When Zoom started to make its staff return to the office, we know the flexible days of working from home were limited. But for those who still get the flexibility of working at home full time — or part-time with a few office days — it’s well worth investing in one of the best office desks for home that you can afford.
The pandemic proved that not only was it possible for large workforces to get work done at home, but also that productivity wasn’t impacted as much as employers might have expected. Without the stress of a commute, a distracting open-plan office environment and endless unnecessary meetings, working from a home office desk has been an improvement to millions of people’s lives everywhere.
Despite the return to office work being a certainty for most big businesses, it seems that many companies will only require employees in the office a couple of days a week, keeping alive the dream of more flexible working arrangements. This means having a comfortable workspace in our homes is essential, which starts with picking out great home office desks for ourselves.
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It might sound obvious, but a nice home office space is nothing without well-designed home office furniture, and that starts with the modern home office desks you actually want to sit at. There are a lot of rubbish home office desks out there, which will obviously do the job of giving you a surface to set up a monitor and keyboard, but given how much time you’ll be spending at your desk space, it’s worth getting it right. Let’s get into it.
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Our Favourite Home Office Desks In 2023
VariDesk Pro Plus 30
Sure, standing desks are about as trendy as home office furniture gets in 2022, but it’s with good reason. Everyone knows sitting down in office chairs all day isn’t perfect, and the compact design of the VariDesk Pro Plus 30 has the ability to turn any existing desk or table into a standing desk.
It features a two-tier design that allows for your monitor to be on a different level from your mouse and keyboard, helping with improved posture and giving your body a break from sitting in the same position all day. With 11 different positions to choose from, you’ll be able to move seamlessly between them thanks to the spring-assisted lift in its stainless steel construction.
Office Desk
You might not think of desks as being iconic pieces of design, but the Office Desk designed by Bodil Kjaer is certainly one example. Originally designed in 1959 for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, it was featured in no less than three different early James Bond films (From Russia With Love, You Only Live Twice and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service) as well as Kingsman: The Secret Service. If that wasn’t enough to convince you of its star power, the Kjaer-designed Office Desk also counts Prince Philip and Michael Caine among its owners.
Reissued by the Danish design company Karakter, the Office Desk has been brought back to life as a timelessly contemporary desk thanks to its simple aluminium frame legs and its expansive oak surface and drawers. If you’ve got space in your home office for this 180cm titan of its category, you’ll be operating in the upper echelons of office furniture.
Ikea IDÅSEN
No list of home office equipment could be complete without a mention of the good folks at Ikea, not only for the Swedish brand’s relative affordability but also for its flat-pack convenience. Within the broad catalogue of home office desks offered, the Ikea IDÅSEN is a particularly great option thanks to the range of different colours it comes in (you can pick from four), but also it’s sitting and standing functionality, with a height range that can go from 63cm to 127cm.
Designed in-house by Jon Karlsson, its Ash veneer surface is durable and resistant to spills and stains, and the height can be controlled remotely via Ikea’s “Desk Control” app. With a desk surface that measures 160cm in length and 80cm in depth, there’s plenty of space for a couple of monitors, while the 146cm wide legs can comfortably accommodate a set of drawers below if you want. If you aren’t interested in the sitting/standing function, the Ikea IDÅSEN is also available as a regular desk for $449.
Mr Marius Origami 5 Drawers Desk
If tasteful asymmetry is more your thing, the Mr Marius Origami 5 Drawers Desk might be exactly what you’re looking for. Blending some of the best of mid-century design with a flair for Japanese paper folding, it features a sturdy and reliable solid European oak frame, using timber from environmentally managed French or Serbian forests. Measuring 135cm wide and 55cm deep, it’s a tastefully self-contained home office desk that is sure to make your personal office space your own.
Harri Writing Desk S
If you need lots of surface area from your desk, the modestly proportioned Harri Writing Desk S might not be for you. However, if you’re after a compact and functional setup that emphasises the quality of construction and materials, this Peter Fehrentz-designed piece of office furniture is a must-have. Measuring a practical 150cm wide and just 56cm deep, this walnut and oak computer desk features a solid steel frame and is available in an extensive range of tones and finishes.
