Desk Guided - Computer Desk Reviews, Setup Tips, & Guides

When it comes to choosing the right size computer desk, the depth of the desk is one of the most important factors that can’t be overlooked. The depth of the desk will determine how comfortable you will be while working or gaming, as well as how much space you have to store computer peripherals. So, the question is how deep should a desk be? Ideally, a desk should be between 20 inches to 30 inches deep and 30 inches to 47 inches wide for proper placement of the peripherals and comfort when working. However, the ideal desk depth depends on a variety of aspects such as available space in your room, the number of items you put on the desk, and the type of activity you will be doing. In this article, we’ll discuss the depth of different types of desks and give you some cool hacks to maximize the depth of your existing desk. So keep reading this article. Why Does Desk Depth Matter So Much? A good desk depth is crucial for maintaining optimal viewing distance with the monitors and having ample room for the activity you do. A too-deep desk can cause head strain because you have to lean forward your neck and adjust your eyes to properly read the content on the monitor screen. While a too-narrow desk may cause eye strain and affect your vision badly because the monitor screen is too close to your eyesight. But with a proper desk depth, you can maintain an optimal distance between your eyes and the monitor screen and prevent facing poor posture. Hence, having a good desk depth is beneficial for ergonomics and creating a productive environment no matter what kind of setup it is. What are the Standard Desk Dimensions When deciding on the desk size, it is important to know all dimensions of the desk so you can pick the right size desk you need for your setup. 1. Width of the Desk The width of the desk is the horizontal measurement of the longer side of the desktop from the left edge to the right edge. Or when you’re seated at the desk then the width of the desk is the length of the tabletop from the left side to the right side. 2. Depth of the Desk The depth of the desk is the horizontal measurement of the shorter side of the desktop from the back edge to the front edge. Or, when you’re seated at the desk, then the desk depth is the length of the tabletop from the edge of your side to the edge of the opposite side. 3. Height of the Desk The height of the desk is the measurement from the floor to the tabletop. However, there is no standard desk dimension set as the desk size may vary which depends on factors such as setup needs and a person’s body type. As one person may have a short body and another may have a long body type, similarly one’s setup needs may be different from other person’s. Hence, the desk dimension for one person will not be similar for another person. The desk size will vary from person to person, setup to setup, and desk type to type. That is why, all desk manufacturers design their different desks in different sizes to meet every setup needs and body type. Depth Measurements for Different Types of Desk 1. Depth of a Computer Desk On a computer desk, we usually focus on the monitor, so the desk should be deep enough so the monitor doesn’t hurt our vision. More accurately, the computer desk depth should be about 24 inches to 30 inches and the monitor is placed about arm’s length from your eyes. At this distance, the monitor and our eyes are at an optimal viewing angle and we neither have to lean forward nor move the monitor too close to see the screen. 2. Depth of the Gaming Desk Gaming is all about focusing on the display, it’s all about the experience you have with the visuals on the monitor screen. A gamer may also have several gaming accessories in the setup along with computer peripherals to take the gaming experience to the next level. And since each gaming accessories have its own depth, placing them on the gaming desk consumes a certain amount of desk space. Meaning, the more gaming accessories a setup has, the more desk space they consume. But if the gaming desk depth is narrow, very little desk space will remain after housing all the gaming accessories and you’ll have to compromise with comfort while gaming. Hence, the gaming desk should be enough deeper. So, how deep should a gaming desk be? The gaming desk depth should be about 24 inches to 34 inches so you can get the most out of your gameplay without compromising the comfort and gaming experience. 3. Depth of a Home Office Desk A home office desk may have more depth compared to a typical computer desk and there is a valid reason for it. The reason is that a home office desk may have a lot of office supplies such as files, documents, diaries, and folders along with computer peripherals. To keep all the office supplies organized, the office desk needs to be deeper otherwise they can make the workspace cluttered and crowded. In that situation, you’ll have to work in a limited work area. As of result, you’ll have to compromise with comfort while working at the desk. Hence, the depth of an office computer desk should be about 26 inches to 36 inches to accommodate all office supplies and to work comfortably. 