Measure your room before choosing a desk

Mark the footprint

Use removable tape or sheets of paper to mark the desk's width and depth on the floor. Open nearby doors and drawers, pull your chair back, and walk past the outline. This is a simple way to spot a desk that fits on paper but blocks the room in use.

Measure skirting boards, radiators, and window ledges separately. The usable floor area may be smaller than the distance between the walls.

Lay out your equipment

On your current work surface, arrange the keyboard, mouse, display stands, and any paper you use together. Measure that arrangement instead of choosing a desk from screen size alone. Include the base of each display and the room needed for cables behind it.

If you plan to use a monitor arm, check the arm's clamp requirements and the desktop's thickness, underside clearance, and material. Ask the desk maker whether that mounting method is supported.

Check moving parts and cable routes

For an adjustable desk, compare its full height range with your intended setup. Check the manufacturer's load limit and include equipment as well as accessories. Leave cables enough room for the entire travel range, without pulling on plugs or trapping them.

Locate wall outlets before deciding where the desk goes. Follow equipment instructions for power connections and keep the route through the room clear.

Plan delivery and assembly

Check the packaged dimensions, weight, tools required, and whether assembly needs a second person. Decide where the packaging can be opened and kept during the return period. Confirm that delivery and return costs are included in your budget.