Living in an apartment, we know how overwhelming bulky desks can be, especially if you have a roommate or a pet. The good news is that with the rise of remote work since the pandemic, more people are focusing on optimizing their workspaces. This shift has led to an increase in the best small desks for home office. With these compact desks, you no longer have to sacrifice a dedicated work area. Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite small desks. We’ve tested these space-saving solutions to make the most of our own limited square footage, and they’ve proven to be the perfect fit. They provide just enough space for a laptop and essential accessories without overwhelming the room!
FURINNO Simplistic Study Table
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Best Budget. For those on a tight budget and space, the Furinno Simplistic Study Table is probably the best choice. Though simple, we found the table to be stylish. It fits well in pretty much any room due to its minimalist design. Like many other small desks for the home office out there, it requires assembly. We were surprised, though, as the process was easier than we thought. We followed the manual guide and were able to finish the assembly in minutes. One important thing to note is that it needs to be on a flat surface to be truly sturdy. On uneven flooring, we noticed some wobbling. But for a basic desk that won’t break the bank, this is certainly a reasonable choice.
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Pros
- It’s one of the cheapest desks on the market.
- It serves its basic purpose as a study or working desk really well.
- The minimalist design fits well in various rooms.
Cons
- It’s a bit wobbly on uneven surfaces.
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GreenForest No-Assembly Folding Desk
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Best Pre-Assembled. When it comes to convenience, it doesn’t get any better than this. The GreenForest No-Assembly Folding Desk is truly a special small desk for the home office. The “no assembly required” claim is absolutely true. We literally just took it out of the box, unfolded it, and it was ready to go. This was a huge plus for us, as we didn’t want to spend time fiddling with complicated instructions and tools. Additionally, we also appreciate the built-in shelf, which provides useful storage for books and other bits and pieces. Finally, the X-shaped metal legs felt sturdy, and we didn’t experience any wobbling or instability while testing it. If you’re looking for a practical and space-saving solution, this is it. For more products from GreenForest, check out its official website!
Pros
- The size is suitable for a laptop and some paperwork and the shelf provides valuable storage space. Speaking of which, here are the best storage bins at Target.
- The foldable design means it’s ideal for small spaces and temporary workspaces.
- You don’t have to spend time assembling the desk as it requires none.
Cons
- This folding desk may look too simple for some.
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ODK Small Desk
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Best Striking Color. Why settle for a regular desk when you can have one that adds a pop of color? Say hello to the pink ODK Small Desk. Perfect for pink enthusiasts, this desk is undeniably cute. While it’s on the smaller side, don’t let the size fool you. This desk is surprisingly ergonomic. We’ve tried this desk before, and the built-in monitor riser was great for our posture. Plus, we loved how the little shelf space underneath was able to store our books. What we really appreciated, though, was the thoughtful construction. The steel frame felt sturdy, and the wood was a breeze to wipe clean. Do you know what else is easy? The assembly!
Speaking of aesthetics, check out these 6 best Etsy vintage desks, too!
Pros
- Aside from pink, the desk is also available in other colors.
- Despite its reasonable price tag, its quality is nothing you should underestimate.
- It’s easy to assemble and highly versatile.
Cons
- It might be tricky to match the decor of your room with the desk.
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Tangkula White Corner Desk
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Best for Corner Spaces. The Tangkula White Corner Desk may be the perfect solution to maximize your limited working space. One of the first things we noticed was how well it fits into the corner. The design truly makes efficient use of space, and we appreciated the flexibility of placing it in either a left or right corner. On top of that, the tabletop provided ample space for our laptops and notebooks. We especially liked the cable management holes on the desktop and underneath. You’ll also appreciate the storage shelves for books and office supplies. Finally, this tiny desk is sturdy, with a desktop capacity weight of 200 lbs and 22 lbs for every shelf.
Pros
- It comes in 3 color options: white, black, and rustic brown.
- The assembly is straightforward thanks to the detailed manual.
