Best home office desks: Compact designs with storage

Clutter-free storage and sleek typing surfaces

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Saskia Kemsley1 minute ago
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From contemporary, posture-enhancing standing desks to petite bureaus and writing desks, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to picking furniture for our home offices.

The selection of styles is a bit of a double-edged sword for first-timers. While choice is a privilege, the different styles, shapes, sizes and finishes available makes having confidence in your purchase more challenging than ever.

As always, ES Best is here to help. Whether you’re new to the world of working from home or simply feel that it’s time to upgrade your home office space, we’ve got you covered.

What to consider before choosing a desk for your home office

  • Storage: paper-pushers, designers and artists will need desks that have a selection of drawers for storing important papers. If a double-ended, drawer-clad desk is out of budget, search for a desk high enough to slide in a short cabinet underneath.
  • Shape: maximising space is essential for city dwellers. As mentioned, storage is key. Corner and L-shaped desks use of every available inch while maintaining ample floorspace for the rest of your furniture. L-shapes also create extra surface area for those who need to spread their work out.
  • Design: last and certainly not least, looks matter. Don’t pick a utilitarian option that you hate the sight of. Flexi-working is the norm now, so creating an appealing working environment is key to productivity. Go for a desk that you love even when you log off.

We’ve put together an edit of the best desks for your home office. Keep scrolling to maximise your work from home environment like never before.

Shop now

Bisley MultiDesk Oak Veneer Home Office Desk with 6 Drawers, 105cm

Bisley

A combination of industrial chic and oak-centric Scandinavian aesthetics, the Bisley MultiDesk is a brilliant design piece which is perfect for smaller spaces. Featuring six drawers, attractive steel hairpin legs and an oak veneer top, we love that it’s available in six eye-catching powder-coated finishes.

An easy build even for DIY-phobes, you can attach the drawers on the left or right side of the desk – whichever suits your space best.

Buy now£299, John Lewis

Taga Double Unit 6-Drawer Desk

La Redoute

Complete with ample storage and a wide surface for those who tend to sprawl their accoutrements across multiple desks, the Taga Double Unit 6-Drawer Desk is available in either light khaki green or a stylish off-white. Rattan is all the rage in the design world as of late, so you can be sure that this home office desk is perfectly on trend.

Buy now£475, La Redoute

Belfield L-Shaped Writing Desk

Wayfair

An L-shaped writing desk is a brilliant addition to any home office which requires thoughtful space optimisation. This chic option from Brayden studio comes in three finishes to suit your personal style: oak white, a deeper Montana oak and a light Sanremo oak. It’s complete with ample storage in the form of both shelves and cupboards and provides a comfortably vast working space. We’re big fans of the intentionally rounded corners, which are not only child and pet-safe, but incredibly aesthetically pleasing.

Buy now£289.99, Wayfair

Kowo Glass Top Height Adjustable Electric Standing Desk

Standing desks are a great addition to home offices as they give users the option to stand and sit. Want to sneak a workout into your day? Pop a walking treadmill underneath to up your steps while working.

This futuristic standing desk from Kowo is made from powder-coated steel, features USB and wireless chargers and a child lock. Once you’ve found your optimal desk height both seated and standing, the desk’s memory settings will retain the information for fuss-free future adjustments.

Buy now£319.99, Amazon

CubiCubi Study Computer Desk

CubiCubi

A value-for-money option which is available in a number of sizes, CubiCubi’s study desk offers a practical home office solution on a budget. It’s fitted with an external storage pouch for keeping your workspace clutter-free. We also love the incorporated headphone hook, so that you can reach for yours before a Zoom meeting without wondering where on earth you put them.

Buy now£40.46, Amazon

John Lewis Grayson Desk

John Lewis

Offered in both light and dark oak finishes, the Grayson Desk from John Lewis has a distinctly mid-century modern feel. It’s crafted from high-quality wood with a veneered finish and features a sophisticated slatted door that glides open and closed with ease.

Buy now£449, John Lewis

John Lewis Notch Desk

John Lewis

A superb investment for all ages and professions, the Notch Desk from John Lewis offers a practical, contemporary and Scandi-inspired touch to any home office set-up. Its compact size and flush underside drawer make for a seamless working environment. It’s been crafted with subtle leg details, solid wood handles and is made entirely with FSC high-quality solid oak, veneers and poplar.

Buy now£229, John Lewis

Verne Desk

Swoon

This almost anthropomorphic desk sits atop an extended plinth with dramatically long legs.

The solid mango wood base has been stained in a rich mocha hue and finished with polished nautical-style brass handles. We’re especially enamoured with the extra large left-side drawer which comes with a built-in tidy.

What’s more, assembly will be completed for you upon delivery. Now that’s our kind of productivity.

Buy now£719, Swoon

Covet Desk by Case

Heal's

Complete with an almost invisible drawer, this glass-topped desk by Case belongs in a design studio. Designed by Shin Azumi to incorporate a minimalist yet functional design, it’s made with solid oak or stained walnut depending on your preference and is topped with durable tempered glass. The perfectly angled base can also be used to store file organisers, books, important documents and your favourite pieces of stationery with ease.

Buy now£1515, Heal’s

Altheimer Desk

Dunelm

This sleek smooth and rounded desk by Hashtag Home is a triumph for fans of minimalistic style. Lovingly designed and complete with practical features, including integrated drawers and an open cubby for additional documents, the Altheimer Desk offers supreme functionality and aesthetics.

Buy now£255.99, Dunelm

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