While standing desks have been proven to have positive impacts on overall health and productivity, they are not a one-size-fits-all approach. As such, what works for one person may not be as impactful in your experience due to variations in your needs and preferences. This guide explores the key aspects to keep in mind as you make this decision so you can choose what is right for you.
Choosing a Standing Desk? Think About These Factors
Your choice of a desk will not only impact your comfort, but its effects will also spill over to your mental well-being and ability to perform optimally. Here are the factors that play a crucial role when it comes to selecting the right option:
The Size
How big is your workspace? You must think about the dimensions of your office, shared workspace, or any other space where you want to install the desk. A desk that is too big for a space will make it feel cramped. At the same time, a desk that is too small will not be able to accommodate your work activities and accessories.
So, how do you find what works? First, measure the space available, keeping in mind factors such as the space that people need to walk, where you will stand, and how much space you will need to accommodate your sit-stand transitions, e.g., where you will position your chair while standing. Then, think of how many accessories you need in the space. These include your monitor, keyboard, mouse, and any other items that you need on a daily basis. How much space do they require?
With these two steps out of the way, you can now find the right fit for your space.
The Features
A standing desk should add to your productivity by offering you comfort and convenience. However, these perks boil down to the main features –which are they?
The first thing you need to consider is the adjustability of the desk. How fast can you move from sitting to standing? How smooth is this transition? Is it quiet? Is it difficult? Electronic desks are the best choice in this regard as they offer quiet and fast transitions. Some even come with memory presets that allow you to choose your preferred settings, so you can skip the configuration part and move straight to the transition – you can get more information here about these desks.
Secondly, you want to look at the customizability of the desk. Does it allow you room to add accessories such as cable organisers? Does it have the option of including drawers? How about monitor adjustments? Such details may seem minute, but they have a lasting impact on how well-organized your desk is and, therefore, your ability to get optimal use out of your setup.
The Quality
Standing desks are not a trend that will fade with time. If anything, predictive statistics are pointing to these desks as a mainstay in both traditional and contemporary workspaces. As such, you are not just investing in a desk that you will use for a year or two. With this in mind, paying attention to the quality of your desk matters.
What should you look for in this case? Start with the material used in the construction. Is it sturdy enough to handle daily use? How well does it hold up to the frequent adjustments? Then, move on to the joints. Do they look stable? What materials have been used? Finally, look at the warranty. What kind of guarantee are you getting? What kind of maintenance does the desk need to perform optimally?
All these factors will help you narrow your search while avoiding desks that have not been built to last.
Now comes the fun part – do you like the design? Often, people start by choosing a visually appealing design before working out the desk specifics. However, this should be the icing on the cake such that once you have found desks that meet your requirements, you can then focus on the aesthetics. After all, most manufacturers will allow you to customise your desk based on colour, size, and add-ons.