Mesa 57
There aren’t too many study desks that are made right here in Australia, but the Mesa 57 by Maram is here to give Aussies some of the best office supplies with fast delivery. As far as study desks go, the Mesa 57 has it all, featuring the options of built-in magnetic hooks, wireless charging and even a power board. Featuring a mid-century modern inspired design and solid construction from regrowth forest sourced Victorian Ash, the Mesa 57 can be made to order with a 10-12 week lead time.
Romancier Desk
There are some desks that don’t follow the latest trends in terms of MCM inspiration, and the Romancier Desk designed by the David/Nicolas studio is one of them. Boasting a compelling oval shape, it features ample storage room thanks to a pair of cupboard-style doors and twin drawers and is wonderfully constructed in Aramanto wood. Its surface is lined with purple leather, while the hardware is all patinated brass, making it the right furniture for any space with a little room on either side.
Desky Dual Ergo Edge Sit Stand Desk
If you’re after a slightly more substantial option within the sitting/standing desk range, the folks at Desky are making some great pieces of office furniture, including the Desky Dual Ergo Edge Sit Stand Desk. It offers between 60cm (sitting) and 125cm (standing for people up to 210cm tall) of lift, meaning the entire surface of the desk can move up and down via a pair of silent motors that are neatly integrated into the legs of the desk. With a range of different surface and leg options to suit any working environment, Desky could be your ergonomic WFH companion.
KIT Desk
If your home workspace is a little tight and you need your furniture to be as practical as possible, the KIT Desk could be exactly what you’re looking for. Designed by workspace furniture brand Spacestor, the KIT Desk is deliberately designed to be as compact and flexible as a computer desk can be, measuring just 79cm wide and 64cm deep. It has a surface made from 12mm thick plywood and its durable metal frame is able to flat-pack fold for storage, making it an ideal option for those with limited space.
Treviso Desk
Originally designed in 2009 by Matthew Hilton for the Lucian Ercolani-founded furniture company, the Treviso Desk is timeless in its clean elegance and angular geometry. Featuring a trio of drawers for any stationery you might need to store, its compact design is made for those with spatial limitations as it measures 122cm wide and 59cm deep. Made from your choice of either pale oak or richly toned walnut, it’s the perfect desk for those with an abundance of taste, not space.
Petit Bureau en Forme Libre
If the idea of rigid Art Deco design leaves you cold, then the Charlotte Perriand-designed Petit Bureau en Forme Libre desk might get your heart racing a little faster. With options to be constructed in either American walnut or mahogany timber, this free-form desk boasts a trio of legs that neatly complement its asymmetrical surface which measures 166cm long and 78cm deep. If the timber options weren’t enough, you’ve also got a smorgasbord selection of different lacquered finishes, including bright sage green or china red, as well as the more muted options of amaranth red and night blue.
What To Consider When Buying Home Office Desks
There are a couple of things to consider when you’re researching home office desks and computer desks, beginning with the size of the desk. Firstly, there’s no point in setting your sights on any office furniture that simply won’t fit in the desk space you have available, so make sure you measure up the area you have and pick out a desk that will work in the available space.
Next, consider the amount of storage space you might need in your desk for any office essentials, as a separate set of drawers or filing cabinets might be necessary. Most home office desks will feature a couple of drawers, but if you need anything beyond that you’ll need to consider some more office furniture for storage space.
Finally, pick a desk that you love the look of. You’re probably going to spend a significant number of waking hours in your home office, so as you review these home office desks, just make sure you pick the right desk.
Frequently Asked Questions — Best Office Desks For Home
What size desk is best for home office?
The size of your desk should be dependent on the size of the room that you’re working in. If you’re in a smaller space, anything from 80cm wide and 120cm long will be okay and if you’re in a larger space, you can move up to 152cm long and 80cm wide (a classic commercial office desk size).
Who makes the best office desk?
Depending on the kind of desk that you want, Ikea, VariDesk and Mr Marius all make great desks. If money is no object, the Office Desk from Bodil Kjaer is a truly iconic piece of furniture, worthy of becoming an heirloom.
How much does a good quality desk cost?
To get a great quality desk that will last decades and will be enjoyable to use every day, expect to pay between $500 and $1,500 for a good quality desk.
