Perfect desk size: Tailor-made for your workspace

The right desk is more than just a piece of furniture. It influences comfort, productivity, and health in everyday work. Especially for the most common office jobs in Germany and Austria, the optimal size plays a crucial role. Whether IT specialist, secretary, marketing manager, or accountant – every job places different demands on the workplace.

But how big should a desk ideally be? What factors should you consider when choosing one? And how can different professional groups benefit from it? This article provides practical answers and valuable tips.

Why is desk size so important?

A desk that is too small leads to a lack of space and clutter, while a desk that is too large wastes space and can disrupt workflow. The right size ensures ergonomic working, sufficient space for equipment and documents, and thus supports focus and health.

The trend towards height-adjustable desks shows that flexible workplaces are becoming increasingly important. However, the size and layout of the work surface also remain crucial.

The most important factors for the ideal desk size

A desk's work surface should be at least 120 cm wide, which is considered standard. However, widths of 140 to 160 cm are recommended for many tasks, especially when using multiple monitors, documents, or devices simultaneously. Ideally, the desk's depth should be between 60 and 80 cm to provide sufficient space for a keyboard, mouse, and other work materials without cluttering the workspace. Ergonomics plays a crucial role here: the desk must offer enough space for a healthy sitting posture, including adequate legroom and a suitable height. Furthermore, the requirements for the work surface vary depending on the profession – some primarily need ample space for documents, while others mainly require space for technical equipment.

What desk size is suitable for the most popular office jobs?

The ideal desk size depends heavily on the specific profession and individual work requirements. Below are ten of the most popular office jobs – including recommendations for the appropriate desk size to enable a productive and comfortable workday:

1. IT Specialist / Software Developer
It often requires two or more screens and extensive technical equipment. A width of at least 160 cm and a depth of 80 cm are ideal.

2. Secretary/Assistant
Plenty of writing and storage space is needed. 140 cm wide and 70 cm deep offer comfort without wasting space.

3. Marketing Manager
Plenty of creative materials, documents, and computer equipment. A minimum width of 150 cm and a depth of 70 cm are recommended.

4. Accountant / Financial Expert
Often works with multiple documents and calculators. A larger table surface (approx. 140 cm wide, 70 cm deep) makes it easier to keep track of everything.

5. Human Resources Officer
It needs space for files and a laptop; 130 to 140 cm width is usually sufficient.

6. Sales Representative
Mobile working is common; a desk approximately 130 cm wide and 60 cm deep is often sufficient.

7. Project Manager
Organizational talent with many documents, 150 cm width and 70-80 cm depth offer enough space.

8. Graphic designer
Requires ample space for creative tools and multiple screens; 160 cm width and 80 cm depth are recommended.

9. Customer service representative
The workplace is often more compact; approximately 120 cm in width and 60 cm in depth is sufficient.

10. Lawyer / Legal Advisor
Works with many files and books; a width of 150 cm and a depth of at least 70 cm are recommended.

Flexible solutions for diverse requirements

Many professionals today benefit from flexible, height-adjustable desks that can be adapted to the specific task at hand. This allows them to work standing up during intensive screen time, preventing back pain and improving concentration. The desk surface should offer enough space so that a laptop, keyboard, mouse, and possibly a second monitor can be comfortably positioned side by side.

Tips for choosing the right desk size

When choosing the right desk size, you should first carefully consider your individual work habits. It's important to know how much work material typically fits on the desk. You should also take into account all the equipment you use, such as the number of monitors, folders, or other devices you use regularly. The size of the available space also plays a crucial role, as not every room has room for large desks – here, suitable compromises are necessary. Furthermore, ergonomic aspects shouldn't be neglected: the sitting and standing heights should be ideally adjusted to your height to ensure comfortable and healthy working. Finally, it's advisable to consider the future use of the workspace, such as whether the desk will be used long-term or if an expansion is planned. This way, you can find a desk size that perfectly suits your individual needs.

Conclusion: Many roads lead to Rome!

The ideal desk size depends heavily on the specific profession and individual requirements. For most of the ten most popular office jobs in Germany and neighboring German-speaking countries, a width of 130 to 160 cm and a depth of 60 to 80 cm are recommended. Besides size, flexibility, ergonomics, and high-quality materials are crucial for long-term productivity and healthy work.

Therefore, consciously choosing a desk is a worthwhile investment in well-being and efficiency in everyday work.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. All information is provided without guarantee.