Should Desks Be in the Middle of a Room or Against Walls?

Giovanni Valle is a licensed architect and LEED-accredited professional and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He is the author and managing editor of various digital publications, including BuilderSpace, Your Own Architect, and Interiors Place.

There are many ways to use a desk as a decorative and practical element in your lounge, office, or bedroom. However, it can be challenging to determine the best placement for your desk. As such, you may be wondering whether the desk should be in the middle of the room or against the wall.

Desks can either be placed in the middle of a room or against a wall, depending on your unique circumstances. Desk placement will vary based on space availability, electrical accessibility, and how often the desk will be used, among other factors.

This article will explore some of the most important factors in deciding where to place your desk. Read on to learn what the best interior design option is for you!

Desk Placement Depends on Your Unique Circumstances

Interior design is all about optimizing space for maximum efficiency, comfort, and aesthetic value. Key items in a room draw attention as a design choice but must also be placed in the most practical place. The purpose of your furniture pieces has a significant impact on the way you choose to arrange your space.

As essential workspace items, desks represent productivity, growth, connection, financial stability, and much more. The placement of a desk is as important as the concepts it represents. Here are some factors to consider when deciding where to place a desk:

The size of the desk and room
Storage and electrical access
Frequency of desk use
Potential distractions
The room’s light quality

Place Your Desk According to Space Availability

The size of a desk and the size of the room you want a desk in are two factors that need to be considered first and foremost in desk placement. If you have limited space, a smaller desk will have to do. On the other hand, a larger room provides more space to play with and more desk placement options.

Room Layout Affects Desk Placement Options

Desks must be positioned in relation to other furniture in the room, like beds, couches, and cabinets. They are also placed in a room according to where doors, windows, and electrical outlets are in a room.

In a small space, it is likely that the only available place for a desk will be facing a wall or in a corner. In this case, you should make sure that there is still ample room surrounding your desk for you to move in and out of your workspace easily. You also need to make sure your desk does not obstruct your door in any way.

Room Size Alters Flexibility in Furniture Placement

In a larger space, people tend to place a desk or a series of desks in the center of a room, with other furniture and amenities surrounding the workspace. This allows the workspace to be accessed from multiple points by multiple people.

Wall Placement Allows for Storage and Electrical Access

If you need a lot of storage space for your work equipment, it’s highly efficient to place your desk against the wall. This placement will allow you to put storage units like filing cabinets or shelves within arm’s reach of your workspace without causing an awkward obstruction in the center of the room.

This also applies if there is a significant need for access to an electrical point to charge your phone or laptop while working, or if you need to use a lamp to illuminate the workspace.

You can find a variety of online sources that provide helpful tips for organizing and decluttering your workspace.

Frequency of Use Impacts Desk Placement

If you rarely use your desk, it would be better to situate it in the corner of a room or next to a wall. However, if the desk is the most-used item in a room, it would work well in the center of a room or against the wall.

It is vital to situate a desk you frequently use in a comfortable spot. For example, if you use your desk often, you may want to avoid placing it in a spot that gets a lot of direct sunlight, as this could make you hot and uncomfortable. In addition, harsh sunlight can have a negative effect on technology.

Potential Distractions Can Limit Productivity

A big factor to consider in desk positioning is how easily you tend to get distracted. One of the most common desk placements is facing a window. However, many people get distracted by what is happening outside rather than at their workspace.

If you are easily distracted, it may be better for your concentration to situate your desk away from the window or in the center of the room. Alternatively, you could place your desk facing a wall or your entryway.

Conversely, if you find an outside view aids concentration and uplifts your mood, consider placing your desk beneath a window or in the middle of a room facing a window.

For those decorating their workspaces according to the principles of feng shui, The Spruce has some tips that might come in handy.

Light Quality Can Impact Workflow and Comfortability

If you find that your room is not well lit, then your best option would probably be to situate your desk against a wall near a window. If your room is well lit, then you will likely have more flexibility in your desk placement options. Your workspace will likely be comfortably placed anywhere in the room.

Another spatial consideration comes into play when deciding whether or not you need another light source, like a desk lamp or floor lamp.

Conclusion

When it comes to placing your desk, the most significant consideration is space. In addition, you should take into account storage requirements and space between other items of furniture, like beds and couches when deciding on a location for your desk.

Once you address these factors, the decision of where to put your desk can depend on ease of movement and access, aesthetic value, and your own comfort. Placing your desk according to these factors will facilitate your work and make you more comfortable in the long run.