More than any other work-from-home essential — like the perfect planner, desk chair, or pen — a solid, well-designed desk is a necessity. It’s where you can actually try to reach Inbox Zero and take impromptu calls from your boss without (hopefully) much interruption. And an actual desk is certainly preferable to the kitchen table. To help you find something to suit whatever kind of space you’ve turned into a home office, we sifted through Amazon for affordable (and stylish) desks, including more than one mid-century modern style and others for those who skew more traditional.
Complete your office or apartment with this Cesca-y cane-paneled desk featuring antique gold hardware and an open niche so you can easily tuck your wireless keyboard away.
With a white faux-marble top, this option, a favorite of reporter and podcast host Sylvia Obell, will be a sophisticated addition to a home-office setup.
This computer desk is equipped with a hutch which has two wire mesh shelves for hanging decorations, headphones, or your favorite photos.
Perfect for bedrooms that double as offices, this stylish secretary desk doesn’t feel too workplace-y but still has plenty of surface area for your laptop and storage compartments for chargers and office supplies.
If you have more unsightly cables than you know what to do with, this desk has not one, but two shelves to keep them neatly tucked away.
This highly rated desk has plenty of surface area and a sleek minimalist design.
The angled spindle legs of this desk give it a lightweight, vintage-y silhouette.
This mid-century-inspired desk has a warm walnut-veneer finish and an open cubby and a drawer for storage.
There are a few mid-century-inspired desks on our list, but this one actually seems like it was stolen off the Mad Men set. (There’s something about those drawers.)
It’s super simple at first glance, but this desk offers a side storage bag for notepads and books and an iron hook to hold your headphones (your wired earbuds won’t get tied up either).
Fill the open shelving under this corner desk with your favorite reads — or use it as a footrest during hectic work-from-home days.
With a rustic whitewashed wood finish, this affordable trestle desk resembles this $1,300 one from Crate & Barrel.
Make the most of your space with this combination desk and storage cabinet. It’s also reversible, meaning you can place the cabinet on the right or left side depending on your room layout.
This lightweight folding desk can be transported from room to room and collapse flat when not in use.
The open design of this desk won’t weigh down a room, and the added shelving means there is still plenty of space to store your stationery, magazines, or just any tchotchke you want to show off.
This industrial desk has an elevated storage hutch that also has convenient partitions for better organization. An under-desk shelf provides extra out-of-the-way storage.
This floating desk has a surprising amount of storage. Open it up to reveal a tack board for to-dos, a top shelf for must-haves, and a pull-out shelf to do actual work on.
The Murphy bed of desks is recommended by small-space expert Laura Fenton, who says it’s surprisingly high quality for the price.
This stately brass-accented desk could also serve as a makeup vanity.
A compact, minimal writing desk with a bamboo drawer pull, perfect for a Scandinavian-design fan.
Double the shelves means double the space for your office plants, and hairpin legs give it a light touch.
A pink trestle desk for Barbie superfans.
Or go for this more muted pastel pink that will fit snugly in a corner to maximize your space.
Mid-century on the bottom, this century on top.
This classic Parsons table comes with a handy drawer to stow your office supplies.
An L-shaped desk for those who really want to spread out.
A wooden top makes this adjustable standing desk — which comes with USB charging ports, programmable memory presets, and an LCD display — feel more homey.
This desk has the features of a cubicle desk (like enough room for a double monitor setup and easily customizable height) without feeling clinical.
A wheeled, adjustable-height desk on-the-go to change the view whenever the mood strikes.
A tall desk for those can’t-sit-still kind of people that extends out for when you do finally sit down.
Throw an Eames chair under this modern desk and you’re ready to go.
Another architect-friendly desk with a tiltable surface (that can rest completely flat when needed) so you can set your laptop at just the right angle.
Here’s a glass-top desk with some more space. You won’t have to wonder where you put your notepad, notebooks, or pens — just look down.
Though similar to the glass-top option above, this brass-finished desk has a slightly more classic look with clean lines and rich walnut wood.
If you want the glass look but need some hidden storage space, this desk has it all (and appears to float).
A workbench like this one is perfect for those who do their very best thinking in coffee shops. And it folds down once the workday ends.
This mirrored desk will make your workday feel a little more glamorous.
Hide your work life away in this updated secretary desk — it’ll lessen the temptation to work after hours. The desk closes up to look like an unassuming cabinet, so we suggest adding an eye-catching vase up top.
It’s rare we spot a standing desk under $150 (and even rarer that it will have such glowing reviews.)
With wheels, a pivoting table top, and legs that stretch from 32 to 47 inches, this portable desk is adjustable in every sense of the word.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive option to wedge into the corner of the room, this handsome desk (with a keyboard tray, and geometric detailing) is just right.
The carved legs and metallic handles on this writing desk make it feel charmingly antique.
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