminated.

Depending on the desk system, screens can clamp to the worktop or be mounted directly to the frame, and they are usually sized to align with standard desk widths so they can run continuously across workstation layouts.

Office Desk Pricing

Desk pricing ranges from entry level products under a few hundred dollars through to several thousand per workstation. The difference is not cosmetic. It reflects how the desk is built, what level of use it is designed for and how long it is expected to remain in service.

At first glance many desks appear similar. The performance differences only become clear over time through stability, wear, and how well the product holds up to continuous use.

Entry Level vs Commercial-Grade

Entry level desks are typically designed for intermittent or light home office use. In full time workspaces they are subjected to loads and usage patterns they were not built for. Over time this can lead to surface wear, loosening joints and reduced structural rigidity.

Commercial grade desks are engineered with sustained daily use as the baseline. They are intended to remain in service for many years without requiring midlife replacement, even in high use environments.

The purchase price difference often understates the real cost gap once removal, replacement and operational disruption are considered.

Typical Pricing Ranges

While specifications vary by manufacturer, the following ranges are broadly representative for straight desks used in commercial environments.

Commercial-Grade Office Desks

Commercial grade is not a marketing label. It refers to furniture built and tested for continuous workplace use over a longer service life.

Built for Sustained Use

In a full time environment a desk is used every day, often for many years. It supports equipment, is cleaned regularly and is constantly adjusted or leaned on. Commercial desks are designed with this level of use in mind, with materials, frame construction and surface finishes selected to perform consistently rather than cope with occasional use.

Range Continuity

Established commercial manufacturers tend to maintain core ranges for extended periods. This makes it possible to add to an existing fitout or replace individual items without introducing mismatched furniture. Short lifecycle retail ranges can change quickly, which makes continuity difficult to maintain.

Quality Certifications

Commercial furniture is often tested against recognised standards to confirm strength, stability and durability. In Australia this may include AFRDI certification, while international benchmarks such as BIFMA are also used. Environmental standards such as GECA or responsibly sourced timber certifications like FSC may also apply depending on the product. These provide an independent reference point when assessing whether a product is suited to long term commercial use.

Warranty

Commercial desks commonly carry warranties of ten years on structural components and are expected to remain in service for a decade or more when used as intended. A longer lifespan helps avoid the cost and disruption of premature replacement.

Installation and Support

Commercial supply often includes planning assistance, coordinated delivery and professional installation so desks are assembled and positioned correctly from the outset. Ongoing support also allows replacement parts or matching additions to be sourced later, which is particularly useful in larger workplaces where consistency matters.

Choosing the Right Office Desk

Selecting office desks is less about appearance and more about how the workspace needs to function over time. Format, size, adjustability, materials and supporting infrastructure all influence whether the furniture will continue to perform as teams grow, technology changes and layouts evolve.

A well-planned desk solution should suit the available space, support the way people actually work, and provide the durability required for sustained daily use. Considering these factors early helps avoid replacement cycles, mismatched additions or operational disruption later.

By understanding how desks are constructed, specified and used in commercial environments, businesses can make informed decisions that balance cost, performance and longevity, resulting in a workspace that remains practical and consistent for years to come.