Setting up and using your desk correctly is something many people fail to do. This article teaches you exactly how to use a corner desk in a matter of minutes. By following the below steps, you can have a more organized and comfortable desk to work from. I also reveal the number 1 essential step that many people skip which could be detrimental to their health. Let’s get started!
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How To Use A Corner Desk?
1. Position the corner desk in the best location
2. Place essential items on the corner desk surface
3. Arrange your desk setup ergonomically
4. Determine the weight capacity of the corner desk
5. Organize the storage compartments
6. Organize the cables around the corner desk
There is more to using a corner desk than just landing your equipment and files on it. With this simple corner desk user guide, you can arrange your corner desk with ease for the perfect desk setup! Not only will it boost your productivity, but it can also prevent you from suffering and aching as a result of a poorly setup desk. Read on to find out more!
Corner desks can help to optimize desk and storage space which can contribute to increased productivity. Source
1. Position the corner desk in the best location
The first step involves picking out a location that is best suited for the desk. Of course, if there’s only one place that it can fit, then this narrows down your selection immediately.
Factors to consider when choosing a desk location include:
- The space available is large enough to fit a desk
- If there are sockets in that area
- If there are any items or furniture that will be blocked by the desk and storage
- If the desk will block access or egress within the room
- If there is adequate heating and lighting in the area
- If there are any draughts in that area
If you have the choice between storage going on the left or right, you’ll generally want the storage side to go against the wall.
You’ll need to ensure that there are no shelves, windows, lights or objects which could become obstructed or damaged by the hutch.
Also, consider the items and furniture near the desk location.
If there are doors, radiators, storage cabinets or windows, the corner desk should not block these.
This is especially true for doors.
If you’re sitting at the corner desk, consider if the desk or you will be obstructing people walking into the room? Or will the door be prone to banging off your desk or chair?
If you have multiple locations to choose from, you might need to consider what direction you want to face in the room and what side the wall is on.
Also consider should your desk face the wall or a window.
2. Place essential items on the corner desk surface
A key component to working more productively is having a well-organized desk. This includes having it free of clutter and having enough space to perform your work.
The size of your corner desk will primarily dictate how much space you have for placing items on the desk surface.
For office users, the main essential pieces of equipment to place on your desk surface include:
- Monitors
- Laptop
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Diary
- Gadgets
- Stationery
After that, many other items that you need can be shelved or placed in a drawer.
If your corner desk comes equipped with drawers or storage compartments, these should be leveraged as much as possible.
This will not only free up precious desk space, but it will also make it a more comfortable and less distracting desk to work at.
Below are some excellent resources I wrote that help keep my desk neat and tidy:
- How to organize my office desk – 10 easy steps
- How to organize your desk drawers – 12 fool proof steps
- How to organise paperwork – 9 proven steps
- How to organize my office desk – 10 easy steps
3. Arrange your desk setup ergonomically
There’s nothing quite as important as setting your desk up to accommodate your posture. If you only do one thing after reading this article, then let it be this step!
Failure to setup your desk ergonomically could lead to back, neck and shoulder pain which could ultimately cause lifelong pain.
If you have ever had back pain, you’ll know it’s no fun!
So, the least you can do for your body is to take 5 minutes to set your area up properly!
This includes following the below key steps:
- Having your monitor or laptop screen at eye level
- Head and neck are straight while your shoulders are relaxed
- Locating your monitor at roughly arm’s length away
- Using a separate keyboard and mouse
- Adjusting your chair so your arms are at a 90-degree angle
- Adjusting your chair so that your feet are flat on the floor
- Placing frequently used items, e.g., phone, within easy reach
4. Determine the weight capacity of the corner desk
Weight capacity is the maximum amount of weight that an object can hold. This means that the total weight of all the objects placed on the corner desk cannot exceed that weight limit.
You can expect corner desks to have a weight capacity ranging between 110 – 200 pounds.
This excludes the weight that can be held by storage compartments.
The weight limit for your corner desk should be available on the website or from the salesperson.
They should also be able to provide you with weight limits for each shelf or storage unit.
Generally, most people will place about 45 pounds of weight on a desk.
This factors in a laptop, keyboard, mouse, monitor and some miscellaneous items on the desk.
Once you have the corner desk weight limit, this will help guide you on how much you can store and where you can store it!
Some companies, such as OfficeFurniture2Go offer strong corner desks with both free shipping and a lifetime warranty!
5. Organize the storage compartments
Where corner desks really shine is their efficient hutch storage. This allows you to store at a height instead of consuming precious space on the floor.
Deciding how much storage you need will help you to organize both your corner desk and the room itself.
The weight limits for both the desk and storage units will help you determine what items can be stored where.
Good practice is to place heavier items at about mid-height so that they are securely stored.
Plus, from a manual handling perspective, it’s more ergonomic for handling.
Tip: Place commonly used items at easy reach points and place infrequently used items at a height.
6. Organize the cables around the corner desk
With a compact space, organizing your cables will be particularly important. On top of that, if the sockets are in a hard-to-reach area, you’ll want to get them routed properly.
By properly managing your cables, they won’t be interfering or obstructing you as you work.
Another benefit is that they won’t become entangled in your legs or foot space while you work.
Some corner desks come with cord management systems.
This can range anywhere from socket ports to run the cables through to a desk outlet built into the desk itself.
If you have any of these options, make sure that you utilize them.
If you don’t have cable management systems, you can do a DIY job on it by bundling cables together or running them through on a tray underneath the desk.
What are corner desks good for?
Corner desks are a versatile piece of furniture. They can be used for multiple purposes including:
- Office desk
- Study desk
- Computer desk
- Writing desk
- Gaming desk
- Make-up desk
- Storage table
- Art activities
- Children’s play desk
Remember, a corner desk doesn’t have to be in a corner, especially if it’s L-shaped. But it will look less out of place if it’s against a corner.
Conclusion
Following the 6 simple steps listed above are going to catapult your comfort and productivity levels to new heights. If you can only do one task, then ensure that your desk si setup ergonomically!
When buying a corner desk, you’ll want to make the perfect choice first time around.
Here are some other useful articles I wrote that you should go check out:
- U-shaped Desk Buying Guide + Simple Fail Proof Tips!
- Pros And Cons of U-shaped Desks
- Pros And Cons Of 2 Person Desks – 13 Hidden Considerations!
- Should My Desk Face The Wall? – Helpful Tips + Pros & Cons!
- Laptop Desk Types – 4 Popular Types & Genius Uses For Them!
Recommended Products:
- OfficeFurniture2Go desks with a lifetime guarantee!
- U-shaped desks with lifetime warranty and free shipping
- Good quality branded corner desks
Do you own a corner desk or are you planning to buy one? Let me know in the comments!