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The 15 Best Desks for Every Space

Stylish and functional options for working or studying

Julia Fields By
Julia Fields
Julia Fields
Julia Fields

Julia is the Associate Editor at The Spruce, covering all things seasonal, which means gift guides and holiday decor in the winter and patio furniture and gardening essentials in the summer. She's on a constant hunt to find the perfect gift for everyone in your life, from new dads to 5-year-old girls, through extensive research and testing as a product reviewer.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 01/28/25
A side view of the Ikea Micke Desk with a laptop, office supples, and makeup supplies on top

The Spruce

Here at The Spruce, we spend countless hours at our desks, so we know a thing or two about what makes a good one. Whether we’re hopping on a Zoom meeting, jotting down notes, or writing these articles, our desks are our daily workspace. 

Recognizing that each team member has unique preferences, we polled our editors to find out what desks they use daily and why they love them. 

Some of us require compact, apartment-friendly writing desks. Others prefer the versatility of standing desks, allowing for mobility throughout the day. But no matter what type of desk you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered—we've included designs for both small and large spaces that suit a variety of tasks.

Our Top Picks

Best for Most Households:
Threshold Paulo Wood Writing Desk at Target $91
Jump to Review
Best with Storage:
Ikea Micke Desk at Amazon $197
Jump to Review
Best for Small Spaces:
SALE
Mr. Ironstone Bar Table at Amazon $110 $90
Jump to Review
Best Standing Desk:
SALE
Flexispot Comhar Standing Desk at Amazon $400 $270
Jump to Review
Best L-Shaped Desk:
Crate & Barrel Twist Whitewashed Ash Rotating Large Desk with Storage at Crate And Barrel
Jump to Review

Best for Most Households

Threshold Paulo Wood Writing Desk

A view of the legs and large drawer of the Threshold Paulo Wood Writing Desk
PHOTO: The Spruce
$91 at Target
What We Like

  • Durable and sturdy construction

  • Wide enough for large chairs or storage carts underneath

  • Attractive wooden design

What We Don’t Like

  • Limited storage

Target-brand Threshold’s Paulo Writing Desk is an option that meets at the intersection of quality and excellent design, making it our clear winner for most households. Its classically attractive design can work in virtually any space, including a living room.

After owning it for five years, it’s still as durable as the day we put it together. With a four-point base and hardwood frame, it’s built to last (and has proven so). You can choose solid brown or black, but we recommend the woodgrain because it’s successfully hidden scratches or scuffs over the years. 

Despite its sturdy build, it’s lightweight enough to move easily from room to room (or home to home). Remarkably, it can still support up to 75 pounds of weight, which is impressive for such a compact desk. The generous 42-inch surface provides ample space for all your work-from-home essentials. The desk also has lots of room underneath to accommodate different-sized office chairs or even a small storage cart or file cabinet.

In terms of style, this desk’s finished back means it can be placed anywhere in a room, but just be aware it only has one pull-out drawer. We’ve used it for stationery odds and ends and found it sufficient, but if you’re looking for a lot of storage, this won’t be the desk for you.

Dimensions: 42 x 20 x 30 inches | Weight: 39 pounds | Material: Hardwood, laminate | Storage: One drawers

  • A top view of the Threshold Paulo Wood Writing Desk with a desktop computer, keyboard and other office items
    Though compact, the Threshold Paulo Wood Writing Desk has a spacious desktop with enough room for a monitor, keyboard, mousepad, and more. PHOTO: The Spruce
  • Closeup of the Threshold Paulo Wood Writing Desk's large drawer and handle
    This desk offers a small amount of storage with a front pull-out drawer. PHOTO: The Spruce
  • A top view of the Threshold Paulo Wood Writing Desk with a desktop computer, keyboard and other office items
  • Closeup of the Threshold Paulo Wood Writing Desk's large drawer and handle

Other Options We Love

Sweetcrispy Computer Desk
Sweetcrispy Computer Desk
$35 $30 at Amazon
CB2 Runway 2-Drawer Acacia Wood Desk
CB2 Runway 2-Drawer Acacia Wood Desk
View on CB2

Best with Storage

Ikea Micke Desk

A closer look at the top of the Ikea Micke Desk showing a laptop and other contents on top
PHOTO: The Spruce
$197 at Amazon $90 at Ikea
What We Like

  • Ample storage space

  • Versatile adjustable shelves

  • Spacious despite small size

What We Don’t Like

  • Become scuffed over time

If storage is a priority, especially in a small space, we recommend the Micke Desk from IKEA. We’ve been using this desk for over three years between two tiny NYC apartments and appreciate its compact 41.3-inch length and added storage that comes in handy when working from home or studying. 

