I spend a substantial amount of my day on my desk, typing away to glory. Most of the time I also end up eating my meals on it! And binge-watching on Netflix as well. And I’m sure that’s the case with most of us, since working from home became the new norm, and our home offices became our new hang-out spots. But having a great desk is really important! Simply a ‘good’ desk won’t do either. A great desk helps us work comfortably and effectively. It puts us in the right mindset, helping us achieve our daily productivity goals and checkmark all the tasks on our to-do list! Not only should our desks be clean, but they should also sport an ergonomic and functional design! And good looks are an added bonus. And finding a desk that does all of the above can be a Herculean task. But worry not! We’ve curated a collection of innovative, highly functional, and aesthetically pleasing desk designs, that will end your hunt for a great desk once and for all! From a wall-mounted desk with a revolving drawer to a bureau-style desk with a foldout table – there’s a perfect desk in here for everyone.
1. The Pessoa Table
Minimalist desks are great at sneaking organizational features into hidden nooks and crannies, but this striking work table has those compartments and spaces hiding in plain sight.
Why is it noteworthy?
Given the desk’s simple yet beautiful appearance, it might come as a surprise to learn that its form is actually inspired by three very different people with very different personalities. Or, to be more precise, the desk is named after the famed Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa, whose different “heteronyms” (he doesn’t want to call them pseudonyms) have different and sometimes extremely conflicting ideologies. But almost like a metaphor for that situation, the Pessoa table still retains a unified appearance and beauty, just as all of Pessoa’s seventy-five heteronyms spring from the same man.
What we like
- Minimal + vintage looks
- Features two containers that float in the back panel
What we dislike
- No complaints!
2. The Ignite Desk
Limited room space has given birth to modular desk designs, while work-from-home arrangements caused multi-purpose desks to flourish. Even as the world settles down into the cadence of a “new normal,” the need to separate work from other activities at home hasn’t gone away. This customizable desk has a design that respects that separation of concerns, and it implements this in a beautifully minimalist manner.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Ignite Desk concept design borrows that idea but expands it to make the same desk usable for two different purposes. In its “neutral” state, the backboard is unfolded over the entire desk, providing a flat and clean surface you can use for activities like reading, playing, or even eating.
What we like
- There are hidden power outlets for your devices as well as movable dividers to really personalize your setup
- It creates a clear yet flexible division between the desk you use for work with the desk that you can use for everything else
What we dislike
- No complaints!
3. Revolver Desk Concept
This design concept for a desk floating desk is one such example, where a drawer can be an extension of a desk and more, depending on how you swing it, literally.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Matryoshka doll has become a common design pattern in many products, particularly because of its ability to inconspicuously hide parts of the same shape inside itself. That multi-layered construction is a great way to save space while also providing some flexibility in terms of functionality. It can’t be applied to all designs, of course, but some creative thinking can really go a long way in creating something unique and impressive.
What we like
- The really interesting part is when you swivel the “drawers,” extending the very space of the desk itself
What we dislike
- No complaints!
4. The Zedo Desk
Not only should our desks be clean, but they should also sport an ergonomic and functional design. One such desk I recently came across is the Zedo Desk.
Why is it noteworthy?
Designed by Paolo Pampanoni for the workplace furniture brand Narbutas, the Zedo desk is great to bring some personality and character into a dreary old corporate office. It can be used as an individual desk or linked together with multiple other Zedo desks. The flexible desk system has distinct metal parts, and colorful accessories to help you create a desk space according to your personal taste and requirements.
What we like
- As ideal as Zedo is for office space, it could also work great in your home office
- You can team it up with the Polytone-L chair, which is also by Narbutas
What we dislike
- No complaints!
5. Lumina Desk
Blending a functional furniture aesthetic with functional technology, this height-adjustable desk brings an altogether new way to organize digital spaces for maximum productivity. Designed by a startup company otherwise known for its AI webcam (delivering DSLR-level quality), the smart programmable desk is primarily built to bring passive data to the peripheral view in the most non-intrusive way.
Why is it noteworthy?
There are countless options when we talk of Sit-stand desks with push-button raise/lower action, but Lumina desk is different. The smart furniture piece brings a programmable height adjustment feature to the equation, and it’s going to be highly useful. The in-built Windows and Mac compatible software allows the user to set the start and end times for raising or lowering the height ranging from 30-47-inches.
