17 Small Space-Friendly Desks Under $300
Finding a budget-friendly desk for a small space can be tricky, but these under-$300 picks will give your apartment or guest-room-meets-home-office the function it needs.
If you don't have a proper work-from-home setup outside of your dining room table or are shopping for a dorm or small apartment, these stylish and budget-friendly desks are perfect for small spaces of all kinds.
Chances are if you don't have a lot of space for a desk, you probably don't have a ton of room for office storage either and might want to buy a desk with built-in storage. At the same time, you don't want to overwhelm a small space with a heavy, bulky desk with too much storage. Buying furniture that is out of proportion can make your space feel even smaller. The best of both worlds is a desk with a drawer or maybe a shelf or two that provides some storage while still maintaining a simple silhouette.
Some great small desk styles include secretary desks, ladder desks and simple writing desks. Secretary desks are a good option because they often have a top that slides or folds down to cover the workspace when not in use. When you don't have ample storage, the ability to hide your work surface means your space will at least be free of visual clutter and you can better separate work and life, especially if your desk is in a multipurpose room like a living room or bedroom. Ladder desks are desks that usually have a work surface at the bottom and then shelves above, connected by two side pieces, like a ladder. Essentially, it's a bookshelf and desk in one piece. Some ladder desks need to be anchored into the wall and some are freestanding. The benefit of the ladder desk is that it maximizes your vertical space. For basic rectangular writing or computer desks, you can find the most variety of design styles, from traditional to glamorous. Some writing desks feature storage, and even one drawer to conceal pens, notepads, extra cords and other essentials can help keep your work surface clear of clutter and as functional as possible. An extremely minimal desk without any storage like a standing desk is still a good option for small spaces if you're able to hang floating shelves above or nest a drawer of cabinets in a similar style underneath for your essentials.
From secretary desks to standing desks, shop our favorites that take up little space and will fit seamlessly with your home's decor.
One of the best solutions for tiny home offices is a leaning desk. This piece has a slim footprint and could work in a corner, kitchen nook or even a larger closet. You could even opt for a stool if you don’t have enough room for a standard office chair.
Made with a wood frame for stability, this shelving desk features a clean-lined silhouette with open shelves for a modern, industrial look. The wooden tabletop offers a generous work surface, while open shelves are perfect for displaying decor or keeping your office essentials within reach. Reviewers say this desk feels sturdy and well-made.
This pretty, wood secretary folds down into a traditional side table when not in use. This would be a great solution for anyone who really has no space for an office but still needs a spot to do some work. You could keep this in your living room next to your sofa, for example, and open it up into a desk any time you needed to get some work done.
For a more midcentury modern-style secretary desk with a larger work surface, consider the Loring Secretary Desk from Project 62. The door on the large compartment opens up and can be used as a writing desk. Use the cubbies on top to organize documents and bills and keep track of incoming and outgoing mail.
The desk is a practical and particularly space-saving workspace. Less than 11 inches deep when closed, the large worktop can be folded down gently thanks to two high-pressure dampers to reveal a 19-inch x 29-inch work surface. Behind the bottom cabinet doors are a practical laptop compartment and a storage shelf. Bonus: The modern high-gloss surface of this media center is easy to clean.
This on-trend cane desk from Studio McGee's line at Target boasts stunning art deco-inspired details, including rounded sides on the rectangle shape and woven cane door details on the built-in storage cabinets. There's a center shelf perfect for stashing a laptop or writing materials, and the side cabinets offer additional closed storage to organize items out of sight. The wood frame and wood composite top feature a natural finish for a look that pairs easily with many color palettes, making this desk an easy choice for your home office, living room or even a roomy hallway or foyer.
Add a touch of industrial flair with this metal desk that's anything but bulky. The slender frame and modern finishes make it the perfect addition to any room in need of a workspace.
This desk's glossy black finish paired with beautiful, creatively-crafted gold legs is the perfect combo for a space that needs a touch of glamor. This desk could also easily work double duty as a desk-meets-vanity station.
Clean, Scandinavian lines meet midcentury style in this simple stunner. This desk features three cubbies to help keep you organized, and the sleek, angled black legs mean this furniture piece won't take up too much space in cramped quarters.
If your style leans traditional but you're looking for a desk that doesn't take up too much physical or visual space and is a little more modern, look no further than this desk. Featuring modern angled legs, stunning natural wood tones and plenty of storage space, it just might be perfect.
If you'd love to experiment with wood tones in your space but don’t want to commit to a fully wooden desk, here is a great option. With just enough wood to warm up a space without making it feel like a moody speakeasy, this desk features contrasting legs, lower storage drawers and a built-in shelf with storage nooks below.
If your job is centered around computer work and nothing more, all you really need is a place to set your computer. (No, your dining table doesn’t count.) A designated workspace is a key way to separate your work life from your home life when you’re working from home. This desk is the perfect solution.
The combination of the glass top, white shelf and angled wooden legs make for one elegant desk that we could see fitting in virtually any small space.
Not everyone has the luxury of a designated workspace in their home. For those that have a combination living room/office space, it is important that a desk serves as a functional furniture and decor piece. This storage-packed shelf features a full shelving unit below to pack full of books as well as a suspended shelf above, perfect for displaying knickknacks and decor.
If clean, straight lines are your thing, this option is perfect. Slim, metal legs and a sleek wood top and shelves keep this desk from taking up too much visual space. This type of design is perfect for smaller spaces without a lot of natural light that tend to make furniture feel clunky and in the way.
Want to improve your work-from-home game but afraid of committing to a standing desk? Here is the perfect desk for you. This minimalistic desk may look ordinary, but it is packing some serious power — electrical power that is. With the touch of a button, this desk goes from sitting to standing height or anywhere in between.
Maybe what you need isn't a new desk after all. Maybe you just need something to take your current desk to new heights. Get it? This standing desk converter is here to save your body from sitting for eight hours straight. Our favorite feature is the hydraulic adjustment that allows you to effortlessly adjust to the perfect height without clearing your desk each time.
