These 15 Modern Desks Have Been Handpicked by a Shopping Editor — They're Beautiful, but Practical Too
A modern desk is a mainstay of the modern home office. Below, our style editor walks you through the selection process before sharing a few of her current favorites
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Thanks to COVID-19, the home office is back and better than ever. While many of us have returned to the office full-time, there are still plenty who work at least a few days a week at home, trading the water cooler for Slack and burnt office coffee for a home-brewed cuppa. As a result, furniture for the home office — particularly stylish furniture — has never been more vital.
Luckily, most if not all of the best home decor brands offer modern, contemporary variations of standard function-forward office furniture so that we can decorate our personal workplaces according to our personalities and the trends of the moment. If this sounds like something you're interested in, buckle up — this guide contains everything you need to know about selecting the centerpiece of this very space: the contemporary desk.
No office is complete without a desk. You can buy a rug, an end table, a floor lamp ... but it just won't come together unless you have a desk. Where are you to work? And, from a design perspective, at what is a guest supposed to look? What other piece would ground the room?
As far as trends go, there is 'definitely' a 'shift in how people are thinking about desk designs in home offices,' says Aisha Lewis, interior designer at Functional Conceptz. 'It's less about the traditional, bulky wood desks with tons of storage and more about integrating the desk as a piece that fits seamlessly into the room.' Many are finding that the best desks for them are 'built-ins that feel like a natural extension of the space,' while others are drawn as of late to 'freestanding desks with sleeker designs.'
Moreover, there's a trend toward 'customization and mixed materials' in the desk-buying world, Aisha continues. These investment pieces are no longer 'one-note'; instead, they offer a 'modern twist that allows for personalization.'
Identify the ideal placement of your desk
Livingetc knows design.
Before you go about buying your new modern desk, figure out where you want it to go and 'what type of work you will be doing,' recommends Nadia Watts of Nadia Watts Interior Design. To that first point, 'floating your desk and allowing access from both sides is both functional and pleasing to the eyes.' If you plan to do a lot of writing, you probably want it in a place that receives lots of natural light; if you are going to be working off computer monitors, direct sunlight would probably prove frustrating, so plan your desk ideas accordingly.
And to the second: 'If you are drawing, drafting or have multiple monitors you will need a larger desk, wrap-around desk or possibly even two desks,' Nadia advises.
Consider your personal style
Your home office should be a reflection of you. After figuring out size and placement, take some time to find a desk that looks and feels like you, too. 'If your home has a modern mood, look for a modern streamlined desk,' Nadia says. 'If your home is filled with historical treasures, look for an antique desk or a new desk with old world design features.'
The 'non-desk' trend could really come in handy here. 'Swap out the traditional desk with a small dining table, kitchen table, or console,' Nadia says. 'Or build your own desk from storage pieces and slab tops.' For something more traditional, 'an executive desk is a great option as it has tons of storage and lots of desktop space.'
And re: material, 'I love using burlwood or a finish with lots of contrast and movement to create some excitement,' she goes on. 'If the desk is going to go in an office, it most likely will be the star of the show, so make sure it has some personality' and plays with color, texture, or expectations.
Shop and measure
At this point, options are a good thing. If you can, Aisha recommends 'visiting at least three different stores' to try and find the right desk. Perhaps you start with a 'specialty store that focuses exclusively on desks, then check out a couple of general furniture stores that have a broader selection.' This allows you to 'physically see the desks, touch them, and really get a feel for the materials and build quality.'
While you're there, do not forget to bring a tape measure — but make sure you first measure your home office size where the desk will sit. You'll use both numbers as you shop to 'properly assess the size and scale of the desk in relation to your intended space.'
Consider a designer
If all else fails, a designer could always help execute your vision for your home office (and would therefore select the ideal desk for you). A designer would 'ensure that your desk not only meets your functional needs but also complements the aesthetics of your space,' Aisha says. 'A desk that looks good doesn't necessarily mean it's practical, so balancing both aspects is key.'
