How to choose a desk size for a child and an adult
According to statistics, the vast majority of pathologies of the spinal column develop due to the fact that a person does not sit at his desk correctly. The root cause of this phenomenon is the improperly selected dimensions of the furniture, which directly affect the ease of use, posture and back health. That is why, if necessary, purchase a desk, the dimensions of the product - the first thing that should be taken into account when choosing. The range of products varies in a fairly wide range, from a compact rectangular configuration to transformer models or corner structures. The focus is primarily on the growth of the user, the presence of certain medical indications, the dimensions of the room where you plan to put the table, and only then on the features of the interior and personal tastes.
Functionality and dimensions of desks
An important criterion that affects the size of a desk is its functionality. If a standard configuration is sufficient for a younger student, then the workplace of a student, architect or office employee should be much larger. Of course, the dimensions of the room in which it is planned to put the furniture are taken into account. If this is a small room, the best option would be to install a small school desk. Such models are divided into:
- One-pedestal. This is the most standard design, which is positioned as small-sized. On the one hand there is a working surface, on the other - an integrated cabinet with one or more drawers. Standard sizes - 120 x 60 cm.
- Double-sided. Another compact classic model, in which drawers are located on both sides of the countertop. Standard dimensions - 140 x 60 cm.
- With a trolley. The model is most often found in offices, slightly expanding the functionality of furniture. The stand can be used as part of a table or as a separate, self-contained element of the decor. The sizes usually coincide with single-pedestal counterparts.
In some cases, a desk is combined with a computer, which affects the dimensions of the furniture. Functional L-shaped (angular) designs are popular, they are capacious, but not very bulky, they allow you to conveniently place all the necessary student supplies, a PC or laptop. The width of such tables starts from 120-160 cm, the depth is in the range of 800-120 cm. Transformer tables are also considered medium-sized furniture, they are slightly higher and wider than standard ones, while they have a lot of additional features, in particular, adjusting the angle of inclination and tabletop heights. It is convenient to place such models in standard apartments where each square meter is valuable.
Single pedestalDouble-sidedWith drawerL-shapedTransformerHeadset with integrated tableThe best option for the student is a full-fledged headset with a built-in table where all the necessary educational and developmental accessories, as well as household items, will fit. It should be understood that the functionality and bulkiness of such a model are directly proportional.
Standard sizes
The standard sizes of the desk were developed jointly by designers and employees of research medical laboratories. When creating furniture, experts took into account ease of use and ergonomics. Much attention was also paid to medical indicators. The main thing that the designers strived for so that when working at the table there is no overvoltage, which can lead to diseases of the spine and stagnation of blood in the body with a long stay in one position. The main dimensions of the desk for the student, which should be taken into account when choosing, are height, length, depth.
Straight table
A direct desk is the most common variation of furniture. The most important parameter is height. The basis of calculations is the growth of a person. With an average adult male of 175 cm and a female of 162 cm, the height of the furniture should be approximately 75 cm. This is the average standard size used in the manufacture of a direct desk. The dimensions of this model for adults can be tabulated.
Options | Dimensions |
Height | 70-80 cm |
Length | 60-120 cm |
Depth | 35-80 cm |
These are standard indicators that most manufacturers adhere to.
A direct desk for a child differs in height from the adult version. In children's models, this parameter starts at 52 cm. Correctly selected dimensions will guarantee that in the process of classes the student will keep his back straight. If you use a laptop or computer, the monitor screen with the necessary furniture height will be at eye level, which also does not harm health.
Width and depth are selected taking into account the functionality of the table. If you plan to use it only as a written one, small sizes will suffice. When working with office equipment, it is worth giving preference to a wide countertop.
To make the furniture more functional, it is complemented by drawers, shelves, racks and superstructures, which are designed to store textbooks, books, notebooks, albums, stationery. The optimal parameters of additional devices are summarized in the table.
Options | Sizes, cm |
Height of shelves, racks, superstructures | 210 |
The distance between the shelves | For textbooks - 30, for dictionaries - 40-50, for folders, albums - 40, for notebooks - 25 |
Shelf depth | No more than 30 |
Corner model
Such a table is considered very comfortable and roomy due to the design and size. The main parameters of the angular adult model according to GOST:
Options | Sizes, cm |
Height | 70-80 |
First side length | 150-170 |
Second side length | 120 |
Depth | 50-95 |
The production of children's desks in height also starts from 52 cm. If you wish, you can order a model with individual sizes, however, such a service will cost a little more than purchasing a standard product.
