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Having an adequate workspace can make or break your day. Whether you are working remotely or just need a space to pay the bills, having the proper desk for your space and needs will boost your productivity and efficiency while adding an element of design to your home.
To help you out, we’ve rounded up ten modern desk picks to elevate your home office or living space.
Top Pick: Home Styles Xcel Home Office Ensemble with Two Desks
If space is not an issue, by all means, go big or go home. This office desk is an excellent choice for two people working from home or even a student or two catching up on homework or homeschooling. With a variety of matching pieces available, you could easily design an entire home office around this modern office desk.
Splurge Pick: Embassy Desk
Although, technically not the most expensive desk on our list, we’re giving the “Splurge Pick” title to this one because it’s just so darn drool-worthy. Definitely more form over function, this elegant, minimalist desk with modern clean lines, will serve better as a conversation piece and a writing desk than an executive workspace. If you are capable of keeping your workspace clutter-free, this is the desk for you. But if your job entails a lot of paperwork, writing utensils, and other storage-requiring essentials, you may want to pass on this beauty and opt for something with more storage space.
Best Budget: Novogratz Computer Desk with Storage
This sweet faux marble desk is just so stinkin’ cute. Ideal for dorm rooms, guest rooms, first homes, or really anywhere that needs a smaller-scale desk, we also love that matching nesting tables, plant stands, and a TV stand is available. You could create a super budget-friendly, retro workspace or office space in your modern home.
While these are our top three picks, there are many great home office desk options to compliment your home’s modern style. Here’s our full list of favorite designs.
1. Best L-Shape Desk: Enprise L-Shape Desk
Top Features:
- Available in three colors
- L-Shape
- Easy to assemble
L-Shape desks are a great solution to space sharing in small spaces. Whether or not you have a dedicated home office, an L-shaped desk will fit neatly in the corner so you have room for other office furniture like filing cabinets, bookcases, or the living room couch. Available in rustic brown, gray, or charcoal gray, this industrial modern L-shape corner desk features a manufactured woodwork surface and open storage shelves atop a sturdy black metal frame. Although this desk is designed with space-saving in mind, its work surface is ample and you will be able to keep everything you need within arm’s reach.
View Enprise L-Shape Desk on Wayfair
2. Best Standing Modern Desk: Flexispot Standing Desk
Top Features:
- Available in four finishes
- Electric lift
- Integrated USB ports
Anyone who works long hours knows it’s tough to sit for an extended period of time – it’s not healthy or ergonomic. That’s why we love the idea of the trending adjustable desks, especially this one that has all the bells and whistles. Available in four finishes (we’re huge fans of the one with the glass top), this standing desk is equipped with electric height adjustment, four height memory buttons, a child lock button, 3 USB charging ports, and a spacious storage drawer. Constructed with powder-coated steel, it is not only sturdy but also scratch-resistant.
View Flexispot Standing Desk on Amazon
3. Best Mid-Century Modern Desk: Mareike Desk
Top Features:
- Available in two colors
- Finished back
- Made of solid and manufactured wood
Inspired by mid-century designs, this modern writing desk will fit right into the modern style of your living area or home office. Three drawers with cutout pull on full-extension glides provide a place for pens, paper, and even your laptop. This wood desk’s four slightly splayed and tapered legs along with its work surface are crafted from solid hardwood with birch veneers in light walnut or black finish. Plus, the back is also fully finished so it is not necessary to place it against a wall.
View Mareike Desk on Wayfair
4. Best Modern Computer Desk: Tribesigns Modern Computer Desk
Top Features:
- Available in four sizes
- Available in eight finishes
- Easy to clean
We love the clean, minimal look of this modern computer desk, especially the white desk on gold metal legs. With so many finishes available in four different sizes, you are bound to find one that will fit your modern space. With its open-concept design and clean aesthetic, this contemporary computer desk makes a wonderful addition to any home office or workspace. The metal frame and thick track-style legs ensure stability, while the scratch-resistant laminate finish protects the work surface from daily wear and tear.
View Tribesigns Modern Computer Desk on Amazon
5. Best Executive Modern Desk: Jarmericus Reversible L-Shaped Executive Desk
Top Features:
- L-shape
- Available in four finishes
- Open storage
Whether you’re working on an expense report or your family’s to-do list, give yourself all of the space you could possibly need with this L-shape executive desk. Crafted from manufactured wood with laminate, this computer desk is available in four neutral finishes that fit a variety of modern styles, from farmhouse to industrial to traditional. Five open storage shelves provide a place for books and other decorative items, while three storage drawers (including a filing cabinet) offer out-of-sight storage space for office supplies.
