Who it isn’t for: People who prefer their desks to have drawers to store items out of sight when they’re not at their desk.If you have the space set aside for a permanent workspace in your home, this simple desk has plenty of features to help you stay productive at a very reasonable price. While many budget-friendly desks come with only one flat surface for you to fit your monitor, laptop, and desk accessories, this one has multiple and surface area for monitors, keyboards, notebooks—even a compact printer, if you need one.The style of this desk is fairly basic, but with all of the extra room, you can add decorative elements to seamlessly blend it into your space. Like many desks at this price, assembly is required.
Size: 35.83 x 55.12 x 19.69 inchesMaterial: Manufactured wood Shape: Rectangular
Price at time of publish: $220 Who it isn’t for: People who use a monitor or other accessories in addition to a laptop.For a modern look on a budget, this portable folding desk is a good option if you need the occasional desk to work from at home. It has a relatively roomy top for a portable option, but it’s not so bulky that it can’t be put away when needed. This pick is incredibly lightweight—just under 15 pounds—but is made from engineered wood so it has a durable build that’s helpful when you move it around a fair amount. We recommend this option if you’re looking for something that will allow you to get a desk-like feel without committing to turning a corner of your home into a permanent work from home space.
Size: 29.52 inches x 31.5 inches x 15.75 inchesMaterial: Engineered woodShape: Rectangle
Price at time of publish: $80 Who it isn’t for: Those who need a lot of storage built into their desks.The Loring Wood Writing Desk is a top pick for small spaces because it truly has almost everything you’d need in a desk, including a durable design, sturdy finish, multiple drawers, and sleek wood. In fact, it even includes two outlets and two USB ports at the back, so that you don’t have to worry about cords tangled around by your feet! The two drawers are big enough to fit chargers, a small laptop, and your basic office supplies, so if you hate clutter but don’t need a ton of storage, this is a fantastic pick for you. It’s lacking a bit in extra space for anything besides your basic computer set up, but in terms of durability and ease of use, it’s basically a steal.
Size: 30 x 42 x 20 inches Material: WoodShape: Rectangle
Price at time of publish: $130 Who it isn’t for: Those looking to set up a workspace on a budget.Some people are now opting for standing desks in order to break up the monotony and get a little movement throughout their work days. We love this pick for its remarkable customization: It’s available in several sizes, ranging from 30 to 72 inches wide, and you can change the color of the legs, add on powered grommets, and even select your preferred height range, with options that go as low as 22.9 inches and as tall as 51 inches. With a 15-year warranty, you’re also very protected in case anything goes wrong.Of course, all of the customizations come at a cost, and if you want to add on storage or other premium options, it’s not the most budget-friendly desk. However, this desk does have features that make the price tag worth it. It has a 350-pound weight limit, so you can use as many monitors and you can fit, and has a mechanical up-down set up for smoother, effort-free transitions between sitting and standing.
Size: Varies (customizable)Material: BambooShape: Rectangle or contour
Price at time of publish: $1,029 Who it isn’t for: People who are looking for a traditional desk-like setup.Corner desks are great for when you don’t want your desk to be the center of attention in a room — they create little pockets of space in which to work instead of taking up a whole wall. This gorgeous corner desk from Wayfair has an incredibly stylish tempered glass desktop with metal legs for a touch of glam, and it’s just large enough to get a lot of work done without taking up too much space. We love that this tiny desk can be used for a completely different purpose when the work day is over, thanks to its minimalist style and glass top. If you’re using it in a corner of your living room it would be a great bar for parties, and in a bedroom it would be a great spot for applying makeup.
Size: 30 x 42 x 28 inchesMaterial: Glass and metalShape: Corner
Price at time of publish: $210 Who it isn’t for: People with heavy computer setups that can’t be easily tucked away.For a great writing surface plus loads of storage, consider investing in this splurge-worthy secretary desk from Pottery Barn. Crafted from layers of classic mahogany hardwood, this is a heavy desk for sure … but it comes equipped with an open shelf, sturdy surface for writing, multiple compartments, and six drawers to store all the odds and ends you might need. It can hold up to 70 pounds in weight on just the surface alone, and is available in three beautiful finishes to match your home: white, espresso, and gray. We really love that this desk can be full closed up when you’re finished working to create some mental space between yourself and your work (and keep your space looking tidy).
