Choosing the right desk for your working-from-home space is arguably the most important step in designing your home office. It’s the place where you’ll be spending most of your WFH hours so it should certainly look and feel the part – and in case you don’t know where to start with your home office desk ideas, we have a few suggestions.
Whether you're a hybrid worker or work remotely 100% of the time, your home office should be a space that’s inspiring and motivating, as well as comfortable and practical, while also fitting into your and your home’s overall style and aesthetic. And all of that extends to your work desk which tends to be central to the room, anchoring the space. Not to mention it’s the piece of furniture that you’ll be using the most in the office, alongside the desk chair. So better make it a good one.
Home office desk ideas
Whether you’re working with small home office ideas or have plenty of space to work with, your desk should not be an afterthought. On the contrary, it should be the first thing you research and set up.
‘The desk is the essence of your home office as it sets the scene for the design of your entire office,’ says Rikke Blaeside, design and range manager at JYSK. ‘Your desk should ideally be practical and attractive in terms of size and material.’
Mateusz Haberny, founder of Oakywood, agrees, ‘Choosing a desk for your home office is a big decision. A solid desk is more than just furniture. It’s an ecosystem, a space where ideas and projects come to life; where goals are reached and new plans are made. This is why it’s important to take choosing the right desk seriously - to align it with your needs, preferences, and expectations. Of course, aesthetics are integral to creating a welcoming space, but ergonomics, size, materials, and customizability are equally important.’
1. Invest in a standing desk
A standing desk with an adjustable height so that you can both stand and sit while working is a very modern home office idea. But a very healthy one, too.
‘Sedentary lifestyle contributes to many health issues and, coupled with sitting in an unergonomic position, at a desk that is either too small or too big, the risk of serious repercussions increases massively. A standing desk can help reduce these health risks, benefit your spine and posture, and improve your overall health. Standing desks with automatic height adjustment systems allow you to perfectly tailor the tabletop level to your height and easily change your working position from sitting to standing throughout the day,’ Mateusz says.
Matt Ousby, innovation director at Slouch, continues on the benefits of standing desks for both physical and mental health, as well as productivity, ‘Standing desks can improve posture, reduce the back pain you can commonly get from sitting for long periods of time alongside improving our circulation and allowing us to keep our wrists at a more ergonomic position which can prevent wrist strain. Many studies have shown that standing whilst working can increase productivity, rather than hinder it as some may think. An increase in productivity can lower the chance of feeling the need to work after hours or finishing work feeling stressed about the next day, meaning a positive impact to our mood and even our work-life balance.’
FlexiSpot is one of the most popular brands of standing desks. And the E7 model has the stamp of approval from the likes of TechRadar as the best standing desk for WFH on the market.
This standing desk design from Devoko is not only very affordable, retailing for £85.99, it's also the best-selling standing desk on the whole of Amazon with over 700 units sold in the last month and boasting over 800 5-star reviews.
While standing desks are very practical, their look is what often lets them down. But we love that Oakywood's desk tops are made from real wood which makes their designs look all the better and stand out from the rest. You can choose from oak (pictured), walnut and black-stained oak, as well as the more common oak and walnut veneers.
2. Add complementing accessories and features
It’s not all about just picking the right desk – but also what you do with it. Make the most of your home office desk with the right decor, home office storage ideas but also accessories that will both aesthetically complement it and enhance its functionality.
‘Adding matching elements to your desk, such as a monitor stand or modular drawers, will further contribute to an organised and cohesive workspace that looks as good as it functions. modular drawers, chargers, and organising trays simultaneously contribute to the function and organisation of your desk while matching and further developing the natural, minimalistic design of your workspace,’ Mateusz says.
Rikke adds, ‘A few shelves, boxes, and baskets can get you a long way and if you add some plants, decorative items and perhaps a lambskin you can get an extra cosy feeling.’
3. Include the right lighting
Just like in any other room, home office lighting ideas should be prioritised as it sets the mood of the space – even when it comes to the desk itself. So investing in the right desk lamp for you is crucial.
‘Lighting is key for task areas such as a desk, as it helps the space be functional,’ says Lyz Igwe, interior expert from Dowsing & Reynolds. ‘A desk lamp is brilliant for this but if you're short on desk space, use wall-mounted spotlights instead to ensure your desk is well-lit.’
We think that the John Lewis Tony desk lamp is the perfect dupe for one of the most iconic of desk lamps - the Anglepoise Type 75. Available in a wide range of colours, we're particularly loving one of the most recent shades called auburn, as pictured.
Your chosen task lighting doesn't necessarily need to be a classic desk lamp. Wireless lamps are having a moment lately and they're perfect for home offices too as they are often dimmable too so you have control over your lighting. Dunelm's Keko wireless lamp is one of our favourites and so is this olive green colourway which is the colour of this summer season.
Danish design brand HAY has been enjoying much popularity of late, whether it's for its glassware or colourful storage crates. But the company's lighting game is also very strong, bringing its signature minimalist Scandi aesthetic to the likes of the Apex table lamp.
