The Desk Privacy Playbook: Choosing the Right Screen Size for Your Space

Privacy panels are one of the most practical workspace upgrades available — but the wrong size can be as ineffective as no panel at all. A panel that's too short doesn't block the sightlines that matter. One that's too narrow leaves gaps that defeat the purpose. One that's too tall creates a fortress effect that feels isolating and signals the wrong thing to colleagues.

Choosing the right screen size is a function of your desk dimensions, your workstation position, and what you're actually trying to block. Here's the framework.

Step 1: Identify What You're Blocking

Before measuring, clarify your goal:

• Foot traffic distraction: You need front-facing coverage at seated eye level. Height matters more than width.
• Neighbor visibility: You need side coverage. Width matters more than height.
• Screen privacy: You need a panel tall enough to block sightlines to your monitor from standing height. This typically requires 18–24" height.
• General enclosure: You need coverage on multiple sides. Consider a corner configuration or multiple panels.

Step 2: Measure Your Desk

Measure the width of the surface you want to cover. For front-facing panels, this is the full width of your desk facing the aisle or open office. For side panels, this is the depth of your desk from front to back.

Standard desk widths run 48–72". Standard desk depths run 24–30". Match your panel width to your desk dimension, with a preference for slightly wider coverage over slightly narrower.

Step 3: Determine the Right Height

Height selection depends on your primary goal:

• 12" panels: Block low-level visual noise from seated colleagues. Minimal visual impact on the room. Best for subtle separation in professional environments.
• 18" panels: Block most seated sightlines and provide meaningful screen privacy. The most versatile height for standard workstations.
• 24" panels: Block standing sightlines and provide strong enclosure. Best for open offices with high foot traffic or standing desk configurations.

Step 4: Choose Your Material

• Translucent polycarbonate: Maintains light flow, blends into any environment, signals openness while providing visual separation. Best for offices that value an airy aesthetic.
• White opaque: Stronger visual separation, cleaner look, better for screen privacy. Best for offices where privacy is the primary concern.

Size-to-Use Quick Reference

• 12x36": Side panel for standard desk depth. Subtle separation between adjacent workstations.
• 12x48": Front panel for narrower desks. Low-profile coverage for professional environments.
• 18x30": Front panel for compact workstations. Good height-to-width ratio for most standard setups.
• 18x66": Front panel for wide desks or bench seating. Full-width coverage at meaningful height.
• 24x48": Taller front panel for standing desks or high-traffic environments.

Recommended Panels by Use Case

• OBEX Privacy Panel 12x36 Translucent — subtle side separation for adjacent workstations.
• OBEX Privacy Panel 18x30 Translucent — versatile front panel for standard workstations.
• OBEX Screen Extender 18x66 Translucent — full-width coverage for wide desks and bench seating.
• OBEX Privacy Screen 24x48 — taller coverage for standing desks and high-traffic open offices.
• OBEX Privacy Panel 12x48 White — opaque option for stronger visual separation and screen privacy.

The Right Size Makes All the Difference

A correctly sized privacy panel is nearly invisible in use — you stop noticing it because it's doing its job quietly in the background. An incorrectly sized panel is a constant reminder that something isn't quite right. Take the five minutes to measure and match before you order. It's the difference between a solution and a compromise.