Buying guide for Best desks for working from home
Whether you have a job that lets you work remotely, or you’ve started a home-based business, having a productive office setup is essential. Investing in a desk specifically designed for working from home is one way to set the tone for your workspace.
Desks for working from home are designed to be as accommodating to professionals as possible. These desks have lots of surface area that at the very least offers plenty of room for a laptop or desktop computer. Some desks offer additional space for other devices like a printer or scanner. Some also have organizing features like built-in file cabinets or shelves. Others are designed for convenience and have a pull-out drawer to stow a keyboard, holes for cables and cords, and even cupholders.
If you’re wondering which desk is best for your home office, we invite you to read this buying guide. We cover all the features you need to compare to find the right one. If you already know what type of desk you want, take a look at some of our favorites.
Key considerations
Size
One of the top concerns among professionals who work from home is space. For many people, there isn’t much room for a home office, so a dedicated corner or area in a room will have to do. Other people end up converting a guest bedroom, basement, or even walk-in closet into their new office.
As expected, these people need a desk for working from home that fits in the available space. From space-savvy corner desks to multifunctional L-shaped desks, there are countless options on the market. There are even wall-mounted desks that can be folded up and out of the way when they’re not in use.
No matter which type of desk piques your interest, it’s a smart idea to follow a basic piece of advice: measure once, cut twice. Basically, measure your space — not once but twice — and compare it to the dimensions of the desk before you buy.
Organization
One key to productivity is being organized. Some desks for working from home are equipped with drawers, cubbies, bookshelves, built-in filing cabinets, and even multiple levels to aid in organization as well as storage.
Generally speaking, the more organization a desk has to offer, the more expensive it will be. With that said, many workers agree that a desk replete with these features is a solid investment because it eliminates the need (and cost) for other storage units.
Assembly
Occasionally, desks for working from home come already assembled, but that’s not the case for the vast majority of them. For that reason, you’ll need to consider whether you want to handle the assembly yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.
All desks come with instructions for assembly, though the quality of those instructions is another story. Given this issue, as well as the amount of time it takes to put together a desk, many people save the time and aggravation by hiring someone else to do it for them. Unfortunately, that means the overall cost of the desk could increase significantly when you include the cost of the labor.
Materials
Wood, metal, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) are the most common materials that you’ll find when shopping for a desk for working from home.
Wooden desks last the longest, especially craftsman-made ones with solid construction. These desks tend to be the most expensive, but considering how long they last, a wooden desk can be a good investment.
Metal desks are incredibly durable and affordable. They hold up to considerable wear and tear and are low maintenance. However, they tend to have an industrial appearance, so they’re not the most aesthetically appealing options in a home.
MDF is often seen in lower-priced desks for home offices. It’s made from hardwood and softwood by-products and binding chemicals. While affordable, you get what you pay for with these desks: they’re notorious for peeling, chipping, and bowing.
Did You Know?
Professionals who like to stand, sit, and stretch during the workday benefit from investing in a hybrid standing desk. This has a hinged top that rises and collapses to suit your position.
Staff
BestReviews
Features
Desk types
Rectangular: The classic rectangular desk remains a perennial favorite among workers for its versatility and simplicity. A rectangular desk fits easily in most spaces and, in some situations, it’s the best option to blend in with other décor in a room. It’s also easy to fit other office furniture around one, such as filing cabinets or bookshelves.
On the downside, many of these designs lack holes for cables, which means you might need to leave space between the desk and wall to accommodate power cords. Only some desks have ample space or a lower shelf to hold a computer tower.
L-shaped: These desks remain popular for their all-in-one design that helps compartmentalize professional spaces. L-shaped desks have the greatest number of organizational features, ranging from shelves to built-in filing cabinets. They also offer the most room because there are separate areas for a computer and general writing or working space.
On the downside, given their all-in-one design, L-shaped desks have a large footprint. For that reason, one is not ideal if you’re already hard-pressed for space in your home.
