Setting up a home office can be a daunting task in terms of the location and the space available. Chances are that you don’t have a whole room dedicated to your office. Even if you do, you’ll likely not go for a large desk to save on space while also introducing some style to your home office.
The best writing desks for small spaces are focused on offering just enough space to fit into a small area while still being large enough to fit a chair and a full-size computer. They can be freestanding or built into the wall. Some are even foldable to further save on space when not in use.
We reviewed 35 of the most popular small desks and came up with a list of the best 7 for your choosing. We focused on the size, quality of material sand other factors to come up with this list.
Best Writing Desks for Small Spaces
The desks that made it to our top 7 list are as follows:
1. Prepac Floating Desk with Storage, White
When it comes to saving space in style, few writing desks can outdo the Prepac Floating Desk. This American-made desk is a wall-mounted design that combines quality and design to fit any room and small space.
The Prepac can be mounted to any height thanks to the Prepac metal hanging rail system. It’ll stay on the wall giving your legs enough space to move around unhindered. It has cable and wire management features to keep your desk neat and organized.
On either side of the desk are compartments you can use for storage of small items like electronics, speakers and others. Above the main work area is a shelf for more storage. The body is made of high-quality wood while the top metal (the work area) and the hanging rail are made of metal.
These features make it one of the best when it comes to portability and space economics since it takes up very little space while offering so much more. The installation process is quick and easy. We also love the white color which is just bright enough not to hurt your eyes when in use.
Pros
- Made of high-quality metal and wood.
- Measures 19.75” x 42.25” x 39.5” (H x W x D).
- Can be mounted at any height.
- Wire and cable management included.
- Storage compartments on the side and above work area.
- Minimal wall-mounted design.
- Easy to install.
- Available in black, white or espresso colors.
- Occupies no floor space.
- Weighs 60 pounds.
Cons
- Assembly instructions not the best.
This Prepac desk comes with light material that’s easy to carry around and install with lots of space saved in the process.
2. Ameriwood Home Haven Retro Desk with Riser, Weathered Oak
Coming in at a close second place is the Ameriwood Home Haven Retro Desk with Riser. It’s a simple flat desk for your computer and a small riser. The desk holds up to 70 lbs. while the riser up to 20 lbs. As such, you can have your computer and a few accessories on the desk with some pictures and even a small flower pot on the riser.
It measures 35.4” x 44.7” x 23.8” (H x W x D) and is very simple to assemble. It combines high quality materials namely metal for the legs and wood for the desk and riser. The desk and riser have a distressed gray finish having brown undertones with the legs having a powder coating for a great look.
Given its diminutive dimensions, this desk will fit just about anywhere in the home. We love the fact that it can work with any type of office chair you’ll go for. It’ll also make your home much more beautiful thanks to the colors and design chosen by Ameriwood.
Pros
- Measures 35.4” x 44.7” x 23.8” (H x W x D) to fit in most small spaces.
- Made of high-quality metal and wood parts.
- Simple assembly.
- Desk and riser combination.
- Weighs 30.7 pounds.
Cons
- Not the best assembly instructions.
If you prefer a simple workstation that has style and functionality in mind, this is the one for you.
3. Writing Computer Desk Modern Simple Study Desk Industrial Style Folding Laptop Table for Home Office Notebook Desk Brown Desktop Black Frame by Coavas
Aside from its great and simple looks, the one thing that stands out with this desk is the extremely simple setup. In just one step, you’ll have it up and ready to use. Simply clip the desktop to the bracket and you’re good to go. No fidgeting with screws and bolts and the like.
It’s a foldable design that measures 39.4” x 19.7” x 28.3” (100 cm x 50 cm x 72 cm) for the Length, Width and Height respectively when fully unfolded. The desktop is made of textured MDF material that’s waterproof and highly durable. You can thus use it as a kitchen table as well.
The desktop is brown while the frame is black in color with the result that you get relaxed colors for your desktop.
Pros
- Easy 1 step installation.
- Measures 39.4” x 19.7” x 28.3” (100 cm x 50 cm x 72 cm) (L x W x H).
