Key Dimensions to Keep in Mind When Planning a New Home Office
Designing a dedicated home office or a work-from-home space in a room is easy with these vital measurements
The shift in communications and information technology has facilitated a new work lifestyle that, for many of us, demands a home office space. At minimum, a home office should have a personal computer, a printer and modest document or file storage. Those who work mostly at home will ideally have a dedicated room they can close off for privacy, though if this isn’t possible with your floor plan, the tips below offer space-savvy ways to carve out a dedicated work zone in an open-plan area.
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 to suit your space. 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 discreet place for rubbish bins, paper shredders and items that need to be tucked away. The built-in drawers can hold stationery, paperwork and general office supplies, while the ledge above them offers a stylish display spot.
Built-in desks have the same basic dimensions as other desks, but often provide more work surface, since you customise the design to suit your space. 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 discreet place for rubbish bins, paper shredders and items that need to be tucked away. The built-in drawers can hold stationery, paperwork and general office supplies, while the ledge above them offers a stylish display spot.
Desks against a wall
Your other option is to place desks against a wall. Two desks in this space are placed on opposite walls, creating a good work area.
Keeping at least 1350 to 1700 millimetres between desks works best for this type of arrangement and provides sufficient space for both chairs to be pushed back simultaneously. If you don’t have this much space to play with, try positioning your chairs at different ends of the desks, instead of directly opposite each other.
Need help designing a home office? Find a joinery expert or cabinet maker near you on Houzz for custom solutions
Your other option is to place desks against a wall. Two desks in this space are placed on opposite walls, creating a good work area.
Keeping at least 1350 to 1700 millimetres between desks works best for this type of arrangement and provides sufficient space for both chairs to be pushed back simultaneously. If you don’t have this much space to play with, try positioning your chairs at different ends of the desks, instead of directly opposite each other.
Need help designing a home office? Find a joinery expert or cabinet maker near you on Houzz for custom solutions
Desks facing one another
This slightly unorthodox home office set-up won’t suit everyone, though it works well for household members whose work or study arrangements require lots of meetings, demonstrations or face-to-face conversations.
Generally, if you have the floor space to arrange two desks facing one another, you have the room to position them back-to-back as well, so the decision is yours. Your family’s individual work, study and homework needs will help you determine the best configuration to suit.
This slightly unorthodox home office set-up won’t suit everyone, though it works well for household members whose work or study arrangements require lots of meetings, demonstrations or face-to-face conversations.
Generally, if you have the floor space to arrange two desks facing one another, you have the room to position them back-to-back as well, so the decision is yours. Your family’s individual work, study and homework needs will help you determine the best configuration to suit.
Corner desks
If you don’t have the room for desks opposite one another, a corner arrangement might work well to accommodate two or more people working from home at the same time.
The trick with this configuration is to provide ample room between chairs so you and your home colleague don’t bump chairs. Try locating storage (such as drawers or a filing cabinet under your desk) in the corner to push the chairs away from each other as much as possible. Again, try to keep at least 1350 to 1700 millimetres between your chairs to provide enough circulation room.
If you don’t have the room for desks opposite one another, a corner arrangement might work well to accommodate two or more people working from home at the same time.
The trick with this configuration is to provide ample room between chairs so you and your home colleague don’t bump chairs. Try locating storage (such as drawers or a filing cabinet under your desk) in the corner to push the chairs away from each other as much as possible. Again, try to keep at least 1350 to 1700 millimetres between your chairs to provide enough circulation room.
Side-by-side desks
If you have a small home office or if you’re taking over a portion of another room to create a space to work or study from home, this configuration is most likely the best arrangement if you’re trying to fit two or more workers into your compact space. The more room each person has, the better, though you’ll each need at least 600 millimetres of desk width for this to work.
And as a positive, fitting two chairs under one shared desk can often reduce the joinery costs associated with crafting different desks.
Browse more beautifully designed Australian home offices
If you have a small home office or if you’re taking over a portion of another room to create a space to work or study from home, this configuration is most likely the best arrangement if you’re trying to fit two or more workers into your compact space. The more room each person has, the better, though you’ll each need at least 600 millimetres of desk width for this to work.
And as a positive, fitting two chairs under one shared desk can often reduce the joinery costs associated with crafting different desks.
Browse more beautifully designed Australian home offices
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. If you are among them, the height is what is most important when using a drafting board. Most are adjustable and tilt, but a standard one is about 900 millimetres above the floor and rises up from there toward the back.
A stool with a coordinating height is usually required for this arrangement. Plan plenty of space because the footprint of drafting tables is significant. You can get them as small as 1200 millimetres wide and 750 millimetres deep, but most are 1500 to 1800 millimetres wide and 900 to 1000 millimetres 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. If you are among them, the height is what is most important when using a drafting board. Most are adjustable and tilt, but a standard one is about 900 millimetres above the floor and rises up from there toward the back.