Often, a corner desk combines the functions of a computer. The design has devices for keyboard, system unit and monitor. The following parameters are provided for them:
- retractable shelf - 10-15 cm under the tabletop, this arrangement is convenient for typing on the keyboard;
- superstructure for the monitor - 10-12 cm, which will allow the eyes to not get tired during work;
- stand for the system unit - 10-15 cm above the floor covering, which eliminates overheating.
The advantage of a corner table is that it saves space, while it has two separate zones: for working with a computer and papers.
Growing construction
For children who are just going to school, the best option would be a growing table, the height of which can be increased as the child grows older. Such a product will allow not only to maintain correct posture, but also save the family budget, since you do not need to buy several models during your studies.
The height of the table is adjusted using a retractable or electronic mechanism. You can also adjust it with legs that have the shape of the letter "X". Size options for this design are presented in the table.
Options | Dimensions |
Height | 46-82 cm |
Length | 70-120 cm |
Depth | 50-95 cm |
The standard step for changing the height of such a product is 5-6 cm.
For two children
In families with two children, there is often a problem with a place in the room for installing several desks. To save space, you can purchase a special product. This design looks like a regular table, while it’s slightly larger in size. The increased length allows two children to do their homework at the same time, engage in drawing, modeling and other creative work without interfering with each other. The presence of shelves, drawers, in which you can store office and books, will also be a plus. The sizes of a desk for two can be the following:
Options | Sizes, cm |
Height | About 75 cm |
Length | From 200 cm (not less than a meter for each child) |
Depth | From 90 cm |
If there is a big age difference between the children, choosing such a table will be difficult. In this case, it is recommended to pay attention to the model with the function of regulating the height of each workplace. The optimal solution would also be the purchase of chairs with adjustable height and footrest.
How to determine the optimal height
Before choosing a desk for a student, it is important to study the recommendations of specialists:
- When writing, feet should be on the floor straight. It is imperative that they reach the floor completely. Elongated legs indicate improper height. Both elbows should be on the table. It is impossible for them to hang.
- The distance from the countertop to the hips is no more than 18 cm. This is the standard height that you must always adhere to. An exception is the design with retractable drawers, slightly reducing these sizes.
- When working at a computer, eyes should be directly opposite the monitor. In this case, the head should not be tilted down.
- During reading, it is very important that the distance between the book and the eyes is equal to the length of the arm from the elbow joint to the tips of the fingers.
The table, correctly selected in height, eliminates the development of scoliosis in the child and other diseases of the spine. At the same time, the parameters of the child's chair are no less important: when resting on the back, the seat should not press under the knees. Under these conditions, the child’s back will always be straight. The same rules must be observed by an adult.
Basic requirements for desks for students
Separately, it is worth noting the requirements for the size of the desk, at which students spend a lot of time, starting from the first grade and ending with the eleventh. To choose a working model, one should be guided not so much by the style of the room as the health of the child. Experts have developed the main parameters of the desk - a standard for students:
- the width should be 1 meter or more;
- depth - from 0.6 m or more;
- place for setting hands - 50 x 50 cm.
The height of the desk depends on the height of the student. These parameters can be tabulated.
Height | Table height |
110-115 cm | 46 cm |
115-130 cm | 52 cm |
145-160 cm | 58 cm |
160-174 cm | 70 cm |
From 175 cm | 76 cm |
Guided by these parameters when purchasing furniture for children, you can avoid problems with the spine, which are just associated with improper fit.
When choosing a product, it is important to ensure that it is ergonomic, which will prevent bruising from hitting sharp corners. Convenient for work will be a design with an inclined worktop, which will allow you not to use bookends. The angle of inclination should be 30 degrees. It is also worth taking seriously the choice of additional shelves and cabinets, which are often equipped with desks. They should be easy to open and not interfere with the child while doing homework.
The height of the desk depends on the height of the studentA table with an inclined worktop will be convenient for workExtra drawers should open easily and not interfere with workUseful Tips
In order for classes at any age to be comfortable and not harm the health of the child, parents should consider useful tips that suggest how to choose the right desk. The ideal solution for the student is a transformable ("growing") design. It is convenient in that it allows you to adjust the height to the height of the child, as well as change the slope of the countertop. Such a design will cost an order of magnitude more expensive, but will last for many years.
When choosing a standard model of a desk, you can adjust its height with a chair with a lifting seat. Another way out can be a special footrest, which will reduce the distance from the countertop to the floor. This is a small construction made of plastic or metal. It can be stationary - installed near furniture, or portable. In the second case, it can be removed if other family members are working at the table, as well as when the child grows up. You can replace such a stand with a small stool.
The ideal solution for the student - a growing tableWhen choosing a standard desk model, you can adjust the height with a chair with a lifting seatTo reduce the distance from the countertop to the floor, you should purchase a footrest