Desk height

[Packard]

I could not figure out where to best post this question.  This forum seemed a likely choice.

I am designing a desk.

The desk height is planned at 28”.  That seems like a good compromise.  I am able to comfortably type at that height.  Typing desks are lower, but leave no room for a drawer.

I am uncertain about the knee hole height.  I am thinking about 21”.  Which will leave room for a drawer of about 5” - 5.5”.  (Using 3/4” thick plywood for the top and enclosing the drawer with 3/4” at the bottom.

Any thoughts? 

 

[DynaGlide]

I am against a drawer there. To sit comfortably at the right height best I could figure the drawer would be so small it would be next to useless. My desk with no drawer my thighs are already about 3 inches from the bottom of the desk.

 

[hdv]

Go sit in a chair that is height-adjustable. Make sure your thighs are at 90° to your upper body and that you sit upright. Make sure your lower legs are at 90° to your thighs. Adjust the height of the chair until your can put your feet flat on the ground. In this position hang your arms and then make sure your lower arms are in a horizontal position. Put your hands flat on an imaginary table top. This is the position that ergonomics recommends for desk work (if you'll be doing it for prolonged periods of time).

The distance of the palm of your hands to the ground will give you the optimal height of the desk for your body. DynaGlide is quite right in recommending you keep enough space under your desk to move your legs comfortably without the desk blocking them. Depending on how much space is left you might be able to fit a drawer in there.

Of course, this is the formal way to approach this. However, I have had staff that were not comfortable at all in this "optimal" position. Even though it might be best for your body, that does not always mean it is what feels good to you. Sometimes it takes getting used to. But sometimes people will not get used to it ever.

 

[Packard]

Thanks for the replies.  I think I will leave off the drawers entirely. This is to be a small “writing desk” and storage will not be a major issue. (Plus, I was trying to work out how I would install the drawer slides.  I have large forearms and the space allowed would make installation difficult.

 

[ElizaMcknight]

Hi there! It sounds like you've already done a lot of research when it comes to designing your desk. Regarding the knee hole height, it seems like 21 inches would be a great compromise. That would leave enough room for a drawer while still providing a comfortable typing experience. Have you considered getting feedback from other woodworkers who have built similar desks? You may consider reaching out for help to guys from eurekaergonomic.com. There are many helpful forums and other online communities where you can pose this question and get some great feedback. Good luck!

 

[Packard]

I like to first do the research and then make a mock-up to check for comfort.

Desk height was easy to come up with.  I just measured my desk.

It is the under desk clearance that I need.

I will be using this as a desk to do my banking on the laptop. 

But it is being placed adjacent to the master bathroom which, by anyone’s criteria is extremely small with a “safety shower” (you cannot fall over; you can only slide to the ground when your shoulder hits the wall), and only a single sink vanity.

The “desk” is being setup for future home buyers as an adjunct makeup vanity.  So I am not really designing for my needs, but for the needs of some future buyer.  That makes it more difficult to design. 

I made a makeup vanity for the other bathroom with a lift top.  If I am going to place a laptop on the desk top, then a drawer makes more sense. 

So, the real question is how deep can I make the drawer.

Or more succinctly: How much clearance under the desk is required?

The available space will allow about 20” x 40” table top.

I was figuring on a single drawer in the center about 20” wide.

I am still working on the bathroom remodel (another bathroom).  The tub refinished is here now.  When he leaves, I will have to do some minor trim work and grout around the tub.  So I am a few days off yet.

I like to get my projects planned out in advance.

 

[Stone Message]

Is this the style you are looking for?

View attachment 1

Peter

 

[Packard]

No.  Something more along with these lines.  Probably in maple left natural with a clear coat.

With a single drawer in the center with skirt material on either side.  So about 10” of skirt, then 20” of drawer, then another 10” of skirt.

I’ve made wider drawers but they never seem to operate a nicely as those under 20” wide.

And probably open underneath to gain more drawer height.

 

[mino]

For what it is worth, being 6'5", I absolutely abhor drawers under desks.

With a good desk height I tend to have about 7-8cm (3") between the top of my leg when raising/moving and the optimal desk height. That pretty much rules out a drawer which would not interfere with my legs and be useful.

Sure, I *can* sit at a table which has about 4" drawer below a 1" tabletop. BUT. It means I pretty much cannot move my legs => a major annoyance and very much unhealthy if sitting there longer term.

If all your family and future users are under 6' and/or with shorter legs, 3-4" high drawer can be fine. In all other cases I would advise as low an assembly height as possible. For pencils and even the occasional 2nd amendment prerogative, 2" inside height should be all that is needed.

What I have seen to address this /partially/ is a shallow drawer only "suspended" on the sides, with no bottom panel below it and a bit stronger tabletop for strength. That way one can get 2" of usable height inside the drawer at total height of under 4", including a proper 1,5" tabletop.

YMMV

 

[Svar]

Attach a box underneath a regular desk and try to sit at it. If you never sit cross legged, 10-12 cm drawer will be fine. If you do, then no drawer or very shallow one.
I find even a 3-4 cm drawer useful for small stuff.

 

[Packard]

Thanks everyone.

I am going to make a mock-up using an existing desk and determine what clearance I need.  I read somewhere around 24”.  But I like to confirm those numbers before I invest materials and labor in a project.

Packard