4. Create a relaxed scheme with a rattan desk
Solid wood isn’t the only option when it comes to home office desk ideas. Rattan offers a lighter alternative that will prove less obtrusive and integrate into the room more seamlessly – especially important if it is in a bedroom or living space. Featured here, Oka’s Albertine desk takes its inspiration from the rattan furniture found in the Ladies’ Tea Room of New York’s Prince George Hotel in the 1900s. It is paired with its Claverton dining chair in Sage linen and oak which together create the perfect addition to a traditional scheme.
Rattan is also a great material if you want to create a country-style home office.
5. Contain your home office in a dresser
Not everyone has the space for a full-time home office – especially if it is only used on an ad hoc basis. Despite having the appearance of a dresser, this cabinet actually houses a complete work space. Neptune’s 4ft Chichester workstation has enough room to house a full-sized monitor, shelves and printer, and has a cut-out on the reverse to run cables and offer ventilation. The front panel, which is disguised as a drawer when closed, lowers to offer a flat surface for writing or a keyboard. The true beauty of this design, though, is that at the end of the day, the doors can be shut ensuring there is no work clutter in sight.
Opt for a vibrant shade, shade as this vibrant Saffron colourway to add colour to a home office.
6. Add character by going antique
From the archetypal school desk to grand writing bureaus, antique desks come in all forms and styles and will instantly imbue your home with an unrivalled sense of character.
‘A desk can be a psychologically potent piece of furniture,’ says BBC Antiques Roadshow expert Marc Allum. ‘Of course, there are plenty of modern flat-pack home office desk ideas that can be crammed into a spare room, but think about your environment and add some style. If working in a family space, use a desk as a multi-functional piece and don’t be scared to go antique.’ For similar, try Vinterior.
Opting for a beautiful antique, that is decorative in its own right, will also help you to sneak a home office into any room.
7. Create a home office under the stairs
Usually home to clutter or converted into a downstairs toilet, the space under the stairs has plenty of potential when it comes to housing home office desk ideas. However, it is not as simple as just adding a desk and chair. The space will be dark, so lighting – a mix of spots and lamps – will prevent eye strain and create a bright space. It is also advisable to choose a chair that can be tucked flush under the desk to prevent it from being a trip hazard.
8. Opt for a trestle table to ensure enough space for crafting
Crafting demands space, so a trestle table might offer a better work surface than
traditional home office desk ideas. Opt for a design, like that seen here, where the height can be adjusted to suit your needs. Ikea’s Lagkapten/Mittback desk in dark grey and birch is similar. Pair with open shelving so you can have all
of your materials easily to hand.
9. Combine storage and workspace with an architects plan cabinet
When it comes to craft rooms, storage is important to keep supplies organised, and this can be both pretty and practical. This beautiful antique architect's plan chest has eight drawers, perfect for keeping materials safe and organised, and neatly fits under a wall-mounted deep shelf to create a versatile workstation. For a similar chest try Mark Hilton Antiques.
10. Go for a neat desk and storage set-up
For workloads that require lots of filing, paperwork and kit being close to hand, organise a desk arrangement that factors in plenty of easy-access home office storage ideas. Make use of the area above the desk with a wall of shelving and cubby holes that can be used to stash all manner of office essentials. Add a memo board that spans the length of the desk. Match its colour to files and storage boxes for a neat, colour-coordinated look.
Opt for a wall-hung desk like this one as a brilliant space-saver. Raising drawer units off the floor will give plenty of leg room and ensure that the area underneath the desk doesn’t look crowded and cluttered for a more spacious feel.
A compact hutch-style desk takes up far-less floor space than a standard-sized desk. There's still plenty of surface space for a laptop or somewhere to sit and do paperwork. Add a run of shelves above and fabric-covered noticeboards on the wall. Use a pretty pattern that complements the wall colour to keep the space from looking too spartan and office-like.
11. Take your desk into the garden
If you don’t have the luxury of a spare room or dedicated home office, then stealing space from other areas of the home can be a canny way of working in a desk set-up. Look at hallway areas, upstairs landings, empty recesses and alcoves and you might well be able to carve out an office nook in an under-utilised area. You could even head outdoors with a garden office idea.
12. Spread out with a longline desk
If having plenty of surface space is essential (often a must in a craft room idea) or you need a desk arrangement that can accommodate two people, then consider a pair of side-by-side desks to create an extra-long desk set-up.
Instead of using two individual home office desk ideas, create a side-by-side arrangement. Use a longline length of worktop with individual filing drawers and cabinets at intervals underneath. Buy worktop by the metre to allow you to tailor the length of your desk to suit what space there is available for more of a bespoke feel.
13. Double up with back-to-back desks
A dedicated room as your home office gives you free rein when it comes to deciding on the best working arrangement. This makes it easier to avoid home office design mistakes. If there are two members of the family sharing the same WFH space, then consider positioning desks back-to-back centrally in the room instead of against a wall as is standard.
