Desks

How to choose a home office desk

Start with the space, not the desk. Measure the wall or corner you have, then leave about 3 feet behind the desk so your chair can roll back. In a small room, a corner desk uses space that would otherwise sit empty. If you work across two screens or keep paperwork beside your laptop, an L-shaped desk gives you a second work surface without taking over the room.

Next, check the depth. A desk around 24 inches deep fits a laptop and one monitor. Two monitors, or one large one, need more depth so the screen sits at arm's length.

Then look at how it's built. Metal frames with cross-bracing wobble less than all-wood flat-pack frames, especially when you type hard. Check the weight limit if you'll add monitors, a printer or a desk converter. Drawers and cable trays are worth having if you don't have other storage nearby.

Not sure which type you need? Start with our best home office desks guide.