Millions of Americans began working from home — either temporarily, semi-permanently, or full-time — during the last ten months. Unfortunately, an overwhelming number of homes across the States were ill-suited to accommodate these new requirements. Some of us have chosen to erect ADUs and garden sheds in our backyards to address the shortage of usable square footage. Others have carried our work into our respective bedrooms or into a shared kitchen or living room. Your home office might be an uncomfortable cross between a laptop tray on your bed and the files stacked on your nightstand. On the other hand, it might be the corner in your den or living room. Regardless, desks for small spaces are a necessary addition to any home office space. The best work-from-home desks for small spaces offer usable surfaces either on a primary level or across multiple tiers. They simultaneously fit into tight corners, across skinny alcoves, or against empty walls. Home office desks should be large enough to accommodate a laptop or monitor and a keyboard and mouse. Ideally, small space desks should also offer some storage — whether a filing cabinet, bookshelves and/or floating shelves. In reality, the most efficient and effective small space desks are multifunctional. Desks for small spaces are often an appropriate cross between credenza and workspace or bar and fold-out computer table. Follow below for thirteen of our favorite home office desks for small spaces. Each is perfectly sized to match your home office or your child’s homeschool classroom.
Our Picks for Small Space, Big Impact Home Office Desks
#1 Eave Desk by Dims. from Dims.
#2 Athens Solid Wood Desk from Perigold
#3 Copenhague 90 Desk from Hay Furniture
#4 Hunt & Noyer Solomon Desk from West Elm
#5 Batten Wall-Mounted Desk and 2 Panel Set by Crate & Barrel
#6 Stir Office Desk by LexMod
#7 Victoria Desk by Arteriors Home
#8 Harper Desk by Michelle Gold + Bob Williams
#9 Ava Small Desk by Interlude Home, from Burke Decor
#10 Mid-Century Art Display Mini Desk from West Elm
#11 Stott Writing Desk, Gray from One Kings Lane
#12 Love Letters Desk by Malerba from Cantoni
#13 Carel Desk by Burke Decor
13 Perfect Work-from-Home Desks for Small Spaces
#1 The Eave Desk by Dims.
Specs: 55.0” L × 29.5” D × 29.0” H, $850
Consumers love Dims. for their commitment to environmental responsibility, individual design and pieces intended to last forever. As the company explains, Dims. intends the Eave Desk as a multifunctional surface for either “work time or meal time.” The Eave is intended by Dims. to behave as a “dual-purpose ‘table-desk’ — making it the consummate multitasker.”
Small enough to fit limited spaces at only 55” wide, the Eave Desk by Dims. is minimalist in three ways. It is just as small in environmental impact and square-footage consumption as it is in carbon footprint. Dims. notes that the Eave Desk — available in four Japandi-inspired finishes — “meets the most rigorous standards for low chemical emissions.”
Constructed only from sustainably sourced wood, this desk is “verified as originating from AHMI-certified Appalachian forests.” The Eave desk is perfect in a time during which we are so concerned about the joint functionality and health of our homes. Verified reviewers described the desk as “very solid and well-made….beautiful when complete.”
Others referred to it as “a perfect size for [children] to spread out [their] schoolwork a bi…[while still being] a fairly standard height.” Pair the Eave Desk with the Word Table Light by Studio Word and the primary-colored, school house-reminiscent Cleo Chair by Stine Aas.
#2 The Athens Solid Wood Desk by Perigold
Specs: 30.5” H x 48” W x 20” D, $2,060
The textured surface of this simple, streamlined solid wood desk provides a much-needed mental vacation for all of us working from home. As Perigold describes, the Athens Solid Wood Desk “adds a modern tropical vibe to your workday.” It does so through an “edgy update” of rattan — an enduring and ever-beloved Grand Millennial darling. The “slim legs and drawer pulls” offer a touch of feminine yet sculptural interest. Made from mahogany and bamboo, the Athens Solid Wood Desk by Perigold is also sustainably designed and constructed from largely eco-friendly materials.
The Athens Solid Wood Desk by Parigold arrives fully assembled and in one of ten color combinations. These color combos range from subtle and classic to punchy and contemporary. These finishes include black, bright green, citrus orange, hot pink, light blue, light gray, natural, navy, turquoise and white. This writing desk weighs a maximum of fifty pounds and comes equipped with a full year warranty.
Pair the Athens Solid Wood Desk with a directional, dimmable wall sconce like the Simon 1 – Light Dimmable Swing Arm. We recommend complimenting the Simon 1 Light and Athens Solid Wood Desk with Parigold’s Kinesit Ergonomic Task Chair by Arper. This chair helps deliver a lightweight, space-saving office space no matter what room in your home it inhabits.