Positioning desks in the centre of a room can create a more sociable vibe and allows the space around the perimeter of the room to be better-used for storage. Make it more flexible by opting for height-adjustable desks that be set at the most practical height for each user.
14. Build your own desk
Taking over an under-utilised area, such as an alcove, cubby or under stairs recess, is a brilliant way of creating a WFH nook if space is super-tight. All that’s needed to create a mini desk set-up is a length of worktop, cut to size and slotted into the space.
Add extra office storage if space allows. Standard flat-pack kitchen cabinets are inexpensive, come in a range of widths and heights and can be slotted in underneath and around the desktop. Paint units a complementary colour and add contrast handles for a chic look that will blend in with the room’s decor.
15. Take over a corner
Carve out some extra office space by making use of an out-of-the-way corner to set up desk. A neat triangular-shaped desk or L-shaped arrangement – like The Cotswold Company's Chester dove grey corner desk – will slot neatly into a corner and give extra surface space for a smaller footprint.
Look for a desk with built-in cupboards that will allow bulky tech equipment or clutter to be hidden away. Plus a slide-out shelf that will conceal the keyboard when not in use.
16. Find the perfect fit with a modular desk
Tricky corner or awkward space to fill? Opt for a modular desk system that can be tailored to suit your exact needs in terms of size, desk space and storage. Build a whole wall of work space and storage, starting with one basic corner-shaped unit and adding sections until you reach the required size.
Make a style statement by painting the feature wall idea behind an open system like this in a cheery shade or bold contrast colour so that the frame and woodwork stand out against it.
17. Slot a mini work station into a living space
Shared work and living spaces have become the norm with more of us now working from home. But it can be hard to switch off if the work area completely dominates the living room. Opt for a neat ladder-style workstation – like this Fulton ladder desk from Dunelm – that has ample space for laptop work. Style it up with plants, books and decorative bits and bobs so that it blends in with its surroundings the rest of the time. A tidy desk lamp makes a great home office lighting idea.
18. Conceal your desk in a fitted cabinet
Another option that will ensure that the desk set-up doesn’t intrude too much in a living room or dual-purpose space is to opt for a hideaway desk. Conceal a desk inside a cupboard or fitted wardrobe idea. You'll have enough space for a pull-out desktop and storage, but the beauty is that everything can be hidden away behind closed doors at the end of the day.
Hideaway desk options range from off-the-peg cupboard and desk combinations, to pricier built-in options that can be tailored to fit room specifications. These may include lighting and add-on storage elements. Alternatively, if your home has a large cupboard that could accommodate shelves and a pull-out desktop, it’s possible to convert it yourself with a little work.
19. Opt for a mix-and-match desk
Put together your own bespoke arrangement if you can’t find a desk that meets your specific needs. Ikea has a range of off-the-peg office buys that include filing units, cabinets and trestle bases that can be mixed and matched in a combination or configuration that suits. You could even look at a clever Ikea hack to achieve your perfect solution.
Worktop is sold by the metre, allowing you to create a desktop to the size required, whether that be neat and compact or an extra-wide desk arrangement.
20. Stay stylish with a discreet desk in a shared space
If all that’s required is desktop space for occasional working, then a stylised arrangement won’t ruin the aesthetic of a living room the rest of the time. A stack of floating shelves, one above the other, creates a wall of storage. It doubles as a display space with papers and office bits hidden neatly away in smart box files. Then, just pull up a chair for the perfect laptop landing spot when it’s time to get down to some work.
21. Squeeze a desk into an alcove
Make use of an empty alcove idea or a tight nook if you’re needing to set up desk in a spare room that also doubles up as a guest bedroom. A narrow, floating desk won’t protrude into the room too much. And it can do double duty as a mini dressing table with the addition of a wall-hung mirror.
Opt for a colour scheme in shades of blue, soft grey and blush. This creates a calming mood that will aid creativity when working but be restful enough for a good night's sleep.
FAQs
What should I have on my home office desk?
‘Put away any non-essentials and prioritise what you have out on your desk,’ says Vicky Silverthorn at Youneedavicky. ‘Is it something you use frequently or only occasionally? I archive anything that I don’t need to put my hands on daily, such as paperwork and equipment, so that only essential items are out and things I use less frequently are put away.’
‘And make sure everything has a home - so tidying is something you do almost without thinking about. Desk tidies are useful if they suit your belongings, but not if they’re too small and fiddly. And don’t have excess supplies, bulk buying just creates the need for more storage.’
How can I make my home office look good?
‘Change the scenery,’ says Vicky. ‘Clear your work space at the end of each day. If you don’t have a designated office and your desk is in a living room, change its look by putting a plant on top, or perhaps a scented candle or vase of flowers, something to symbolise that work time is over.'
This is the place where your ideas are born and become a reality – so you deserve your desk to be the best there is.
