No One-Size-Fits-All Answer
I manage furniture purchasing for a 100-person company—about $200k annually across 8 vendors. When our CEO decided we needed standing desks, everyone assumed there'd be one perfect model. Turns out, it's not that simple. The Fully Jarvis line has enough options (bamboo vs hardwood, L-shaped vs rectangular, different depths) that what works for the design team might be wrong for the engineering squad.
I'd rather spend 15 minutes explaining options than deal with mismatched expectations later. So here's a breakdown based on what I've actually seen work (and fail) in our office.
Three Common Scenarios
The Design-Conscious Creative Team
Our marketing team wanted something that looked like furniture, not a factory workstation. They gravitated toward the Jarvis Bamboo top—the natural grain gives a warm, organic feel. And honestly? It looks fantastic in open-plan spaces.
But here's the catch: I assumed everyone would love the bamboo finish. Didn't ask. Turned out three people were allergic to dust that collects in the grain (or just didn't like the color—it's lighter than most hardwood). So we had to swap two tops to laminate. Lesson: if your team cares about aesthetics, get them a sample first. The bamboo is beautiful, but make sure it matches their actual desks and lighting.
Also, the bamboo top is a bit softer than hardwood—scratch-prone if they're heavy-handed. Not a deal-breaker, but worth knowing.
The Budget-Conscious Growth-Stage Company
Our operations team needed 15 desks ASAP. Budget was tight. We went with the Jarvis frame only (starting around $449 at the time) and sourced our own tops from a local lumber supplier. Saved about $200 per desk (roughly, based on bulk lumber pricing).
Why does this matter? Because you can buy a frame, then add a butcher-block top from a home store for way less than the full package. The frame comes with all hardware—took our maintenance guy about 30 minutes per desk to assemble. We used 60" × 30" standard tops, which match the Jarvis frame (the standard 60" width frame accommodates depths up to 30").
I wish I had tracked employee usage more carefully before choosing. Anecdotally, only about 40% actually stand regularly. If I'd known, I might have purchased fewer electric lifts and more manual crank versions (cheaper). But the electric is smoother—seriously quieter than the budget models we tested.
(Source: Fully's own spec page lists the electric frame at about $449 frame-only, and the full desk with bamboo starts around $849. Prices as of March 2025; verify current.)
The Ergonomic-First Enterprise
Our developers spend 10+ hours at their desks. We needed the highest adjustability range, including a low seat height for short programmers and a high standing height for 6'4" engineers. The Jarvis extended range frame goes from 22.6" to 32.3" (without a desktop), which covers most body types.
So glad I went with extended range. Almost saved $100 by choosing the standard range (25.6" to 32.3"), which would have been a problem for our 5'2" QA tester—she'd have needed a footrest for sitting.
For this group, depth options mattered too. L-shaped desks (72" × 30") gave them room for dual monitors plus writing space. But a word of caution: the L-shape takes up a lot of floor area. We couldn't fit more than 3 L-shaped desks in our bullpen without squeezing. Stick to rectangular (60" or 72") if space is tight.
Dodged a bullet when I double-checked the L-shaped corner cutout dimensions. The standard L-shape has a 24" deep return, but we needed 30" for our monitor arms. Fully offers a custom corner cutout option—not advertised, but available if you ask sales. (We discovered this through a call, not the website.)
Key Decision Points
Depth Options: L-Shaped vs Rectangular
Fully lists the Jarvis rectangular frame in three widths: 42", 48", 60", and 72" (source: fully.com). Standard depth is 24" or 30" for most tops. The L-shaped version typically comes in a 72" × 30" main surface with a 42" × 24" return.
Which one to pick? Ask: Will people work on dual monitors? Do they need physical documents side by side? Is the desk a showpiece or a workhorse? The rectangular 60" × 30" is the safest bet for most—enough room for a monitor, keyboard, and notepad without occupying half the room.
(Minor detail: the 72" × 30" rectangular is rock solid—I mean, no wobble even at full height. But the L-shape has a slight flex at the connection point. Not enough to matter for typing, but noticeable if you lean hard on the corner.)
Aesthetics: Bamboo vs Hardwood vs Laminate
- Bamboo: Eco-friendly, warm tone, but softer and lighter color. Best for naturally lit spaces.
- Hardwood: Cherry, walnut, or oak—richer, darker, more scratch-resistant. But heavy and pricier.
- Laminate: Most durable, easiest to clean, budget-friendly. White or black fits modern offices. Honestly, this is what we use in the shipping department.
I don't have hard data on scratch resistance across materials, but based on 3 years of use, laminate wins hands-down. Bamboo shows wear after 18 months. Hardwood looks great if you oil it regularly.
Frame Only vs Full Desk
If you're handy or have a preferred wood source, buy the frame only. The frame comes with all electronics and a basic controller. You supply the top and drill the holes yourself (template included). Saved us about 30% per desk in bulk.
If you want plug-and-play, get the full desk. The $400 premium includes pre-drilled holes, assembled legs, and a finished top. For a 50-desk office, that's $20k—so consider your budget.
How to Know Which Scenario You Fit
Answer these three questions honestly:
- How many desks do you need? 1-5? Go full desk with any aesthetic. 20+? Consider frame-only or a bulk discount (contact Fully sales). Our 15-desk order got a 5% discount—not huge, but it covered shipping.
- Who's using them? A quiet law firm? Hardwood. A noisy startup? Laminate. A remote team? Let each person choose their own top with a frame.
- What's your timeline? Standard delivery is 5-7 business days for in-stock items. But bamboo and hardwood can take 2-3 weeks if not in stock. We once waited 4 weeks for a walnut run—ugh.
If you're still on the fence, order one desk first. Test it in a common area for a week. Ask employees for feedback. That's what I did—and it saved us from ordering 20 L-shaped desks that nobody actually liked.
Final Thoughts
The Fully Jarvis is a quality desk—it's backed by the Herman Miller parent company, and the build feels solid. But the right configuration depends entirely on your team, budget, and space. Don't let a single review dictate your choice. An informed customer asks better questions and makes faster decisions.
We ended up with a mix: 10 rectangular laminates for the ops team, 8 bamboo for marketing, and 5 L-shaped hardwood for the C-suite. Not perfect, but functional. And that's the real takeaway—there's no single right answer. Just the right answer for your people.
Prices as of March 2025; verify current rates at fully.com. Regulatory info is for general guidance only.
