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New Desks?
- Thread starter Odysee
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Thanks for your recommendations guys! I'm REALLLLLY loving this one so far. I think this could be the one!
https://absalomclassics.com/collections/all-items/products/5025desk?variant=5423870148666
https://absalomclassics.com/collections/all-items/products/5025desk?variant=5423870148666
That's a little vague. Are you looking for a classic looking desk or are you just looking for an expensive desk at a discount? Are there any features you want? A sit to stand perhaps?
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That's a writing desk. Are you going to be using your computer on it? Writing desks tend to be taller than computer desks because when you write, your arms are angled toward the writing surface so the writing surface needs to be slightly taller to make it comfortable for you to put your elbows down without hunching over too much. They tend to not be very comfortable for extended computer use unless you're extremely tall.
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What are you talking about? It is 74cm tall.
Here every desk is at 74cm height. Well, between 73 and 75.
You're right. It has been so long since I shopped for a desk that I forgot that height is pretty standard for a desk, but that standard was set well before desks became viewed primarily as typing surfaces. For a typing surface, a 73cm desk is a little too high unless you're above average in height or have an elevated chair and foot rest.
When using a keyboard, you should be able to comfortably rest your elbows beside your ribcage. If you're tall enough to do that on a 73cm desk, then it's fine as a computer desk. You'd have to hunch a bit for writing, but presumably that's happening a lot less often than typing.
Which is why my next two desks are going to have the option to change their height.
I've many years of experience as a software developer, and worked at a few places where the first thing a new employee gets is a visit from the ergonomics specialist, so I've learned a bit about computer workstation ergonomics.
Ideal keyboard height is less than ideal desk height. Ideally, don't try to use a desk as a typing surface. Typical desk height is good for both writing and supporting monitors, so it follows it's best to use a separate, lower surface for keyboards.
That's why so many professional office desks have those slide-out keyboard drawers. I don't like them, though, because they are often flimsy, and they can get in the way when you are not using the keyboard. And you need a desk specifically designed to use them, or - at least - a wooden desk without a middle drawer, that they can be attached to.
(Yes, people still use desks for writing on paper. I, for one, jot notes on paper as I am writing code! I shred the notes after I am done with them, so, yea, there's another "legacy" item in my office...)
Given my dislike of the slide-out drawers, I use a Herman Miller Scooter. I have a nice one in solid Cherry wood. The keyboard surface height and angle are easily adjustable. If you aren't using the keyboard, you can push it back completely out of the way. And vs. the slide-out drawers, this has room for your wrists - I use "bean bags" in front of mouse and keyboard. (Not mine pictured below, though same model/color. Just a picture I found on the web.)
Unfortunately, they seem to be discontinued, so you would have to find one in good condition on eBay. Haha, they are all listed as "vintage", guess it's been discontinued for a while. But sure there are knockoff designs.
I love Herman Miller and Steelcase, they each have many original iconic award-winning designs. I use a Steelcase Leap chair, Coach Edition leather, it is 20 years old. I had to replace the arms, and I replaced the plastic wheels with good rubber ones. (Plastic wheels are a compromise meant to work "OK" but "just" OK on either carpet or a hard surface They do not work WELL on a hard surface.) The leather has held up, though I understand the standard leather does not.
As far as stores mentioned:
West Elm is cheap crap, I had some stuff from West Elm and it didn't last. It's a distant memory.
DWR is great for shopping for properly-licensed, iconic designs, but nose-bleed prices, shop at DWR and buy it from an online discounter. If you are near a DWR physical store, go see in person. (There used to be one in San Diego.)
I am just not a fan of the heavy, faux, "distressed" look of Crate & Barrel/CB2. I have a friend that has a whole house of it though. I think if you want heavy, distressed furniture, you should buy heavy, naturally-worn vintage furniture. And it's expensive to boot - you are paying DWR prices for furniture that is a fad and will look silly in a few years when the fad passes.
Ikea is cheap, will not last forever, but in most cases more durable than the West Elm garbage. You have to be careful, as it is range, and I would avoid the low end. I think it's great that they offer nice looking furniture that will furnish a startup apartment for a few years, but don't expect any durability out of that. But they do have better, you get what you pay for!
In fact, I use an Ikea metal frame and white glass-top (not see-through thank goodness!) "teardrop" shaped desk. Flimsy cabe trough in the back, but good enough to hold a power strip and all the damn wall warts and hide the cables. It is adjustable-height, which is good for use as a computer desk. You can't adjust in use - you have to adjust the legs when you set it up. If you wanted to change the height, you'd have to take everything off of it and turn it upside down. But at least you have the option to set the height to that which is ideal for you.
