59 Desk Types & Styles Explained (With Pictures)

We found 45 different types of desks that need descriptions (like Credenza, Carrel, Armoire, oh my) and an additional 14 that are self-explanatory (white desk, black desk, red fish, blue fish).

Use the table below to get the quick descriptions for the desk styles that need explanations. If you’d like to learn more about a certain type, click the desk type name to jump down in this article to a section that includes a picture, common features of the desk, an example desk, and other names for the desk type.

Types of Desks: The Quick Overview

If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the right to view the full table.

Type Of Desk	Style	Description
Antique Desk	Vintage	Desk with aged and ornate design, typically made from wood
Art Desk	Easel, creative	Desk designed specifically for painting and drawing with features like tilting desktop and storage compartments
Bookshelf Desk	Storage focused	Desk integrated with bookshelves or cabinets for added storage space
Cabinet Desk	Storage focused	Desk built into an armoire or cabinet with doors that can be closed to hide the workspace
Carrel Desk	Privacy focused	Desk enclosed by high sides to provide privacy for work, usually in a public place like a library
Classroom Desk	Simple, small	Simple, small, individual desk you’ll see in a class or lecture room (with a folding desktop or a small, open storage space)
Corner Desk	Space efficient	Desk designed to fit in the corner of a room, maximizing available space (typically a triangle shape)
Couch Desk	Portable, modular	Desk designed to be used while sitting on a couch or armchair that has a stand and a desk that can extend out over the couch
Craftsman Style Desk	Handcrafted	Wood desk made in the traditional craftsman style, typically featuring simple, sturdy design elements and high-quality materials
Credenza Desk	Storage focused	Desk with a large storage unit, cabinets, or a set of shelves high above the desk
Curved Desk	Ergonomic	Any type of desk with a bent shape, often designed for ergonomic purposes
Double Desk	Shared workspace	Large desk designed for two people to work at simultaneously next to each other
Dresser Desk	Bedroom	Desk built into a dresser or chest of drawers, ideal for saving space in a bedroom or small living area
Executive Desk	High-end	Large, ornate desk typically used in executive or managerial offices, often made from high-quality wood and featuring intricate detailing
Farmhouse Desk	Rustic	Desk with a rustic, farmhouse-style design featuring natural wood and simple, understated design elements
Floating Desk	Wall-mounted	Desk that attaches directly to the wall, appearing to “float” above the ground (no legs or footprint)
Folding Desk	Portable	Desk that can be folded up and stored away
Gaming Desk	Multi-monitor support	Desk designed specifically for video game players, often featuring built-in cable management, adjustable height, and space for multiple monitors and devices
Hutch Desk	Storage focused	Desk with a hutch or shelving unit on top for added storage space much like a Credenza Desk but typically smaller
Industrial Desk	Industrial chic	Desk with a utilitarian design, often made from raw materials like metal or unfinished wood
Kid’s Desk	Child sized/themed	Smaller-sized desk designed for small children, often featuring fun colors and playful designs
L-Shaped Desk	Multi-workspace	Desk designed in an L shape to fit in a corner or against a wall, providing maximum desktop surface space
Ladder Desk	Vertical	Desk designed with a ladder-like structure, featuring shelves or drawers built into each rung (it leans against a wall)
Lap Desk	Portable, modular	This is more of a tray than a desk… designed for use in bed, featuring a flat surface and small, adjustable legs to fit around you
Loft Bed/Desk	Space saving	Bed elevated above the ground with a built-in desk underneath, ideal for shared bedrooms or dorm rooms
Midcentury Modern Desk	Vintage	Desk designed in the mid-20th century modern style, featuring sleek lines, minimalist design, and often made from strong types of wood
Minimalist Desk	Simplistic	Desk with a minimalist design, featuring clean lines, simple shapes, and no storage
Mission Style Desk	Traditional	Desk made in the traditional Mission style, featuring clean lines, sturdy construction, and a focus on functionality over ornate design elements
Mobile Desk	Portable	Desk on wheels, designed for easy movement and transport from room to room
Modular Desk	Customizable	Desk with interchangeable and customizable components, allowing for a personalized configuration
Murphy Bed/Desk	Space saving	Bed that folds up into the wall when not in use, with a built-in desk that can be folded down to use the same space
Murphy Desk	Space saving	Desk that folds up into the wall when not in use, ideal for saving space in a small room (but no bed)
Reception Desk	Professional setting	Desk used in reception areas or lobbies, often featuring a large, open design that presents a welcoming front
Roll Top Desk	Classic	Desk with a roll-top cover that can be pulled down to hide the workspace, often featuring multiple drawers and compartments for storage
Secretary Desk	Antique	Antique-style desk featuring a hinged writing surface that can be closed to conceal the workspace, often featuring drawers and compartments for storage
Shaker Style Desk	Minimalist, vintage	Desk made in the traditional Shaker style, featuring simple, functional design elements and a focus on utility over ornate decoration
Small Desk	Compact	Smaller-sized desk (I defined it as 35 inches in width or fewer) designed for use in a small space or home office, often featuring a simple, functional design and minimal storage space
Standing Desk	Adjustable height	Desk designed for sitting or standing use that offers a way (crank or electronic) to raise or lower the desk
Studio Desk	Creative	Desk designed for use in a creative studio or workspace, often featuring multiple surfaces, adjustable heights, and built-in storage for art supplies and equipment
Treadmill Desk	Fitness friendly	Desk designed for use while walking on a treadmill (or a desk accessory that goes under a desk for walking in place)
Trestle Desk	Minimalist	Desk supported by two trestle legs or supports rather than four (the legs are typically in an X- or sawhorse-shape)
U-Shaped Desk	Multi-workspace	Desk designed in a U shape to provide maximum surface area and multiple work surface while minimizing floor space
Vanity Desk	Beauty focused	Desk designed for use while applying makeup or getting ready, often featuring a mirror and storage space
Victorian Style Desk	Ornate	Desk made in the traditional Victorian style, featuring ornate design elements like curved legs, intricate carvings, and rich, dark wood
Writing Desk	Simple	Desk designed specifically for writing, featuring a flat surface, minimal storage space, and minimal distractions