Executive desk: As far as professional looks go, an executive desk is the best option. Executive desks are considered by many to be the most attractive of all the desks for a home office. They’re highly functional since they’re typically equipped with a decent assortment of drawers and sometimes built-in filing cabinets.
On the downside, executive desks tend to be more expensive than other desks. Budget-friendly models, unfortunately, often look poorly made and won’t withstand the test of time.
Wall-mounted: These desks are the Murphy beds of the home office, making them very space savvy. Wall-mounted desks take up the least amount of floor space. Many either fold up into a hidden cabinet or fold down like a drop leaf when they’re not in use. Depending on the height at which it’s installed, you can also use one as a standing desk.
On the downside, wall-mounted desks don’t offer much in the way of storage or organization. For the most part, they’re only viable options for people who use a laptop or minimal office supplies.
Standing: Standing desks have risen in popularity in recent years. They’re touted as helping combat health issues that can arise from a sedentary lifestyle or slouching in front of a computer all day. They are adjustable to accommodate workers of all heights. One is ideal if you prefer a compact workspace. With some, there is plenty of room to install bookshelves or cubbies to house devices or office supplies.
On the downside, these desks tend to have limited surface area, so they’re not ideal if you require a large computer setup. Many people also need to invest in an anti-fatigue mat for standing all day, especially if they have a hard floor.
If you’re already spending big bucks on a desk to use at home, you might as well invest in a comfortable desk chair, too. After all, you spend several hours at a time in one!
Staff
BestReviews
Accessories
From office plants to desk lamps, what you add to your desk will depend on how much space you have and your personal style and preferences.
Desk lamp: Task lighting helps increase your productivity, and an attractive lamp allows you to express your personal style while you work.
Desk calendar: Having a calendar at your fingertips can help you maximize your workflow.
Desk chair: Your home workspace will mostly likely need a place to sit. While you can use a dining chair or a folding chair, a dedicated desk chair will be much more comfortable.
Desks for working from home prices
These desks range in price from $100 to $1,500. The price is largely determined by the quality of the craftsmanship.
Inexpensive
Budget-friendly desks cost between $100 and $350 and include a diverse assortment of metal and MDF designs, though you can find some wooden desks at the top of this range.
Mid-range
These desks for working from home cost between $400 and $800. They’re better constructed and will last through years of heavy daily use. There are many wooden desks in this bracket, as well as some of the better metal and MDF desks.
Expensive
The most expensive desks for working from home, including many L-shaped and executive desks, cost $1,000 and more. The quality is second to none in these desks, many of which are handmade by craftsmen. These desks have attractive designs and well-developed systems of organization.
Did You Know?
To keep your desk looking its best, use appropriate cleaning materials. Metal and MDF can be cleaned with some multi-surface cleaners, while a wooden desk might require furniture polish or an all-natural wood cleaner.
Staff
BestReviews
Tips
- Think of office essentials before buying a desk. In order to choose a desk for working at home that covers all your needs, make a definitive list of the essential items that you’ll need to store on or inside it.
- Mount your monitor on the wall. This will free up valuable space on your desk.
- Tighten the components regularly. To keep squeaks and wobbles at bay, it’s a good idea to tighten the hardware and components of the desk on a regular basis.
FAQ
Q. I don’t like the hardware on my desk. Can I change it?
A. Absolutely. It’s a very straightforward DIY project that doesn’t take much time at all. According to many people, it’s a budget-friendly way to refresh a desk. All you need to do is measure the space between the holes and find compatible drawer pulls.
Q. Can I use a desk for working from home for kids who are remote learning?
A. Many parents invest in a desk for working from home since professionals and students often have overlapping needs. It’s recommended that you choose a design that offers a moderate amount of organization to store school supplies, as well as plenty of writing and working space for homework and projects.
Q. Why does my desk wobble?
A. It’s usually the result of off-kilter assembly or, in some cases, one leg is shorter than the others. If the wobble is mild, you can glue a thin piece of wood or a couple of coins to the bottom of the shorter leg to stabilize it. If the wobble is significant, it becomes a safety hazard. Contact the manufacturer for a replacement.
