Size Matters: Dimensions to Note When Designing Your Home Office
From bookshelves to printer space, designing a home office is easy, so long as you remember these vital measurements
Steven Randel
24 July 2017
Houzz Contributor
Even if you don’t work at home, your partner or your best friend probably does. The shift in communications and information technology has created a new work lifestyle that demands a home office. At minimum, a home office should have a personal computer, a printer and modest file storage. Those who work mostly at home will also need a dedicated room they can close off for privacy. What do you need in your home office? A computer is just the beginning.
Floating desks
Consider your desk first. Think about whether the desk should float in the room, as seen here, be placed against a wall, or be built-in. The standard desk height is 75-80cm. Freestanding desks range in size, but common dimensions are about 120-180cm wide and 60-90cm deep. Get the largest desk that fits comfortably in your space, as you can never have enough work surface.
This elegant home office accommodates a large freestanding desk. The built-in credenza and shelves hold a computer, files and books. Leave at least 75cm between your own desk and credenza. On the other side of the desk, allow 120-150cm for additional chairs and tables.
Consider your desk first. Think about whether the desk should float in the room, as seen here, be placed against a wall, or be built-in. The standard desk height is 75-80cm. Freestanding desks range in size, but common dimensions are about 120-180cm wide and 60-90cm deep. Get the largest desk that fits comfortably in your space, as you can never have enough work surface.
This elegant home office accommodates a large freestanding desk. The built-in credenza and shelves hold a computer, files and books. Leave at least 75cm between your own desk and credenza. On the other side of the desk, allow 120-150cm for additional chairs and tables.
This unique floating desk defines a minimalist workspace set amid staircase landings. This clearly illustrates that your workspace does not have to take up a whole room. You can get by with a footprint that’s slightly larger than the desk if the configuration is sufficient for your needs.
Take a closer look at this office
Take a closer look at this office
Built-in desks
Built-in desks have the same basic dimensions as other desks, but often provide more work surface, since you customise the design. In this house the desktop is braced to the wall, allowing plenty of knee space, so someone can manoeuvre from one end to the other. This area also offers a place for rubbish bins, paper shredders and items that need to be tucked away. The built-in bookshelves hold books, file boxes and supplies.
Built-in desks have the same basic dimensions as other desks, but often provide more work surface, since you customise the design. In this house the desktop is braced to the wall, allowing plenty of knee space, so someone can manoeuvre from one end to the other. This area also offers a place for rubbish bins, paper shredders and items that need to be tucked away. The built-in bookshelves hold books, file boxes and supplies.
Desks against a wall
Your other option is to place desks against the wall. Two desks in this space are placed on opposite walls, creating a good work area. Keeping 135-170cm between desks works best for this type of arrangement. With this amount of space, you can get up from the chair and walk around it without being hampered by the other desk and chair.
Your other option is to place desks against the wall. Two desks in this space are placed on opposite walls, creating a good work area. Keeping 135-170cm between desks works best for this type of arrangement. With this amount of space, you can get up from the chair and walk around it without being hampered by the other desk and chair.
Drafting boards
This large room has a generously sized pedestal desk floating in the middle and a drafting table tucked into one corner. Drafting boards are not as common as they once were, but some professions still need them. The height is what is most important about a drafting board. Most are adjustable and tilt, but a standard one has a top that’s about 90cm above the floor and rises up toward the back. A stool with a coordinating height is required for this arrangement. Plan to allow plenty of space because the footprint of drafting tables is significant. You can get them as small as 120cm wide and 75cm deep, but most are 150-180cm wide and 90-100cm deep. Light tables (surfaces with a glass top illuminated from below) can be similarly configured and need about the same amount of space.
This large room has a generously sized pedestal desk floating in the middle and a drafting table tucked into one corner. Drafting boards are not as common as they once were, but some professions still need them. The height is what is most important about a drafting board. Most are adjustable and tilt, but a standard one has a top that’s about 90cm above the floor and rises up toward the back. A stool with a coordinating height is required for this arrangement. Plan to allow plenty of space because the footprint of drafting tables is significant. You can get them as small as 120cm wide and 75cm deep, but most are 150-180cm wide and 90-100cm deep. Light tables (surfaces with a glass top illuminated from below) can be similarly configured and need about the same amount of space.