Desk Types Explained (With Pictures)

Below, you’ll find a bit more information about each desk type included a picture, common features, other names for the desk type, and an example of a real desk that fits the type.

Antique Desk

Desk with aged and ornate design, typically made from wood

Style: Vintage
Common features: Drawers, intricate design elements
Also known as: Vintage Desk

Art Desk

Desk designed specifically for art and craft activities with features like tilting desktop and storage compartments

Style: Easel, creative
Common features: Tilting desktop, storage compartments
Also known as: Easel, Drafting Table, Drawing Table
Example desk: Yaheetech Height Adjustable Drafting Table

Bookshelf Desk

Desk integrated with bookshelves or cabinets for added storage space

Style: Storage focused
Common features: Bookshelves, cabinets
Also known as: Desk With Shelves
Example desk: Tribesigns Desk With Hutch

Cabinet Desk

Desk built into a cabinet or storage unit with drawers, home office shelves, or compartments for storage

Style: Storage focused
Common features: Drawers, shelves, compartments
Also known as: Armoire Desk
Example desk: Walker Edison Home Office Storage Desk

Carrel Desk

Desk enclosed by high sides to provide privacy for work or study, often used in libraries or academic settings

Style: Privacy focused
Common features: High sides, privacy
Also known as: Library Desk

Classroom Desk

Simple, individual desk commonly used in classrooms or lecture halls

Style: Simple, small
Common features: Basic design
Also known as: School Desk, Student Desk
Example desk: ECR4Kids Student Desk

Corner Desk

Desk designed to fit in the corner of a room, maximizing available space

Style: Space efficient
Common features: Fits in corner, ample surface area
Also known as: Triangle Desk
Example desk: ODK Corner Desk

See the list of best small corner desks.