- Foldable design.
- High quality metal frame and MDF desktop.
- Waterproof materials.
- Weighs 26.25 lb. for easy moving.
- Supports up to 200 lbs.
Cons
- Some customers complain of mismatched colors when ordering.
Everything about this desk is simple and straightforward. We like the fact that it supports lots of weight and is waterproof.
4. Ameriwood Home Owen Retro Desk with Metal Legs Weathered Oak
Another entry from Ameriwood, this one bears semblance to the Haven Retro Desk by the same manufacturer but it’s without the riser. If you prefer a cleaner and more simplified look, this is the one for you.
The desktop is made of wood while the feet are metal for a sturdy and beautiful look. The color is a weathered oak one that easily blends in with the home. At 26.75” by 40” by 19.5” (H x W x D), it’s just the right size to hold your computer and a few more items without seeming cramped or too large.
At only 30.21 pounds of weight, you can easily move it around the house. The installation process is a simple one that takes a few steps to complete. You can also use it with most office chairs without a hindrance.
Pros
- Measures 26.75” by 40” by 19.5” (H x W x D) to fit into small spaces.
- Easy installation.
- Weighs less than 30 pounds for easy moving.
- Wooden top and metal legs for durability.
Cons
- A few customers complain of the color mismatch between what they ordered and the delivered product.
Besides not having a waterproof top (like most desks), it’s a great desk to have at home for your home office. You can easily remedy that with a waterproof film that’s quite cheap to obtain.
5. Convenience Concepts Designs2Go No Tools Student Desk, Black
While it’s touted as a student desk, it offers way more than a student would need. Made of wooden panels and a metal frame, this small space desk offers a good working desktop with a lot of storage space to boot. All the features are provided in a small package that’ll fit any tiny space in the home.
Besides the large shelf directly under the desktop, you get 4 other small shelves 2 on either side for books, pictures and other items. Although it looks slightly complex, it’s surprisingly easy to assemble and light to carry around (41 pounds).
The desktop measures 48” x 4”, the mid-level drawers on either side 10” x 6” while the bottom shelves on either side 10” x 18” which is a lot of storage space for any home desk. While we reviewed the black variant, there are 11 colors in total with the others being white, blue, charcoal gray, cherry, espresso, gray, faux birch, ice white, light oak and pink.
Pros
- Simple design with lots of storage space.
- Easy assembly procedure.
- Measures 47.25” x 15.75” x 30”.
- Weighs only 41 pounds.
- Available in 11 colors.
Cons
- The desktop can be a little narrow especially if you have a large desktop computer. It fits laptops very well though.
If you also need some storage space with your desk in a small space, this one is a wise choice.
6. Ameriwood Home Parsons Desk with Drawer, White
A third entry from Ameriwood, the Home Parsons Desk with Drawer is a simple wooden table with a small drawer underneath the top. It comes in 10 colors and measures 30” H x 39” W x 19.7” D which is just enough for your laptop and a few other items. The drawer offers storage for small items.
The top of the desk is made of MDF and a laminated particleboard which makes it waterproof and highly durable. Although you may need a second person for the assembly, the result is a great-looking desk that takes up very little space in the home while offering a lot on the top for work.
The simple and steady design is quite unique and it’s boosted by its availability in black, black oak, white, chevron, espresso, gray, navy, Sonoma oak, teal and white with teal drawer front.
Pros
- Small size (30” H x 39” W x 19.7” D) to fit in small spaces.
- Available in 10 colors.
- Made of high-quality MDF and laminated particleboard for longevity.
- Weighs only 28.6 pounds for ease of moving.
- Includes small drawer for extra storage.
Cons
- May require 2 people to assemble.
Even with the need for 2 people to assemble, it’s still quite simple to assemble and very handy for a home workstation.
7. Tribesigns Computer Desk, 63-inch Large Office Desk Computer Table Study Writing Desk Workstation for Home Office, Walnut
This solid desk is available in lengths of 47, 55 and 63 inches with all models having an equal width of 23.6 inches. All models are also available in 8 colors namely black, black and white, rustic brown, teak plus black legs, walnut with black legs, walnut with white parts, white and walnut with black.
