Home office desk choice, workspace furniture advice, Work interior design style

How to Choose the Right Desk for a Home Office

17 August 2025

For many of us, the way we work has undergone significant changes in recent years. More and more businesses are offering hybrid work options, with some even being fully remote. Others are freelancers who know all about the joys of working from home.

In an office, you don’t have to worry about things like desks, chairs, and other office equipment. But if you’re working from home, you may not have these at your disposal. If you’re working from your dining table (or your bed!), a proper workspace can make all the difference.

In this article, we’ll go over some of the steps you can take to find the right home office desk, even if it’s a makeshift space. We’ll look at how to plan your area, what to consider, and how to budget wisely.

Step One: Assess Your Space

Before you do anything, you need to know what space you’re dealing with. You don’t want your area to feel too cramped, and at the same time, you don’t want too much empty space. So, first things first: measure your planned workspace.

Take a look at the dimensions of the room and what might work best. You don’t need to be an expert in interior design, but ideally, you want something that looks good and doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.

Think about where your desk is going to go, along with any extras like a file cabinet, bookshelf, or other furniture. If you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated room, you’ll have more flexibility.

Don’t forget about lighting, either. Consider where the windows are and how the sunlight moves throughout the day. The last thing you want is the sun shining directly in your eyes or on your computer screen.

Choose a Desk That Suits Your Work Style

When it comes to choosing a desk for your workspace, you’re almost spoiled for choice. There are all sorts of design options catering to specific tasks and functions. No matter your industry, there’s something to match.

Writing Desks

For those who’ve ever had writer’s block, you know that where you write can make a big difference. If you’re using any old desk, chances are it doesn’t suit your needs; it might even stifle your creativity. A writing desk, on the other hand, is designed to be a simple, flat surface with plenty of space.

They can offer:

Simple and sleek design with minimal storage
Ideal for laptops, journaling, and light work
Great for small spaces or minimalist setups

Computer Desks

It’s fair to say that most people use some form of computer for work, whether that’s a laptop or desktop. A laptop is often ideal due to its portability and lack of cables, and it can be used on virtually any desk.

However, if you’re using a desktop or a laptop with monitors, you need something more suitable to keep everything organised. That’s where a computer desk comes in.

Most designs are:

Built for tech-heavy setups (desktop, monitor stands, cable management)
Often include extras like keyboard trays, shelves, drawers, and cupboards
Great for artistic or tech-based work

L-Shaped or Corner Desks

If you’re concerned about space or placement, a corner desk could be a great option. It fits neatly into the corner of a room, making it ideal if your workspace is part of a living room or bedroom.

These desks are:

Great for using corner space efficiently
Offer more surface area
Suited for multitasking or dual monitors

Standing Desks

When you picture someone working at a desk, 99% of the time they’re sitting. But that’s changing. One of the latest office trends is the standing desk. For some, sitting all day can be tiring and may lead to issues like back pain.

Standing desks give you the best of both worlds, allowing you to adjust your desk for both sitting and standing.

This option can offer:

Health benefits such as improved posture and movement
Motorised or manual options
Ideal for people who sit for long hours

Executive Desks

For professionals with a dedicated office space or those who work from home full-time, it’s worth investing in a quality desk. Executive desks are perfect for those looking for a premium, professional-looking option.

Though they tend to be more expensive, executive desks offer benefits like:

A large, commanding and more formal presence
Best suited to dedicated office rooms
Built-in storage, often wood-heavy with a classic design

image source :unsplash.com

Think About Functionality

Now it’s time to think about what you do and how your desk can support your daily tasks and routines. If, for example, your work is mostly online, a smaller desk might suit you better, especially if you’re conscious about space. But if you regularly write notes or sketch, you’ll want something larger to accommodate that.

What else do you plan to keep in your workspace? Do you already have storage like cabinets? Then you may not need a desk with lots of drawers and cupboards. But you still need somewhere to store your office supplies.

And what about comfort? If you sit for long hours, you’ll want to ensure you have plenty of legroom. Or maybe you’re thinking about switching things up with a standing desk?

If you’re unsure about anything, take some time to think about your ideal workspace and how best to represent your vision. If comfort is a priority, consider investing in ergonomic furniture like chairs or monitor risers. There’s no wrong way to do it, it’s all about what makes you most productive.

Match Style With Your Home Aesthetic

Even if you’ve found the right desk, you need to make sure it fits with your home’s design. It’s no good having a sleek, metal desk in a living room with a rustic vibe. It’ll look out of place, almost like it crash-landed from outer space!

Desks come in a wide range of styles, from metal and glass to wood and acrylic plastic. So there are plenty of ways to mix and match to incorporate with your existing décor. Pay attention to the finer details too: the colour of the frame, the shape of the legs, and the hardware can all help tie your home office together.

Consider What Materials You Want to Incorporate

Everyone has their own design style and taste, so this is an opportunity to bring out yours. Each material has a unique look and feel. Take wood, for example, there are solid wood, MDF, and plywood options to choose from, each tried and trusted in different ways.

Metal-framed desks, on the other hand, feel sleek and modern, ideal for creating a minimal or industrial-inspired space. Then there are desks with glass tops. While stylish, they can be fragile and require more frequent cleaning.

Set a Budget

Desk prices can vary hugely. Don’t automatically go for the cheapest option if you plan to use your desk regularly. While you might save money at first, low-cost materials can wobble or wear out quickly, meaning you’ll have to spend more replacing it.

That said, you don’t always need to buy a brand-new desk. There are great second-hand options available at charity shops, on Facebook Marketplace, or as flat-pack kits. This way, you can get a decent desk without spending a fortune.

If you’re working from home full-time, you’ll likely spend a lot of time at your desk. Make sure it ticks all the boxes. When in doubt, prioritise quality over cost; it’ll be worth it in the long run.

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