What size desk do I need?

Around 120cm wide suits a single monitor; 140–160cm or an L-shape suits dual monitors or a monitor plus laptop. Measure the wall or nook first and leave room to push the chair back and walk past.

Is a sit-stand desk worth it?

If you work long hours or have back or posture concerns, a sit-stand desk is worth it, alternating sitting and standing reduces strain and it fits any height. For lighter use, a fixed desk at the right height is fine.

What height should a desk be?

Around 72–75cm suits most people. The key test is that your elbows sit at about 90 degrees and forearms rest level with the desktop when typing. If you're much taller or shorter, a height-adjustable desk solves it.

Office Desk Buying Guide (Australia): Size, Type & Setup

Name: BuildPilot Adelaide Building Industry Dataset
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Things to consider before you choose

Plain practical advice for Australian builds. No fluff.

Size it to the room and your screens

A single-monitor setup is comfortable on a desk around 120cm wide; dual monitors or a monitor plus laptop want 140–160cm or an L-shape. Measure the wall or nook, and leave room to push the chair back and walk past.

Get the height right

A standard desk height is around 72–75cm, which suits most people, but if you are much taller or shorter, your elbows should sit at about 90 degrees when typing. A sit-stand desk solves this and lets you alternate sitting and standing through the day.

Storage and cable management

Decide whether you need drawers or a mobile pedestal for files and clutter, or whether a clean writing desk plus a separate cabinet suits you better. A desk with a cable tray or grommet keeps leads tidy, which matters a lot once you add a monitor, dock and charger.

Match the desk to the chair

The desk and chair work as a pair: the seat should tuck under, and your forearms should rest level with the desktop. Buy or check them together where you can, and keep your screen about an arm's length away with the top of the screen at eye level.

Types of office desk buying guide

Quick compare

	Fixed rectangular	L-shaped / corner	Compact / writing	Sit-stand
Best for	Most home offices	Dual screens & spread	Small rooms & nooks	Back & posture
Footprint	Medium	Large (corner)	Small	Medium
Height	Fixed	Fixed	Fixed	Adjustable

Fixed rectangular

The standard home-office desk, a simple rectangular top with or without drawers.

Pros

• Suits most rooms
• Good value
• Wide choice

Cons

• Fixed height
• Single work zone

Best for: Most home offices and study nooks

L-shaped / corner

A corner desk that gives two work zones and plenty of room for dual screens and paperwork.

Pros

• Lots of surface
• Great for dual screens
• Uses a corner well

Cons

• Large footprint
• Needs a corner

Best for: Dual-monitor setups and spread-out work

Compact / writing desk

A small, slim desk for a laptop in a bedroom, nook or shared space.

Pros

• Fits small spaces
• Light and movable
• Affordable

Cons

• Limited surface
• Little storage

Best for: Small rooms, nooks and laptop work

Sit-stand desk

A height-adjustable desk (manual or electric) that switches between sitting and standing.

Pros

• Better for posture
• Fits any height
• Alternate sit/stand

Cons

• Higher cost
• Electric needs power

Best for: Long hours and back or posture concerns

How much does it cost in Australia?

Desk prices depend on size, material and whether the height adjusts: a compact writing desk is the affordable end, a solid fixed or L-shaped desk sits in the middle, and electric sit-stand desks carry a premium for the mechanism. Storage pedestals are usually extra. Compare live prices for the size and type you want directly at the retailer.

Office Desk Buying Guide

Office Desk Buying Guide

Things to consider before you choose

Size it to the room and your screens

Get the height right

Storage and cable management

Match the desk to the chair

Types of office desk buying guide

Fixed rectangular

L-shaped / corner

Compact / writing desk

Sit-stand desk

How much does it cost in Australia?

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