Did you know? The word ‘desk’ means “a table, usually with drawers or compartments, used for writing”. Over the years, it has evolved to become the centrepiece of our offices.
In the past, desks were LARGE and made of solid wood, which made them extremely heavy. They had to be so large because computers and printers were much bigger, and they also needed to accommodate all the materials required for work (folders, papers, calculators, catalogues, etc.). Today, desks are known as workstations or operational desks and are smaller, as technology has changed.
In the 1970s, functionality took precedence over design. Large companies filled open-plan spaces with large, bulky desks separated by partitions—what we now know as workstation clusters or call centres—as this was more cost-effective than having numerous enclosed offices and made much better use of the available space. A typewriter, calculator and catalogue were enough to carry out many tasks.
In the 1980s, computers began arriving in offices—and, of course, they were here to stay. Desks were traditionally made of wood and continued to be arranged in clusters to make the most of the available space. They had to be large because everything needed to be filed and paper was still widely used. Plenty of desk space was therefore required, both for the large computers and for storage materials, as well as essential work equipment such as a telephone.
The 1990s saw a reduction in the amount of paper requiring storage, as less and less work was carried out on paper. We also began to pay attention to our bodies’ needs and started using ergonomic products to help maintain the correct posture.
In the 2000s, desks became slimmer once again and design began to play a much more important role. Storage moved beneath the desk in the form of drawer pedestals, as less storage furniture was required. We needed less space because computers were smaller, and CPUs could be placed in CPU holders, removing equipment from our workstations and freeing up more desk space.
In the 2010s, offices increasingly focused on the working environment, ergonomics and design. Together, these factors made workplaces far more productive. Working hours became more flexible, and many companies began allowing employees to work from home on certain days.
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