Computers
Computer dimensions vary greatly and are constantly changing. Keep the area where you will place your computer as flexible as possible if you wish to place it in a built-in, as has been done here. Keep in mind that any new equipment will need to fit in that space too. The other important consideration is the position of the keyboard. You can get away with placing a keyboard on the desk surface, but keyboard trays set at 60-65cm high are more ergonomic. Many people use only a laptop and don’t need room for a keyboard tray; they simply need a clear area in which the electrical supply can be easily accessed.
Computer dimensions vary greatly and are constantly changing. Keep the area where you will place your computer as flexible as possible if you wish to place it in a built-in, as has been done here. Keep in mind that any new equipment will need to fit in that space too. The other important consideration is the position of the keyboard. You can get away with placing a keyboard on the desk surface, but keyboard trays set at 60-65cm high are more ergonomic. Many people use only a laptop and don’t need room for a keyboard tray; they simply need a clear area in which the electrical supply can be easily accessed.
Printers
Most people need a printer in their home office. These also vary in size, but you can plan on a footprint of at least 45cm by 60cm. The height will depend on how the machine operates. Doors may open at the top, sides or back, allowing printer cartridges to be replaced, or paper to be added. Allow room for these functions in your layout, so that when you are on a deadline, you can quickly add paper, or change a cartridge without having to push things out of the way.
Most people need a printer in their home office. These also vary in size, but you can plan on a footprint of at least 45cm by 60cm. The height will depend on how the machine operates. Doors may open at the top, sides or back, allowing printer cartridges to be replaced, or paper to be added. Allow room for these functions in your layout, so that when you are on a deadline, you can quickly add paper, or change a cartridge without having to push things out of the way.
Paper shredders
Another piece of equipment that has become common is the paper shredder. These are usually rubbish bin size: about 35-40cm wide, 20-25cm deep and 35-45cm tall. Allow space for one as well as for a regular rubbish receptacle. You can usually tuck these items under the desk, as has been done here, but be sure you do not block your knee space.
Another piece of equipment that has become common is the paper shredder. These are usually rubbish bin size: about 35-40cm wide, 20-25cm deep and 35-45cm tall. Allow space for one as well as for a regular rubbish receptacle. You can usually tuck these items under the desk, as has been done here, but be sure you do not block your knee space.
Filing cabinets
In this room, the two desks accommodate plenty of file storage. Filing cabinets are another item that can take up considerable space in a home office. A standard two-drawer letter-size filing cabinet is at least 40cm in width, 75cm in height and 75cm in depth. For two-drawer legal-size file cabinets, bump up the width to 45cm. Lateral file cabinets begin at 75cm in width, 45cm in depth and 80cm in height. Investigate which type you will need while planning your home office, since these cabinets can be large relative to the space you have. A quick way to find out more is to visit the website of an office supply chain and look up the dimensions of the filing cabinets sold.
In this room, the two desks accommodate plenty of file storage. Filing cabinets are another item that can take up considerable space in a home office. A standard two-drawer letter-size filing cabinet is at least 40cm in width, 75cm in height and 75cm in depth. For two-drawer legal-size file cabinets, bump up the width to 45cm. Lateral file cabinets begin at 75cm in width, 45cm in depth and 80cm in height. Investigate which type you will need while planning your home office, since these cabinets can be large relative to the space you have. A quick way to find out more is to visit the website of an office supply chain and look up the dimensions of the filing cabinets sold.
Plan file cabinets
Less common, but very handy, are plan file cabinets. These are cabinets designed to hold large format prints such as architectural plans and artwork. This home office features a handsome stainless-steel design in the corner of the room. There is plenty of room to fully extend the drawers, so the contents can be clearly viewed. These cabinets can be quite large, so if you need this type of storage, allow plenty of space. Common widths are 95-125cm; common depths are 65-100cm. The height depends on how many drawers you need and how many you can safely stack. The one in this photo is about 135cm high. Allow a footprint of 100-150cm in width and 130cm to 2.3m in depth for proper function.