This desk has two drawers that run the length of the desk. Though they’re shallow, they’re surprisingly roomy for keyboards, our favorite planners, or other essentials. There’s also a cabinet with two adjustable shelves, which we appreciate for versatility. Speaking of versatility, you have the option to position the cabinet on the left or right side, allowing customization based on your room’s layout.

Though it’s short in length, we never felt cramped when using this desk. In our case, we use it also as a vanity, so there’s enough space for a makeup mirror, mugs full of pens, sticky notes, to-do lists, and more, all while still having space to work on our laptops. There’s also a hole to feed your chargers through to avoid messy wires. 

While it doesn’t triumph in style, it comes in four combinations of black and white for a streamlined, unassuming look. We have noticed over time that the white desktop does become scratched and scuffed very easily. Since we often keep our desk’s surface covered with items, this isn’t a dealbreaker. It’s a great option for dorms or first-time apartments, but in the future, we’re considering upgrading to something a bit more stylish. 

Dimensions: 41.3 x 19.6 x 29.5 inches | Weight: Not Listed | Material: Particleboard | Storage: Two drawers, cabinet with two shelves

  • A top view of the Ikea Micke Desk that has a laptop, mirror, office supples and makeup supplies on it
    The apartment-friendly IKEA Micke Desk still has enough space for housing your laptop, mirror, stationery, and makeup brushes in our case. PHOTO: The Spruce
  • A person open's the Ikea Micke Desk's large drawer
    The middle drawer is large, but shallow, so it's great for keyboards, chargers, and other electronic accessories. PHOTO: The Spruce
  • A person opening the Ikea Micke Desk's small drawer that is filled with office supplies
    We keep stationery, hand sanitizer, and other odds and ends in the small left drawer of this desk. PHOTO: The Spruce
  • A top view of the Ikea Micke Desk that has a laptop, mirror, office supples and makeup supplies on it
  • A person open's the Ikea Micke Desk's large drawer
  • A person opening the Ikea Micke Desk's small drawer that is filled with office supplies

Other Options We Love

East Urban Home Cuuba Writing Desk
East Urban Home Cuuba Writing Desk
$250 at Wayfair
Room Essentials Writing Desk
Room Essentials Writing Desk
$110 at Target

Best for Small Spaces

Mr. Ironstone Bar Table

Mr. Ironstone Bar Table
PHOTO: Amazon
$110 $90 at Amazon
What We Like

  • Tall enough to sit or stand

  • Can be used in other ways besides a desk

  • Three sizes

  • Narrow for small spaces

What We Don’t Like

  • Smaller tabletop

  • Zero storage space

Though technically a bar table, this versatile piece has served as our desk for over five years, proving to be the ideal solution for compact living spaces.. The lightweight desk is made from engineered wood and metal, so it’s easy to move around your space and assemble (we’ve purchased this desk twice now and the assembly has only gotten easier). Just make sure to have a cordless drill handy. 

Our favorite thing about this desk is that you can sit or stand to work. It’s tall at nearly 40 inches, so you’ll need a stool or tall office chair to sit at it. We also enjoyed using it as a standing desk (though this might be difficult for taller individuals). Despite the narrow workspace, we found it amply large for a laptop and keyboard. 

Another triumph of this desk is that it serves more than just as a workspace. When you're not in work mode, this piece doubles as a console table or extra seating in a dining room. We’ve put it to good use for over five years and plan to keep it as a fixture in our apartment going forward. 

This table is available in black, white marble, or woodgrain to fit your personal style. It also comes in three sizes, which we love for versatility in small rooms. The smallest one stretches just 39 inches, the smallest on our list. However, there is no storage space included in this desk, so that’s something to keep in mind when shopping. 

Dimensions: 39, 27, or 53 x 15.6 x 40 inches | Weight: 28.6 pounds | Material: Engineered wood, metal | Storage: None

The Mr. Ironstone Bar Table set up with a monitor, laptop, keyboard, and a metal stool
Though designed as a bar table, the The Mr. Ironstone Bar Table is large enough to hold a monitor, a laptop, and more, for a small-space friendly desk setup.

