Choosing an office desk isn’t about picking what looks good online. It’s about preventing the shoulder aches, wrist tingles, and back fatigue that creep in after a long day at your screen — and making sure your workspace actually works in your space.
In the UK, where many home offices are carved out of box rooms, corners, or converted cupboards, a mismatched desk can cause more than just clutter. It can quietly drain your productivity and even violate basic ergonomic standards.
The fix? Forget aesthetics — start with your available space. Once you know exactly how much room you’re working with (and how much movement it needs to allow), everything else — desk style, size, height — becomes a logical, stress-free decision.
This guide shows you exactly how.
Step 1: Measure and Assess Your Space
Measure the Room, Not Just the Desk
Before you browse for anything, you need to understand the actual space you’re working with. In the UK, especially in terraced homes, converted bedrooms, and city flats, usable space is often tighter than it seems.
Here’s how to do it properly:
- Measure total room dimensions (length x width).
- Map fixed features:
- Doors and their swing radius
- Windows (important for light and screen glare)
- Radiators (which can block placement)
- Power sockets (so you avoid trailing extension leads)
- Account for obstacles like skirting boards, built-in wardrobes or bay windows.
Tip: Don’t just leave “enough room” for the desk. You’re not measuring the desk — you’re measuring how the desk functions in the room.
Understand the Desk’s Functional Footprint
The biggest mistake people make? Measuring only the desk surface. But desks aren’t static — you need to sit at them, roll your chair, stand up, and walk around.
Allow for:
- Chair Push-Back Space: Minimum 80–100 cm behind the desk.
- Walkway Clearance: Minimum 60–80 cm if people need to walk past.
- Back-to-Back Setup: If placing desks facing away from each other, allow 160–200 cm between front edges.
Example: A 140 cm x 70 cm desk actually needs about 140 cm x 150 cm of usable space. That includes your chair and movement range.
This is especially important in small UK rooms — like a 2.4 m x 2.4 m converted box room — where every centimetre counts. Failing to factor in clearance leads to a cramped, uncomfortable setup that feels unworkable from day one.
Identify Your Space Profile
Every room falls into one of four common desk layout profiles:
A. Corner Space
Usually in the corner of a bedroom, living room, or study.
✔ Best suited to: L-shaped desks or corner desks.
B. Long Wall
A clear stretch of wall, often 2 metres or more.
✔ Best suited to: Rectangular desks in the 120–160 cm range.
C. Compact Space
An alcove, wardrobe conversion, or under-stairs setup.
✔ Best suited to: Wall-mounted, folding, or narrow desks (100–120 cm width, 50–60 cm depth).
D. Open-Plan Area
Part of a shared space like a lounge or studio flat.
✔ Best suited to: Executive desks or deep workstations (80 cm+ depth) that visually “zone” the space.
Understanding your space profile ensures you don’t waste time looking at desk styles that will never work in your layout.
Step 2: Match Desk Style to Your Space Profile
Choosing a desk style isn’t about taste — it’s about fit. Once you know your room’s layout and clearance limits, you can immediately narrow the field to the types of desks that will actually work in your space.
If You Have a Corner Space
Recommended Style: L-Shaped Desk or Corner Desk
Why It Works:
- Uses otherwise wasted dead space.
- Creates a natural dual-zone layout — one side for your screen, the other for writing, referencing, or a printer.
- Especially useful in small UK bedrooms or studies where floor area is limited but vertical or corner space is underused.
If You Have a Long Wall
Recommended Style: Rectangular Desk
Why It Works:
- Scales easily with wall length — desks from 120 cm to 180 cm can fit without issue.
- Allows central monitor placement and clean cable routing if near sockets.
- Versatile for both focused work or multi-monitor setups.
Note: A 140 cm wide desk is often the “sweet spot” in UK homes for balancing surface area with space efficiency.
If You’re Working in a Compact Space
Recommended Style: Narrow Rectangular Desk, Wall-Mounted Desk, or Folding Desk
Why It Works:
- Prioritises footprint — many options at 100–120 cm width, 50–60 cm depth.