Not cheap, but will re-recommend BDi from a prior "desk" post.
https://www.bdiusa.com/working
Many years ago I had a "yuge" (it was referred to as the "aircraft carrier") BiF desk (I guess BDi today is what BiF was originally) in white with a "yuge" drafting drawer the size of the entire work surface. My employer was a dealer so sold it to me at cost. I shipped it to California from Michigan when I moved, but it is long gone, as I don't have space for something that "yuge". I dunno, some people might have issues with their sourcing. BiF originally stood for "Borneo International Furniture", you might want to look into how sustainable their wood sourcing is.
Ideal keyboard height is less than ideal desk height. Ideally, don't try to use a desk as a typing surface. Typical desk height is good for both writing and supporting monitors, so it follows it's best to use a separate, lower surface for keyboards.
That's why so many professional office desks have those slide-out keyboard drawers. I don't like them, though, because they are often flimsy, and they can get in the way when you are not using the keyboard. And you need a desk specifically designed to use them, or - at least - a wooden desk without a middle drawer, that they can be attached to.
(Yes, people still use desks for writing on paper. I, for one, jot notes on paper as I am writing code! I shred the notes after I am done with them, so, yea, there's another "legacy" item in my office...)
Given my dislike of the slide-out drawers, I use a Herman Miller Scooter. I have a nice one in solid Cherry wood. The keyboard surface height and angle are easily adjustable. If you aren't using the keyboard, you can push it back completely out of the way. And vs. the slide-out drawers, this has room for your wrists - I use "bean bags" in front of mouse and keyboard. (Not mine pictured below, though same model/color. Just a picture I found on the web.)
Unfortunately, they seem to be discontinued, so you would have to find one in good condition on eBay. Haha, they are all listed as "vintage", guess it's been discontinued for a while. But sure there are knockoff designs.
I love Herman Miller and Steelcase, they each have many original iconic award-winning designs. I use a Steelcase Leap chair, Coach Edition leather, it is 20 years old. I had to replace the arms, and I replaced the plastic wheels with good rubber ones. (Plastic wheels are a compromise meant to work "OK" but "just" OK on either carpet or a hard surface They do not work WELL on a hard surface.) The leather has held up, though I understand the standard leather does not.
As far as stores mentioned:
West Elm is cheap crap, I had some stuff from West Elm and it didn't last. It's a distant memory.
DWR is great for shopping for properly-licensed, iconic designs, but nose-bleed prices, shop at DWR and buy it from an online discounter. If you are near a DWR physical store, go see in person. (There used to be one in San Diego.)
I am just not a fan of the heavy, faux, "distressed" look of Crate & Barrel/CB2. I have a friend that has a whole house of it though. I think if you want heavy, distressed furniture, you should buy heavy, naturally-worn vintage furniture. And it's expensive to boot - you are paying DWR prices for furniture that is a fad and will look silly in a few years when the fad passes.
Ikea is cheap, will not last forever, but in most cases more durable than the West Elm garbage. You have to be careful, as it is range, and I would avoid the low end. I think it's great that they offer nice looking furniture that will furnish a startup apartment for a few years, but don't expect any durability out of that. But they do have better, you get what you pay for!
In fact, I use an Ikea metal frame and white glass-top (not see-through thank goodness!) "teardrop" shaped desk. Flimsy cabe trough in the back, but good enough to hold a power strip and all the damn wall warts and hide the cables. It is adjustable-height, which is good for use as a computer desk. You can't adjust in use - you have to adjust the legs when you set it up. If you wanted to change the height, you'd have to take everything off of it and turn it upside down. But at least you have the option to set the height to that which is ideal for you.
Not cheap, but will re-recommend BDi from a prior "desk" post.
https://www.bdiusa.com/working
Many years ago I had a "yuge" (it was referred to as the "aircraft carrier") BiF desk (I guess BDi today is what BiF was originally) in white with a "yuge" drafting drawer the size of the entire work surface. My employer was a dealer so sold it to me at cost. I shipped it to California from Michigan when I moved, but it is long gone, as I don't have space for something that "yuge". I dunno, some people might have issues with their sourcing. BiF originally stood for "Borneo International Furniture", you might want to look into how sustainable their wood sourcing is.
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Which is why my next two desks are going to have the option to change their height.
I have one of those and I'd recommend everyone who can afford it to get one. If you can't there are some less expensive ways of getting sit to stand out of any old desk though. You can get a riser that just sits on top of your desk that elevates your keyboard and display.
Sit to stands are not nearly as expensive as they used to be though, but they take up a lot of space.
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Those places were doing it right. I honest don't know why this isn't standard practice at any company that can afford it. Beyond just wanting to keep your workforce healthy, you also get so much more out of your people when they're comfortable.
I hate the slid out keyboard stands. Not only they tend to be flimsy but they usually have no room or very limited space for a mouse.
My next desks going to be IKEA's SKARSTA. I saw one in person at a store and it wasn't as flimsy as some people claimed.