10 Best Desks in 2022 (IKEA, Sauder, and More)

A rectangular desk is the standard shape and is usually at home in any type of room. These desks may not offer a large work surface, but in most cases, they are a great option for anyone looking for a simple and minimalist look. Credenza desks add extra space to the main desk and are a great way to provide more space for documents or tech equipment.

Writing desks are primarily designed for writing letters or similar items by hand, so they are typically on the small side. They often have a pull-down top or rolling lid to cover the writing surface when not in use and aren't made for long hours of work or heavy equipment. If you want a non-tech-heavy desk for light use, that can also be a decorative piece of furniture, then a writing desk is for you.

Executive desks are often made of hardwood and have a front panel to hide your legs. It includes several drawers, is large, and comes in several colors. These are usually best suited to dedicated offices, whether this be a home office or not, due to their size and how they can dominate a room. They're intended for long hours of work, and their numerous drawers will keep documents and stationery close at hand.

Corner desks can come in an L-shape or in a triangular style. An L-shape desk takes up more space, but depending on the set-up of your room they can make the most of the space you have. L-shaped desks can be especially useful in a home office set-up or for crafters, as the extra desk space means you can keep more equipment at hand and easily move from the horizontal to vertical sides of the desk.

U-shaped desks give your office a more organic and contemporary look. These desks are a great choice for large rooms and come in three parts: the main desk, a credenza, and a connecting bridge all with different orientations and widths. U-shaped desks provide space for stretching and creating different work zones. They may not fit neatly in a home office, but can be very convenient for employees sharing a larger office.

If you're short on space and don't need to spend long hours at a desk, then wall-mounted, or floating desks, are a good option. These desks are mounted onto a wall in your workspace and are used to free up floor space as they can often be folded for easy storage after use.

They are usually mounted with shelves and cubbies and they utilize a vertical frame. As they float and don't have any legs, they're not suitable for heavy tech such as desktop computers or printers. They're great for use with laptops or for anyone that only needs a desk sporadically and doesn't have the space to spare.

Ladder-style desks are another option for those lacking in space. These mimick ladders, only instead of rungs there are shelves. The bottom shelf is usually waist-high and deep enough to be a desk surface and the shelves above can be used as storage. They're can be more sturdy than floating desks as they're often both fixed to the wall and have legs.

A standing desk helps you switch between sitting and standing during your daily routine. The height can be adjusted by either an electric motor or manual controls that use a crank. Electrical standing desks let you adjust the height settings with ease and you are even able to save the settings in presets.

When looking for a standing desk, make sure it provides several height settings and that it doesn’t wobble. You will want a desk that remains in place even when you lean on it. If you're going to be sharing a desk with someone of a different height then desks that are easily adjustable are a must.

Wood surfaces provide a traditional look and can be on top of an all-wood frame or even a metal frame. Wood surfaces come in many finishes and colors including black, grey, and natural. Wood can generally be divided into two categories: natural solid woods and manufactured engineered woods.

Desks can be made from a variety of different solid woods. Oak is a traditional choice that is solid and durable enough to take even your heaviest printers. It's very heavy, however, and can crack if not properly looked after. Walnut, on the other hand, is very durable and provides a great writing surface. It can become dented if heavy items are placed on it for long periods of time, though.

Bamboo desks are becoming increasingly popular due to their strength and sustainability. It's resistant to liquids but as it's softwood, it can get easily scratched or become indented if you write on it. When it comes to desk frames, solid woods will give you a very sturdy and solid frame if constructed by a quality carpenter.

Engineered wood such as plywood or MDF is commonly used for furniture, including desks. It's made from binding different strands of material together to get the best performance. Typically, engineered wood is not as durable as solid woods like oak and walnut and won't last as long. However, it's more moisture-resistant, lighter, and more accessible. A laminated engineered wood desk will last several years, but solid wood desks can last for decades.

As glass is a naturally breakable material, desks made from glass need to be treated to ensure that they won't. Look for desks made from either toughened or tempered glass, as these are types of glass manufactured to be tougher and to withstand higher temperatures and heavier weights. Tempered glass, for example, is several times stronger than regular glass and is less likely to become cracked, even if you drop items such as keys or coins onto it.

Glass desks do have some advantages over wooden desks. They're easier to clean and less likely to become stained, for example. You can also write on a glass desk without worrying about leaving indents on the surface. The transparency of the glass can also add the illusion of light and space to a smaller and darker room, making them aesthetically pleasing in a way that wooden desks can't be.

Metal work surfaces are the most durable of all the materials commonly used for desks. They are resistant to stains and scuffs and provide a modern look. They're also easy to clean and can take some damage, making them a good choice for crafters or situations where several people will be using them. Metal frames are also very durable and resistant. They can provide an excellent solid base for desktop surfaces of any material and can look stylish with them all. 

Metal does have some disadvantages, however. A desk with both a metal desktop and frame is likely to be very heavy and difficult to move, although some can be fitted with casters. Metal also conducts heat, so if a metal desk is placed in direct sunlight or a hot laptop is placed on it, it can become too hot to touch.

There are many ways that desks can store items. The easiest is to have drawers underneath the desktop surface. These come in a variety of sizes and depths, from long and narrow ones designed for stationery, to deeper ones designed for files. If security is an issue, look for desks that have locked drawers that can only be opened with a key.

Some other desks may have shelves built onto the work surface. These can be open, so you can see what's there, or closed. It's more common for desks to have storage underneath, however, and this can be handy for all sorts of items that you need regularly throughout the day.

Many people who use a desk use it with tech equipment, and desk designers have taken this into account. Some desks have holes or indents in the surface specifically for power cords or wires to feed through so that your desk surface can remain as clear and unobstructed as possible. Other desks may have extra-wide and strong shelves designed to hold printers or convenient pull-out drawers for keyboards.

If you're looking for a desk to meet clients, then you need to consider both functionality and aesthetics. The exact specifications of the right desk for you depend on how you conduct business, but as a general rule, look for desks that have a large work surface and can be used from several angles. Desks for meeting clients can have some storage, but it should be unobtrusive and out of your client's way.

If you're planning to sit opposite a client, then make sure the desk can comfortably take chairs from both sides and has enough space for both parties to place down paperwork or laptops. If you prefer to sit side-by-side, then look for desks long enough to accommodate two people sitting in this style while also giving both some elbow space. 

Just like adults, kids can also benefit from a good desk. A kid's desk should be an appropriate size for them, so keep this in mind if the child you're buying for is on the younger side as they may grow out of it in only a couple of years. 

Desks for kids need to be durable, easy to clean, and able to withstand both homework and play. This is why desks made from engineered wood are a good choice as they are very durable in the short-term, and come in the widest variety of colors and styles.

Storage is a great feature to look for with kids' desks. Some desks might have a desktop that lifts up to reveal a large storage space, whereas others have small drawers for stationery or toys. If you're looking for a desk that needs to be shared between multiple kids, look for one where they can all have a drawer each so they can keep their belongings separate and private from everyone else.