Finding the best office desks does not have to feel like a puzzle. The right desk should fit your room, hold your equipment and keep you comfortable for hours at a time. At A2B Office, we help businesses and home workers get this right every day, so here is a simple guide to what matters most.
What makes the best office desks work for you
Start with space. Measure the room before you fall for any design, and leave enough room for your chair to move back and for people to walk past. Desk widths usually run from 1000mm up to 1800mm, and depths of 600mm or 800mm are the most common. A deeper desk lets you push your monitor further away, which is kinder on your eyes.
Next, think about storage. A mobile pedestal gives you drawers that tuck under the desk and roll out when you need them. Some desks come as a combined workstation, with the desk and pedestal sold together, which saves you matching things up later. A modesty panel at the back hides your legs and cables from view, which is handy in open offices and reception areas.
The shape matters too. A straight desk is simple and fits almost anywhere. A crescent desk curves towards you, so everything on the desk is easier to reach. If you want a good all-rounder that adapts to different people, a 1200 x 800mm height adjustable desk with a beech top and white legs is a sensible place to begin. It has a single motor, three memory settings and an anti-trap safety stop, so it feels smooth and safe to use.
Finally, look at the surface. A heat-resistant melamine finish with protective edging can cope with daily knocks, spilt tea and busy teams. It is not glamorous, but it keeps a desk looking smart for years.
Sit-stand desks and why people love them
Sitting all day is hard on the body. Sit-stand desks let you change position whenever you like, which keeps you moving and can help you avoid aches and pains. Electric models raise and lower at the touch of a button. Many also save your favourite heights as presets, so you never need to fiddle with settings.
Safety features are worth checking. Collision detection or an anti-trap stop makes the desk pause if it meets something in its way, such as a bag or a bin. That gives you peace of mind, especially in shared offices.
If you already own a worktop you like, a height adjustable desk base in silver can carry it. The legs extend in three stages, giving a very wide height range from 61.5 to 123.5cm, and there are four programmable memory settings. The legs fold out and lock into place, and tool-free clamps attach the base to your worktop. A cable tray keeps wires neat and out of the way.
Prefer a lighter look in a bright space? The same style of base is available in white. Remember that these bases are sold without a desktop, and the base and worktop ship separately. Check that you have ordered both before you start planning your set-up.
Weight capacity is the other thing to look at. Add up your monitors, laptop, speakers and any storage trays, then pick a desk that can lift comfortably more than that total.
Choosing the best office desks for small spaces
Not everyone has a big office. Many of us work from a spare room, a corner of the lounge or a shared hot desking area. In these places, a compact desk makes all the difference.
A small electric sit stand desk is a smart choice when floor space is tight. Its 80 x 60cm desktop holds a monitor, a laptop on a stand, a keyboard and a mouse, with a load limit of 80kg. The height goes from 65 to 130cm, so it suits a wide range of people, and the quiet motor will not disturb anyone nearby. Four presets make switching between sitting and standing quick.
If you need a little more room, the compact electric desk at 120 x 70cm has space for two monitors, a laptop and your everyday kit. It moves between 72 and 118cm, includes USB charging ports on the control pad, and comes with clips to keep cables tidy. The worktop is made from FSC certified engineered wood, which is a nice bonus for greener buyers.
Before you buy, run through this quick checklist:
- Measure the space and leave room for your chair and for walking past.
- Check that the height range suits the tallest and shortest people who will use the desk.
- Add up the weight of your equipment and compare it with the desk’s load limit.
- Look for cable management, such as grommet holes, trays or clips.
- Check whether the desktop and base are sold together or separately.
- Think about assembly and whether you will need help.
Good habits help too. Keep your screen at eye level, your elbows relaxed and your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest. Even the best desk works better when it is set up for you.
FAQs
How big should an office desk be?
For most tasks, a desk around 1200mm wide and 800mm deep gives plenty of space for a monitor, keyboard and some paperwork. If you use two screens or lots of documents, go wider. If space is tight, a smaller desktop can still work well when you use monitor arms or organisers to free up the surface.
Are sit-stand desks suitable for every job?
They suit most desk-based work, from emails to design and admin. They are especially useful if you spend long periods at a screen, because you can change position during the day. Just make sure the height range fits you and that the desktop can carry your equipment.
Does a height adjustable desk base come with a worktop?
Not always. Some bases are sold on their own, and the desktop is shipped separately. Always read the product details so you know exactly what is in the box, and order the matching worktop if you need one.
How can I keep cables tidy?
Look for desks with cable trays, grommet holes or clips built in. Group your wires together, route them through the holes and tuck any spare length out of sight. Tidy cables also make it safer when a desk moves up and down.
Find the Right Office Desk for Your Space at A2B Office
The best office desks match your room, your equipment and the way you work. Measure your space, think about storage, and consider a sit-stand model if you want to move more during the day. Whether you need a simple straight desk, a full workstation or a compact electric option, there is something to suit every budget.
Ready to upgrade? Browse our range of office desks at A2B Office, or call our friendly sales team on 0161 796 0555, and we will help you choose the right desk for your space.
Google 
Facebook 
Trustindex 
Ebay 
