With the world being introduced to the work-from-home concept after COVID-19 hit, people have been paying attention to how they work at home. If you’re working from home all the time like us, the home office should be a space where you feel comfortable day after day and do your best work. We wanted to create a more productive space this new year, which is why we decided to invest in one of the best home office desks, making it the perfect place to begin redesigning our workspace. The excellent work-from-home desks we looked at not only changed our working environment for the better but also helped us stay comfortable working for long hours.
What’s more, work desks today come in so many shapes and sizes, depending on their purpose, whether it’s an out-and-out workstation or a gaming nook. Plus, there were other factors we considered, ranging from space constraints to budgets and more. Here’s a detailed guide to finding the best desks for working from home.
Himimi Adjustable Portable Lap Desk
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We fell in love with the Himimi Adjustable Portable Lap Desk the minute we laid eyes on it. That’s because we do a lot of work from our bed and couch, and this looked extremely comfortable. Designed from handmade polished bamboo, this short desk features adjustable legs and can be folded up to be used as a flat tray. What’s more, the tray desk even had five levels of tilt, which was very comfortable for typing for long periods. Plus, it also provided the best screen experience. A small drawer for storage, as well as a convenient cupholder, rounded up this lap desk’s features. Did we mention that the ventilation holes allowed for air circulation? Yes!
Pros
- We loved the tilting top drawer.
- It converts to a standing desk.
- It’s portable and adjustable.
Cons
- This only works when you’re sitting on the bed, couch, or the ground.
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TOPSKY 55″ Computer Desk
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Best traditional work desk. If you’re looking for a regular, heavy-duty desk, then the TOPSKY 55″ Computer Desk is the one you should be getting. We loved the combination of affordability, durability, and design, especially the surface area made from sturdy and thick particle board and the reinforced steel frame. What’s more, the feet were adjustable, which is useful if the floors are uneven. If that wasn’t enough, there was even a handy shelf that could hold supplies like books, etc. Moreover, there was even a metal cable grommet hole cover that kept all our computer wires organized and out of sight. Finally, it was very easy to put together and was surprisingly very sturdy as well.
Pros
- The desk looks very attractive.
- We liked the sturdy design.
- The large surface space was very useful.
Cons
- The assembly guide could be complicated.
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Mr. Ironstone Bar Table
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What are your thoughts on a pub table as a work desk? We, for one, love the idea! Behold the Mr. Ironstone Bar Table, since our work at home comprised a small 14-inch laptop, a mouse, and nothing else!
“It might be a bar table, but this versatile piece of furniture has been our work desk at home for a long time now!”
Dizzzi
This lightweight desk was the perfect solution for our compact living space. Our favorite thing about this desk was that we could stand or sit to work, since it was tall at nearly 40 inches. Despite the narrower workspace, we found it perfectly large for a keyboard and laptop. Another feature we loved was that this table doubled as a console table when we had friends over. Finally, it’s available in woodgrain, white marble, and black as well as in three sizes.
Pros
- It came in three sizes.
- The table can be used in multiple ways.
- Its height is perfect for both standing and sitting.
Cons
- It’s smaller than other desks and doesn’t have any storage space.
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UD.houselife L-Shaped 360-Degree Rotating Desk With Storage
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Best L-shaped desk. We maximized our workspace at home with the UD.houselife L-Shaped 360-Degree Rotating Desk With Storage, We loved the stylish yet versatile unique rotating design, which meant that the desk could expand from a traditional office desk to an L-shaped one. All we had to do was simply pivot the second side around the cylindrical hub to change the desk’s shape, with the 360-degree rotation allowing us to adjust it into any number of angles and configurations. So, the desk offered lots of surface area to spread out our workspace, along with the fact that it could be nested when we weren’t using it. Rounding things up was the push-open cabinet with a fixed shelf, which is one of the largest in-built storage we’ve ever seen. Wrapping things up was the fact that this desk was available in two finishes, making it a worthy pick.
Pros
- The desk comes with a cabinet and shelf.
- It had a large working space.
- It had many possible configurations.
