Choosing the Right YAKETY YAK Desk: A guide to our four levels of mobility

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At Yakety Yak Furniture, we design with flexibility in mind. That’s why our height-adjustable pods, desks and counters come in a range of mobility options, making it easy to find the perfect setup for your space and service style. Whether you’re creating a fixed front-of-house area that only moves as service requirements change, or a mobile help desk that goes where the action is, we’ve got you covered.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through our mobility options, and share how our customers are using YAKETY YAK desks to create service areas that are the right fit for their space.

A quick overview of our four levels of mobility

Minimal mobility – static, freestanding counters and pods
For static setups that only need to be moved as service requirements change.

  • 300 Series Counters
  • 100 Series Pods (without retractable castor add-on)

Moderate mobility – pods with retractable wheels
For setups that are primarily static but need a touch more flexibility.

  • 100 Series Pods with retractable castor add-on

Easy mobility (short distances) – desks with slidable base plates
For setups that shift occasionally but don’t need to travel far.

  • 206 / 207 Desks

Maximum mobility – desks with lockable wheels
For dynamic environments where desks need to be moved frequently.

  • 200 Series Desks (excluding the 206 and 207 Desks)
  • 400 Series Desks

Minimal mobility – static, freestanding counters and pods

 For service areas that do not change frequently, our 100 Series Pods and 300 Series Counters are an excellent choice. Their freestanding, modular design offers greater flexibility than traditional built-in counters, allowing them to be moved or repurposed as needs evolve.

Our 100 Series Pods are perfect for compact spaces or service areas where a modern, open look is preferred. In contrast, our 300 Series Counters offer a more classic aesthetic and are suitable for situations that require more worktop space.

Example 1: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

YAKETY YAK Oval 103 library Pod, teamed with YAKETY YAK Support Caddy, positioned as a help point near the entrance to Carnegie Library, Pittsburgh, PA .
YAKETY YAK Oval 103 Pod, teamed with YAKETY YAK Support Caddy, positioned as a help point near the entrance to Carnegie Library, Pittsburgh.

At the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, our 103 Pod and Support Caddy make a friendly and flexible welcome station. Its design makes it simple to re-site as needs evolve.

Example 2: Rockhurst University

YAKETY YAK 307 Counter provides an eye-catching and ergonomic help desk for staff at Rockhurst University's Greenlease Library, KC.
YAKETY YAK 307 Counter provides an eye-catching and ergonomic help desk for staff at Rockhurst University’s Greenlease Library.

At Rockhurst University’s Greenlease Library, our YAKETY YAK 307 Counter provides a generously sized help point that can be relocated as requirements change.

Example 3: Hartford Public Library

YAKETY YAK 301 and 302 Counters, combined with Cash and Book Returns Modules, create a modern circulation area at Hartford Public Library.
YAKETY YAK 301 and 302 Counters, combined with Cash and Book Returns Modules, create a modern circulation area at Hartford Public Library.

At Hartford Public Library, our 301 and 302 Counters, combined with support modules, create the appearance of a fixed circulation area. However, the 300 Series Counters’ modular design offers the adaptability to reconfigure or repurpose the counters as needs evolve.

Moderate mobility – pods with retractable wheels

 If you’re looking for a bit more mobility, our 100 Series Pods can be fitted with our retractable wheel upgrade. The wheels are accessed by removing the barrel (which may require facilities staff), allowing the Pod to be moved more easily than the standard 100 Series Pods or 300 Series Counters.

Example: Spruce Grove Public Library

100 Work Module provides cash / credit card facilities and extra storage, teamed with YAKETY YAK 103 Pods and 100 Support Caddies, at Spruce Grove Public Library, CA.
YAKETY YAK 103 Pods, Support Caddies and Work Module at Spruce Grove Public Library.

Our 103 Pods with Support Caddies and a Work Module provide a modern front-of-house area for Spruce Grove Public Library’s new branch. The addition of retractable wheels offers a bit more adaptability. Staff can feel confident that when it comes to moving the pods in the future, they can do so with ease.

Easy mobility (short distances) – desks with slidable base plates

Ready to slide, our 206 and slightly larger 207 Desks feature easy-slide, oval base-plates. They are an excellent option for situations where the desk may need to be moved short distances.

Example 1: Ashbury School

YAKETY YAK 206 height-adjustable Desk installed in a school Library.
YAKETY YAK 206 Desk at Ashbury School.

At Ashbury School, our 206 Desk creates a cute and convenient help point that can be easily slid out of the way to make more space for children’s programs and activities.

Example 2: University of California, San Diego

Stand Alone Storage modules offer space for extra items, keeping worktops clear at Geisel Library on the San Diego campus of the University of California.
YAKETY YAK 206 Desks and Stand Alone Storage Module at UC San Diego’s Geisel Library.

Two 206 Desks and Stand Alone Storage Modules provide a contemporary, low-profile look for the Geisel Library Service Hub at UC San Diego. The 206’s easy-slide base plates and wheeled design of the Modules make the setup easy to adjust day-to-day and over time.

Maximum mobility – desks with wheeled design

Featuring lockable wheels, most of our 200 Series and all 400 Series Desks offer maximum mobility. They are ideal for a range of settings and applications, particularly where service desks have multiple uses or need to be moved frequently. The wheels are simple to operate, and the desks can be easily shifted by library staff (unlike our 100 and 300 Series). For added convenience, a battery pack is available to power the height-adjust mechanism, allowing the desks to be fully functional away from power outlets.

Example 1: The University of Sydney

YAKETY YAK 201 Desk provides a compact and mobile welcome desk in the new HDR Student Lounge at University of Sydney.
YAKETY YAK 201 Desk provides a compact and mobile welcome desk in the new HDR Student Lounge at University of Sydney.

At the University of Sydney, our 201 Desk is the ideal service point for their HDR Student Lounge. Its compact design makes it the perfect fit, while the wheeled base makes it easy to tuck out of the way or repurpose for events.

Example 2: Upper Riccarton Library, Christchurch

YAKETY YAK 202 desk deployed as a welcome station in a public library.
YAKETY YAK 202 Desk positioned as handy help point near the entrance to Riccarton Library.

Positioned near the entry, this 202 Desk offers a versatile help point that can be moved easily wherever it is needed most.

Example 3: The University of New Mexico

YAKETY YAK 204 library circulation Desks make a stunning front of house at The University of New Mexico Library, Albuquerque, NM.
YAKETY YAK 204 Desks make a stunning front of house at The University of New Mexico Library, Albuquerque.

Our 304 Desks and Stand Alone Storage Modules creates a loose front-of-house arrangement at The University of New Mexico. The wheeled design of both the desks and the modules makes the setup fully mobile and ready to move.

Example 4: Hornsby Library

YAKETY YAK 201 information Desk at Hornsby Central Library.
YAKETY YAK 201 Desk at Hornsby Central Library.

At Hornsby Library, our 201 Desk has been repurposed as a community connections pop up. Its compact, mobile design makes it ideal for a temporary display.

Example 5: The University of Auckland

YAKETY YAK 201 providing a teachers desk in an informal learning environment.
YAKETY YAK 201 provides a teachers desk in an informal learning environment at the University of Auckland.

At the University of Auckland Library, our 201 Desk provides an adaptable, mobile teaching station, great for tutorials and presentations.

Ultimately, whatever your mobility needs, YAKETY YAK has a pod, desk or counter to match, helping you create spaces that work beautifully today and are ready for tomorrow. If you’d like to learn more, you can explore our full product range or get in touch with our friendly team—we’re always happy to help.

Written by Paul White, Director of Design – Yakety Yak Furniture

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