What do you look for in a desk?

[dylandylandylan]

Hey guys!

I'm looking for a new desk, and when you guys are on the hunt for a new one, what do you look for?

I wouldn't mind just buying an IKEA one, but it's all online sales here only, so mark up is quite high.

 

At the moment, the one I'm looking at is this one;

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/home-living/lounge-dining-hall/desks/auction-684541973.htm

[heineygoat]

flat

[WoodenMarker]

It depends what I'm using it for. Just figure out what you want to put where.

For example, the legs on the table you linked have a brace that connects them and can get in the way if you want to put a tower or some sort of cabinet between the legs.

 

I generally just make sure it fits well wherever you plan to put it and that it has ample room for everything you want to put on it.

[jameshumphries47]

one that has a nice sturdy top, big, black and white (Coz I like the contrast), nice strong legs and places to route cables. Hope this helps?

[kristaps552]

It has to be massive, So I can put my pc on it, aswell as my not so mini hi fi.
Also it has to be really sturdy and not jiggly, because I play racing games with a dfgt and the force feedback does make it a necessity.

[dylandylandylan]

It depends what I'm using it for. Just figure out what you want to put where.

For example, the legs on the table you linked have a brace that connects them and can get in the way if you want to put a tower or some sort of cabinet between the legs.

 

I generally just make sure it fits well wherever you plan to put it and that it has ample room for everything you want to put on it.

 

Yeah it's quite hard to decide with these flat pack kits online, because none of them have warehouses to go and have a look at the real size of the unit, I guess I could always mock something up and go from there. 

 

I'm going to be using this one as my computer desk, the sizing of the top surface shouldn't matter too much because I'll be using vesa mounting points for my monitors, so they can just swing out of the way, but I do have a lot of peripherals, mixer, mic, amp .. hmm.

[WoodenMarker]

Yeah it's quite hard to decide with these flat pack kits online, because none of them have warehouses to go and have a look at the real size of the unit, I guess I could always mock something up and go from there. 

 

I'm going to be using this one as my computer desk, the sizing of the top surface shouldn't matter too much because I'll be using vesa mounting points for my monitors, so they can just swing out of the way, but I do have a lot of peripherals, mixer, mic, amp .. hmm.

Just use the dimensions from the specs to figure out the spacing.

[dizmo]

I'll second the massive part.

 

I have to be able to have 2 monitors. keyboard, mouse, speakers and a laser printer, and a lamp on it without it feeling crowded. I also need room to write on a large note pad if needed.

My next desk will have to be even bigger so I'm thinking about going the Ikea route and putting it in the corner with a 5' wing off each side.

A tape measure will be your best friend. Find the size you want, and then go one up. Sounds like you've got a fair amount of stuff to stow on there.

[voaz]

Enough height and decent build quality is what I'd seek for.

[ConfusedDolphin]

Build quality and depth 

[Commander_Z]

I look for one made of rich mahogany, stacked with many leather-bound books

[ericlee30]

Over the years, I have bought many desk, everything from a cheap desk you can buy at Walmart to Bush office furniture that's around $1000 to the $4000 National Furniture office desk i have now. Walmart type desk are cheap and very flimsy, the Bush furniture is very well built but they build their desk with compacted saw dust and a very thick laminate panels, for all the sides and a really good solid top with laminate covering it. Once you start getting into the $2000 range of desk you really learn what craftsmanship really means, you get full solid wood all the way around, self retracting drawers, clear coat top finishes that are a dream to clean and hard to damage.

[dylandylandylan]

Over the years, I have bought many desk, everything from a cheap desk you can buy at Walmart to Bush office furniture that's around $1000 to the $4000 National Furniture office desk i have now. Walmart type desk are cheap and very flimsy, the Bush furniture is very well built but they build their desk with compacted saw dust and a very thick laminate panels, for all the sides and a really good solid top with laminate covering it. Once you start getting into the $2000 range of desk you really learn what craftsmanship really means, you get full solid wood all the way around, self retracting drawers, clear coat top finishes that are a dream to clean and hard to damage.

 

If I had that kind of money I'd make one myself to tell you the truth! 

[ericlee30]

If I had that kind of money I'd make one myself to tell you the truth! 

In all honesty, depending on what your looking for it might cost around the same, if I would have built the desk that I have now, it would have cost $3200, trust me I was really thinking of trying to save as much money the best that i could, but I found out that real oak wood ( especially when you want it in cheery ) is extremely expensive and I personally did not have the right tools to make my own desk at the time, so the extra $800, I feel was worth it because buying the tools to do it my self would have cost around $1400. I do agree though, in most cases when you are messing with anything under $2000 and you already have all the right tools, it is so worth it to Just build the desk your self.