Cons
- It’s heavy and bulky.
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Vari Essential Hazel Wood Height Adjustable Electric Standing Desk
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Best standing desk. The Vari Essential Hazel Wood Height Adjustable Electric Standing Desk is one of the best standing desks for small spaces. Measuring 48 inches in width, the Vari easily fit into our small den and we didn’t have to break our heads to make room for it. What’s more, the assembly process was very easy to put together. Furthermore, the desk came with an array of convenient features, such as four different height settings, sturdy T-legs, and even a cable management tray. Thanks to the wide tabletop width, we had enough space for office supplies like a keyboard, a monitor, and more.
If you’re looking for equally great seating, check out some of the best chairs for standing desks.
Pros
- The entire table shipped in a single box.
- The height is adjustable.
- We loved the ergonomic design as well as its ability to fit into a small space.
Cons
- The height adjustment could be smoother.
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Ikea Micke Desk
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Best for storage. Sitting at the top of the list is the Ikea Micke Desk, which is perfect for those for whom storage is a priority. We’ve been using this desk for a year and we love its compact 41.3-inch length. However, what is most handy is the added storage in the form of two drawers running its length. Despite being shallow, they were surprisingly roomy for our essentials like planners and keyboards. Moreover, there’s also a versatile cabinet with two adjustable shelves, which could be positioned on either the right or left side, allowing for nifty customization. Aside from the fact that we never felt cramped, this desk even had a hole to feed our chargers through, thus avoiding messy wires. Finally, the desk came in four combinations of white and black for a more unassuming and streamlined look. Are you looking for a desk for a first apartment or a studio? This one is perfect.
Pros
- The desk is spacious despite its small size.
- It had versatile, adjustable shelves.
- It also boasts ample storage space.
Cons
- None.
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Our Verdict!
While we loved all the home desks on this list, the ones below were our favorites:
- Best for storage: Ikea Micke Desk
- Best standing desk: Vari Essential Hazel Wood Height Adjustable Electric Standing Desk
- Best L-shaped desk: UD.houselife L-Shaped 360-Degree Rotating Desk With Storage
- Best traditional work desk: TOPSKY 55″ Computer Desk
How To Choose The Best Home Office Desks?
Material
It was very important for us to find desks that complemented the overall design and aesthetic elements of our home office. At the same time, we wanted desks that were practical and lightweight too. Again, the desk’s material comes down mainly to preference. For instance, most desks we saw had wooden desktops or tabletops and metal frames, which kept them practical and lightweight. If you want a durable desk, opt for materials such as wood and steel. Additionally, desks could also have marble, woodgrain, or black finishes.
Shape and Size
Desks come in a wide range of sizes, including 40-inch ones for whom space is limited at home. So, L-shaped and corner desks could offer more practicality depending on the size of the room. What’s more, the ideal height of the desk is very subjective, which is why adjustable-height desks are a great option too. In the end, we chose the desk best suited for our size needs, the storage needs, and the dimensions of the room.
Storage – or not?
Finally, you need to decide whether your desk needs to have storage space or not. For us, storage wasn’t necessary so we let it be. On the other hand, drawers could be incredibly useful for those who are looking for desks with lots of storage. Besides being deep enough to fit drawer organizers with essential stationery items like paperclips and pens, some drawers could even have in-built drawer dividers.
You might also want to look into the best height-adjusting standing desks and the best Etsy vintage desk lamps & shades.
How big should a home desk be?
Usually, standard desk widths are 48, 60, or 72 inches and standard desk depths are popularly between 24 and 30 inches.
Where should a desk be placed in a home office?
The ideal position of the desk is usually near a window, which allows for natural light while also minimizing screen glare. Desks positioned perpendicular to the window optimize both views and light access, while ensuring that the sunlight doesn’t directly hit your screen.
Should a home office desk face a window?
While home desks sitting perpendicular to a window are the most popular position, natural light, and views could also be productive and inspiring. However, it could also be distracting to some. So, whether or not a desk should face the window comes down to one’s work style and personal preference.