- It can also be used as a vanity table.
Cons
- It has limited legroom for some people.
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SMUG Standing Desk
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Best Standing Desk. If you’re in the market for a small standing desk, this is the one. The SMUG Standing Desk comes with an adjustable height. During testing, we were able to effortlessly switch between sitting and standing. The electric motor was indeed quiet, as advertised – we didn’t notice any disruptive noise while adjusting it. Apart from that, the stability of the desk was impressive. The combination of the wooden desktop and the T-shaped steel frame felt solid. The brand even says it can hold up to 176 lbs of weight. Best of all, the LED display and 3 memory presets allowed us to quickly, and most importantly, return to our preferred heights. Take a better look at this desk here!
Pros
- It comes with two side hooks and two wire collecting holes on the desktop for cable organization.
- This desk features an odor-free and eco-friendly wood surface.
- It’s available in various colors and sizes to fit different spaces and styles.
Cons
- For small people, the desk can still be a bit too high.
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WOHOMO Folding Desk
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Best Value for Money. The quality of WOHOMO Folding Desk is hard to beat for the price. Our main concern about this desk was its folding mechanism, but we were proven wrong quickly. The nylon buckle underneath the surface makes it incredibly easy to fold and unfold. More importantly, it feels sturdy when it’s set up. We were also worried about wobbling, but the legs felt stable and didn’t shake during use. The portability was another feature we appreciated. At just under 15 lbs, it was lightweight enough for us to move around easily. We could even see a child being able to move it. Also, the fact that it can be disassembled means you can potentially take it on trips, which is a nice bonus. Watch this tutorial video to learn how to assemble the desk!
“Foldable, durable, and reliable, what more could we ask from this super desk? It checks all the right boxes!”
Dizzzi
Pros
- Assembly is easy and the desk comes with all the necessary installation tools.
- When folded, you can store it behind a door, under the bed, or anywhere you want.
- It’s compact and versatile enough to be used in a caravan or RV.
Cons
- It doesn’t have a shelf.
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Our Verdict!
The best small desks for the home office above have the same selling point: a compact size. So, which one should you choose? We’ve categorized each of them based on the criteria that we think will help you the most. Take a look!
- Best Value for Money: WOHOMO Folding Desk
- Best Standing Desk: SMUG Standing Desk
- Best for Corner Spaces: Tangkula White Corner Desk
- Best Striking Color: ODK Small Desk
- Best Pre-Assembled: GreenForest No-Assembly Folding Desk
- Best Budget: FURINNO Simplistic Study Table
How To Choose The Best Small Desks for Home Office?
So, what are the most important things to consider when you’re looking for a small desk for your working space? Find them below!
Size
Of course, the number one thing to consider when choosing the best small desks for home office is size. Your desk’s overall dimensions should fit your room well, without taking up too much space. Think about the desk’s surface area as well. Will it comfortably fit your laptop/monitor, keyboard, mouse, and any other essentials? If you use a lot of papers or peripherals, you might need a slightly larger desk or additional storage solutions.
Storage
Despite its size, many small desks out there still come with built-in storage like drawers and shelves. If you need to keep supplies, files, or other items within reach, integrated storage can be very helpful in a small space. If the desk lacks storage, think about additional solutions like wall shelves or drawer units.
Comfort
In addition to that, make sure that the desk is at a comfortable height for typing and working. Ideally, your elbows should be at a 90-degree angle when typing, and your wrists should be straight. If you want to customize your height, you can get an adjustable standing desk.
Is a 40-inch desk too small?
A 40-inch desk is often considered a small desk. However, whether it’s too small or not depends on the configuration and size of your room.
Can two monitors fit on a 40-inch desk?
Yes, two monitors can fit on a 40-inch desk, especially if they are smaller than 27 inches.
What is the minimum desk size for a laptop and monitor?
For a laptop and monitor, a desk should be at least around 24 inches deep and 48 inches wide. This allows comfortable viewing, keyboard use, and side-by-side placement.