To measure up for a ladder desk, take five measurements: the clear wall width, the height from floor to ceiling or any obstruction, the floor depth the desk will occupy at its base, the space you need in front for a chair, and the work surface height. Ladder desks lean back against the wall, so they are deeper at the base than at the top. Measuring the floor depth and checking the wall for skirting, sockets and radiators are the steps people most often miss.
A ladder desk combines a small work surface with open shelves above, and it works well in rooms where floor space is limited but height is available. Our range of modern computer desks UK includes a variety of compact designs, and the steps below will help you check that a ladder style desk suits your room before you choose.
Gather a few simple tools before you start: a retractable tape measure of at least 3m, a pencil and paper, a spirit level if you have one, and a roll of masking tape. A second person is helpful when measuring ceiling height, but not essential.
Write every measurement down as you go, noting which wall it belongs to. It is easy to mix up figures when comparing several walls.
Choose the wall you have in mind and measure its full width from corner to corner. Then measure the clear section where the desk will actually stand, between any obstructions. Note the position of doors and their architraves, windows, radiators, light switches and plug sockets.
Ladder desks are often between 60cm and 120cm wide. Allow at least 5cm to 10cm of clearance on each side so the desk does not look squeezed and you can reach behind it to clean. If a door opens nearby, check that the door handle will not hit the side of the desk. The same approach works for most pieces in our modern home office furniture UK range, so it is worth keeping your notes for future purchases.
Measure from the floor to the ceiling at the point where the top of the desk will rest. In many older UK homes ceilings are higher, while newer homes may have lower ceilings, so do not assume a standard figure. Also note anything that hangs lower than the ceiling: a picture rail, a sloping ceiling in a loft room, a bulkhead over the stairs or a wall light.
Ladder desks are often between 150cm and 190cm tall. Leave a comfortable gap of 15cm or more between the top of the desk and the ceiling so the piece does not look wedged in and you can reach the top shelf safely.
This is the measurement that makes ladder desks different from other desks. Because the frame leans back, the feet sit some distance out from the wall while the top rests close to it. The depth at the base is usually the desk depth plus a little extra from the angle of the legs.
Check the product dimensions for the overall depth at the floor, rather than just the depth of the work surface. This is often somewhere between 45cm and 65cm. Mark that depth on the floor with masking tape along the full width of the desk, so you can see the footprint clearly.
Skirting boards affect this too. The top of the ladder rests against the wall, but the feet sit on the floor in front of the skirting. Measure the depth of your skirting and make sure the desk feet will sit on the floor and not on the skirting itself.
A desk is only useful if you can sit at it comfortably. Measure from the front edge of your taped footprint out into the room. You need around 70cm to 90cm for a chair to slide back and for you to stand up. If the desk sits opposite a bed, a sofa or another piece of furniture, check that the gap still allows easy movement once the chair is in use.
Ladder desks often have a compact work surface, so a chair without arms usually tucks in more neatly. Bear this in mind if you plan to use an existing chair.
Most ladder desks place the work surface around 72cm to 76cm from the floor, which suits most adults. To check, sit on the chair you plan to use with your feet flat on the floor and your shoulders relaxed. Measure from the floor to the underside of your forearms when your elbows are bent at roughly a right angle. If this is close to the desk height, you should be comfortable.
Taller or shorter users may need an adjustable chair to fine tune the position. A footrest can help if the desk feels high.
A ladder desk relies on the wall for stability, so the wall needs to be sound and reasonably flat. Run a spirit level or a straight edge along the area where the top of the desk will rest. Very uneven walls, common in older houses, can cause the desk to rock.
Check for sockets and switches in the area the desk will cover. A socket behind the lower part of the desk can be useful for a lamp or charger, but one at shelf height may be blocked. Avoid placing a ladder desk directly against a radiator, as the frame will block heat and the warmth may affect the finish over time.
If the desk will stand under or beside a window, measure the sill height and the distance from the sill to the desk position. The top shelves may block part of the window or press against the sill.
The feet of a ladder desk need a level, firm surface. On carpet, the feet may sink slightly over time, which changes the angle and can make the desk less stable. On a polished or tiled floor, the feet may slide. Many designs come with adjustable or rubber feet to address both issues. Use your spirit level to check the floor in the desk position, and note any slope.
The shelves above the work surface are part of the appeal of a ladder desk, so think about what you will store there. Measure the height of your tallest books or files and compare it with the shelf spacing in the product details. Upper shelves are usually shallower than lower ones because of the lean, so they suit smaller items such as plants, photographs and paperbacks.
If you need more storage than the desk provides, a matching bookcase alongside can extend the look along the wall. Our range of modern bookcases UK and our shelving units and storage UK both include tall, slim designs that pair well with ladder desks.
Ladder desks usually come with a wall fixing kit, and it should always be used, particularly in homes with children or pets. The fixing stops the desk tipping forward if someone pulls on a shelf or leans heavily on the work surface. Use fixings suited to your wall type: plasterboard, brick and timber all need different fittings. If you are unsure, ask a qualified fitter.
Place heavier items on the lower shelves and the work surface, and keep the upper shelves for lighter pieces. This keeps the centre of gravity low and the desk stable.
Once you have your measurements, mark the full footprint on the floor and the height on the wall with masking tape. Leave it for a day and walk around the room as normal. You will quickly see whether the desk will interrupt a route, block light or feel too large for the space. It is a simple step that prevents most sizing mistakes. If your ceiling height surprised you, our article on UK ceiling heights by property age gives a helpful overview of how room heights vary across different kinds of home.
If you plan to use the desk for video calls, think about what sits behind you as well. The shelves of a ladder desk make a neat background, and our guide to wooden desks on video calls in UK home offices has useful ideas on arranging them.
At Furniture in Fashion we offer compact desks and shelving for smaller rooms, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Most ladder desks need around 45cm to 65cm of floor depth at the base, plus 70cm to 90cm in front for a chair. Check the overall depth at floor level in the product details, not only the work surface depth.
Yes. Ladder desks lean against the wall and should always be secured with a suitable wall fixing to stop them tipping forward.
It can, but check the desk is level and stable. Thick carpet may let the feet sink slightly over time, so recheck the fixing and level after a few weeks.
For laptop work, many people find them comfortable. The surface is usually smaller than a conventional desk, so if you use a large monitor or spread out paperwork, check the work surface dimensions carefully.
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