Optimal Desk Sizes / Dimensions

[Farhan Abbasi]

Hi folks,

I run a coworking space in Boston called Coalition and this community provided great info for me when launching. Thank you!

I'm wondering if you folks have experience with an ideal desk dimension that optimizes seating (ie getting the most chairs out of the table setup)? I have a wide open floorplan (imagine 10,000+ SF) and able to connect many tables and chairs together, with people sitting on both sides of each table. Looking to get the most out of the space to meet my financial hurdles. 

I would love to hear:

- The optimal desk size that allows for people to sit side by side and across from each other. (Multiple of these tables will be setup next to each other or across from each other). 

- Examples of actual desks that you think works? (I would purchase in bulk).

Thanks for any of your valuable time!

Farhan

[NODO Cowork]

Do you know about open furniture? https://www.opendesk.cc/

[Will Bennis, Locus Workspace]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing that.

[Jacob Sayles]

We have the basic Vika Amon tables from Ikea arraigned in pods of 4-8 desks.  In larger areas we have the larger ones arranged like one big table.  Key is flexibility and the pods are spread out so that you are always around people, but you can change the noise/heat/activity level by switching pods.  

We've also made a few of these standing desks by extending the legs with black PVC pipe.... design requires a wall though as they are not very stable w/o it.  

We have 10K sqft and  something like 125 desks.  I'm happy with them although we had to create a piece in the center of the pod to keep them relatively straight.  Keeping wires tidy is an ongoing battle.  

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[Farhan Abbasi]

Thanks Jacob!

So would one Vika Amon desk fit 2 people across from each other, or possible 2 on each side?

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[Jacob Sayles]

Not the small ones.  They are only big enough for one person.  We situate them face to face in rows of 2-4 to make our pods of 4-8 desks.  We then have 12 of these pods spread around the space.  I wonder how many individual ikea legs we own... boggles the mind.  

[Glen Ferguson]

Jacob,

Could you provide measurements for that desk? Searching the IKEA US site for Vika Amon doesn't return any matches. I've tried a few spelling variations too.

Thanks,

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Glen Ferguson

Cowork Frederick

122 E Patrick St

Frederick, MD 21701-5630

+1 (301) 732-5165

www.coworkfrederick.com

@CoworkFrederick

[Jacob Sayles]

I think this is it:  http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00251135/#/00251338

I have to say though, Open Desk has a similarly sized table and their organization is a heck of a lot more interesting then Ikea.  If I had to do it again I'd probably standardize around these:

https://www.opendesk.cc/lean/olivia-desk

[Alex Hillman]

Yeah, Ikea changed the name of that product line in the last year. Confused the crap out of us when we needed to add 20 more desks :)

Here’s what those desks look like in action, in a post about the visual color “cues” that we use to help members know where they can sit (we use different desk colors for full time and flex):

http://dangerouslyawesome.com/2011/10/visual-cues-for-better-coworking/

Since this post, we’ve actually removed our “front desk” and our crew members desks are mixed in as well. Rather than buy new desks, we took ones we already had (that were a bit worn) and painted them bright red! That way, new members and guests can easily find a spot a crew member’s desk without the crew being out on an island by themselves. 

Mixing up the colors also makes things more visually interesting!

I looked at the Open Desk stuff and it’s nice, but the #1 thing that I think people underestimate is the value of lightweight. The Ikea desks are strong, but hollow, making them EXTREMELY light and easy to move around, stack up, etc. Solid material is technically more durable, sure, but trust me when I say how thankful I am that our desks are crazy lightweight when we move them around. 

Also, don’t underestimate the value of community-desk-building party. Ikea assembly is something that anybody can participate in. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dangerouslyawesome/sets/72157617343441223/

Also, heh, these photos include a cameo of Jacob Sayles, who happened to be visiting the day we were building desks for our first major expansion :) 

-Alex

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[Jeannine]

Jacob Sayles, photobombing coworking pictures since 2007.  :-)  At least they say that's our Jacob, hard to tell really from that angle.

[Angel Kwiatkowski]

I finally found the ultimate desk and it's sturdy and CHEAP! http://coherecommunity.com/blog/coworking-must-have-supply-list