Desk height

Properly selected furniture provides users with comfort and health benefits. If we are talking about tables, then when choosing, you can make the right decision based on their purpose and accepted standards.

What desk height standards exist?

The recommended value is 75 cm. Based on GOST, manufacturers produce furniture with a height of 70 to 80 cm. Theoretically, such a spread should satisfy the requirements of all users, but this is not the case. Those whom nature has endowed with a height of 160 or 180 cm feel uncomfortable at a standard table, because it is either too tall or, conversely, too low.

A separate category for which the standards do not apply are children. A dining table, a desk table or a computer table - they need a table before their physical development is complete. Consequently, parents have only 2 options left - adjust the length of the chair legs, or, which is preferable, take care of purchasing children's furniture.

How to choose the right table height

The calculation of the standard is based on the average statistical height of a person.When selecting furniture “for yourself”, it is also important to take this parameter into account, because the formula for a comfortable tabletop height is unchanged: height (cm) * coefficient. But the variable itself depends on its purpose.

Kitchen

This type of table means the entire working surface, which is not entirely correct, but the most practical. After all, a truly correct and convenient multi-level option would be much more difficult to care for.

The finished dish is the result of many preparatory processes, most of which are easier to do while standing. Accordingly, the height of the kitchen table should be such that the person behind it can work with relaxed shoulders and a straight back. When choosing from ready-made kitchen surfaces, the optimal distance from the countertop to the floor can be easily determined visually: it should be at a level below the waist.

But what to do if members of the same family have a large difference in height? Under no circumstances should you determine the arithmetic mean, as is recommended by some “experts”.

ATTENTION! When choosing a kitchen table, you should focus on the person who cooks most often - it is this person who “most clearly” feels the consequences of a wrong choice.

If you need to determine the height of the kitchen table if it is made to order, you can use the formula: height * 0.51. By rounding the result to the nearest whole, you will be able to obtain the optimal distance from the floor to the tabletop, taking into account individual characteristics.

Written

This version of furniture has slightly different tasks: you are supposed to work with it while sitting. While working, your forearms should remain relaxed, your back straight, and your shoulders in a natural position.A slight tilt of the head is acceptable, but the shin and thigh must be at a right angle, and the foot must be pressed firmly to the floor.

ATTENTION! When choosing such furniture, there can be no question of any averageness. You should focus on the tallest member of the household. And for the rest, individual chairs and footrests are simply purchased as part of the table set.

The formula for calculating the optimal height of a desk is: height*0.46.

Computer

It is important to understand that this is a direct descendant of its written counterpart. The requirements for it are the same.

ATTENTION! When typing on the keyboard, it is important to maintain correct posture and hand position. And the distance from the eyes to the monitor can be easily adjusted by moving it to the opposite edge of the tabletop.

For greater compactness while maintaining convenience for users, computer desks are often equipped with a pull-out shelf for the keyboard and a stand for the monitor. In this case:

• the shelf should be at an optimal height to maintain the natural position of the hands;
• a chair with comfortable armrests is selected for the table, which will serve as an additional support point for the forearms;
• The stand should provide an optimal viewing angle without the need to slouch or lean back.

The general recommendation for choosing the optimal height for all family members remains: the guideline is for the tallest. Fortunately, it is not difficult to purchase a footrest, and a high-quality computer chair can be easily adjusted to the needs of users.

Lunch

Not too much time is spent on such furniture, but this does not mean that any option will do. The entire family gathers at the dining table, so everyone should feel comfortable at the same time. A table that is too high or low will not allow you to sit comfortably and get maximum pleasure from culinary masterpieces. And all kinds of footrests and chairs with adjustable heights are simply inappropriate. But this does not mean that making the right choice is too difficult.

ATTENTION! The calculated value is determined by the formula: height * 0.43. However, there is one clarification: in this case, you should focus on the average height of adult family members.

If dad, mom, grandparents “grew” to 175, 155, 180 and 160 cm, respectively, then you need to determine the average value:
(175+155+180+160)/4 = 167.5 cm.
And they already substitute it into the formula. And it doesn’t matter that the father has to stretch his legs slightly in order to sit comfortably at the table - this is permissible near the dining room.

How to choose the right desk for a child

It is desirable that the working surface of furniture for a schoolchild be inclined, and there are several reasons for this:

• visibility improves, making reading easier;
• teaches you to be in order, because little things scattered on the table tend to roll off if they are not placed in the places designated for them;
• encourages you to take the only correct position, since slouching at such a table is uncomfortable.

REFERENCE! The height of the near edge is calculated using the same formula as for the “adult” version: height * 0.46. But the child grows quickly, so it is worth purchasing furniture with a small margin “for growth” or, preferably, with the ability to adjust the height and angle of the tabletop.

The latter option is somewhat more expensive than the unregulated ones. But it will cost less than 2-3 simple ones - and this is the minimum number of replacements for a children’s desktop, if you care about maintaining the posture of the younger generation.

Are other parameters important?

Correctly selected height will not make working at a narrow desk comfortable. Conversely, a wide canvas at the wrong height can turn out to be quite comfortable. Therefore, when choosing, it is important to pay attention to the following parameters:

• tabletop width is at least 60 cm for a child and 80 for adults (more is better);
• depth - from 35 cm for a child, from 50 for an adult (the principle is the same);
• legroom - to the depth of the tabletop and at least 50 cm in width.

In relation to various types of furniture it looks like this:

• for the kitchen table, the criteria for depth and width are taken;
• for written and computer - all three parameters;
• for lunch, the first pair of values ​​is doubled, resulting in the required minimum.

What's good about an adjustable desk?

The main advantage of such furniture is the ability to adapt to current needs, eliminating the need to purchase several different-sized models. Adjustable options are compact, which is especially useful in city apartments. The only negative is that they are not designed for heavy loads. Their limit is 45–50 kg.

REFERENCE! The table can be equipped with mechanical or electronic transformation mechanisms. Often the manufacturer provides not only a change in height level, but also an increase in area.

Consequences of the wrong choice

The first item on the list of criteria is convenience. If the table does not meet this requirement, then full-time work at it is out of the question. Incorrect posture primarily interferes with normal blood circulation. Result: congestion, swelling, pain.And for a child whose body changes every minute, an incorrect position at a desk contributes to an increased risk of abnormal development of the muscular corset.