The Spruce

Other Options We Love

West Elm Blaine Wall Desk
West Elm Blaine Wall Desk
$399 at West Elm
Article Fantol Secretary Desk
Article Fantol Secretary Desk
View on Article.com

Best Standing Desk

Flexispot Comhar Standing Desk

Amazon Flexispot EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk
PHOTO: Amazon
$400 $270 at Amazon View on Flexispot.com
What We Like

  • Easy 15-minute assembly

  • 4 height presets available

  • Durable and long-lasting

What We Don’t Like

  • Not a ton of storage

A standing desk can be a great way to combat the monotony of sitting all day. We're particularly drawn to this one from Flexispot after testing it for over a year across two apartments. It has a sleek and spacious design with easily adjustable levels for a comfortable worktop every day. 

This desk has a built-in charging port, two USB outlets, and then four programmable presets, so you always know your perfect height. We loved how easy it was to change the height with the buttons on the desk and in every position, it felt sturdy and durable. 

It comes in six colors and two sizes with either a woodgrain or glass tabletop and metal frame. It also includes a durable metal drawer for storing small desk accessories. We loved its spacious size, which easily accommodates two monitors, a laptop, and more with room to spare. Though we overloaded it, the desk never felt wobbly (it can support up to 110 pounds). 

After using this desk daily for a year, we can attest to its durability. It’s also survived a move in New York City and hardly suffered a scratch. The only time it gets slightly dirty is from fingerprints on the desk’s surface, but these are super easy to wipe away. Overall, there’s not much we would change about this standing desk. It also only took 15 minutes to put together, which we love.  

Dimensions: 47.3 x 23.7 x 47.6 inches | Weight: Not Listed | Material: Wood, metal | Storage: One drawer

  • Person sitting at the Flexispot EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk
    We love the flexibility of the Flexispot EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk, finding that we stood more throughout the day with the standing desk option. PHOTO: The Spruce
  • Close up of Flexispot EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk's details
    The thin desk has a pull-out drawer for extra storage, but doesn't feel bulky in small spaces. PHOTO: The Spruce
  • Person sitting at the Flexispot EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk
  • Close up of Flexispot EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk's details

Other Options We Love

Radlove Height Adjustable Standing Desk
Amazon Radlove Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk
$267 at Amazon
Vari Electric Standing Desk
Vari Essential Electric Standing Desk
$350 $280 at Amazon View on Vari.com

Best L-Shaped Desk

Crate & Barrel Twist Whitewashed Ash Rotating Large Desk with Storage

Crate And Barrel Twist Whitewashed Ash Rotating Large Desk with Storage
PHOTO: Crate And Barrel
View on Crate And Barrel
What We Like

  • Multiple possible configurations

  • Large working space

  • Cabinet with shelf

What We Don’t Like

  • Bulky and heavy

Maximize your space with the Crate & Barrel Twist Rotating Large Desk, which has a unique design that’s versatile and stylish. Its rotating design means the desk can expand from a traditional office desk to an L-shape. 

To change the shape of the desk, simply pivot the second side around the cylindrical hub. Its 360-degree rotation allows you to adjust the desk into any number of configurations—even non-traditional angles. This desk offers plenty of surface area to spread out your workspace, but we appreciate that it can be nested to save space when not in use.

Inside the hub is a push-open cabinet with one fixed shelf. This is the largest built-in storage of any of the desks we’ve included in this list, with plenty of space beyond your typical pull-out drawer.

Constructed with ash veneer and engineered wood, this is a high-quality and durable desk. Available in two finishes, we think this desk’s one-of-a-kind design makes it a stylish pick worthy of display. Just be aware that because of the size and weight, it can be difficult to move around your space. 

Dimensions: 64 x 24 x 29 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Ash veneer, engineered wood | Storage: Push-open cabinet with shelf

Other Options We Love

Mercury Row L-Shape Home Office Computer Desk
Mercury Row L-Shape Home Office Computer Desk
$315 at Wayfair
Sauder Cottage Road L-Shape Desk
Sauder Cottage Road L-Shape Desk
$455 $315 at Walmart

Final Verdict

Our choice for most homes is the Threshold Paulo Wood Writing Desk because of its large surface, classic look, and durable design. If you spend lots of time working from home, you may want to consider a standing desk like the FlexiSpot Comhar Electric Standing Desk. It’s highly customizable, easy to use, and will help keep your body moving throughout the day.