Less common, but very handy, are plan file cabinets. These are cabinets designed to hold large format prints such as architectural plans and artwork. This home office features a handsome stainless-steel design in the corner of the room. There is plenty of room to fully extend the drawers, so the contents can be clearly viewed. These cabinets can be quite large, so if you need this type of storage, allow plenty of space. Common widths are 95-125cm; common depths are 65-100cm. The height depends on how many drawers you need and how many you can safely stack. The one in this photo is about 135cm high. Allow a footprint of 100-150cm in width and 130cm to 2.3m in depth for proper function.
Desk chairs
Desk chairs come in a great variety of styles, shapes and sizes. The one thing they have in common is the footprint of space in which they should be placed to allow for movement in front of a workstation: about 110cm x 110cm, give or take, depending on the chair and individual requirements. This excludes and is outside of knee space. You’ll need to back up and slide from side to side as you reach for items on the desk, drawers and other furniture. Notice the well-defined space behind the desk in this minimalist scheme. The desktop, shelves and drawers can all be easily and quickly reached in this configuration.
Desk chairs come in a great variety of styles, shapes and sizes. The one thing they have in common is the footprint of space in which they should be placed to allow for movement in front of a workstation: about 110cm x 110cm, give or take, depending on the chair and individual requirements. This excludes and is outside of knee space. You’ll need to back up and slide from side to side as you reach for items on the desk, drawers and other furniture. Notice the well-defined space behind the desk in this minimalist scheme. The desktop, shelves and drawers can all be easily and quickly reached in this configuration.
Shelving
Each shelf in a unit is most commonly 30cm deep and 35-40cm high. Built-ins such as this design, are popular and can make your home office feel intimate. These shelves nicely transition into a credenza along the back wall. You will need a hefty budget and plenty of space for this kind of set-up. If you have a 3cm x 3cm room, this configuration reduces the floor space to about 2.4m x 2.7m. If you need more flexibility and plan to move within a few years, stick with freestanding bookshelves. Many sizes are available, but plan to have at least two pieces that are 90cm wide and 120cm high.
Each shelf in a unit is most commonly 30cm deep and 35-40cm high. Built-ins such as this design, are popular and can make your home office feel intimate. These shelves nicely transition into a credenza along the back wall. You will need a hefty budget and plenty of space for this kind of set-up. If you have a 3cm x 3cm room, this configuration reduces the floor space to about 2.4m x 2.7m. If you need more flexibility and plan to move within a few years, stick with freestanding bookshelves. Many sizes are available, but plan to have at least two pieces that are 90cm wide and 120cm high.
Additional seating
Your office may need an upholstered sofa or chair if you have clients visit, or if you use the room for reading or studying as well. Chairs need a footprint of space that’s about 100cm x 100cm, and a love seat could be 100cm deep and 155cm long. You won’t need a great deal of space in front of extra seating, so allowing paths as little as 35cm wide may work. Set at an angle to the room, this desk and chair disguise the printer at far right and leave room for a cosy love seat in front of the window.
Your office may need an upholstered sofa or chair if you have clients visit, or if you use the room for reading or studying as well. Chairs need a footprint of space that’s about 100cm x 100cm, and a love seat could be 100cm deep and 155cm long. You won’t need a great deal of space in front of extra seating, so allowing paths as little as 35cm wide may work. Set at an angle to the room, this desk and chair disguise the printer at far right and leave room for a cosy love seat in front of the window.
This illustration shows a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when planning your home office. Always be sure to leave a clear space in which to manoeuvre your desk chair. Filing cabinets need enough room that you can open their drawers fully. So much equipment is now wireless that you might be able to place the printer across the room, or even in a closet that has an electrical outlet. How you use your space will dictate its circulation path. If you have people visit your office, it’s important that they be able to move through it without obstructions. Think ahead to the type of storage you will need so that you have plenty of room for files, books and collections.
TELL US
What the secret of your home office’s success? Share your ideas in the comments section.
MORE
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TELL US
What the secret of your home office’s success? Share your ideas in the comments section.
MORE
8 Ways to Carve Out Space for Your Work Area
14 Home Offices to Inspire Your Own
Greening Your Home: 10 Ways to Create an Eco-Friendly Workspace
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Banff1976 I haven't tried this yet, but there are rollerblade-type wheels that you can replace the original chair wheels with.
I never heard of that, thanks! I'll check it out.
Excellent... design and implementation...