24 Best Desks for Small Spaces
By Blake Bakkila and Erika Owen
Illustration by Gabrielle Pilotti Langdon
Tight on square footage? Then you need a desk that won’t cramp your style. We’ve gathered the best desks for small spaces that give you an ample work surface and plenty of storage areas without eating up valuable real estate. These desks will give you a tucked-away work-from-home area to fit neatly into a studio apartment, bedroom, or living room.
Below, read on for compact desk options from some of our favorite retailers in a variety of styles, including midcentury-modern secretary desks, corner desks, minimalist ladder desks, and more. Whether you’re looking to store office essentials, transform a bookshelf into a workspace, or ditch that overstuffed filing cabinet for something a bit more streamlined, that small room of yours is about to get a major (productivity) upgrade.
All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- 1/24
Blu Dot Stash Reversible Desk
Available in eight color options (we’re partial to the olive/ash combination, for a pop of color), this desk can be arranged with the slim drawer on both the left or right side. This would serve well as a slim computer desk or a workspace for a writer’s home office. Why we really love it: The desk itself is sleek, but the narrow legs give it a lighter look, despite its width of nearly four feet. Reviewers applaud how easy it is to put together, which is a major plus. All you need to do now is add a chic, ergonomic chair.
Dimensions
- Height: 29"
- Width: 42"
- Depth: 24"
- 2/24
Formr UnderSTUDY
You don’t need to give up any floor space for this wall-mounted desk. It’s available in three sizes—small, medium, and large—and features a small workspace with a slight ledge above. The design is made from repurposed construction debris (love to see it!). Sometimes, there’s just no room for a desk, and anyone who has ever lived in a studio can attest to that—and this desk is just right for situations like that.
Dimensions
- Height: 17.5"
- Width: 14"
- Depth: 20"
- 3/24
Ryan Rolling Desk
Whether you go with kelly green or sky blue, this desk is the utilitarian desk you’ve been searching for. It’s easy to move around, thanks to a set of casters—this is a great addition for small spaces, as it immediately turns your workspace into a versatile mobile station of sorts. Need to fold some laundry and your bed is full of dirty clothes (about to head into the washer, of course)? Grab the Ryan Desk! Hosting a cookie decorating party and you need a workspace? Ryan has your back. It’s made of metal and easy to clean—just wipe it clean as needed.
Dimensions
- Height: 29.5"
- Width: 23.9"
- Depth: 47.75"
- 4/24
Sloane Desk with 2 Drawers
If you are looking for a desk that can double as a vanity or a living room sideboard, the Sloane from Castlery is a great option. The fluted panels and storage drawers give it a sophisticated look that won’t look out of place in a non-office setting.
Dimensions
- Height: 29.9"
- Width: 47.2"
- Depth: 47.75"
- 5/24
East Urban Home Desk
There’s something magical about furniture with hidden functions. This is one of those pieces of furniture. At first glance, it looks like a slightly retro cabinet. Psyche! There’s a hidden murphy desk once you open up the cabinet drawers. There’s storage packed into every corner of this design—we’re especially into the low-profile bookshelf on each side and interior shelves. Heads up: It might be best to assemble this one with a buddy, and make sure to anchor the cabinet to the wall.
Dimensions
- Height: 47.6"
- Width: 31.3"
- Depth: 11"
- 6/24
Costway Extendable Computer Desk
There are a few ways to set up this workspace: You can fold it up, resulting in a computer desk that works best showing off your favorite tchotchkes and books. But pull out the extendable desktop, and you’ve got a hardworking space for tackling whatever work is on your to-do list. Despite being a relatively chunky design, the light color of the material means it won’t take over the room.
Dimensions
- Height: 31.5"
- Width: 24"
- Depth: 16"
- 7/24
Mid-Century Art Display Mini Desk
Level up your at-home work station with this sleek, sophisticated desk from West Elm. The desk features a tempered-glass top, steel frame, and engineered wood. It’s available in cloud and walnut (pictured).
Dimensions
- Height: 30"
- Width: 36"
- Depth: 22.2"
- 8/24
Baber 19.7"D 2-Drawer Writing Desk
Simple, stylish, and small, this office desk checks all the boxes. Plus, it’s got two drawers to store away all kinds of papers and office supplies.
Dimensions
- Height: 30.3"
- Width: 39.4"
- Depth: 19.7"
- 9/24
Linon Coy Folding Desk
Not only is this Target find small, it literally folds up and stores away in a closet or under a bed, which makes it an obvious choice for anyone who wants to reconvert their bedroom into just a bedroom when the weekend rolls around. Check out this glowing review: “This desk is already fully put together and ready to go out of the box. All you have to do is unfold the desk, which took a few seconds. It’s a great quality desk that doesn’t take up much space. You have enough room to do laptop work, writing, etc. I love the added drawer that I fill with pens, tape, and a calculator. I highly recommend this, especially if you’re tight on space!” The desk is available in white, walnut, natural, and gray (pictured).
Dimensions
- Height: 34.25"
- Width: 30"
- Depth: 18"
- 10/24
Tilden Small Space Desk
This desk comes from Pottery Barn Teen, but it’s a solid choice (made of solid wood) for all ages. It’s great-looking, of course, and it’s also Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it’s free of harmful chemicals. It’s available in white or dark walnut.
