Long Desk in a Small Office? Practical Optimization Solutions to Try

Small office space.

Long desk.

These two concepts don't normally go together, but with some creative maneuvering, you can masterfully fit a long desk even in constrained spaces.

Why large desks usually don't work in small spaces

If your home office space is limited, your initial thought would probably be to get a smaller desk. Totally understandable!

Several reasons why this is a normal thought process:

Space constraints

A long, large desk can be overwhelming for a small office, leaving very little space for everything else, such as an additional chair and necessary equipment.

Proportional imbalance

A large office desk in a small room creates visual clutter, making the space look crowded.

Limited flexibility

Because the office desk eats up practically the entire floor space, it can be very challenging to move around.

Ergonomic challenges

A large home office desk in a tiny room can restrict movement, which can lead to discomfort—and if left unchecked, ergonomic injuries like muscle strain, back and neck issues, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Storage and organization issues

Large computer desks occupying pretty much the entire office space leave little or no room for storage solutions like a filing cabinet for essential documents.

Psychological impact

The crowded feeling a large computer desk in a tiny space elicits can be stressful and confining. This can affect comfort, mental clarity, and overall productivity.

How to make sure your long desk fits your small home office

If your office space is small, should you forego getting an extra long desk altogether?

Not necessarily.

You can still make the setup work, but you have to be strategic about it.

Assess your available space

First off, measure your room, particularly the usable floor area, taking into account any fixtures or built-in furniture. This way, you know how long and wide your long desk can go. Additionally, measure the height of the room, so you know how much vertical space is available for shelves and other storage options.

Identify potential areas for your long home office desk

Possible areas include:

• Against a wall: Maximize available space by placing your new office desk against the longest wall in the room.
• Next to a window: Place the computer desk next to a window for natural lighting. Plus points if you have a pleasant view outside.
• In the center of the room: If your space can accommodate it, position your computer desk in the center of the room as an island to allow for easy access from all sides.
• Adjacent to other furniture: Place your long desk next to other furniture pieces like cabinets or bookshelves for a more cohesive and organized look. This arrangement also makes sure work essentials like reference manuals or documents are within easy reach.
• In a corner: Long L-shaped desks are ideal for corner spaces. They can fit snugly into corners, freeing up the rest of the room for other uses.

Choose the right long desk

Now that you know where your long desk should go, next on the list of factors to keep in mind is the type of desk to use.

Here are some ideas:

• Wall-mounted: A wall-mounted computer desk saves floor space. And if you're into modern minimalism, it's perfect for your small office space. However, it has to be drilled into walls, which may not be possible for rooms with weak walls or rental properties. Also, the desk's position is fixed once installed.
• Foldable: Foldable wall-mounted desks can be folded away when not in use. But they have lower weight capacity compared to traditional office desks and need space around them to fold and unfold.
• Skinny long desk: Skinny long desks are narrow and occupy minimal floor space. They provide spacious work areas without the visual overwhelm. However, because they're narrow, they may only accommodate a limited number of items. Additional storage solutions and under-desk keyboard trays may be necessary.
• Long L-shaped desk: If you want your desk in a corner, an L-shaped desk is the way to go. It provides ample room for your work essentials, but if a room layout change becomes necessary, the only place it can go is another corner.
• Adjustable standing desk: Standing desks are ideal if you're worried about sitting for long hours. Also, many adjustable standing desks come with a slim, narrow profile that can fit into tight spaces. However, a transition period may be necessary to allow your body to adapt to work standing positions.

Maximize vertical space

That unused vertical space above your desk is invaluable for small spaces. To get the most out of it, consider:

• Installing wall-mounted shelves: Use shelves mounted to the wall to store your office supplies, books, and other work items. This way, they don't have to take up desk space.
• Using pegboards for your tools and accessories: Mount pegboards beside or above your desk so your tools and personal items are within easy reach. The beauty of pegboards is that you can rearrange hooks, baskets, and shelves as needed.
• Adding overhead cabinets: Overhead cabinets provide ample storage space for items you don't frequently use. Plus, they can hide clutter, so your workspace looks clean and professional.

Use under-desk storage

Under-desk storage makes use of space that's often overlooked, keeps your work surface clear, and provides easy access to the things you need.

Options to consider implementing include:

• Under-desk drawers: You can use these to store various items.
• Rolling cabinets or carts: These can be easily moved and tucked under the desk as necessary.
• Hanging baskets: You can attach these to the sides or underside of the desk.
• Under-desk cable trays or clips: These keep your cords and cables organized and out of the way.
• Footrests with storage: These provide a comfortable resting place for your feet. At the same time, they function as storage units.

Porvata: Home of high-quality long desks

Even if your home office is small, don't outright take long desks out of the equation. Using the above tips, you can enjoy the benefits of a long desk without the cramped feeling and visual clutter that accompany big furniture in small spaces.

Porvata is a leading online retailer of large desks for home office environments. Aside from 72-inch desks, we also provide various desk types, including U-shaped desks, adjustable standing desks, and L-shaped desks.

Need a large desk with storage? That can be arranged. Choose from our various affordable storage and organization solutions, such as desk risers and rolling pedestals. We also offer custom desk options to accommodate specific needs.

Visit our website to browse our various desk collections. For any questions, feel free to reach out.