Is an expensive desk worth it?

[HarrietM87]

I’ve been wfh on a cheap idea mdf desk from ikea since March and it’s been fine. Need a bigger one now though to accommodate more monitors. DH wants us to get a solid wood leather topped affair from habitat which looks lovely, but costs £900. He thinks it would “feel” nicer to type at. A bigger version of the Ikea one we have is £75. Our study is a small box room and to me the look of the desk doesn’t really matter, but comfort does as I’m pregnant and will be wfh for another 4 months, and then likely regularly once I’m back from mat leave as well. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

[HarrietM87]

Also if anyone can recommend a nice desk that’s 140-160cm ish long that would be great!

[WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat]

Do you want a desk with drawers or just a top to work on?

[HarrietM87]

A couple of drawers would be useful but it’s mainly a top - will have three monitors (2 for me, one for DH) and 2 keyboards. We won’t be working at the same time but want to have both workstations set up side by side.

[bookgirl1982]

Spend the money on a decent chair. As long as the cheaper desk doesn't wobble then I don't think it would make much difference.

[BettaSplenden]

I recwntly bought myself 2 massive 1.6m desks to have in my home office. Was the best thing I did as I have 4 monitors and all the gumph that comes with it. Mine has drawers under etc. I agree with pp though the chair is the most important thing. Having space is nice but it could be an ikea desk or the expensive one. Personally I would hate to spend almost a grand on a desk.

[WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat]

If it were me I would consider using a piece of kitchen worktop/breakfast bar. I know that may sound a bit naff but (depending on your room) you can go from wall to wall, so things can't fall down the side. With a batten on the three walls (2 sides and the back) to support it you will have more room for your legs. It won't look anything like a £900 desk would though... You can get a separate pedestal draw unit if you need one.

[HarrietM87]

Thanks so much, this is really helpful and confirms my suspicions! I was thinking we could get some kind of leather mat or something to go on top if DH really wants to feel leather under his elbows 🤣.

@WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat that sounds ideal actually but we have a shelving unit that it needs to slot in beside so can’t stretch wall to wall. Also DIY like that beyond me right now.

@BettaSplenden would you mind sharing a link to your desks?

Also does anyone have any chair recommendations while I’m at it?

[tywysoges]

DH and I have 2 Ikea setups back to back with trestle legs and a table top - they have several different lengths. DH has 2 monitors, a laptop, sometimes a surface, keyboard, mouse and a desktop tower on his mine is mostly covered in books and magazines. I originally chose these because the trestle legs can be adjusted for height, but if it’s not important to you, the system allows you to have a trestle leg on one end and a set of drawers on the other. We paid about £80 per desk and it’s brilliant, highly recommend.

[WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat]

....if DH really wants to feel leather under his elbows...

Leather elbow patches? They were very popular with teachers at my school!

[tywysoges]

As for the leather, I have one of these, other colours are available

[AuntieDolly]

I thought you couldn't give away those big antique desks. Have you checked FB/EBay?

[Doyouwantanothercuppa]

We went to a timber merchants and bought a huge piece of MDF, and screwed it on top of our original desk.

[YippieKayakOtherBuckets]

If you can live without drawers then a dining table makes a really good desk. I have the Ikea Lisabo as my desk which is 140x78cm.

Herman Miller Aeron chairs are amazing to sit in. They are over a grand full price but we got one for £450 from a furniture warehouse place. We also have an office chair from Made which is very comfortable.

[HarrietM87]

@tywysoges OMG - perfect! Thank you!

Thanks everyone - some really good tips here. I have had a look on eBay but the antique desks tend not to be long enough (I guess not designed in the days of multiple monitors!). It sounds like a cheap and cheerful Ikea solution plus nice chair is a better investment.

@YippieKayakOtherBuckets thank you - will investigate those chairs!

I’ve saved so much money commuting and will do in the future that I think investing in a good home office set up is probably worthwhile. Should have done it a few months ago tbh!

[TheDadOf5]

I’m a permanent home worker for the last 18 months, don’t underestimate how useful and beneficial an electric stand up desk can be if you’re working 8-10 hours a day. I have an Ikea one and it’s brilliant, get a fully adjustable chair, heater or fan to regulate temperature, soft lighting, a speakerphone (if you make a lot of calls), water bottle, health snacks in a nearby cupboard and healthy quick lunches (frozen) when you haven’t got time to cook or make anything.

Good luck.

[applesandpears33]

I agree with the electric stand up desk. I think it would be great to have the option to stand up or sit down to work.

[GetUpAgain]

Everyone I have ever spoken to about office chairs says get Herman Miller, apparently they are amazing.

[BettaSplenden]

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Commercial-Office-Desk-with-pedestal-drawers/274407473835?hash=item3fe3f5c2ab:g:lCcAAOSwwRFe846P

Mine are a bit like this but a lighter colour. They have a bigger set of drawers underneath and a solid back and sides. None of that weird office divided things either I got mine off eBay x