Best desks: 5 top picks to complete your working from home set up

Looking for the best desks? We have you covered no matter your style, budget or space...

best desks
(Image credit: Loaf)

Investing in a high-quality desk if you now regularly work from home is really important not only for your focus but comfort too. Working from the sofa might have been fine for a few weeks, but now it's long-term it's time to sort a more permanent setup. But with so many options out there – corner desks, ladder desks, adjustable desks, fold-away desks – how do you know where to start? We suggest here, with our favorite desks to buy online just below.

Make sure you check out our home office ideas too. And if you're pressed for space in your new desk because you can only slot in something small, a desk organizer will be able to help.

Our favorite stylish desks

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Best desk from All Modern

(Image credit: All Modern)

1. All Modern Miko Desk

The best desk: a stylish, slimline desk that will fit seamlessly into any home office

Specifications

Size: 32.5'' H x 45'' W x 20'' D
Color: Walnut
Material : Manufactured Wood
Storage: One drawer

Reasons to buy

+
Stylish design 
+
Great for smaller home offices

Reasons to avoid

-
You don't get a tonne of storage

We love a Mid-century style home office, and the Milo Desk definitely adds a retro feel. The dark wood, tapered legs and accents of gold make it a little bit glam too. It's a pretty small design so would work if your home office is on the smaller side of even if it is in your living room. There's a single drawer that can fit a laptop, papers, and any extra stationery so you can clear your desk once you have finished working – something we think is a good way to keep that work/life balance when working from home. 

Assembly is easy, all you need to do is screw on the legs and you are good to go. 

West Elm desk

(Image credit: West Elm)

2. West Elm Audrey Desk

A retro-inspired desk that's perfect for stylish home offices

Specifications

Size: 132 cm w x 61 cm d x 75 cm h
Color: White and gold
Material : Lacquered engineered wood
Storage: Three drawers

Reasons to buy

+
Plenty of storage
+
Perfect size for small home offices
+
Could double up as a dressing or console table

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

If you want the best desk for style, then they don't come better looking than the West Elm Audrey Desk. Again, it's slimline so it would be ideal if you don't have a lot of space, but it still has plenty of storage – three roomy drawers for storing away your work at the end of the day. The gold legs and the geometric embossed wood definitely give this desk a 20's feel but it's a practical buy too – great quality that's made to last.

Oh and once you are back in the office? Switch this to a dressing table in your bedroom or console table in the hall. 

Birch Lane Adan desk

(Image credit: Birch Lane)

3. Birch Lane Adan Desk

The best desk for adding a rustic, industrial vibe to your home office

Specifications

Size: 30.25'' H x 60'' W x 28'' D
Color: Black and dark oak
Material : Solid oak and metal
Storage: four shelves

Reasons to buy

+
Plenty of surface space
+
Easy accessible storage
+
Solid wood and great quality

Reasons to avoid

-
No closed storage

If you are in need of something larger, with more surface space for spreading out all your work, the Adan Desk would be ideal. It's large yes, but it doesn't look too blocky because of the open shelving and metal base. The mix of dark wood and black metal tap into the industrial trend but the high-quality construction and heft means it's built to last. While some might miss having drawers to shove everything into, we think open shelving keeps you organized and these are far big enough for a laptop, maybe even a printer too. 

Joss & Main desk

(Image credit: Joss & Main)

4. Joss & Main Hardwicke Secretary Desk

A compact desk that's perfect for more traditional-style offices

Specifications

Size: 40.5'' H x 36.2'' W x 19.1'' D
Color: Dark green
Material: Wood
Storage: 5 drawers and one shelf

Reasons to buy

+
Traditional style
+
Plenty of storage despite the small size
+
Loads of colour options 

Reasons to avoid

-
There's not loads of surface space

How adorable is this desk? It's perfect if you like a more classic style in your home. The solid wood and simple design of this desk look less corporate and cozier, especially if your office adheres to a warmer, more homey scheme. It offers a great amount of storage despite being on the small side and there's enough surface space to perch a laptop and note pad. The bang on trend dark green would add a nice splash of color to a space, but there are other more neutral options too.

Walmart desk

(Image credit: Walmart)

5. Better Homes & Gardens 71" Bedford Leaning Desk

The best ladder desk for those who think they can't fit in a desk

Specifications

Size : 33.25" W x 19.2" D x 71.5" H
Color: Ivory and brown
Material : Wood
Storage: two shelves

Reasons to buy

+
Really affordable
+
Small footprint for small apartments

Reasons to avoid

-
Not a lot of storage 

For minimalists and fans of that stripped-back Scandi aesthetic, this is the one. A clean-looking, desk that leans against the wall for a tiny footprint, it’s a great addition to a small home office. It also boasts a couple of shelves to boost storage and keep essentials within easy reach. Such a great price too, and you can join with the Better Homes and Gardens Bedford Leaning Bookcases for a customized storage system if you need more storage. 

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Hebe Hatton

Hebe joined the Real Homes team in early 2018 as Staff Writer before moving to the Livingetc team in 2021 where she took on a role as Digital Editor. She loves boho and 70's style and is a big fan of Instagram as a source of interiors inspiration. When she isn't writing about interiors, she is renovating her own spaces – be it wallpapering a hallway, painting kitchen cupboards or converting a van.