The good things with this desk don’t end with the looks as it’s made of the very best materials in its class. Its legs and frame are made of heavy-duty powder coated steel while the top is made of laminated MDF. This makes the top waterproof and scratch resistant. It’s easily the strongest desk you can get for your home workstation.
The width of the desk (23.6”) is enough to add most office items from desktops, printers and many others without cramming the space you have for other tasks. The desk has a weight capacity of 900 lbs. which is much more than any desk will need.
Pros
- Available in 47”/55”/63” x 23.6” x 29.2” (L x W x H).
- 900 lbs. weight capacity.
- Made of high-quality materials that last.
- Quick 15-minute installation.
- Weighs 44.8 lbs.
- Adjustable leg pads.
Cons
- The adjustable leg pads need proper adjusting else the table will rock.
With a weight capacity of up to 900 pounds, two people can easily sit on this desk without an issue. It adds to this great feat with a great industrial design.
Honorable Mentions
Besides the top 7 above, other writing desks for small spaces worth a mention include the following:
8. UNICOO – Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk
If you need an adjustable desk, this one is that and so much more. It’s made of stainless steel with a controller for the height. It’s easy to assemble and to use as well. Its most advanced feature is the auto-balance function which stops the tilting of the top if it goes beyond 2 degrees from the horizontal plane. This keeps your items intact on the surface.
9. SEI Furniture Fold Out Convertible Desk 22” Wide – Wall Hanging Space Saving – Antique White Finish
This desk by SEI Furniture takes foldability to a whole new level. Made of the best quality birch veneer and MDF, it has a wall attachment system to which you attach the main piece. The others fold into it making it almost flat with the wall. The wall mounting boasts of 1 corkboard, 2 fixed shelves, 2 adjustable shelves ad 3 bill organizers.
10. Foldable Bed Tray Lap Desk
Another honorable mention is this Foldable Bed Tray Lap Desk from Zhimei. If you prefer to do some work in bed each morning before heading out to work or on weekends, you have the perfect lap desk in this one. It’s made of light yet high-quality materials and it’s foldable as well. It has slots for phones or tablets, is waterproof and ergonomic to reduce fatigue when working.
Any one or several of these desks should meet your home workstation needs well. They’re all affordable that can be delivered to you in a day or two.
Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for in a Small Writing Desk
When in the market for a work desk for a small space, you should consider the following aspects:
1. Size
The most obvious aspect to consider is the size of the desk. You should go for a small to medium desk as there may be limited space at home for such a work station. Do not, however, go for one that’s so small that you’re not comfortable working on it.
Our advice is to consider the best place to put such a desk in your home, measure out the space available then go for the desk that fits such a space. Also, consider a small chair for your home office as it’ll fit better into your small desk while also saving on space.
2. Quality of Materials
The second aspect is to consider the quality of materials your desk has. The materials you go for will determine how long the table serves you. We recommend going for quality metal, wood, MDF and other durable materials.
3. Weight and Weight Capacity
The weight of the desk determines whether you’ll be comfortable moving it around or not. The desks on our list can all be moved about by simply carrying them from one area to the next. Even with this, always ensure you use the correct lifting procedures to avoid injuries. The weight capacity of the desk determines how much weight the desktop can carry without getting damaged. For this aspect, the higher the better.
You should focus on getting a balance between the weight and weight capacity since heavier desks have a higher weight capacity.
4. Ease of Assembly
All the desks we picked on are easy to install with the most difficult requiring only 2 people to fix in a few minutes. Having a desk that’s easy to assemble reduces the time between buying and using. We loved the fact that some desks only require one step to assemble which is very handy.
5. Other Considerations
Besides the ones discussed above, you should also consider aspects such as the color, the waterproofing level of the desk top, and amount of storage. These aspects are subjective although they can be deal deciders as well.
Our focus on quality writing desks for small spaces made this review a joy as a lot of quality and cleverly-thought-out options were found. From this list are some of the best options on the market.
