The Best Writing Desk
1. FOLUBAN Rustic Industrial Computer & Writing Desk
Key Features
MDF with wood grain
Black steel frame
Minimalist design
1.58 inch thickness table top
Weight capacity of 350 lbs
12 Month Quality Warranty
The best writing desk in our review is FOLUBAN Rustic Industrial Computer & Writing Desk, which combines a rustic industrial style with a simple, contemporary design. This is a strong, sturdy desk with a lovely wood grain finish, and it looks great anywhere in your home. A spacious work surface and high weight capacity mean that you are free to arrange your monitor, laptop, etc in the way that suits you best.
Pros
Easy to assemble
Very sturdy
Neutral look will suit any office space
Top is thick enough to mount a power strip underneath if needed
Has a high-end appearance
Spacious work surface
Cons
No storage drawers or shelves
Cross brace prevents you putting your legs under the desk on one side
Surface has a slightly rough texture
2. Foxemart Study Writing Table for Home Office
Key Features
Adjustable leg pads
Thick MDF desktop
Scratch-resistant and waterproof
Natural wood finish
Powder-coated metal frame and steel support brackets
24 months warranty
The clean, simple lines of Foxemart Study Writing Table for Home Office make it a striking feature in your home or office. It includes pads at the base of the legs that adjust to alter their individual height – just what you need to keep the desk steady on an uneven floor. The top is designed to be resistant to water and scratches, plus it’s easy to just wipe clean.
Pros
Easy to assemble
Versatile, modern design ideal for home or office
Strong and durable
Very easy to clean
Adjustable pads keep desk level, even if floor is uneven
Lots of legroom for storage
Cons
No shelving or drawers
Can be a little squeaky
Quickly collects fingerprints
3. Tribesigns Gold & White 2-Tier Storage Writing Desk
Key Features
Compact size
2 shelves
12″ clearance between shelves
Satin gold metal with marble board
Adjustable leg pads
18 months quality assurance
We love the unique and classy design of Tribesigns Gold & White 2-Tier Storage Writing Desk. The matt gold frame contrasts beautifully with the marble-effect top, meaning this desk looks great in the office or anywhere else in your home you may want to use it. It features two shelves, which are just what you need for storing stationery supplies and office accessories.
Pros
Shelving allows for extra storage
Ideal if your office space is small
Elegant, classy look
Can be adjusted to fit uneven floors
Versatile – would work well in any room in the home
Tools for assembly included
Cons
Edges vulnerable to chipping
Top scratches easily
Shelves are a little narrow
4. Ameriwood Home Parsons Writing Desk with Drawer
Key Features
Single drawer
Minimalist style
Multiple colors available
Laminated particleboard and MDF
Wipe clean surface
Ameriwood Home Parsons Writing Desks – available in a range of colors – have clean lines and include a single drawer for storage. Easy to put together and ideal for smaller spaces, the desk has a wipe-clean surface, so it’s easy to keep it looking good.
Pros
Drawer space provides extra storage
Versatile – looks good in any room
Easy to assemble
Sturdy
Ideal for smaller office
Good value for money
Cons
Legs are lightweight
Too small for some office setups
Drawer is quite small
Drawer doesn’t pull all the way out
Sharp edges
5. Crown Mark Fairfax Home Office Writing Desk
Key Features
Two drawers
Solid wood with brown cherry finish
Traditional style
Antique brass fittings
Chippendale details
Padded, upholstered seat
The best writing desk in our premium category is this beautiful offering from Crown Mark. Crown Mark Fairfax Home Office Writing Desk comes in a set which includes a comfortable seat, and both items have a high quality, traditional look and feel to them. In addition, this desk features a weathered-looking map on the top and two drawers, which provide some extra storage space.
