Best desk for small spaces: Compact options for small rooms

Best desk for small spaces: IKEA Micke
(Image credit: IKEA)

One of the best desks for small spaces can help you create a great work setup, even if you don't have a dedicated office. Perhaps, like many of us, you're now working from home, when you'd usually be in an office or studio. Maybe you're a student who's spending more time studying at home than expected. Or perhaps you're a freelancer who has found themselves with their entire family joining them on their once-peaceful working days, putting household space at a premium? 

Whatever the reason, our collection of the best desks for small spaces will help you make the most out of a cramped area (got more room to play with? Head to our general guide to the best desks instead). You'd be surprised how much you can fit comfortably into a corner of a lounge, or a box room, if you choose the right furniture. While you're completing your setup, be sure to pick up one of the best office chairs and the best office chairs for back pain too. Now, read on for some clever space-saving solutions in our pick of the best desks for small spaces. 

Best desk for small spaces to buy now: US

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01. Costway Corner Computer Desk

The best desk for tight corners

Specifications

Width: 41.5"
Height: 30"
Depth: 28"
Material: Pine and MDF
Colour: Black or white

Reasons to buy

+
Solid wood construction
+
Space-maximising corner design 
+
Shelves and drawers for storage

Reasons to avoid

-
Style is more traditional

One of the best space-maximising tricks is to choose a corner desk that can be tucked into an unused area (we have more options in our best L-shaped computer desks guide). There's a large, slide-out drawer and integrated shelves to give you plenty of space to stash your paperwork and stationery. The study, solid wooden construction should last for years to come, and is available in black or white. If you'd prefer a more modern style – this looks more traditional – check elsewhere in this list. 

02. HOOBRO Ladder Computer Desk

The best desk that doesn't look like a desk

Specifications

Width: 29.1"
Height: 72.8" (on a diagonal)
Depth: 18.9"
Material: Particleboard, metal
Colour:

Reasons to buy

+
Can be repurposed as shelving when not required
+
Slimline and unobtrusive design

Reasons to avoid

-
No built-in storage

If you don't have a dedicated office space and want something that doesn't scream 'computer desk', a ladder-style design such as the HOOBRO Ladder Computer Desk is a great choice. The minimal design won't look out of place in your living room or bedroom, and can easily be repurposed as shelving when not in use. 

You have a 29.1x18.9 inch tabletop space for your laptop, and the streamlined, leaning shape is ideal for small spaces (there are adjustable feet to ensure stability). Because all the shelving is open, we'd say this is one for tidy individuals who don't need to have lots of stuff to hand while they're working. It's also cheaper option, so if you need somewhere to store heavy hardware, books and paper files, we'd suggest going for something pricier and sturdier.

03. Your Zone Beckett Kids Metal Rolling Writing Desk, Multiple Finishes

The best basic desk for small spaces

Specifications

Width: 36"
Height: 30"
Depth: 15.75"
Material: Laminate, powder-coated metal frame
Colour: Canyon walnut or natural

Reasons to buy

+
Castors for easy moving
+
Very compact
+
Low price

Reasons to avoid

-
No storage space

If you're looking for a cheap, basic option, try this Your Zone Beckett Desk. It's pegged as a 'kids' option, but it's as tall as the other entries in this list, so we're pretty sure it'll work just fine for adults, too. The (very) simple design has a decent-sized surface area, with space enough for a laptop, desk lamp and few other bits and pieces. It also comes on castors so you can roll it about – so for example, you could easily tuck it into a corner when not in use, or pull it into a more accessible spot during the day. There's zero space for storage, so you'll need to figure something out for that, but it is sturdy, durable and comes very well reviewed. 

04. Haotian Black Desk

The best wall-mounted desk for small spaces

Specifications

Width: 32.28"
Height: 23.62" unit
Depth: 8.66"
Material: MDF and chipboard
Colour: Black

Reasons to buy

+
No footprint
+
Some storage / display space 
+
Built-in cable management

Reasons to avoid

-
Not suitable for heavy storage

If you're really tight on floor space, how about attaching your desk to the wall? The Haotian desk is a neat design that includes a compact desk area and shelf space to display and store your stationery and other work accessories (the load capacity is a generous 66.14lb... just make sure you secure it properly). There's in-built cable management to ensure everything stays neat and tidy, and you can mount it at a height that suits you. There's a similar white version, if you prefer that, too.