What we like
- The scratch-resistant and fingerprint-resistant OLED display is centered in a way to make space for placing the primary monitor along with the secondary screen and keyboard and mouse
What we dislike
- No complaints!
6. The Writing Bureau
Designed by Japan-based Taiji Fujimori Atelier, the Writing Bureau creates the perfect nook for your productive work sessions. It sports a small footprint thanks to its folding design, but opens out into a spacious writing surface for your notepads, tablets, phone, charger, and finally your laptop. A slot at the back also lets you dock your laptop and shut the desk when not in use.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Writing Bureau creates a wonderfully immersive space that captures your attention by surrounding your periphery. The vertical panel behind the desk is perfect for post-it notes and other memorabilia/accessories, and a shelf space underneath the desk is ideal for storing books, chargers, and anything you might need to access while working.
What we like
- The desk comes made from Lauan laminated plywood, with a wax finish to smoothen out the edges
What we dislike
- No complaints!
7. The Axis Concept
With this more mechanical standing desk concept, you can enjoy the benefits of a healthier working lifestyle without breaking your back or your bank.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Axis concept uses a simple axis mechanism, hence the name, to move the larger desk surface up or down as needed. As a bonus, part of the desk actually remains in position and is a good place to put items you’re less likely to move, like supplies or desk organizers. It can even be a temporary bookshelf that stays in the back of your desk when sitting or beneath the table when standing.
What we like
- The simplicity of this system means that manufacturers can keep the number of parts and materials down to a minimum
- Sustainable materials can be used since it has no need for electronics or even plastics
- Replacement parts could be easier to purchase, too, presuming owners themselves can’t make those out of standardized design
What we dislike
- It’s still a concept!
8. The Diag Desk
The Diag Desk is a minimalist, modern desk built to optimize desk space while incorporating storage elements like removable leather compartments. When it comes to desks, the simpler the better. Desks that are rooted in simplicity, either through a minimalist approach or by embracing Scandinavian aesthetics, typically offer a lot of practicality while maintaining a stripped-down design.
Why is it noteworthy?
Considering its minimalist build, more space can be devoted to the desk’s tabletop, where most of the desk’s purpose is reserved. The Diag Desk from Polish designer Marek Błażucki is one kind of minimalist design that integrates storage systems into its build, ensuring that users have ample desk space while still keeping their necessary stationery within arm’s reach.
What we like
- Integrates ample storage systems into its build
- Ensures stationery doesn’t fall off
What we dislike
- There are a lot of visually similar desks on the market
9. The Eleven Desk
Eleven isn’t just a number or that fictional character from a TV series. Eleven can soon be known as a special desk designed to make working from home more fun and productive.
Why is it noteworthy?
The desk looks sturdy with the table top’s thickness and the legs. It has enough areas for everything you need for work. The table surface can accommodate your laptop, keyboard, monitor, and mouse. In addition, there is ample area for your books, documents, pens, and a mug. Underneath, there are hooks where you can hang your bag and headphones, plus another level for more stuff.
What we like
- The desk is ideal for those who have a lot of stuff and needs some organizing to help them finish tasks on time
- The table is buildable, which means you can quickly assemble this thing
What we dislike
- The Eleven Desk is still a prototype
10. The Spiky Desk Concept
This Spiky Desk Concept for a work table and also a display table may not be as storage-friendly as some of the ones that we previously covered but it does serve as more than just a place where you put things on top. It doesn’t really have spikes as the name might suggest but the storage space underneath does have some uniquely shaped structures. They’re more triangles than spikes and they serve as a textured place to place some of your office supplies.
Why is it noteworthy?
The place under the main surface area is not that huge but can be used to store things like pens, rulers, scissors, and other office supplies, at least in the parts with triangular-shaped spaces. These spaces are on the left and right sides of the table. In the middle is a flat surface where you can place things like your books, notebooks, documents, or even your laptop when you need to take a break and stop using it.
What we like
- Functions as a work table and a display table
What we dislike
- The table is pretty big, so it won’t fit into small spaces
- It’s still a concept!