View Jarmericus Reversible L-Shaped Executive Desk on Wayfair
6. Best Doubles-as-an-Entry-Table Modern Desk: Tribesigns Computer Desk
Top Features:
- Available in two finishes
- Two ample storage drawers
- Sturdy metal base
We get it, not everyone lives in a 5,000-square-foot house. Space can be tight, especially when sharing it with multiple people. That’s why we love this secretary desk. If you don’t have a dedicated home office or are looking for something that doesn’t necessarily look like a desk, this is it. With two large storage drawers for office supplies and your laptop, this piece could easily double as an entry table, sofa table, or credenza. Just pull up your office chair when you’re ready to get to work.
View Tribesigns Computer Desk on Amazon
7. Best Minimalist Modern Desk: Embassy Desk
Top Features:
- Available in two colors
- Available in two sizes
- Minimalist design
This beautiful glass desk is the epitome of minimalist, modern design. Available in clear and smoked glass, it would be a stunner for any home office or living area, easily doubling as a writing table and tabletop for dining if space-saving is on your agenda. Of course, you are the best judge of your lifestyle and living situation and will want to weigh the pros and cons of having a solid glass surface in your home before pulling out your credit card and purchasing.
View Embassy Desk on Wayfair
8. Best Faux Marble Modern Desk: Novogratz Computer Desk with Storage
Top Features:
- Available in three colors
- Hairpin metal legs
- Matching pieces available
Give your workspace a mid-century modern upgrade with this sweet faux marble secretary desk. Made of PVC laminated particleboard, this lightweight, easy-to-clean desk features a laptop desk and trending gold powder-coated hairpin metal legs to match your modern style. The two open storage cubbies allow you to keep office supplies within reach and off of your workspace. The long open cubby in the back of the desk is an excellent hiding spot for a power strip, and you’ll like the included wire grommet that will keep your cords organized and tangle-free.
View Novogratz Computer Desk with Storage on Amazon
9. Best Painted Modern Desk: Marotta Desk
Top Features:
- Available in twelve colors
- Two storage drawers
- Manufactured and solid wood
If you’re going to have a writing desk in a main living area, why not have it make a statement? This secretary desk is available in twelve vibrant and neutral matte colors. Constructed out of manufactured wood, the desk sits atop X-frame legs and features metal pulls and dovetail construction.
View Marotta Desk on Wayfair
10. Best Modern Desk for Two: Home Styles Xcel Home Office Ensemble with Two Desks
Top Features:
- Room for two
- Wood veneer
- L-shape
We love, love, love this modern industrial office desk built for two (so romantic!). This L-shape executive desk is a cozy choice if you and your partner are both working from home. Simply pull up two office chairs and get to work. Its metal frame, in a distinctive aged copper, goes wonderfully with its cinnamon-colored mahogany wood veneer. The hutch features two storage drawers, two cubbies, and a center area with wire management access.
View Home Styles Xcel Home Office Ensemble with Two Desks on Amazon
Modern Desk Buyer’s Guide
Before buying a modern desk for your home, you’ll need to think carefully about what features you want, but, most importantly, you’ll need to decide what you have space for. Measure out the length, height, and width you have to work with and start from there. Here are some other factors to keep in mind as well.
Sizes and styles: There are a wide variety of desk sizes on the market, from small secretary desks and writing desks to large L-shape desks, gaming desks, and executive desks. So, whether you have a tiny apartment or a big, giant home office, you’ll be able to find a modern office desk for you. But always, always measure. We hate to be a broken record, but it’s truly that important!
Materials: The awesome thing about modern design is that it is so incredibly compatible with a number of materials. From wood to metal, glass to laminate, there are so many high-quality modern desk options to choose from to accentuate the rest of your modern style.
Flow: You don’t want to disrupt the overall feel of your home office or den with an ill-suited desk. Consider how well each desk you’re considering will go with your existing pieces. After you’ve picked out your modern desk, you can start to plan the other furniture as well. First and foremost is an office chair. Do you want your desk chair to be on casters or stationary? Are you interested in matching pieces such as a bookshelf or filing cabinets? Or do you want everything to complement each other in an eclectic way?
With so many people working remotely, home offices or even a writing desk tucked away in a corner can truly be life-altering. If you have spent the last two years working from your dining table or a console table, do yourself a favor and invest. Invest in yourself. Invest in your job. Invest in your future. This purchase, no matter how great or small, will help give you a place for everything (or at least your office supplies) and improve your quality of life and efficiency at work.