Couch Desk

Desk designed to be used while sitting on a couch or armchair, typically with a curved or adjustable surface

Style: Portable, modular
Common features: Curved surface, adjustable height
Also known as: Portable Desk, Mobile Desk
Example desk: Able Life Universal Swivel Couch Desk

Craftsman Style Desk

Desk made in the traditional Craftsman style, typically featuring simple, sturdy design elements and high-quality materials

Style: Handcrafted
Common features: Handcrafted, sturdy design
Example desk: Home Styles Cottage Oak Desk

Credenza Desk

Desk with a long, low profile and plenty of storage space, commonly used in office settings

Style: Storage focused
Common features: Low profile, storage space
Also known as: Hutch Desk

Curved Desk

Desk with a curved shape or surface, often designed to fit the natural contours of the body for increased comfort

Style: Ergonomic
Common features: Curved surface, ergonomic design
Also known as: Ergonomic Desk, U-Shaped Desk

See Also: The Coolest Desks For Any Office

Double Desk

Large desk designed for two people to work at simultaneously

Style: Shared workspace
Common features: Ample surface area, multiple users
Also known as: Dual-Sided Desk, Partners’ Desk, Two-Person Desk
Example desk: Tribesigns Double Workstation

Dresser Desk

Desk built into a dresser or chest of drawers, ideal for saving space in a bedroom or small living area

Style: Bedroom
Common features: Dresser, drawers, space-saving
Example desk: Ameriwood Home Kalissa Dresser/Desk Combo

Executive Desk

Large, ornate desk typically used in executive or managerial offices, often made from high-quality wood and featuring intricate detailing

Style: High-end
Common features: Ornate design, high-quality materials
Example desk: Roosevelt Computer Desk by Steven Shell

Farmhouse Desk

Desk with a rustic, farmhouse-style design featuring natural wood and simple, understated design elements

Style: Rustic
Common features: Natural wood, understated design
Also known as: Farmhouse Style Desk
Example desk: Witherbee 60” Desk

Floating Desk

Desk that attaches directly to the wall, appearing to “float” above the ground

Style: Wall-mounted
Common features: Wall-mounted, space-saving
Also known as: Wall-Mounted Desk
Example desk: Theo By Nathan James

Folding Desk

Desk that can be folded up for easy storage or transport

Style: Portable
Common features: Foldable, portable design
Also known as: Collapsible Desk
Example desk: Origami Folding Desk

Gaming Desk

Desk designed specifically for gaming, often featuring built-in cable management, adjustable height, and ample surface space for gaming gear

Style: Multi-monitor support
Common features: Cable management, adjustable height
Also known as: Gamer Desk
Example desk: Casaottima L-Shaped Gaming Desk

Hutch Desk

Desk with a hutch or shelving unit on top for added storage space

Style: Storage focused
Common features: Hutch, shelves
Also known as: Desk With A Hutch
Example desk: Aquzee Desk With A Hutch

See Also: Best Desks With Shelves

Industrial Desk

Desk with a utilitarian design, often made from raw materials like metal or unfinished wood

Style: Industrial chic
Common features: Raw materials, utilitarian design
Also known as: Industrial Style Desk
Example desk: TOPSKY Computer Desk

Kid’s Desk

Smaller-sized desk designed for children, often featuring fun colors and playful designs

Style: Child sized/themed
Common features: Smaller size, playful design
Also known as: Girl’s Desk, Boy’s Desk
Example desk: UNICOO Bamboo Height Adjustable

L-Shaped Desk

Desk designed in an L shape to fit in a corner or against a wall, providing maximum surface area while minimizing floor space

Style: Multi-workspace
Common features: Fits in corner, ample surface area
Example desk: CubiCubi L-Shaped Desk

Ladder Desk

Desk designed with a ladder-like structure, featuring shelves or drawers built into each rung