4. Depth of a Standing Desk Standing desks are similar to office desks but have height-adjustable features to provide ergonomic benefits. These desks allow adjustment in desktop height based on one’s specific needs and can make the desk height ideal with the monitor and your eye level. Due to its sit-stand adjustability, a standing desk is a popular workstation option for the home office work environment. And as we have already discussed the office desk should have a deeper desktop to house office supplies and to work conveniently. The standing desk depth should be about 26 inches to 36 inches so you can work comfortably without compromising the workspace. These were the desk dimensions for different desks you should consider when choosing the right size desk for your workstation or gaming station. Ways to Maximize Available Desk Depth Below are some cool hacks that will help you maximize the depth of your existing desk if the depth of too narrow. 1. Use a Wall-mounted or Raised Monitor The more monitor and accessories a desk has, the less workspace it leaves, and as of result, you might feel uncomfortable or crowded while working. The best way to maximize the workspace of a narrow-depth desk is to utilize a wall mount or a desk monitor arm and hang the monitor on it. By mounting the monitor on the monitor arm or wall mount, you can make the workspace completely empty and have a comfortable working experience. These mounting devices not only free up significant space but make your setup ergonomic as they allow you to adjust the monitor angle, height, and distance to improve your posture. 2. Utilize the Keyboard Tray If your computer desk has a narrow depth and you feel cramped when typing or using the mouse, you can utilize a keyboard tray. Shifting the keyboard and mouse on a keyboard tray can create a significant amount of space because a keyboard tray goes fits under the desk. And since the mouse and keyboard are under the desk (only the monitor is on the desktop), you get adequate room to work efficiently without compromising the workspace. A keyboard tray also enhances your posture as it gives your arm and wrist additional support by reaching them to a neutral working position. However, a keyboard tray may limit legroom and they become shaky as well since the fitting goes loosened over time. 3. Utilize Under-Desk Mouse Pad Similar to a keyboard tray, an under-desk mouse pad can also create a decent amount of room on the desk and help maximize the narrow desk depth. Most of the time, a keyboard tray does not provide enough space to place a mouse on it as most keyboard trays are designed to hold the keyboard only. By utilizing an under-desk mouse pad, you will not only be able to free up the workspace but also reach your wrists at the same height as the keyboard. 4. Properly Manage the Wire & Cables Unmanaged wire and cables of computer peripherals can make your workspace more cluttered especially, if the desk depth is too narrow. But managing the USB cables and minimizing the number of visible Power cords could make your workspace look clean and larger. Utilize cable management tools like cable ties, zip ties, cable trays, and cable management racks to hide all power outlets and cables. You can also invert in a wireless keyboard and mouse and organize your desk in a way that makes your workspace look tidy. 5. Utilize Wall-Shelves for Storage If you’re using a lot of accessories and stuff on your setup, organize them using wall shelves instead of playing them on the desk. Shelving not only helps you to organize your desk stuff precisely but also provides ample space to store other things in their appropriate place. This way, wall shelves will not only maximize your desk space but also make your setup a more pleasant and organized environment. 6. Get Rid of Useless Stuff The more stuff you use in your setup, the more desk space it consumes, and the less desk space you get for working. One simple way to maximize the desk depth is to avoid placing unuseful stuff on your desk as they could make desk depth more limited. All you need to do is through off all unuseful stuff from your desk and you’ll have ample desk depth to work in a comfortable way. 7. Get a New Desk with Deeper Desktop If the above hacks don’t work for you and you have a flexible budget, you can get a new desk with a deeper desktop. Conclusion Desks come in different depth sizes, but the right desk depth is one that suits your setup needs and gives ample space you need to work in comfort. And now that we’ve discussed depth measurements for different types of desks, we hope, you’ve got an idea of how deep a desk should be. The Ideal depth of a desk is between 20 inches to 30 inches. But the desk depth will be better determined by how comfortable you are while working, as well as how much space you have to store items. If you find this article useful, please share it on social media and leave a comment if you’ve any feedback related to this article. Read also: Ideal Desk Size for 2 or 3 Monitors How to Fit Two Monitors on a Small Desk

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