#3 Copenhague 90 Desk from Hay Furniture
Specs: H 29.25” W 51.25” D 25.75,” $895
Design powerhouse siblings Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec brought to life the streamlined aesthetic and no-nonsense design of the Copenhague 90 Desk. The “old-school feel” of the desk is reinforced by the finish options — all of which are simultaneously retro and perfect for the current moment. With its chic minimalist silhouette, the Copenhague 90 Desk is ideal for professional settings.
However, the charming retro vibe and simple materials makes the desk just as suitable for school-age children. Furthermore, the plywood tabletop is either covered in linoleum or veneer. These finishes make wiping off the leftovers of homeschool science experiments or arts and crafts easy.
To continue the minimalist yet retro vibe, pair this compact desk with the shell pink Encore Table Light— designed for Gantri by Sam Gwilt. Finish off your tiny office with the exceedingly comfortable, carefully quilted About A Chair 153 from Hay.
#4 Hunt & Noyer Solomon Desk by West Elm
Specs: 48″w x 15″d x 30″h, $1,899
For a beautiful, craftsman-made desk that could easily become your home’s next instant heritage piece, consider the Solomon Desk & Console from West Elm. From the compact design to the checkerboard joins and from the baguette legs to the locally sourced walnut, this desk is truly special.
Measuring 48 inches (1.22 m) wide, the Solomon Desk offers a tabletop with more than enough workspace. Meanwhile, its tight 15-inch depth allows it to squeeze against a wall in even the most cramped of spaces. The wide bay abutting the small pull-out drawer fits magazines, files, a laptop or a mouse and keyboard without issue.
Each Solomon Desk has been hand-hewn and chiseled by artisans in Detroit, Michigan. For those planning to leave remote work when the health crisis winds down, the Solomon Desk can function as a credenza or console.
Pair the Hunt & Noyer Solomon Desk & Console with West Elm’s Mid-Century Swivel Office Chair, which features similar pecan-toned legs. Our favorite fabric and color upholstery for the Swivel is West Elm’s Pink Grapefruit, Astor Velvet combination. Complete your desk setup with West Elm’s Curl Desk Lamp.
#5 Batten Wall-Mounted Desk and 2 Panel Set by Bill Eastburn for Crate & Barrel
Specs: Width: 47,” Depth: 21.5,” Height: 86,” $877
If your home office is your bedroom, kitchen, living room or laundry room, any and all furniture must be versatile to be worthwhile. Ideally, each piece of furniture should also add to the beauty of each space. Each piece should avoid reminding one solely of work once the workday has ended. Crate & Barrel’s Batten Wall-Mounted Desk and 2 Panel Set is a fitting response to this call for functional yet statement-making furniture. A drawer that runs the length of the 47” wide tabletop provides optimal storage.
Bill Eastburn designed this piece to fit his Batten collection. Each element of the collection can be augmented to meet the specific needs of its owner. For instance, the Batten Wall-Mounted Desk comes equipped with two panels made from thin slats of oak. Between these slats, one can create their own “unique arrangement of Batten hooks and flat and reversible shelves.”
Pair the Batten Wall-Mounted Desk with Crate & Barrel’s Ledger Leather Chair and Alton Antique Brass Desk Lamp. If this wall-mounted desk is not your style or you do not want to sacrifice wall space, consider a corner desk with storage shelves. An L shaped desk will be larger and provide a wider work space, but these can still function as corner desks when oriented as such. With an L-shaped desk, you can enjoy more floor space and more storage space simultaneously.
#6 Stir Office Desk from LexMod
Specs: 30” h x 23” l x 47” w, $177.75
The Scand-inspired two-toned Stir Desk from LexMod functions equally well as a writing desk and as a computer desk. The desk measures just 23 inches (0.58 m) long by 47 inches (1.19 m) wide and 30 inches (0.76 m) high, making it perfect for the last empty spot in your home office under the window or against a back wall.
Copious storage provided in the center cubby and adjoining right and left oriented drawers ensures all papers and devices are packed away safely. Its A-frame construction feels very of-the-moment while the color combination of the soft white and light oak is classic.
Pair this LexMod desk with the Fuse Office Chair.
#7 Victoria Desk by Arteriors Home
Specs: 30″ H x 56″ W x 28″ D, $4,825
The Victoria Desk by Arteriors Home offers a bit of old-world glamour to any home office. Arteriors Home’s Victoria Desk strikes the perfect balance between masculine and feminine. It achieves this balance with its high-gloss curved tabletop, punchy brass drawer pulls, and square u-shaped legs. Metal hardware and a waterfall edge ensure this desk fits in a modern or contemporary interior.
This desk feels both organic — with its solid walnut frame — and elegant — with its long line antique brass hardware. The matte drawer faces contrast beautifully with the lacquered tabletop. Petite at just 28 inches (0.71 m) deep, the Victoria can fit anywhere.