Style: Vertical
Common features: Ladder-like structure, shelves, small footprint
Example desk: Walker Edison Industrial Ladder Desk

Lap Desk

Desk designed for use in bed, featuring a flat surface and adjustable legs or arms for comfortable use while reclined

Style: Portable, modular
Common features: Adjustable legs or arms, flat surface
Also known as: Laptop Bed Desk, Portable Desk, Portable Laptop Desk
Example desk: Laptop Desk Nnewvante

Loft Bed/Desk

Bed elevated above the ground with a built-in desk underneath, ideal for saving space in a small room

Style: Space saving
Common features: Bed, built-in desk
Also known as: Full Size Loft Bed With Desk, Bunk Bed With A Desk
Example desk: Everiz Twin Loft Bed with Built-in-Desk

Midcentury Modern Desk

Desk designed in the mid-20th century modern style, featuring sleek lines, minimalist design, and often made from materials like teak or rosewood

Style: Vintage
Common features: Sleek lines, minimalist design
Example desk: FENLO Mid Century Desk

Minimalist Desk

Desk with a minimalist design, featuring clean lines, simple shapes, and a lack of ornamentation

Style: Simplistic
Common features: Clean lines, simple design
Also known as: Simple Desk, Small Desk
Example desk: SHW Home Office Desk

Mission Style Desk

Desk made in the traditional Mission style, featuring clean lines, sturdy construction, and a focus on functionality over ornate design elements

Style: Traditional
Common features: Clean lines, sturdy construction
Example desk: Home Styles Mission Style Student Desk

Mobile Desk

Desk on wheels, designed for easy movement and transport from room to room

Style: Portable
Common features: Wheels, portable design
Also known as: Portable Desk
Example desk: SHW Height Adjustable Mobile Laptop Stand

Modular Desk

Desk with interchangeable and customizable components, allowing for a personalized configuration that can adapt to changing needs

Style: Customizable
Common features: Customizable, interchangeable
Example desk: Tribesigns Rotating Desk With 5 Shelves (our winner of the most versatile bookshelf/desk category)

Murphy Bed/Desk

A Murphy bed/desk folds up into the wall when not in use, with a built-in desk that can be folded down to use the same space

Style: Space saving
Common features: Bed, built-in desk
Also known as: Murphy Bed With Desk
Example desk: Bestar Lumina Queen

Murphy Desk

Desk that folds up into the wall when not in use, ideal for saving space in a small room

Style: Space saving
Common features: Wall-mounted, space-saving
Also known as: Fold-down Desk
Example desk: Tangkula Wall Mounted Desk

Reception Desk

Desk used in reception areas or lobbies, often featuring a large, open design that allows for easy communication between guests and staff

Style: Professional setting
Common features: Large, open design

Roll Top Desk

Desk with a roll-top cover that can be pulled down to hide the workspace, often featuring multiple drawers and compartments for storage

Style: Classic
Common features: Roll-top cover, drawers, compartments
Example desk: Modern Contemporary Roll Top Desk

Secretary Desk

Antique-style desk featuring a hinged writing surface that can be closed to conceal the workspace, often featuring drawers and compartments for storage

Style: Antique
Common features: Hinged writing surface, storage space
Example desk: Bowery Hill Small Secretary Desk

Shaker Style Desk

Desk made in the traditional Shaker style, featuring simple, functional design elements and a focus on utility over ornate decoration

Style: Minimalist, vintage
Common features: Simple, functional design
Example desk: AFI Shaker Desk With Drawer

Small Desk

Smaller-sized desk designed for use in a small space or home office, often featuring a simple, functional design and minimal storage space

Style: Compact
Common features: Small size, minimal storage space
Also known as: Simple Desk, Minimalist Desk
Example desk: CubiCubi 32-Inch Desk

Standing Desk

Desk designed for standing use, often featuring an adjustable height and a flat, sturdy surface for comfortable work

Style: Adjustable height
Common features: Adjustable height, sturdy surface
Also known as: Electric Standing Desk, Sit-stand Desk, Standing Desk Converter
Example desk: FlexiSpot Comhar Pro 8

A sub-category would be “standing desks with drawers” which we covered in that article.