Dimensions
- Height: 30"
- Width: 40"
- Depth: 20"
- 11/24
Industrial Mini Desk
Give your workspace an industrial touch with this wood-and-bronze metal desk from West Elm. It’s handmade in India and comes in black, cerused white, or cool walnut.
Dimensions
- Height: 30.5"
- Width: 31"
- Depth: 21.6"
- 12/24
Mounted Drop Leaf Dining Table Small Wooden Desk
This drop leaf table unfolds to lay flat against the wall when you need more space, which is a true boon if you’re, say, in a studio apartment and your area needs to transition from office to dining room to living room to bedroom all in the same day. We highlighted the larger version, but if you need an even more compact desk situation with the same level of functionality, you’ll be happy to know this comes in a 23" x 15" versio 23" x 15" version as well. Shop the wall-mounted desk in black or white.
Dimensions
- Height: 6.5"
- Width: 31.5"
- Depth: 23.6"
- 13/24
Mid-Century Mini Secretary
This midcentury-modern secretary desk with a drop-down door looks like it came straight off the set of Mad Men. It’s made of solid eucalyptus wood and has metal hardware in an antique bronze finish throughout.
Dimensions
- Height: 44.5"
- Width: 28"
- Depth: 15"
- 14/24
White Compact™ Pneumatic Height Adjustable Standing Desk
Height-adjustable desks don’t have to be large or clunky affairs. Case in point: this compact desk with a metal frame and low profile. It gives you enough space to work without cramping the style of a living room or bedroom.
Dimensions
- Height: 29.5 to 47"
- Width: 32"
- Depth: 24"
- 15/24
Bekant Left Sit-Stand Corner Desk
This space-saving small desk tucks neatly into a corner and can be adjusted to your desired height. There aren’t many height-adjustable corner desks, so this is a great find. We love the clean, contemporary look.
Dimensions
- Height: 22 to 48"
- Width: 63"
- Depth: 43.25"
- 16/24
WLIVE Lift Top Coffee Table with Hidden Storage Compartment
If you’re living the WFH life without a proper office space, you can still make it work with a coffee table that transforms into a desk. The top of the coffee table gently raises to desk height (and conveniently houses plenty of storage space). Shop the desk in brown (pictured) or black.
Dimensions
- Height: 18.31" (with top up)
- Width: 40.94"
- Depth: 21.26"
- 17/24
WyndenHall Moreno Solid Mango Wood Lift Top Coffee Table
This is another coffee-table-and-desk combo we’re all about. This solid wood pick has two storage compartments, design-forward gold-iron hairpin legs, and comes in four neutral shades: black, gray, umber brown, and natural (pictured).
Dimensions
- Height: 25" (with top up)
- Width: 48"
- Depth: 24"
- 18/24
Etta Avenue Granita Floating Desk
Another one of the best desks for small spaces is this industrial floating desk made of manufactured wood and steel.
Dimensions
- Height: 16"
- Width: 38"
- Depth: 14"
- 19/24
Passport Work Table
Feel free to roll and adjust this desk to your exact specifications. You’ll be able to customize it with your preferred tabletop and base finishes as well as choose between casters or glides (note that there is also a smaller size that comes with glides only).
Dimensions
- Height: 45"
- Width: 27"
- Depth: 20"
- 20/24
Mini Motia Sit-to-Stand Desk
For a welcome break from the neutrals, the icy blue base finish on this sit-to-stand electric desk for small spaces is ideal. Available in three different sizes and color combinations, the desktop height is conveniently adjustable at just the touch of a button. Bonus: You can order a desk chair in the exact same color for a monochrome setup.
Dimensions
- Height: 27 to 46"
- Width: 36"
- Depth: 24"
- 21/24
Nelson Swag Leg Desk
As the name suggests, this desk has a lot of personality. The colorful dividers create cubbies for a special touch to the design, and the overall shape gives you ample space for work or play.
Dimensions
- Height: 34.25"
- Width: 38.98"
- Depth: 28.35"
- 22/24
Tangkula White Corner Desk
Sure, nobody puts baby in a corner—but you certainly can design your office space there. A corner desk frees up plenty of space for other interior design essentials. This one comes with storage shelves, and while we’re partial to the white finish, it’s also available in black and rustic brown.
Dimensions
- Height: 29"
- Width: 33.5"
- Depth: 48"
- 23/24
GreenForest Folding Desk
Take the guesswork out of building your own desk with this fully assembled one. Perfect for a portable workspace, this desk folds down to be one-inch thick, so it easily stores under your bed or in a closet after you’ve clocked out for the day.
Dimensions
- Height: 32.2"
- Width: 32.2"
- Depth: 24.5"
- 24/24
Cayman L-Shape Rotating Desk
We like that this Cayman desk can serve as a useful office space by day and a minimalist dining table by night. Sleek and modern, this L-shaped desk is made from solid mango wood and has a rotating section that allows you to take up less space whenever you’d like.
Dimensions
- Height: 30"
- Width: 50"
- Depth: 20"
By Nicolas Milon
By Nora Taylor
By Jessica Cherner
By India Roby