Pros
Extra storage space provided by drawers
Easy to assemble
Heavy, solid feel
Looks expensive and high quality
Features an attractive, weathered-look map
Excellent value for money
Cons
Heavy, so may need 2 people to stand it upright after assembly
Drawers are a little shallow
Desk surface is textured – cannot put paper on it directly to write
Has a strong smell of varnish when new
6. Novogratz White Marble Computer & Writing Desk With Storage
Key Features
Laminated particleboard with marble finish
2 integrated shelves
Wire grommet for cords
Gold powder-coated metal hairpin legs
Long open cubby at back
One of the best writing desks in terms of value for money is Novogratz White Marble Computer & Writing Desk With Storage, which has some fabulous features! A handy grommet keeps all your wires neatly organized, whilst the cubby-like shelves are a great place to store books and more. One of our favorite things about this desk is its quirky design – in particular the cool ‘hairpin’ legs! Perfect for your home office, this desk would also complement just about any room in your home.
Pros
Shelving provides extra storage
Grommet keeps wires tidy
Attractive, modern design ideal for home office
Easy to clean
Rear cubby allows you to hide a power strip
Only needs minimal assembly
Cons
Top is vulnerable to scratches
Legs are more bronze than gold
Slightly wobbly
7. Bestier Industrial Oak Writing Desk & Bookshelf
Key Features
4 reversible storage shelves
Oak finish
P2 class MDF desk top
Waterproof, scratch-resistant surface
Adjustable leg pads
Metal frame
Looking for a desk with lots of extra storage? Then Bestier Industrial Oak Writing Desk – with its integrated bookshelves – will be just right for you! Its design includes a generously-sized desk top, giving you plenty of room on which to work, and the open shelves can be installed on either the left or right of the desk. This means you’ll find it easy to incorporate into your home office setup and customize it to look exactly the way you want.
Pros
Extra-large writing and working space
Shelves can be installed on the left or right
Easy to clean
Stable X-design
Includes tools for assembly
Solid construction
Cons
Assembly is time-consuming
Instructions a little confusing
Metal beams vulnerable to bending
8. Nathan James Telos Home Office Writing Desk
Key Features
Built-in drawer
Waterproof anti-scratch surface
Manufactured wood desk top, pine legs
Self-adhesive furniture pads
15 minute assembly
100% satisfaction guarantee
One of the most beautiful writing desks in our review, Nathan James Telos Home Office Writing Desk is perfect for your home office. It has a built-in drawer to keep your office supplies out of sight and a quality wood top with a scratch-resistant, water-resistant surface. If you have hard floors you don’t need to worry about these desks causing any damage – they come with self-adhesive circular furniture pads to stick at the base of the legs.
Pros
Storage space allows you to keep supplies out of sight
Desk looks beautiful anywhere in your home
Easy to wipe clean
Won’t mark hard floors
Easy to put together
Heavy and sturdy
Cons
Surface is textured – can’t place paper directly on it for writing
Strong smell on opening
Drawer occasionally rolls open by itself
9. HOMECHO Vintage Laptop & Writing Desk
Key Features
High-quality MDF
2 drawers and 4 shelves
Reinforced metal frame
Threaded hole for power cords
2 years quality assurance
Comes with tools for assembly
If you love vintage industrial style writing desks, then this is the right desk for you! HOMECHO Vintage Laptop & Writing Desk offers a ton of space to store books and office supplies, with two drawers and four shelves. This home office desk features a threaded hole too, so you can keep the power cords to your office equipment neatly out of sight.
Pros
Lots of storage space
Strong and stable
Easy to keep cords organized and tidy
Spacious desk top
Neutral color to suit any home office
High-quality look
Cons
Assembly can be time-consuming
Instructions are confusing
Drawers can be a little stiff
10. Signature Design by Ashley Bolanburg Home Office Writing Desk
Key Features
Antique white finish
Weathered oak top
3 drawers
Available in 2 colors
Multi-functional
Comes with tools for assembly
This model combines a farmhouse style with an office desk! Signature Design by Ashley Bolanburg Home Office Writing Desk comes with 3 smoothly sliding drawers to organize all your office accessories and there are matching items of furniture available to allow you to blend this desk seamlessly into your home.
