A desk doesn’t have to be a heavy, baronial expanse of wood that dominates a room. Especially at home — and especially at a time when many of us are trying to shoehorn an additional work space into anyplace it will fit — something smaller and more sprightly is often preferable.
“Different types of work require different types of spaces: If it’s just a laptop, you don’t need a large desk,” said Chad Dorsey, a Dallas-based interior designer who sells turnkey home-office furniture packages.
Just how small can a small desk be?
“Thirty-six inches wide would be the minimum,” Mr. Dorsey said. But if you have notebooks, binders and lots of papers, he noted, a desk that’s closer to five feet wide might work better: “Almost anyone could fit within that.”
As for depth, he likes a desktop that is about two feet deep.
Such a nimble piece of furniture doesn’t require a dedicated office. It could be tucked into the corner of a bedroom, living room, dining room, entrance hall — or even a large closet, Mr. Dorsey pointed out: “It could almost go anywhere.”
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Does a small desk need drawers? Not that many. Mr. Dorsey prefers either a small pencil drawer or none at all. “With a small desk, you want enough leg space to be comfortable,” he said.
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Is the weight important? Yes, a small desk should be robust enough that it doesn’t wiggle, Mr. Dorsey said, but light enough that it’s easy to move between rooms.
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What about accessories? Mr. Dorsey recommended adding decorative objects like pottery or art: “Even if it’s just a basic work top, you can still make it a special place to be.”
Copenhague 90 Desk
Wood desk with linoleum top by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
$895 at Hay: 833-849-3025 or us.hay.com
1 x 1 Desk
Powder-coated steel desk with oak or walnut top
$500 at Uhuru Design: 718-855-6519 or uhurudesign.com
Folk Ladder Desk Shelving
Wall-based wood desk by Norm Architects
From $595 at Design Within Reach: 800-944-2233 or dwr.com
Fjällbo Laptop Table
Metal-and-wood desk with casters and adjustable feet
About $60 at Ikea: 888-888-4532 or ikea.com
Culla Desk
Oak or walnut desk with drawers
$559 at Article: 888-746-3455 or article.com
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