The best contemporary desks
Using your newfound knowledge, it's now time to shop a few of the best desks available now. And when you're done, be sure to check out my guides for shopping on-trend wallpaper, on-trend sofas, and modern outdoor coffee tables.
Price: $1850
Starting off strong, this gorgeous wooden piece from Banana Republic Home is less of a desk and more of a console table. But Nadia's advice in mind, it's actually perfect for the contemporary home.
Price: $899
Speaking of Nadia, she also mentioned how burl wood adds such personality and movement to a piece, and is therefore a great option for a playful desk. This simple piece from CB2 might not offer much built-in storage, but it's too pretty for that anyway.
Price: $228
Was: $342
For those living in a small space, Aisha recommends 'choosing a desk with sleek lines and minimal curvature' to 'keep the space feeling open and uncluttered.' This soft but potent blue-colored option from Wayfair brand Joss & Main really does just that (and at a fabulous price, to boot).
Price: $599
As another small desk option, I'd suggest this bright-orange steel structure from Room & Board. 'Starting with a pop of color as your desk gives you a jumping off point for your color story,' Nadia tells me; I'd love see the story you tell with this one.
Price: $2650
Coming back to the 'non-desk' trend, this gorgeous buy from Banana Republic home is actually a dining table. But who is to say it couldn't work as an alternative dining table? Certainly not I.
Price: $1499
The combination of cane and iron at play in this Pottery Barn desk is exactly that mixed-material trend/look Aisha was talking about. Plus, with three drawers and a cabinet with an interior shelf, this piece is functional, as well.
Price: $1560
Was: $1955
Now this is form meets function. The Celie is already a sight to behold with its cutout design, but the payoff becomes even sweeter when you consider how the areas of empty space could be used as stylish shelves.
Price: $429
Acrylic/glass desks are inherently luxurious, but they also work great for a small apartment. Since their frames are transparent, they blend into the room's design rather than adding to it, keeping visual clutter at bay.
Price: $1398
If you'd prefer a traditional look, I'm particularly fond of this customer-loved executive desk from Anthropologie for its soft white frame, brass and lucite hardware, and chamfered-edge silhouette.
Price: $995
Herman Miller has informed modern home office design for decades now, its most iconic and most timeless design likely the mid-century Eames lounger. But this green desk is certainly another worthy entry into the portfolio.
Price: $3895
The Arranmore asks and boldly answers the question 'what makes a desk a desk?' And the answer: three walnut burl veneer drawers.
Price: $1398
The Kalle mixes rounded and beveled edges with straight lines for a relaxing and fluid-looking workstation that is sure to make any 9-to-5 that much more bearable.
Price: $1699
I initially thought the Waylon was made of black marble, only to discover that it's monolithic form is actually gray oak covered in a dark chocolate wenge and an ivory ceruse finish.
Price: $1599
Was: $2899
This gorgeous marble-topped table is described as a desk, but I wouldn't be shocked if it were used as somewhat of a dining table instead of or in addition to a workstation. Could be a great way to re-use the piece somewhere else in the house should you need!
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Brigid Kennedy is a freelance writer and former style editor for Livingetc.com, where she scoured the internet for the best and most stylish deals on home decor and more. She also served as the website's in-house sofa expert, completely revamping and reworking Livingetc's expansive sofa buying guide by interviewing a total of 17 interior designers and sofa experts at top brands like Article and Benchmade Modern; sitting on upwards of 50 sofas across both Pittsburgh and New York City; extensively polling her friends and family for their own sofa-buying anecdotes and product recommendations; and traveling to Dallas, Texas, to tour the floor of a couch factory. In total, she estimates she has spent 40+ hours (and counting!) reading, writing, and talking about couches with accredited sofa connoisseurs o then pass that knowledge on to you. She describes her personal design style as colorful and clean, and in her free time enjoys reading, watching movies, and curating impossibly niche playlists on Spotify. She recently relocated from Manhattan to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she's decorating and DIYing a new home downtown.
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