Pros
Drawers glide smoothly
You can store accessories out of sight
Other matching furniture items available
Large desktop gives plenty of work space
Versatile – looks good in any room
Sturdy
Cons
Drawers are a little shallow
Surface is textured – can’t place paper directly on it for writing
Finish is vulnerable to peeling
11. CosmoLiving Camila White & Gold Writing Desk
Key Features
Wireless charging spot compatible with all Qi-enabled devices
Two drawers
White or gray finish with gold accents
Painted MDF
Metal legs
Gold ring drawer pulls
CosmoLiving Camila White & Gold Writing Desk is the right desk if you are looking for something practical, yet stylish and sophisticated too. We love the gold accents of these writing desks that give them an elegant, classy look and the extra space for storage provided by the two drawers is ideal for keeping your office supplies hidden from view. Best of all is the wireless charging spot that allows for cord-free charging.
Pros
You can charge your phone without cords
Storage space to keep accessories out of sight
Classy and sophisticated look
Easy to clean
Easy to assemble
Solid and sturdy
Cons
Drawers can be a little stiff
Top-heavy design makes it unsuitable for heavy items like TVs
May have a strong paint smell on opening
12. bonVIVO Massimo Glass and Bamboo Writing Desk
The bonVIVO Massimo Glass and Bamboo Writing Desk has a unique, contemporary style that brings an elegant look to your home. Resistant to shattering, the top has a white MDF shelf immediately below it to store all your stationery accessories.
Pros
Looks stylish in any room
Shelf provides additional storage space
Matching accessories available for a uniform look
Has a high-end appearance
Enough desktop space for all your accessories
Cons
Assembly is time-consuming
Instructions can be confusing
A little top-heavy owing to the weight of the glass, causing wobbles
Somewhat low to the floor
13. IRONCK Simple Study Industrial Computer & Writing Desk
Key Features
Eco-friendly P2 grade MDF board tabletop
Vintage brown finish
Textured sand black metal frame
Load capacity of around 200 lbs
Includes tools for assembly
100% money-back guarantee
The IRONCK Simple Study Industrial Computer & Writing Desk combines industrial chic with vintage charm and have clean, simple lines that complement your office space. The robust metal frame provides stability – and if your floors are a little uneven you can use the adjustable footpads to make sure the desk stays completely level.
Pros
Easy to put together
Matching pieces (including shelves) available
Resistant to scratches
Robust and sturdy
Adjustable footpads for stability
Has a high-end look and feel
Cons
No drawers or shelves for storage
Can be difficult to attach a clamp-on lamp or mic
Impossible to mount a keyboard tray if needed
May be too tall for some people to use as an office desk
14. CubiCubi Black Metal Study Writing Table
Key Features
Engineered wood worktop
Rigid metal frame
Storage bag
Iron hook
Adjustable leg pads
2-year warranty
The CubiCubi Black Metal Study Writing Table is a great writing desk that offers the benefits of clean, modern lines combined with the convenience of additional storage. The bag that fits on the end is great for books and paperwork, whilst the metal hook on the frame gives you somewhere convenient to store headphones or other accessories.
Pros
Hook and storage bag make it simple to stay organized
Triangle strut design gives stability
Adjustable footpads make the desk ideal for uneven floors
Very easy to put together
Works well as an office desk but also looks good in other rooms
Wood work top looks very attractive
Cons
Textured surface means you need to place something below the paper when writing
Quite a small desk if you use multiple accessories in your office setup
Edges are a little sharp
15. Coavas Modern Simple Writing Desk
Key Features
Foldable desk
Simple industrial style
Weight capacity of 200 lbs
MDF top
Black metal frame
Lightweight
The Coavas Modern Simple Writing Desk is so simple to assemble – all you need to do is open out the frame and snap on the desktop! What’s more, you can fold them up when not in use – making them easy to store away – and they are light enough to be portable and move around your home, so you can have a desk wherever you need one!
