How to Choose the Right Office Desk
Compact, fixed-height, sit-stand, foldable or converter — find the right desk for your space and working style.
Buying Guide
Office Furniture Buying Guide
A practical guide to choosing office furniture for home offices and workplaces — built around active working, ergonomic fundamentals, and space-smart design.
Whether you're upgrading a home office or equipping a workplace, the best buying decisions start with a simple idea: choose furniture that fits the person, the task, and the space. That matters more than ever in hybrid working, where one setup often needs to support focus, flexibility and comfort at the same time.
Who is this guide for?
This guide is for anyone making office furniture decisions — whether you're setting up a single desk at home or rolling out workstations across a whole building.
- Office managers & facilities teams planning open-plan layouts, hot desking areas, meeting rooms, and executive spaces.
- Business owners balancing cost, durability, brand image, and employee wellbeing.
- Workplace and health professionals looking for clear, credible ergonomics principles and practical setup guidance.
- Anyone researching what to buy: desks, seating, monitor arms, and space-saving workstation accessories.
Why this guide matters now
Workplace wellbeing is no longer a "nice to have". Research from the Leitz New World of Work whitepaper frames wellbeing as a long-term workplace trend, while the IGR study found that before testing ergonomic solutions, 90% of participants reported physical discomfort or pain — with neck, shoulder and back pain among the most common complaints.
For buyers, that means furniture decisions directly shape comfort, usability and how people actually work day to day.
The New World of Work whitepaper also highlights a compelling commercial case: every £1 spent on supporting workforce mental health and wellbeing can return around £4.70 in increased productivity.
Key buying tips at a glance
- Start with the space: Measure the room properly, including chair clearance and movement space, before choosing a desk.
- Match furniture to the task: Focused solo work, collaborative work, and hybrid use often need different setups.
- Prioritise adjustability: Desks, chairs, monitor arms and accessories should be easy to adapt to different users and working styles.
- Improve screen height early: A monitor arm or laptop stand is often one of the simplest upgrades for comfort and usable desk space.
- Think Sit–Stand–Move: The best setup supports posture changes and gentle movement across the day instead of keeping you static.
- Use vertical space: Monitor arms, organisers and compact accessories can make small desks feel much more functional.
- Choose intuitive products: Furniture and accessories should be easy to understand and adjust, otherwise they are less likely to be used properly.
- For workplaces, standardise the core: Create a consistent base setup, then offer targeted options for different needs.
Active working: the Leitz approach
Leitz designs for the realities of modern work: smaller spaces, more hybrid routines, and a growing need for furniture that supports both comfort and movement. The Leitz approach can be summed up as Sit–Stand–Move — encouraging people to change posture, add gentle movement and avoid staying static for too long.
Just as importantly, Leitz believes workspace products should make life easier, not more complicated. That means practical, intuitive solutions that help people stay organised, work comfortably and make better use of the space they have.
- Fits you, fits anywhere: Compact solutions that work in small home offices, shared rooms, and flexible workplace layouts.
- Think in systems: Desk height, seating, screen height and accessories perform best when they're chosen together.
- Make space by going vertical: Monitor arms and organisers can free up desk depth and reduce clutter.
- Quality you can trust: Selected products are assessed by independent bodies such as IGR and may carry TÜV/GS safety certifications.
What the research says
The Leitz approach is strongly supported by independent research. The IGR hybrid work study found that after using ergonomic equipment:
- 81% of participants said it supported their physical wellbeing and performance.
- Relief was felt most strongly in the neck (60%) and back (53%).
- Almost two-thirds said they had changed their behaviour, including switching more often between sitting and standing.
The IGR study also provides a useful caution: subjective comfort alone is not enough. A setup can feel better without resulting in an objectively healthy posture if poorly adjusted. That is why adjustability, setup guidance and clear instructions should be considered part of the furniture solution.
Quick ergonomic check (60 seconds)
Ergonomics is not about finding one "perfect posture". It is about creating a setup that fits you well, supports comfort, and makes it easier to move naturally through the day.
- Feet: Supported on the floor (or a footrest) without perching.
- Elbows: Relaxed and close to your body when typing (avoid reaching).
- Screen: Comfortable height so you're not constantly looking down; top of screen around eye level.
- Movement: Plan posture changes — swap chair/stool, take standing calls, or use a sit-stand setup.
Office Chairs & Active Seating
Task chairs, ergonomic chairs, active stools and sitting balls — how to mix seating for comfort and movement.
Monitor Arms, Laptop Stands & Accessories
Simple upgrades that improve screen position, free up desk space, and support everyday comfort.
Office Setup by Workspace Type
Home offices, open-plan, executive offices, hot desking and meeting rooms — setup advice for every scenario.
Anisha Joshi, award-winning osteopath and clinic owner
"When it comes to creating a comfortable and productive workstation, it's crucial to think of it as more than just a desk and chair. As an osteopath, I've seen countless patients struggle with back pain, neck strain, and other discomforts due to poorly thought-out work environments. The truth is the whole setup needs to work together harmoniously. The reason I recommend using Leitz Ergo products is because they understand this need for a holistic approach. Their ergonomic products are designed not just to be functional, but to work in unison, helping to reduce the risk of injury and discomfort by promoting regular movement."
Ready to build your workspace?
Explore the Leitz Office Furniture range or contact our product advisors.