At the heart of every home office is a good-quality desk. The best desks make for a smooth and stylish work surface, as well as offering plenty of room for storage. If you’re short on space, the right desk will be designed to fit into tight corners and narrow nooks, too.
You can shop for desks by material, choosing from timeless oak and pine wood pieces or ultra-modern designs made of glass. You can also shop by style. Executive desks make a fantastic focal feature in any home office, while a hidden desk or a miniature model will blend into the background. There are so many types of desks, and so many home furniture stores selling them, that it can be difficult to know where to start.
As a shopping writer, I know all the best places to buy desks. I’ve scoured the top home furniture sites and read thousands of customer reviews to bring you the very best. I’ve narrowed it down to my top nine.
Whether you want your desk to make a statement or fold up and away for easy storage, I’ve found the right work surface for you.
Best desks 2024
Materials: Oak
Width: 54”
Depth: 28”
Height: 30”
+Classic design
+Modern conveniences
-Some assembly required
The Terra Desk is designed to celebrate traditional woodworking techniques. Each section of the desk is made from solid white oak, which has been sanded, joined, and finished by hand. Any naturally occurring splits or fissures in the oak should not impact the functionality of the desk, but simply enhance its farmhouse appeal. This classic desk comes with plenty of modern conveniences. A power strip runs along the back of the desk, with two outlets and two USB ports, for ease of charging.
Materials: Beechwood
Width: 40”
Depth: 20”
Height: 30”
+Perfect for multipurpose rooms
+Convenient
-Some assembly required
If your bedroom doubles as your boardroom, or your home office is slightly on the smaller side, you’ll appreciate the convenience of this foldable desk. Simply fold it flat for easy storage at the end of the working day and unfold first thing in the morning. Unlike most folding desks, which are made from cheap and plasticky materials, the Winsome Desk is made from durable beechwood. Just bear in mind that you’ll have to attach the top to the base yourself, though Walmart supplies the screws and the wrench.
Materials: Eucalyptus and acacia
Width: 70”
Depth: 23”
Height: 30”
+Six deep drawers
+No assembly required
-Less suitable for smaller offices
With a double pedestal design and gleaming brass accents, this executive desk would make a stunning statement in a larger workspace. The Quincy Desk is made from solid eucalyptus and completed with an acacia wood veneer. It’s finished on all four sides, so it can stand freely or against a wall as best suits your space. It even comes with six deep drawers to store all your office essentials. Best of all, and unusually for desks, there is no assembly required.
Materials: Engineered wood and metal
Width: 53.15”
Depth: 53.15”
Height: 29.92”
+Fits into small spaces
+Room for cables
-Some assembly required
This L-shaped study surface is designed to fit into tight corners. Each side is joined at the back corner, which is filed down to save space for cables and charging cords. The engineered wood tabletop is reinforced with a firm metal frame for extra durability. While there is no storage space as such, there are two open shelves to keep your office essentials at hand. The only downside is that you’ll have to assemble it yourself.
Materials: White oak
Width: 51”
Depth: 21.75”
Height: 71”
+Classic design
+Lots of storage space
-A little high-maintenance
If, for whatever reason, you just don’t like the look of a desk, the Alderson Desk is for you. A hideaway hutch like this one is one of my favorite hidden desk ideas. The Alderson features a drop-down work surface, which you can lift and lower as you need. The combination of upper and lower cabinets creates plenty of storage space. There are four storage cubes in the lower cabinets, as well as a wooden waste paper basket and a sliding shelf. This workstation has been expertly crafted from natural materials and finished by hand. As such, it’s a little high-maintenance. Just make sure to dust your desk occasionally, and avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as this could cause cracks.
Materials: Pinewood
Width: 60”
Depth: 28”
Height: 31”
+Works for sitting or standing
+In-built power points
-Some assembly required
Crafted from pine wood with crossbuck styling, this desk has heaps of rustic charm. The wood is treated to a distressed gray finish that should integrate seamlessly with most interior designs. There are two smooth-gliding drawers for storage, as well as two built-in electrical outlets with USB ports for easy charging. The best thing about this desk is that it’s fully adjustable. The middle section of the desk can be extended by 10 inches for standing use. If you work long hours in your home office, the Aldwin Adjustable Desk is ideal: just remember that you’ll have to assemble it yourself.
Materials: Eucalyptus and acacia
Width: 36”
Depth: 20”
Height: 30”
+Perfect for smaller spaces
+Lots of legroom
-A little high-maintenance
-Some assembly required
Less than forty inches wide, the Mid-Century Mini Desk is made to fit into tight corners and smaller work spaces. Made from solid eucalyptus wood with an acacia veneer, this desk is finished on all four sides, so it could even stand freely in the center of the room. It’s a shallow desk, with plenty of legroom underneath, and a single drawer to store essentials. For a little desk, it requires a lot of maintenance. West Elm advises that you avoid the use of harsh chemicals or household cleaners on this desk, and periodically check that the nuts and bolts are secure. Plus, you’ll have to assemble it yourself.
Materials: Oak and pine
Width: 49.2”
Depth: 25.2”
Height: 31.1”
+Classic design
+Additional shelves
-A little high-maintenance
With its clean lines and tapering legs, the Chinon Desk would fit perfectly into mid-century modern homes. It has been expertly crafted to showcase the natural grains and colors of oak and pine wood. These are high-quality materials, so it should come as no surprise that the Chinon Desk is a little high-maintenance. As long as you avoid abrasive cleaners and polishes, and immediately wipe up spills to avoid stains, you should be fine.
Materials: Glass
Width: 43.29”
Depth: 21.69”
Height: 30”
+Modern design
+No assembly required
-Heavy
No assembly required here: the Embassy Desk is one sleek sheet of glass, melted and molded into a striking work surface. A glass desk blends beautifully with all interior designs. Though this desk is slightly wider than standard size, its transparency will keep your home office feeling light and airy. With over 700 five-star reviews on Wayfair, it’s clear that the Embassy Desk is a crowd pleaser. The only downside is its weight. This glass desk is pretty heavy and it doesn’t qualify for white-glove delivery, so it might be worth asking some friends to lend a hand on delivery day.
Best desk FAQs
Where can I buy a good-quality desk?
You don’t have to scour the specialist stores and pay top dollar to get a good-quality desk. Many of the best places to buy desks are also among the best places to buy affordable furniture. You can choose from one of my favorites or search for yourself.
Which is the best desk to buy?
Which is the best desk depends on what you want to use it for, and where you want to put it. An L-shaped desk or a mini model will work best in smaller spaces, while an executive desk is a work surface that makes a statement. If you shop with your style preference and storage needs in mind, you can’t go far wrong.
Final thoughts
Once you’ve bought one of the best desks, it’s important to learn how to organize it. Follow these desk organizing rules, or choose one of the best desk organizers.
If you don’t have a dedicated home office, but you still want to invest in a desk, there are plenty of bedroom layouts with a desk. The right surface will give you plenty of space to work during the day without impeding your evening relaxation.
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