A stool with a coordinating height is usually required for this arrangement. Plan plenty of space because the footprint of drafting tables is significant. You can get them as small as 1200 millimetres wide and 750 millimetres deep, but most are 1500 to 1800 millimetres wide and 900 to 1000 millimetres deep. Light tables (surfaces with a glass top illuminated from below) can be similarly configured and need about the same amount of space.
Computers and laptops
Computer and laptop dimensions vary greatly and are constantly changing. Keep the area where you will place your computer as flexible as possible if you wish to position it in an office nook with built-in joinery, 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 your keyboard. You can get away with placing a keyboard on the desk surface, but keyboard trays set at 600 to 650 millimetres high are better ergonomic home-office set-ups. 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.
Remember that desktop computers are much better for our postures than laptops, so if you work on a computer a lot, consider factoring in enough room for a separate screen or monitor.
Computer and laptop dimensions vary greatly and are constantly changing. Keep the area where you will place your computer as flexible as possible if you wish to position it in an office nook with built-in joinery, 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 your keyboard. You can get away with placing a keyboard on the desk surface, but keyboard trays set at 600 to 650 millimetres high are better ergonomic home-office set-ups. 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.
Remember that desktop computers are much better for our postures than laptops, so if you work on a computer a lot, consider factoring in enough room for a separate screen or monitor.
Printers
Most people need a printer and/or scanner (many newer models combine both functions) in their home office, but it doesn’t automatically have to live on top of your desk. Each model varies in size, but you can plan on a footprint of at least 450 x 600 millimetres.
The height will depend on how the printer 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 when you are on a deadline, you can quickly add paper, or change a cartridge without having to push things out of the way.
And if you require a printer, you’ll need to include home-office storage for a stack of paper and somewhere to stash your print-outs, too.
Most people need a printer and/or scanner (many newer models combine both functions) in their home office, but it doesn’t automatically have to live on top of your desk. Each model varies in size, but you can plan on a footprint of at least 450 x 600 millimetres.
The height will depend on how the printer 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 when you are on a deadline, you can quickly add paper, or change a cartridge without having to push things out of the way.
And if you require a printer, you’ll need to include home-office storage for a stack of paper and somewhere to stash your print-outs, too.
Paper shredders
Another piece of equipment that has become common is the paper shredder. These are usually rubbish bin size: about 350 to 400 millimetres wide, 200 to 250 millimetres deep and 350 to 450 millimetres tall. Allow space for one as well as for a regular rubbish bin. And if you have a shredder, you’ll probably want to separate your rubbish from your paper recycling too.
You can usually tuck these items under the desk, but be sure you do not block your knee space. Alternatively, if you’re designing custom joinery, your cabinet maker will be able to create dedicated storage (open or concealed).
Another piece of equipment that has become common is the paper shredder. These are usually rubbish bin size: about 350 to 400 millimetres wide, 200 to 250 millimetres deep and 350 to 450 millimetres tall. Allow space for one as well as for a regular rubbish bin. And if you have a shredder, you’ll probably want to separate your rubbish from your paper recycling too.
You can usually tuck these items under the desk, but be sure you do not block your knee space. Alternatively, if you’re designing custom joinery, your cabinet maker will be able to create dedicated storage (open or concealed).
Filing cabinets
While there is no such thing as too much office storage, in smaller homes this can seem like an impossible dream. The humble filing cabinet is being replaced by custom-built joinery, though it still has a place for important documents.
You could choose from a filing cabinet on wheels, as seen in this home-office nook, a built-in solution, or a drawer-and-cupboard set-up that fulfils the role instead.
Traditional filing cabinets can take up considerable space in a home office. A standard two-drawer letter-size filing cabinet is at least 400 millimetres in width, 750 millimetres in height and 750 millimetres in depth. For two-drawer legal-size file cabinets, bump up the width to 450 millimetres.
Lateral file cabinets begin at 750 millimetres in width, 450 millimetres in depth and 800 millimetres in height. Investigate which type you will need – and if you can get away without one by going paperless – while planning your home office, as these cabinets can be large relative to the space you have.
While there is no such thing as too much office storage, in smaller homes this can seem like an impossible dream. The humble filing cabinet is being replaced by custom-built joinery, though it still has a place for important documents.
You could choose from a filing cabinet on wheels, as seen in this home-office nook, a built-in solution, or a drawer-and-cupboard set-up that fulfils the role instead.
Traditional filing cabinets can take up considerable space in a home office. A standard two-drawer letter-size filing cabinet is at least 400 millimetres in width, 750 millimetres in height and 750 millimetres in depth. For two-drawer legal-size file cabinets, bump up the width to 450 millimetres.