Pros
Very little assembly required
Easy to store – just folds away
Portable – easy to move from room to room
Sturdy
Versatile – looks good in any room
Cons
Top is textured – you will need to place something below the paper when writing
No drawers or shelves
No support in the middle – vulnerable to bowing
16. 4NM Small Folding Writing Desk
Key Features
Eco-friendly particle board desk top
Iron frame
Anti-rust metal hinges
Folds and unfolds in seconds
Natural finish with white frame
Clean, modern look
The 4NM Small Folding Writing Desk is just perfect if you’re short on space! They don’t take up much room when expanded and fold almost flat for storage.
Pros
No assembly required
Folds almost flat for storage
Portable – ideal for moving from room to room
Stable
Ideal solution for small spaces
Neutral colors blend with any decor
Cons
No drawers or shelves
Sharp edges
Veneer is vulnerable to wear and tear
17. FURINNO Simplistic A Frame Computer & Writing Desk
Key Features
Durable particle board
Desk hutches and storage shelf
Stable
A-frame design
Industrial look
Raised shelf at rear
The best writing desks, if you’re on a budget, are these FURINNO Simplistic A Frame Computer & Writing Desks. Their design makes it easy to store your office accessories and the raised shelf comes in really handy. Not only can you use it to store books or show off decorative items, but it’s also big enough to accommodate a monitor, giving you more room on your desk.
Pros
Storage space to keep your desk organized
Rounded edges for comfort
The raised shelf frees up more room on your desktop
Top shelf can hold a monitor if needed
Stable and durable
Great value for money
Cons
Back of desk is unfinished so needs to be against a wall
Instructions are confusing
Can’t take too much weight
18. FUNKOCO 5 Drawer Home Office Writing Desk
Key Features
Compact design
Solid wood legs
Solid wood drawer handles
35 lbs weight capacity
5 drawers
Hutches and shelf for storage
With its beautiful design, multiple storage drawers, hutches, and shelf, FUNKOCO 5 Drawer Writing Desk is one of the best desks for your home office. The drawers are different sizes, which is really handy for organizing everything from small items like staplers and pens right through to books and files.
Pros
Top section of desk can be detached for versatility
Lots of storage options for great organization
Stable
Durable
Simple to assemble
Attractive design
Cons
Too small for a full office setup
Strong paint smell when new
Features To Consider With Writing Desks
Adjustability
If the floor on which you plan to sit your desk is not quite even, you will find that the desk will be quite wobbly once set up! The solution is to look for desks with adjustable pads on the legs. These enable you to slightly alter the height separately for each leg, ensuring stability.
Design
The first consideration when it comes to the design of your desk is your decor. You want something that will blend in, particularly if the desk is for your home office. Fortunately, this guide includes desks in all kinds of styles, including industrial, vintage, and chic! Next, you need to think about whether or not the desk will work with your particular office set up - here is where you may want to consider whether a standard writing desk or floating desk may be more appropriate. If you have a PC with a tower, for example, where will you put the tower? Or if you need to use clamp-on accessories, such as a microphone or camera, will the desk be compatible? Whether or not the desk is designed to be portable may also be important to you, particularly if you plan to move it from room to room. Some desks fold in order to make this easier, whereas others are light enough to move without difficulty.
Desk Space
If you have multiple monitors or need a significant amount of work space, be sure to check the specifications of the desk you are interested in. This should tell you the exact dimensions of the area available to you - because a desk may be smaller in reality than it seems to appear in a photograph. You can always check out our buying guide where we have reviewed best triple monitor stands if you are in lack of sufficient desk space.
Material
When choosing a desk, always check the description of the materials from which it's made. Solid wood tends to be more stable and durable than wood-effect desks. For the ultimate in strength, you may want to consider a desk with a metal frame, which is often capable of supporting more weight.
Storage
Whereas some desks provide just a work surface, others include drawers, hutches, cubbies, or shelves. If you have books, files, or loose items like pens, pencils, and other office accessories, the best option is to look for desks offering these types of storage features. This helps to keep your equipment organized and your office looking tidy.
Size
There are two ways in which the size of your desk is important. First, you need to check the dimensions to make sure that it will fit in the space you have available. Secondly, you want to be sure that it is big enough for your needs and will be able to accommodate your monitor, keyboard, laptop, books, etc.