Size: 57.5 x 40 x 21 inchesMaterial: WoodShape: Rectangle
Price at time of publish: $2,199 Who it isn’t for: People who aren’t interested in investing in a large statement piece.If you’re looking for an executive desk to make you feel like you’re the CEO of your very own office, this hardwood option from West Elm is incredible. With a fun, retro, slatted style that mimics that of the ‘60s and ‘70s, it contains both shelves and drawers for tons of hidden storage. And it’s built to last, too, thanks to the fact that the walnut engineered wood has been kiln-dried for added durability.If you’re really looking to decorate your home office, we also love that there are plenty of machine pieces available at West Elm to give your space a cohesive look. And if you hate building furniture, that’s fine—West Elm will fully assemble this piece for you and take away all of the trash.
Size: 30 x 64 x 30 inchesMaterial: WoodShape: Rectangle
Price at time of publish: $1,649 Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want to invest in organizers to keep things looking tidy.L-shaped desks provide lots of surface area that can be easily accessed by just pivoting your chair. This one has the added benefit of being incredibly minimalist—meaning you get plenty of space to work without your desk visually dominating the entire room. Whether you pick the glass or wooden top, this simple, sleek design is great if you need a lot of room for papers, note pads, and computers on a regular basis.Some assembly is required, but that allows for extra flexibility on your part, especially if you end up changing where your desk is after you’ve assembled it. The desk comes in two easy-to-swap pieces, so if you decide you want to move your desk around, you can easily swap it from a left-oriented desk to a right-oriented desk one (or vice versa).
Size: 29 x 72 x 48 inchesMaterial: Glass and steelShape: L-Shaped
Price at time of publish: $599
How to Shop for a Desk Like a Pro
Size
Size is a key factor when deciding which desk to pick, especially if you don’t have a dedicated home office and need to put your desk in a bedroom or living room. The best way to determine the size of desk for you is, obviously, to measure the space in which you want to keep your desk, and then pick an option that fits those dimensions. “Once you’ve determined the optimal place for your new desk, take measurements and note the desk width and depth you desire, as well as how much storage you need,” says interior designer Gail E. Jametz of Soul Interiors Design. “Typically, desks with a 30-inch deep work surface are more functional and roomier than a 24-inch deep desktop, but it all depends on what you have space for.”
Shape
The shape of your desk depends on a number of factors, such as size of your space, location of your desk, and your own personal preference. “There are a number of different shapes available, including L-shaped, corner, and hexagon, but the most popular one available is rectangle,” says Jametz. “If you’re planning on keeping your desk in a corner and don’t have much space, I suggest a corner desk, or an L-shaped desk if you have the room. Otherwise, a rectangular desk works well for most spaces.”
Storage
There are plenty of different storage options, including drawers, shelves, and cabinets, and some desks even come with hidden compartments in which you can sneak small accessories like headphones or chargers. Think about whether you have a lot of things to store, as well as whether you want open storage (where one can see all your items) or closed. If you’re somebody with a lot of notes, clutter, stationary, or office supplies, you’d do well to invest in a desk with a lot of drawers for storage, while books, file boxes, and other large items can work on desks with shelves.
Questions You Might Ask
What is the best height for a desk?
“When sitting at a desk and typing on a computer, you want to be ergonomically positioned, so that your elbows are at a 90-degree angle to your outstretched arms,” says Jametz. “This will reduce neck and back strain, and the optimal desk height to achieve this is 30 inches above the finished floor for most people.” If you’re taller, however, you’d do well to look for something higher that gives you that angle for the best posture. Adjustable height chairs can also help you find the right angle for your head, neck, and elbows.
What are some tips for organizing a desk?
“It’s extremely important to keep clutter under control, as it can affect not only the look of your space, but also your productivity levels,” says Novogratz. “Investing in some organizing pieces for your desk, like drawers, tiered trays for files and papers, and closed or open storage—either next to or attached to the desk—will help make sure that you always find what you’re looking for.”
What is the best way to clean a desk?
The best way to clean a desk depends on the material the desk is made of: However, a rule of thumb is some white vinegar or soap and water, and wiping the desk down with a damp cloth, according to Novogratz. Ammonia should be avoided, especially on acrylic desks. If your desk is made of wood, you’ll want to use a very lightly damp microfiber cloth, and keep water away from the desk as much as you can. Mineral spirits would work well for a deep clean, but it’s important to not use wood polish on your desk, as many of them can be filled with chemicals and leave a greasy sheen: This also makes the wood look a lot more dull overall.
Take Our Word For It
This article was written by Nikhita Mahtani, a freelance writer who has been writing and editing for home publications for more than six years. For this article, she spoke to Robert Novogratz, one half of husband-and-wife duo designers The Novogratz, and Gail E. Jametz, an interior designer at Soul Interiors Design, for information on what to look for when you’re shopping for a desk. When considering desks for this list, she looked at material, value, size, and versatility.