Consider pairing the Victoria with Arteriors’ Walton Chair and Violetta Lamp in “antique brass.”
#8 Harper Desk by Michelle Gold + Bob Williams
Specs: 56” W x 24” D x 30” H, $1,595.00 for members, $2,127.00 for non-members
The Harper Desk by Michelle Gold + Bob Williams provides a far different silhouette than the others listed above. This desk — though constructed from traditional materials — feels decidedly new and intriguingly sculptural. Measuring just 24 inches (0.61 m) deep, the Harper nears the depth of a console or credenza. However, its generous 56-inch width offers ample workspace. The single pull-out drawer, legs and waterfall tabletop are of ebonized oak.
Pair the Harper with the company’s Remy Dining Chair in “terrace ecru” for an unexpected twist. Finish your home office with the perfect table lamp. We recommend the Watts Task Lamp from Michelle Gold + Bob Williams.
#9 Ava Small Desk by Interlude Home, from Burke Decor
Specs: 30″h x 36″ x 18,” $2,098
Make any home office short on square-footage feel larger and airier with a glass desk. The Ava Small Desk by Interlude Home available through Burke Decor is both physically and visually unobtrusive. However, the desk’s elegant silhouette still makes a welcome impact. The glass tabletop is easily cleaned while the acrylic frame resists smudging. Just 36 inches (0.91 m) wide by 18 inches (ca. 46 cm) deep, the Ava Small Desk is the most compact on this list. If you return to co-workers for in-office work later this year, repurpose the Ava Small Desk as a stunning vanity.
Join the Ava with the Axel High Back Office Chair in White design by Euro Style and Kasa Table Lamp in off-white.
#10 Mid-Century Art Display Mini Desk from West Elm
Specs: 36” w x 22.2” d x 30” h, $349
If Falling Water was ever reincarnated as a writing desk, the Mid-Century Art Display Mini Desk from West Elm would be it! The mini desk resembles a cross between a credenza and a bar cart. It allows for transparent storage and display on the walnut shelf beneath the tempered glass tabletop. The antique-brass powder-coated steel frame is both sturdy and lightweight, making the Mini Desk perfectly easy to carry from room to room.
Pair this West Elm desk with the Finley Swivel Office Chair in light taupe and the Edie Prismatic Table Lamp.
#11 Stott Writing Desk, Gray from One Kings Lane
Specs: 49″W x 24″D x 31.5″H, $1,359.00
Lightly referencing campaign-furniture, the Stott Writing Desk in gray from One Kings Lane feels slightly antiqued. This makes it perfect for the world-traveler trapped at home. One Kings Lane describes the piece as the ideal “versatile writing desk.” The Stott’s base has been carved from faux-shagreen-clad wood while the top features a clear glass slab. The drawers and legs are of brushed gold.
Continue the antique feel by adding a Clove Stem Buffet Table Lamp and Georgia Side Chair in Grey Velvet from One Kings Lane.
#12 Love Letters Desk by Malerba from Cantoni
Specs: 71″ W x 35.5″ D x 30″ H, $5359
Made in Italy, the Love Letters Desk from Cantoni is dark and romantic. It adds both an air of mystery and of executive power to any home office. With our kids constantly knocking at the office door or our laundry piling up outside, feeling calm and strong can be difficult to achieve. Let the Love Letters Desk transform your small space home office effortlessly.
Complement the timeless black crocodile embossed leather and ebony gloss legs of this desk with a high-backed chair. We love the Kimera Hi-Back Armchair from Cantoni. Complete your office space with the Dress Code Table Lamp by Malerba.
#13 Carel Desk from Burke Decor
Specs: 55.3″ x 27.3″ x 30,” $1,243
Our final pick for the best small space home office desks is the Carel Desk from Burke Decor. The company describes the Carel desk as a “brilliant example of unique mid-century design.” Carel is available in either Walnut or American Poplar wood, but all legs have brass ferrules — a quintessentially mid-century appliqué. The Carel measures a petite 55.3 inches (1.4 m) wide and only 27.3 inches (0.69 m) deep. Its unusual, almost surfboard shaped table-top hovers over the twin drawers, which feature no hardware — only a small impression and dip.
Accessorize the Carel with Burke Decor’s Koleman Collection Adjustable Task Table Lamp and Harbour Chair, Wood Legs + Upholstered Shell in Rust.
Other Small Space Desk Ideas for Your Home Office
Before we let you go, here are a few more small space desk ideas for your petite home office:
- Consider a standing desk that you can adjust throughout the day. Opt for a podium-style standing desk if your quarters are truly cramped.
- Convert a console table or select a similarly slim design.
- Pay attention to desk features to ensure each piece you consider has enough storage space.
- Mount floating shelves to free up desk space.