- Wall-mounted styles avoid bulky legs and allow better legroom.
- Folding desks are ideal for “cloffice” setups (e.g. inside a cupboard or wardrobe) — close it when you're off the clock.
If You’re in an Open-Plan Area
Recommended Style: Executive Desk or Deep Workstation
Why It Works:
- Creates a defined visual boundary in shared or dual-use rooms.
- Depth (80 cm or more) gives better screen distance and space for accessories.
- Ideal for dedicated work zones within living rooms or studios.
The Universal Health-Focused Option
Recommended Style: Sit-Stand Desk
Why It Works:
- Available in both rectangular and L-shaped formats, so fits any of the above profiles.
- Supports posture variation and reduces physical strain during long hours.
- Especially relevant in the UK where many home workers remain seated for the majority of the day due to weather, space, or long sessions at the screen.
Step 3: Finalise the Dimensions Based on Style and Your Needs
Now that you’ve matched the desk style to your space, it’s time to get the numbers right. This isn’t about choosing what’s “standard” — it’s about what fits you, your equipment, and how you actually work.
Desk Height: Based on Your Chair and Body, Not the Industry Standard
Most UK desks are fixed at 72–75 cm — ideal only if you're around 5'10" with a well-matched chair. The correct desk height is where your forearms rest level with the desk surface when seated upright with elbows at 90°.
Better Option: A standing desk lets you set your ideal working height precisely.
| User Height | Recommended Seated Desk Height |
|---|---|
| 5'0" / 152 cm | 61–63.5 cm |
| 5'4" / 163 cm | 63.5–66 cm |
| 5'8" / 173 cm | 68.5–71 cm |
| 6'0" / 183 cm | 71–76 cm |
| 6'4" / 193 cm | 76–81 cm |
Desk Width: Based on Your Workflow
Match your desk width to what you do daily — not to your guess of “big enough”.
| Use Case | Recommended Width (UK Market) |
|---|---|
| Laptop-only, light paperwork | 100–120 cm (compact desk) |
| Monitor + laptop, regular tasks | 120–160 cm (standard setup) |
| Dual monitors, reference zones | 160 cm+ (expansive workstation) |
Desk Depth: Based on Screen Size and Visual Comfort
Depth determines how far your monitor sits from your eyes — and whether your wrists and accessories have space.
| Setup | Recommended Depth |
|---|---|
| Laptop use only | 50–60 cm |
| Standard monitor + keyboard/mouse | 70–80 cm |
| Large monitor, multiple accessories | 80–90 cm+ |
Tip: Always cross-check these finalised dimensions with the room layout and clearance from Step 1 — the desk has to fit you, but also your space.
Conclusion
Choosing the right desk isn’t about luck — it’s about logic. When you start with the space you have, match the style to your layout, and then set the right dimensions for your body and equipment, you get a setup that works from day one.
FAQs
My desk is 75 cm high, but I’m quite short — is that a problem?
Not necessarily, but you’ll need to adjust your setup. A good ergonomic chair with height adjustment is key — it should allow your forearms to rest level with the desk while keeping your feet flat on the floor.
If your feet dangle even with the chair raised, use a footrest to support your posture and reduce pressure on your lower back.
How much space should I leave behind or around a desk?
Allow at least 75–80 cm behind the desk for comfortable chair movement. If the desk is placed against a wall, that space ensures you can sit down and stand up easily.
Facing a window? Avoid glare by positioning the desk side-on (perpendicular) to natural light. These clearances also help with cable management and curtain access without obstruction.
What size desk is best for a child or teenager?
For younger children, a 100 × 50 cm desk is a good start. But once they reach secondary school, aim for 120 × 60 cm minimum, with a height of around 70 cm.
Where possible, choose a height-adjustable desk, or at least ensure the chair fits well — feet flat, back straight, and the screen at eye level.
Comfortable posture is more important than the desk itself — growing bodies need proper support.
