To measure up for a high gloss computer desk, record the width of the wall or alcove, the depth you can spare without blocking a door or walkway, and any height limits such as window sills or shelves. Then add around 70 to 90cm of clearance behind the desk for your chair, check the route from your front door to the room, and compare those figures with the desk’s full dimensions, including any overhang or pedestal. A tape measure, masking tape and ten minutes will save you a lot of guesswork.<\/p>\n
High gloss desks have a particular appeal in UK homes. Their reflective surface bounces light around, which helps in north facing rooms and compact spaces. That same quality also means they look their best when they fit the room properly, without being squeezed or left floating. Browse our modern high gloss computer desks UK sale<\/a> range as you work through the steps below.<\/p>\n Keep it simple. You will need a metal tape measure, a pencil and paper or a notes app, and a roll of masking tape. A second person helps when measuring longer runs of wall, but it is not essential.<\/p>\n Measure in centimetres, since most furniture dimensions in the UK are given that way. Write down each figure as you go, along with a quick sketch of the room showing doors, windows, radiators and sockets. If you plan to add a chair, storage or shelving from our wider modern office furniture UK sale<\/a> range, sketch those in too, so the whole layout is planned at once.<\/p>\n Start with the width. Measure the length of wall where the desk will sit, from corner to corner or from the corner to the edge of a door frame. If the desk is going into an alcove, measure at three heights: near the floor, at desk height and around 120cm up. Alcoves in older houses are often slightly narrower at one point, and the smallest figure is the one that counts.<\/p>\n Note the position of skirting boards. A deep skirting board can stop a desk sitting flush against the wall, which adds a couple of centimetres to the overall depth.<\/p>\n Depth is where small rooms are won or lost. Most computer desks range from about 45cm to 70cm deep. A shallower desk suits a laptop and keeps the room open. A deeper desk lets you place a monitor at a comfortable viewing distance and keep a keyboard in front of it.<\/p>\n To find your limit, measure from the wall to the nearest obstacle: the edge of a bed, the swing of a door or the line of a walkway. Then subtract the space you need behind the desk for a chair. That remaining figure is the maximum desk depth that will work.<\/p>\n As a general guide, try to keep a walkway of at least 60cm clear wherever people need to pass.<\/p>\n Standard desk heights sit around 72 to 76cm. That works for most adults when paired with an adjustable chair. Check what sits on the wall above that line: a window sill, a shelf, a radiator valve or a light switch can all interfere.<\/p>\n If the desk has a raised shelf, hutch or monitor stand, measure the full height and make sure it clears any wall cabinets or a sloping ceiling. In loft rooms, record the point at which the ceiling begins to slope and the height at the lowest point you would sit.<\/p>\n A desk that fits the wall but leaves no room for the chair will not feel right. Allow around 70 to 90cm from the front edge of the desk to the nearest object behind you. This gives enough room to pull the chair out, sit down and stand up again without scraping furniture or walls.<\/p>\n If space is tight, choose a chair with a compact base that tucks fully under the desk. Our modern home office chairs UK<\/a> include slimmer designs that suit smaller rooms.<\/p>\n This is the most useful step and the one most people skip. Use masking tape to mark the outline of the desk on the floor and, if you can, on the wall at desk height. Live with it for a day. Walk past it, open the door, pull an imaginary chair out.<\/p>\n A taped outline shows you quickly whether a desk will dominate the room or sit comfortably. It also helps you spot problems such as a socket that will be hidden behind a pedestal or a radiator that will warm the side of the desk.<\/p>\n High gloss desks often arrive flat packed, which makes delivery easier, but larger or ready assembled models need a clear path. Measure the width of your front door, hallway, any tight turns on the stairs and the doorway of the room itself. Note the height of the stair ceiling at the narrowest point.<\/p>\n Compare these with the boxed dimensions listed with the product, not the assembled size. If a box is long, check that it can turn the corner at the top of the stairs.<\/p>\n High gloss surfaces bring a few extra considerations when you are measuring and planning.<\/p>\n A glossy surface reflects light from windows and ceiling lights. If the desk will face a window, the glare may reach your screen or your eyes. Placing the desk at a right angle to the window usually gives the best balance of daylight and comfort.<\/p>\n Gloss finishes can chip if they are knocked repeatedly against a wall or door frame. Leave a small gap where a door opens near the desk, and fit a door stop if needed.<\/p>\n If you are adding storage, measure for it at the same time. A matching pedestal unit or cabinet in the same finish keeps the room cohesive. Our office pedestal drawers UK sale<\/a> are a compact way to add storage under or beside a desk, so note the clear height beneath the desktop as well.<\/p>\n Not every desk will sit on a clear, flat wall. If you are placing a high gloss desk in a corner, measure along both walls from the corner point outwards, and check that neither run is interrupted by a door frame or radiator. Corners in older properties are not always square, so hold a set square or a large book against the walls to see whether there is a gap. A few degrees out can leave a visible wedge between the desk and the wall.<\/p>\n For alcoves, take the width at the back and at the front edge of the chimney breast, since some recesses taper slightly. Allow a small margin on each side so the desk can be lifted into place without scraping the gloss finish.<\/p>\n Under a window, measure from the floor to the underside of the sill. Many sills sit somewhere around desk height, and a desk that is a fraction too tall will not slide underneath. Note whether curtains or blinds will need to hang behind the desk, and leave room for them to move.<\/p>\n Once you have your measurements, think about how you will use the desk. A laptop user who works a few hours a week can manage with a desk around 80 to 100cm wide and 50cm deep. Someone working full time with a monitor, keyboard and paperwork will be more comfortable with 120cm or more in width and around 60cm in depth.<\/p>\n If your measurements leave you short, consider a corner desk that uses an otherwise empty corner, or a slimmer desk paired with wall shelves. For a closer look at how finishes behave over time, our guide to desk surface finishes for UK home offices<\/a> offers useful context when comparing gloss with other materials.<\/p>\nWhat You Need Before You Start<\/h3>\n
Step One: Measure the Wall Space<\/h3>\n
Step Two: Work Out the Depth You Can Spare<\/h3>\n
Step Three: Check Height and Obstructions<\/h3>\n
Step Four: Allow for Chair Clearance<\/h3>\n
Step Five: Mark It Out on the Floor<\/h3>\n
Step Six: Measure the Delivery Route<\/h3>\n
Things That Are Specific to High Gloss Desks<\/h3>\n
Light and Reflection<\/h3>\n
Space Around the Edges<\/h3>\n
Matching Other Pieces<\/h3>\n
Measuring for Corners, Alcoves and Windows<\/h3>\n
Common Measuring Mistakes<\/h3>\n
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Matching Desk Size to the Way You Work<\/h3>\n