When you buy a desk for your home office or on-site team, you're probably thinking about style, size, and maybe even whether it has storage. But one thing that's all too commonly overlooked when choosing a desk? Load-bearing capacity.
This is especially true when it comes to standing desks since the thinner extendable legs can make the load-bearing capacity even smaller than regular desks. That's if you don't get the right desk, of course…
So without further ado, let's dive into an exploration of load-bearing capacity, why it's important, and where to find a standing desk with a more generous capacity than the average.
Is the Load-Bearing Capacity of a Standing Desk Important?
Whether or not the load-bearing capacity of a standing desk matters for you depends on how much you plan on storing on your desk at once. If you only have a 3kg laptop and you don't need your desk for anything else, the load-bearing capacity shouldn't be too much of a consideration.
Bear in mind, however, that stability is even more important when it comes to standing desks than with regular desks. Because the legs are longer, standing desks can be less sturdy, so you don't want to invest in a product that will fall over with one coffee mug too many.
Likewise, with many users opting to put a treadmill mat beneath their standing desks for walking while they work, having a standing desk that won't collapse with one trip is a must.
So the next time you're shopping online for a standing desk, take the load-bearing capacity into account. After all, it will affect the office equipment you choose and can leave your equipment vulnerable if you don't buy a desk that can adequately hold it all.
Measuring the individual items you keep on your desk and adding them up to produce a total can give you an idea of the load-bearing capacity you need. Add an extra 10kg when you start looking to account for days when you might have some miscellaneous items on your desk.
Things to Consider
Before choosing your new standing desk, you'll need to consider a few things to assess which load-bearing capacity you'll need. Here are some questions to ponder while you make a decision.
1. Your office equipment
The load-bearing capacity of a standing desk significantly affects the choices you make with your office equipment. For example, if you were considering getting two screens or purchasing a printer, a flimsy standing desk won't be effective enough.
The office equipment you have affects your choice of standing desk and vice versa. If you know you plan on upgrading your technology or purchasing new electronic devices, you'll need a standing desk that has the capacity to bear the extra load.
2. Documents and miscellaneous items
When considering whether or not you need a standing desk for heavy-duty items, think about more than just your computer. Documents, printers, speakers, and decorations such as plants and pictures can be heavier than you think.
If you tend towards keeping multiple things on your desk at a time, going for a standing desk with a higher capacity is a good idea.
3. No excuse for clutter
Okay, hear us out on this one…
Some people hear the phrase 'high load-bearing capacity' and think 'Great, now I can leave my desk piled high with things'- think again! It might be true that you can leave more things on your desk with a high load-bearing capacity, but it doesn't mean you should.
For one, clutter can impede your ability to work successfully by distracting you, and it can also make it much harder to find important documents if your workspace is too full of stuff.
While a standing desk that can bear a heavy load is useful for those moments when you genuinely need access to lots of items in the same space, it shouldn't be used as an excuse to make unnecessary mess. Keeping cables out of the way with a cable organiser is key too - otherwise, you risk tripping when standing at your desk.
Whether you opt for a standing desk with a high load-bearing capacity or not, you'l still need to prioritise choosing the right model. Height-adjustable desks allow you to work both seated and standing, and you'll also need to seek a desk that's as stable as possible.
After all, the last thing you need when you're working while standing up is a wobbling desk that drops your laptop to the floor!
Luckily for you, at FlexiSpot we're known for selling the best standing desks on the market, with a range of load-bearing capacities to suit your needs. Our famous next-gen height adjustable desk, the E7 pro, has a whopping 160kg capacity, making it ideal for offices that require the use of heavy electronic equipment.
Whatever you're looking for from your standing desk, we've got something you'll love. Take a look at our collection today and fall in love with your workspace all over again.
