Your guide to buying the perfect desk

Have you been contemplating updating your home office or unused corner of your bedroom with a desk? Now is the time to make your move, as desks are one of 2016's hottest design trends, according to House Beautiful magazine. People are getting tired of sitting in their beds or on the living room couch as they do work or check their emails - desks are reemerging as a comfortable, convenient and stylish alternative to these dying habits. Which of the many styles, shapes and colors should you introduce to your space? Use this desk buying guide to fill you in on the basics and to get started with your search for the best product.

Consider what you're going to do at your desk before you decide on a shape and size. While you may prefer a smaller desk for your space, if your work usually involves a computer, books and a stack of papers or files, this isn't going to work for you. You'll need a product that offers a lot of surface space, and probably a few drawers to keep everything organized.

Use these tips to help you find the desk that works best for your space.

However, if the bulk of your work is done on your laptop, you can probably get away with much less surface space. If you feel unsure as to what you'll be doing at your desk, always overestimate the surface area you'll need - you won't regret having too much room but you'll certainly find it problematic if you don't have enough.

Regardless of which desk shape you plan on getting, there must be at least 2.5-3 feet of space behind where your desk chair would go. Once you've confirmed you have ample room, see if a standard rectangle, L-shape or U-shape desk will work best in your space.

This L-shaped desk would fit perfectly in a corner of a home office.

While rectangle desks can fit in nearly any room, U-shaped products are often chosen for large offices. L-shaped desks tend to fit well in corners if you plan to arrange yours this way. When it comes to size, desks can vary greatly, so take your space's measurements before you head to the furniture store.

The material your desk is made from will have a large impact on its style and the vibe it gives off. For example, there are glass and metal products available, and these tend to establish a modern theme. Wooden desks take on a more traditional appearance. Mahogany and cherry wood will help to create a classic and sophisticated look for your room.

This simple, yet elegant wood desk will add class and style to a smaller room.

Deciding how much storage you need goes back to the basic question - What are you going to use your desk for? If you know you'll be working with paper files and documents, look for a desk with multiple drawers, especially ones that provide room for hanging files. Planning on relying heavily on your computer? There are plenty of products with pull-out keyboard trays to help save space. Desks with a hutch are ideal for larger rooms and can even serve as the focal point of a small space. They provide plenty of vertical storage and shelving to decorate your work area with photos or artwork as well.