9 upgrades to extend the life of your trading desk or control room console

High quality desks provide excellent long term value, but the environments they serve don’t stand still. Technology advances, teams expand, and companies rebrand. That’s why upgrades are such an important part of the desk lifecycle. They enable organisations to adapt existing installations, ensuring they remain functional and ergonomic. This helps workspaces continue to perform at their best.

Why upgrades matter

Trading floors and control rooms are continuously evolving. As business priorities change, upgrades help workstations keep up with modern requirements. Without upgrades, desks risk falling behind the needs of the teams that rely on them.

By offering targeted improvements, upgrades help organisations:

• Enhance performance – Keeping pace with technology demands such as larger monitors, additional equipment, or new cabling standards.
  

• Improve ergonomics – Supporting operator health and comfort with modern features like height adjustability and better monitor arms.
  

• Support business change – Adapting desks as companies grow, restructure, or take on new projects.

• Refresh appearance – Updating finishes, colours, and materials to keep workspaces aligned with brand identity.
  

What can be upgraded?

Every workspace is unique, but there are common areas where upgrades deliver immediate and lasting value. Below are the key upgrade options available:

1. Height adjustability

A height adjustable sit stand desk allows operators to alternate between sitting and standing while they work. This improves posture, circulation, and energy levels—critical for long shifts. If you only have fixed-height desks, these can easily be adapted to be height-adjustable. Adding motorised height-adjustment mechanisms to existing desks lets users raise or lower the desk so they can change posture throughout the day.

2. PC enclosures

As technology evolves, so does the hardware that supports it. Upgrading desks with dedicated PC cabinets ensures that equipment is housed securely, kept cool, and easily accessible for maintenance. This is especially valuable in trading environments with multiple, high-powered workstations.

3. Desk depth adjustments

Desk depth refers to the distance from the front edge of the desk (where operators sit) to the back edge (where monitors and equipment are placed). Standard office desks are often 700–800 mm deep, but trading and control room environments usually require more space.

Sometimes, operations outgrow the original desk dimensions. By upgrading the depth of desktops, organisations can give teams more space for larger monitors, documents, or specialist equipment without a full desk replacement.

4. Desktop surfaces

Over time, requirements and preferences for surface materials change. A simple but powerful upgrade is moving from PVC desktops to PU (polyurethane) surfaces, which are more durable. This refresh extends the desk’s lifespan while improving daily use. PVC is fine for general office use, but PU is better for heavy-duty environments where operators work long shifts, and the desk surface takes more wear. PU is also more visually appealing and creates a slightly softer, more comfortable surface.

5. Colour scheme and panels

Workspaces are a powerful expression of a company’s identity. Desk finishes can be updated to match corporate colours, whether as part of a full rebrand or simply to refresh the environment. For an added touch, glass end panels can be added to the sides of the desks, displaying the company logo and colours.

6. Monitor arms

Traders and control room operators use multiple screens. If you want to increase the number of screens you use, extra monitor arms can be installed. An extension can be added to your monitor post, allowing the screens to be mounted securely. You can move from two or three monitors to four, six, or more, depending on your role. The result is a more efficient workspace, providing teams with immediate access to the data and tools they need without compromising ergonomics or stability.

7. Heat management

Technology generates heat, which can become uncomfortable if it isn’t properly managed. Upgrading desk heat management with fans in under-desk PC cabinets is a good solution. A flue installed at the back of your desk also helps expel warm air from the PCs below. These upgrades can help protect hardware performance and ensure a more comfortable environment.

8. Desktop power and electrics

Modern workflows require more charging points and accessible power. As the number of devices on each desk grows, power requirements increase, and downtime caused by poor connectivity is not an option. Upgrading with extra desktop power units ensures laptops, monitors, and other essential equipment are always supported. A desktop USB port also allows you to plug in your mouse, keyboard, microphones and headsets without creating unnecessary cable clutter.

9. Desk type transformation

Sometimes the role of a desk changes. With the right upgrades, a standard office desk can be converted into a fully functional trading desk. Add PC housings, enhanced monitor support, and extra electrics to handle the heavier workload. This flexibility lets organisations adapt quickly to new demands without replacing entire setups.

Looking to upgrade your trading floor or control room? Technology Desking create tailored solutions for your unique requirements. Whether it’s a slight tweak or a custom solution, our principles of ergonomic design and technology management will always be met. Check out our range here.