Thankfully, the 21^st century Santa Claus is an electronic genius, who has the workshop capability to bring you that fully loaded computer system you’ve been good all year for. Even more thankfully, there is amazing options in computer desks that will not only serve as your new command station for online gaming and of course, business, but will actually enhance the décor of your home, home office or out of home workplace.

When you are selecting a computer desk there are several things you should consider to ensure that you have found one that is comfortable, ergonomic, long-lasting as well as fully functional.

FLOOR SPACE : Be realistic about the space you have to devote to the desk. Take the measurements of the room or office to determine how much space you have available. Remember you need work surface space and that you will also need clearance space for drawers or cabinets. You might be most effective using the corner of the room. Most corners are awkward and unused and you can reclaim lost space by seeking a corner fitted computer station.

DESK TOP SPACE : Now how will you use this desk? Are Santa’s elves building you a laptop? Then a smaller desk or even a solid wood table could be sufficient. If you are setting up a gaming area you will need space and storage for controllers, gaming manuals and software. Take into consideration the size and depth of your monitor. Make sure the area set aside for the monitor is either large enough or that it is adjustable.

If this is your entire office then be certain it has the surface space for essential items like printers, scanners, fax machines and phones. Preferably, your computer desk will have well designed shelves for holding these items. Some people prefer an uncluttered workspace and add a separate section. Be sure that is an option when you decide where to buy.

STORAGE : Think spacious drawers and well hung doors to conceal personal files and organize office supplies. Shelves, full extension file drawers, dovetailed desk drawers, CPU storage box, lift-up return and keyboard tray, even a hutch bookcase or shelves are also very valuable assets in a well executed office center. Armoire units will even fold the doors shut to hide your worklife. If you think ahead now about your needs in the future you will be able to buy everything you need in coordinating woods, stains and workmanship. A well thought out office is worth the time you invest and will repay you in efficiency, durability and enduring style.

CHAIR : You should take the purchase of a computer chair almost as seriously as the desk itself. By buying from the same place you can pair up various chairs with the desks and better determine which combination provides you with the most comfort. A good rule to follow is:

* You should be able to sit up straight while typing as your feet touch the ground.

* The edge of the computer desk should not dig into your wrists nor cause any discomfort while you type. Using serious precautions can prevent a lot of future pain and medical problems for you.

CONSTRUCTION : Forget the pressboard or particle board desks in mass produced quantities. Mega- box stores present these disposable desks as economical options when in fact they must be repurchased over and over and are not customizable, ergonomic nor quality investments. Drawers warp and fall off tracks while doors pull off their hinges from normal daily use. Outgassing fumes from manufactured faux woods are another issue to consider when bringing furnishings into a closed environment like an office. Invest smart by purchasing the best your budget can afford; only buy solid wood and well constructed computer furniture.

The Amish create computer desks, armoires, corner desk sets, roll top computer desks, computer stations and chairs in native hardwoods and designs from classical to contemporary. The Amish artisans will custom build your computer desk and station in oak, cherry, maple or hickory in whatever style best fits the computer that Santa has left in your stocking.

A charming idea for a home office that could also double as a coffee table or a bench at the foot of the bed is found inside a chest or trunk. With some imagination any vacant spot in your home big enough for a cedar chest can be converted to a home office. With little more than creative thought many pieces of furniture, not normally used for offices or desks, can be converted to a useful work area for personal or business use.  A cedar chest or even a foot locker can easily provide not only sufficient work space but much needed storage space for a mini home office. These enclosed offices are perfect for paying bills, journaling and even crafting without the need for a full office.

A solid wood cedar or hope chest needs only minimal work to transform it to workspace:

1. Inside the wooden chest place a hanging folder file case. These hanging folders and files can not only be used for what they were intended for – file records – but can be used to hold scrap booking or printing paper, notebooks or pads and many other home office supplies.

2. For quick memos you may want to wood glue in a small white board to the inside of the lid.

3. Next to the white board you can affix a pre-fab padded and beribboned French bulletin board to securely display postcards, photos and reminders.

4. Wooden cutlery holders or wooden boxes can be stacked inside to hold pens, pencils, stamps and other office miscellaneous.

5. If your trunk or locker does not have drawers or trays you can use wood glue to attach a strip of molding along each side of the interior, a few inches below the rim. Then you can rest a wooden tray or cutlery holder to be filled with office supplies. These trays can easily slide out of the way to reach the files or boxes below.

6. Don’t forget to place a cushioned lap desk on top, hidden underneath or inside of the chest for easy writing projects.

7. Place a comfy ottoman beside the trunk for level seating.

Now you have turned your well designed and functional Amish chest or trunk into a filing cabinet and storage cubby, a bulletin board for memories old and new, as well as a mini office.

Home offices, whether for employment or home use, have always  enjoyed great popularity. Not all homes have the space required for a full office but even small spaces can enjoy the practicality of a home office space. Small spaces can be a challenge to work in but they can also be a challenge to decorate efficiently and functionally. While it may take a little more imagination, in fact, any area can become a very functional office with the right furniture, a good strategy for optimal organization and a few simple decorative touches. By taking a step-back look at the space you have to work with you will find that almost any home or apartment office space can be used to its utmost effectiveness.

A charming corner, a hallway end or an under-the-eaves space can all hide a surprisingly functional office potential. A Secretary Roll-top Desk or Fold Down Desk like the Amish design can provide not only sufficient work and storage space but a much needed design feature. These desks are perfect for paying bills, doing paperwork or schoolwork or writing correspondence without the sterile feel of an office. With the roll top or fold down secretary all your important items are within easy reach but they don’t get in the way of the activity that is happening on the desktop work surface.

The secretary desk is prized for its plentiful cubby or pigeon holes. These separated diminutive compartments are a tidy alternative to leaving stamps, mail, stationery, and other small items loose. The fold-down or roll down desktop is easily opened and then quickly closed to conceal your working office. Remember there is a benefit to using a small space. A small area does not give you the option to save and clutter and by its very nature forces you to simplify.

Lighting in a hidden corner or alcove is important. Try hanging an overhead fixture or placing the desk by a window so you can provide plenty of light to read or write by. You can position small direct focus desk lamps on the top level or for more room on the small tabletops use a floor lamp next to the desk for late night work.

Storage is at a premium in a small area. By placing a small shelving unit with baskets or closed boxes on them, under or next to the desk, you can provide ample storage for everyday documents, books and supplies. A metal rolling cart, stowed in a nearby closet can add filing space. Add a small compact but comfortable chair and a cozy rug to your Amish desk and you have a small but formal home office with an heirloom design.