How We Picked the Desks

The Spruce team has tested dozens of standing and traditional desks in our own homes through the years. For this story, we relied on editors to share their favorite desks they use nearly daily in their own lives. We also used insights from 14 standing desks testing for over a year in our own homes to find the best ones for every space and user.

A person opening the Ikea Micke Desk's cabinet that is filled with office supplies
This IKEA Micke Desk has a spacious cabinet with two shelves with adjustable heights depending on what you want to store.

The Spruce

What to Look for in a Desk

Consider the Size and Shape

Desks come in various shapes and sizes to fit different needs. Your own style will help to play a role in determining the proper size and shape for your desk.

If you're looking to maximize your space, L-shaped options like the Crate & Barrel Twist Whitewashed Ash Rotating Large Desk with Storage (our best L-shaped pick) are a great way to optimize any room by making it a corner desk. 

While the ideal height for a desk is subject to change (which is why we appreciate adjustable options like the FlexiSpot Comhar Electric Standing Desk, our best standing pick), the average desk height is 28 to 30 inches. Our favorite standing desk, however, adjusts from 28.3 to 48 inches to find the perfect height for you.

When deciding on the best dimensions for your space, Mindy Godding, a certified professional organizer and the owner of Abundance Organizing tells us to “choose the best size desk for your needs, consider the dimensions of the room, and make sure you select a desk large enough to support all necessary work tools—like multiple monitors."

Prioritize Durable, Stable Materials

Godding “recommend[s] finding a desk that compliments your overall aesthetic and design elements in your space. Color, material, shape, and finish can all be customized to create an appealing work environment that is harmonious with interior design.”

Much like size and shape, your desk’s material will mainly come down to preference. If you want to maximize durability, strong options like steel or wood, as seen in the Threshold Paulo Wood Writing Desk (our best desk overall), can help ensure a desk that is built to last. This one has already lasted for over five years and still looks like new.

Material can be particularly important if you want to fit into a certain design aesthetic. This is why we appreciate our best desk for small spaces, the Mr. Ironstone Bar Table, which comes in black, woodgrain, and marble finishes. If you prefer something more minimal, consider our best desk with storage, the IKEA Micke Desk.

The top of the Threshold Paulo Wood Writing Desk with a computer and lamp on top
We love the attractive woodgrain on the Threshold Paulo Wood Writing Desk, which adds style to any room you put it in.

The Spruce

Decide Whether or Not You Need Storage

While not necessary, drawers can be incredibly useful if you're looking for a desk with plenty of storage. According to Godding, “Drawers will ideally be at least 3 inches deep—deep enough to fit drawer organizers that will contain essential items like pens and paperclips.” She adds “Some desks are equipped with built-in drawer dividers that can help to organize small items.”

Our best desk with storage pick, the IKEA Micke Desk, comes equipped with two roomy pull-out drawers and a cabinet with two shelves of hidden storage. The Crate & Barrel Twist Whitewashed Ash Rotating Large Desk also has a large push-open cabinet with a fixed shelf housed in a more attractive exterior.

Take Note of Additional Helpful Features

You may also want to consider handy features like cable organizers and USB outlets, which can help to keep desk surfaces more clear. Our favorite standing desk, the FlexiSpot Comhar Electric Standing Desk, comes with two built-in USB ports for convenient charging, which we love. 

Also, look for customization features that better suit your space. For example, you can choose which side of the IKEA Micke Desk (our best desk with storage) has the included drawer and cabinet. Our top L-shaped option, the Crate & Barrel Twist Whitewashed Ash Rotating Large Desk, also offers personalization. Depending on your room, you can have a compact or corner desk.

If you’re spending a lot of time at your desk, these features can make a world of difference.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Julia Fields, an associate editor at the Spruce covering all things home decor for over three years. She primarily works from home in her tiny New York City apartment and has relied on the IKEA Micke Desk for over three years. 

While she loves the additional storage, small footprint, and spacious desktop, she hopes to one day graduate to a more stylish and mature desk like the Crate & Barrel Twist Whitewashed Ash Rotating Large Desk.

Our Experts:

  • Mindy Godding, certified professional organizer and the owner of Abundance Organizing

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