Best desk for small spaces to buy now: UK

Best desk for small spaces: House by John Lewis Anton

(Image credit: John Lewis)

01. House by John Lewis Anton Wall Mounted Leaning Desk

The best unobtrusive desk for rooms that aren't offices

Specifications

Height: 193cm
Width: 71cm
Depth: 50cm
Material: Plywood, oak veneer
Colour: Wood and black

Reasons to buy

+
Cool and unobtrusive 
+
Sloped design ideal for cramped spaces
+
Can easily be turned into a non-desk

Reasons to avoid

-
No hidden storage

The House by John Lewis Anton is a desk that doesn't look like a desk – ideal if you're working from a room that's not really a dedicated office, or you want something to use as an occasional desk. This space-saving, sloped design mounts to your wall to really make the most of your square footage. There's a neat desk area, plus two shelves above it for your paperwork, stationery and so on... although it's all open, so you'll need to keep things neat and nice to look at. This Scandi-style desk is made from plywood with a sturdy oak veneer, and there's a lacquer coating for extra durability. 

02. Symple Stuff Computer Desk

Best desk for small spaces if you have lots of peripherals

Specifications

Height : 73.5cm
Width: 80cm
Depth: 45cm
Material: Manufactured wood, melamine
Colour: Black or white

Reasons to buy

+
Lots of shelves and storage space
+
Clever, compact design

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the most high-end looking
-
Lacks leg-room

If you have a lot of peripherals, this desk from Symple Stuff could be a great option for you. There's a pull-out keyboard tray, a wide shelf that could easily house a printer, and a taller one that's ideal for PC towers or shredders. You do sacrifice space to stretch your legs out, but overall we're impressed this desk manages to cram so much into such a petite design. There are cooler, fancier looking desks in this roundup, but the build is pared-back, inoffensive and practical, with a black or white finish to choose between.

03. Caramia Floating Desk

The best compact, zero-footprint desk

Specifications

Width: 90cm
Height: N/A
Depth: 35cm
Material: Manufactured wood, melamine
Colour: All light oak, light oak with white or black, all white

Reasons to buy

+
No 'footprint'
+
Sleek design

Reasons to avoid

-
Must be affixed to wall
-
Next to no storage space

If you're really, really tight on space, how about a floating desk? These affix to your wall for a desk that has no footprint at all, and some even fold up when not in use (this one does not). This is the coolest one we've seen, with a clean, curved design and a few stylish colour options. Obviously, you can't overload these desks, so this strictly one is those who don't need lots of storage space, although there is one little shelf to house a pen pot or a little plant or something along those lines.

04. IKEA Micke desk 73x50cm

The best basic desk for small spaces

Specifications

Width: 73cm
Height: 75cm
Depth: 50cm
Material: Wood
Colour: White, black-brown, oak effect

Reasons to buy

+
Cable tidy system
+
Storage drawer
+
Low cost

Reasons to avoid

-
Basic design

The king of flat-pack furniture has come through with an excellent, no frills, great value desk that's ideal for small spaces. The Micke is a simple, white desk with a drawer for you to stash your bits and bobs, a cable hole and channel to keep things tidy, and ... that's about it. There are a few sizes and configurations of the Micke, but this is the smallest. All are the same height, so you could also put a large and a small ones of these back to back if there's more than one of you sharing an office area.

best desk for small spaces: GreenForest Folding Computer Desk

(Image credit: GreenForest)

05. GreenForest Folding Computer Desk

The best foldaway desk for small spaces

Specifications

Width: 81.3cm
Height: 83cm
Depth: 81.3cm
Material: P2 board, metal legs
Colour : Black

Reasons to buy

+
Folds flat when not in use
+
No assembly required
+
Easily transportable

Reasons to avoid

-
Not that small when not collapsed

Next up in our list of the best desks for small spaces is this GreenForest Folding Computer Desk. This desk folds completely flat, so if you work from a laptop, you can easily fold it down and stash it against a wall or under a sofa at the end of each working day. 

It's a good solution if, for example, you don't want to sacrifice your whole living room to a permanent desk, but don't want to compromise on desk size when you are working (often, the smaller size means you lose the depth needed to support your forearms properly). You can also easily move it from room to room, if needed. It's made from environmentally friendly P2 board, which is scratch-resistant, heat-resistant and waterproof. 

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Ruth Hamilton

Ruth spent a couple of years as Deputy Editor of Creative Bloq, and has also either worked on or written for almost all of the site's former and current print titles, from Computer Arts to ImagineFX. She now spends her days reviewing mattresses and hiking boots as the Outdoors and Wellness editor at T3.com, but continues to write about design on a freelance basis in her spare time.