Lateral file cabinets begin at 750 millimetres in width, 450 millimetres in depth and 800 millimetres in height. Investigate which type you will need – and if you can get away without one by going paperless – while planning your home office, as these cabinets can be large relative to the space you have.
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 they need to let you move easily around them: about 1100 x 1100 millimetres, give or take, depending on the chair and individual requirements. This excludes and is outside of knee space.
You’ll need to back up your desk chair and slide from side to side as you reach for items on the desk, drawers and other furniture, so consider wheeled models that swivel too.
In terms of your own physical health, your office chair is one of the most important design decisions to get right. It will need to be ergonomic and comfortable to preserve your good posture and avoid aches and pains, so always try before you buy.
Desk chairs come in a great variety of styles, shapes and sizes. The one thing they have in common is the footprint of space they need to let you move easily around them: about 1100 x 1100 millimetres, give or take, depending on the chair and individual requirements. This excludes and is outside of knee space.
You’ll need to back up your desk chair and slide from side to side as you reach for items on the desk, drawers and other furniture, so consider wheeled models that swivel too.
In terms of your own physical health, your office chair is one of the most important design decisions to get right. It will need to be ergonomic and comfortable to preserve your good posture and avoid aches and pains, so always try before you buy.
Shelving
Each shelf in a unit is most commonly 300 millimetres deep and 350 to 400 millimetres high, though these standard dimensions vary wildly and are commonly ignored in favour of beautiful and functional custom joinery. Built-ins such as this design, are popular and can make your home office feel intimate (while also increasing its functionality with important extras such as integrated power-points and charging drawers).
These shelves nicely transition into a credenza below, along the back wall. You will need a hefty budget and plenty of space for this kind of set-up, but considering the time you’ll spend in your home office, it’s worth the investment. Overall, shelving units are generally anywhere from 300 to 600 millimetres deep.
Freestanding furniture is a more affordable option that can fulfil the role of built-in shelving. Common measurements for freestanding bookshelves are approximately 1200 millimetres high for taller designs, and the width depends on the individual model, though you will be able to find almost any size you want.
Each shelf in a unit is most commonly 300 millimetres deep and 350 to 400 millimetres high, though these standard dimensions vary wildly and are commonly ignored in favour of beautiful and functional custom joinery. Built-ins such as this design, are popular and can make your home office feel intimate (while also increasing its functionality with important extras such as integrated power-points and charging drawers).
These shelves nicely transition into a credenza below, along the back wall. You will need a hefty budget and plenty of space for this kind of set-up, but considering the time you’ll spend in your home office, it’s worth the investment. Overall, shelving units are generally anywhere from 300 to 600 millimetres deep.
Freestanding furniture is a more affordable option that can fulfil the role of built-in shelving. Common measurements for freestanding bookshelves are approximately 1200 millimetres high for taller designs, and the width depends on the individual model, though you will be able to find almost any size you want.
Additional seating
Your office may need an upholstered sofa, chaise longue 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 1000 x 1000 millimetres, and a ‘love seat’ or mini-sofa could be 1000 deep and 1550 millimetres long.
You won’t need a great deal of space in front of extra seating, so allowing paths as little as 450 millimetres wide may work, though more room is better. This colourful home office illustrates too that not all work-from-home zones need to be monochromatic – there’s nothing stopping you from expressing your creative side in this space so look to pattern, texture and colours if you’d like to amp up your space.
Your office may need an upholstered sofa, chaise longue 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 1000 x 1000 millimetres, and a ‘love seat’ or mini-sofa could be 1000 deep and 1550 millimetres long.
You won’t need a great deal of space in front of extra seating, so allowing paths as little as 450 millimetres wide may work, though more room is better. This colourful home office illustrates too that not all work-from-home zones need to be monochromatic – there’s nothing stopping you from expressing your creative side in this space so look to pattern, texture and colours if you’d like to amp up your space.
Your turn
Which dimensions would you change in your home office or which make the space work beautifully? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more need-to-know measurements for your new home or renovation? Brush up here with Key Heights to Consider When Designing Your New Kitchen
Which dimensions would you change in your home office or which make the space work beautifully? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more need-to-know measurements for your new home or renovation? Brush up here with Key Heights to Consider When Designing Your New Kitchen
Consider your desk first. Think about whether your desk should be freestanding in the room, be placed against a wall, or be built-in. The standard desk height is 750 to 800 millimetres. Freestanding desks range in size, but common dimensions are about 1200 to 1800 millimetres wide and 600 to 900 millimetres 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 generous freestanding desk. The built-in joinery can easily hold a supplies, files and books. Try to leave at least 750 millimetres of circulation space between the back of your desk and any shelving, storage or other furniture. On the front side of your desk, allow 1200 to 1500 millimetres for people to pull up additional chairs or for circulation space in front of your desk.