Furniture Fast Facts:

School Desks

Choosing desks for the students in the classroom is an important decision. Here are some helpful tips in choosing the most appropriate style school desk:

OPEN FRONT: Open front desks are the most popular in the elementary classroom because of their versatility. Features include adjustable legs and convenient storage under the desktop. Tops are rectangular and can have a laminate or solid plastic writing surface. The book box can be metal, plastic or clearview (allowing no hidden objects). While metal book boxes may last longer, the plastic ones offer a variety of color choices without the risk of paint scratches and are quieter in a classroom of busy students.

Options include double open fronts for two students, and U-braces for additional strength.

LIFT LID: A lift lid desk allows students to have a better view and access to the contents inside the desk without removing the materials because the tops are hinged and lift easily.

COMBO DESKS AND CHAIR DESKS: Combo chair desks often used in high school or college settings to create neat rows and minimize the overall furniture pieces required in a space. The writing surface on the combo unit is larger than that of a chair desk. Options for the combo desks are sled based, and double entry used for both right and left-handed students. Construction of both types of desks can be laminate tops and soft plastic seats or solid plastic tops and seats. There are many variations of the combo and chair desks units. Combo and chair desks can offer additional rows of seating when the desks are flush to a wall.

COLLABORATIVE LEARNING DESKS: New in the marketplace and growing rapidly are the newly designed collaborative desks which offer a variety of shapes including trapezoids, hexagons, octagons and arcs. Collaborative learning environments are creating the need for desks that can be used individually, in pairs, small groups, semi-circles, or full circles as the lesson plans dictate.

STAND- UP DESKS: Stand-up desks have had some success stories in the younger school classrooms where excess student energy can cause a problem. The standing height desks allow students to expel energy without having them lose focus on their studies. Stand-up desks are also popular in office workspaces where employees find back and neck relief while performing certain tasks at a standing position.

Whether choosing desks for a class of first graders or college graduate students, school desks that are correctly measured will enhance a student's ability to concentrate and learn so it is important to choose wisely and consider all the options.