If you’ve been working from home, there’s a fair chance you might have realized that your “home office” — whether that is your couch or your kitchen counter — could use some help. Last week, we dove into the world of desk chairs and asked interior designers and bosses (they don’t call it a “management chair” for nothing) about their go-to pieces for working from home. A desk chair won’t do you much good without a desk, though, so we’ve returned to our panel of experts to hear about some worthy computer desks, some of which will work well with a desktop monitor, and others that can perfectly accommodate a laptop.
“I recommend choosing a desk with at least one drawer for some storage,” says Decorist designer Mikayla Keating. “This will help keep your desk organized and give you a place to store items that you don’t constantly use, like sticky notes, extra pens, etc.” Keating suggested desks from the brand Latitude Run, which are at an affordable price point and have spacious drawers. She especially likes the brand’s more “minimal” desks, and though the two she told us about are currently sold out, this one has a similarly clean look with plenty of storage space.
A similarly minimalist desk at a lower price point is this Ikea desk, which has a glossy finish and two drawers. I had this desk for years, and can attest to its sturdiness, spaciousness, and slim profile, which won’t take up much space in your room but will comfortably fit your laptop and to-do lists.
Keating also told us about this wood desk, which she likes for its contrast in colors. While the Langley Street desk is currently sold out, this similarly mid-century-modern-inspired desk from Urban Outfitters has a contrast top and drawers, and plenty of drawer space.
And for the ultimate minimalist desk: the Pyramid Table, which comes recommended by interior designer Charles de Lisle. “The legs set it apart,” he says. “It’s a piece that fits nicely in any room while also being a bit more sexy and interesting.” The desk is from Hay, a brand that somehow always manages to create furniture that is both simple and special-looking, and this desk is based on a piece by 1950s Dutch designer Wim Rietveld.
If you prefer something with a bit more warmth to it, Heather Goerzen, interior designer at Havenly Creative & Design, recommends this rattan desk from Target. “I love the texture of this desk,” she says. “The pairing of the natural wood combined with cane drawers is really nice.” Like the earlier desks on this list, this Opalhouse number has ample drawer space, which will help you keep your work space clear, and as Goerzen says, create a “cleaner, more visually appealing scene.”
Goerzen also appreciates a desk with a more rustic aesthetic, and suggests one that combines wood and iron for “a minimalist aesthetic with farmhouse appeal.” Though her favorite is no longer available, you can achieve a similar look by choosing a desk with “clean lines and neutral hues” that will go with a number of interior-design styles. This one has open side shelving, which you can use for storage or displaying objects. “I’m always a fan of stacking books and candles,” says Goerzen.
If you’re looking for something for a smaller space, Goerzen suggests this desk from Crate & Barrel, which functions as both a work space and a shelving unit. “With a frame that’s only 27.5 inches wide, you can easily fit this piece along a side wall to create a WFH or homeschool setup,” she told us. “The additional shelving above creates visual height while allowing you to store away items from your workday for a clean and clutter-free space.”
You’ve probably heard about the benefits of a standing desk: They can help you achieve better posture and encourage you to move around more throughout the day than you might at a regular sit-down desk. If you’re standing desk–curious but being on your feet all day sounds tiresome, you might want to consider a standing-desk converter, like this one, which Rae Wellness co-founder Angie Tebbe told us she likes because it helps her to “stay active and stretch my legs in between meetings.” Alexa Buckley, co-founder of Margaux, is a fan of a standing-desk converter, too: “Both at home and at the office, I’m able to easily alternate between sitting and standing thanks to my desktop standing-desk converter,” she says. “Standing makes a world of difference in my posture and energy levels.” She suggests pairing it with an adjustable-height stool like this one, which could double as a plant stand when we eventually return to working in offices.
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