Choosing an executive desk: size, shape and material
How big an executive desk should be, how much room it needs around it, where the cables go, and what solid wood brings to an office — with the measurements of our own desk.
An executive desk is usually 180 to 220 cm wide and 80 to 100 cm deep, at a height of 72 to 76 cm. Plan at least 100 cm behind it for the chair and room in front for guests. Choose a material you will not tire of, and check where cables, power and storage go before you buy.
What makes a desk an executive desk?
Mostly size and intent. An ordinary desk is sized for one person and a screen. An executive desk is sized for a person who also receives people: it is wider, deeper and placed so that it faces the room instead of the wall. It is the piece a visitor sees first, and it tells them something about the person behind it before anyone speaks.
That makes it an unusual purchase. It is a work tool that has to be comfortable for eight hours, and at the same time the most visible object in the office. A good one does both without making a show of either.
How big should an executive desk be?
Executive desks are commonly between 180 and 220 cm wide. Below 160 cm, a desk with a large screen, a laptop and a stack of papers starts to feel full. Above 220 cm, it begins to dominate all but the largest rooms.
Depth matters more than people expect. At 80 cm there is room for a screen at a comfortable distance and a writing surface in front of it. Between 90 and 100 cm, a guest opposite you has space for their own notebook without reaching into yours. Height is almost always 72 to 76 cm, which suits most adults with a height-adjustable chair.
Our Executive Desk measures 200 × 92 × 74 cm. That is wide enough for a screen and a separate writing area, and deep enough to sit across from someone.
How much room does an executive desk need?
Measure the room, not just the desk. A rough guide that works in most offices:
- Behind the desk: at least 100 cm between the desk edge and the wall or cabinet, so the chair can roll back and you can stand up without turning sideways.
- In front: 80 to 100 cm for guest chairs, plus a walkway if people pass between the desk and the door.
- At the sides: enough to walk around at least one end, around 70 cm.
Where do the cables, power and drawers go?
A sculptural desk loses most of its effect when a bundle of cables hangs under it. Decide before you buy where the power comes from: a floor socket, a wall behind, a cable route along a leg. Then check whether the desk has a way to carry it.
Our desk has integrated cable management and a power / USB-C module, so a laptop and a lamp can be connected without leads trailing across the floor. A drawer is optional. Many people who work mostly on a laptop find they do not need one; if you keep papers, pens and a notebook at hand, it is worth adding. Tell us at the order which you prefer.
If your office needs more, such as a second screen arm or a printer next to the desk, mention it on a call. These are details that are easier to solve in the design than afterwards.
Is solid wood the right material for an office desk?
Glass shows every fingerprint, and lacquered board chips at the edges. Steel and stone are cold to lean on for a full day. Solid wood is warm to the touch, quiet when you put something down, and if the surface is marked after years of use it can be sanded and refinished. On a veneered desk, the top layer is often too thin for that. Our guide to solid teak and veneer explains the difference.
Our desk is solid teak, built up in seven visible layers and shaped into one continuous form that runs from the top into the base. It comes in three finishes: Light Oak, Antique Oak and Wengé. These are the names of the finishes; the wood is teak in each case. Light Oak makes a large desk feel lighter in a small room. Wengé reads as a single dark form against a pale wall.
Which chair belongs with an executive desk?
A chair you sit in all day should adjust to you. Look for seat-height adjustment, a tilt that supports you when you lean back, and a seat deep enough for your thighs without pressing behind the knees.
Our Executive Chair shares the desk’s layered teak shell, with leather or textile upholstery, height adjustment from 44 to 51 cm seat height, and a tilt mechanism. Its price starts at €6,900. For guests, a calmer chair works better than a second executive chair — or a lounge corner with a low table, such as our Side Table, a few metres away.
Collection desk or made to measure?
If 200 × 92 cm fits the room, the collection desk is the quickest route: it is made by hand in our atelier after your order, in about six weeks plus shipping, from €9,900 including VAT, shipping extra. You pay the full price when you order; within the EU we cover import duties and VAT.
If you need a different width, a return for a second screen, or a desk for a boardroom rather than a private office, that is a custom piece. We start with a free call, then send drawings, a price and a lead time before anything is made. More on custom made, or book a call directly.
Questions
What is a standard executive desk size?
Most executive desks are 180 to 220 cm wide, 80 to 100 cm deep and 72 to 76 cm high. Our Executive Desk is 200 × 92 × 74 cm.
Can an executive desk work in a home office?
Yes, if the room allows about 100 cm behind the desk for the chair. In a smaller room, a desk that faces into the room still works; you may simply skip the guest chairs.
Does the ALUR Executive Desk have drawers?
A drawer is optional. The desk has integrated cable management and a power / USB-C module as standard.
How much does a solid wood executive desk cost?
It depends on the wood, the size and the form. Our solid teak Executive Desk starts at €9,900, including VAT; shipping extra. A different size is quoted per project.
See the piece
Every piece is handmade in our atelier in Bali, in about six weeks, then shipped to your destination.