Studio Desk

Desk designed for use in a creative studio or workspace, often featuring multiple surfaces, adjustable heights, and built-in storage for art supplies and equipment

Style: Creative
Also known as: Music Studio Desk, Recording Studio Desk
Common features: Multiple surfaces, adjustable height
Example desk: Acme Furniture Eleazar Music Recording Studio Desk

Treadmill Desk

Desk designed for use while walking on a treadmill, featuring a flat, sturdy surface and adjustable height for comfortable work

Style: Fitness friendly
Common features: Adjustable height, flat surface
Example desk: InMovement Unsit Treadmill Desk

Trestle Desk

Desk supported by two trestle legs or supports, featuring a simple, functional design and minimal storage space

Style: Minimalist
Common features: Trestle legs, minimalist design
Example desk: Castillo Trestle Writing Desk

U-Shaped Desk

Desk designed in a U shape to provide maximum surface area while minimizing floor space, often featuring built-in storage space and multiple work surfaces for increased productivity

Style: Multi-workspace
Common features: Fits in corner, ample surface area, storage space
Example desk: Homieasy U-Shaped Computer Desk

Vanity Desk

Desk designed for use while applying makeup or getting ready, often featuring a large, well-lit mirror and ample storage space for beauty products and accessories

Style: Beauty focused
Common features: Large mirror, storage space
Also known as: Vanity Desk With Mirror, Mirrored Vanity Desk
Example desk: Tiptiper White Makeup Vanity Desk

Victorian Style Desk

Desk made in the traditional Victorian style, featuring ornate design elements like curved legs, intricate carvings, and rich, dark wood

Style: Ornate
Common features: Ornate design, rich wood

Writing Desk

Desk designed specifically for writing, featuring a flat surface and minimal storage space

Style: Simple
Common features: Flat surface, minimal storage space

Self-Explanatory Desk Styles & Types

There are also 14 (from what I can count) additional types of office desks, but these don’t really need explanations. The names of the desks are descriptive enough that a description wasn’t necessary.

Here is the list of self-explanatory desk types:

60-Inch Desk (or any desk width, but this is the most popular)
Black Desk
Cheap Desk (I’d typically refer to these as “desks under $100” to give it some parameters)
Cubicle Desk
Desk With File Cabinet
Glasstop Desk
Kitchen Desk
Metal Desk
Modern Desk
Standing Desk With Drawers
Walnut Desk
White And Gold Desk
White Desk
Home Office Desk (Work From Home Desk)

Combined Desk Types

But wait, there are more. You might look for some of these desk types to fit your exact search criteria. These types are simply combinations of the desk styles I defined at the top of the article, so they don’t need their own definitions.

Here are some examples of desk types that have combined elements from others:

Corner Desk With Storage
Executive Walnut Desk
Floating Desk With Shelves
Home Office Corner Desk
Kid’s Desk With Storage
L-Shaped Gaming Desk
Mobile Standing Desk
Modern Corner Desk
Modern Executive Desk
Small Standing Desk
Small White Desk
Small Writing Desk
White Gaming Desk

6 Best Desk Brands

There is one more way to slice and dice your research into types of computer desks. That is by looking at the desk makers, manufacturers, or brands. Some desk brands focus exclusively on standing desks or modern-design desks, others have simple/minimalist desks, and some have most executive, high-end desks.

For every desk buyer’s guide I write (like this one about home office desks, this one about small desks, or this guide on bookshelf desks), I always start by asking my list of contributors for the desk they have. That often gives me a list of 100+ desks to analyze and rank. Whenever I ask my list to contribute, these seven desk brands get recommended over and over.

If you want to start with the desk manufacturer first, start with this list:

Autonomous: Modern, sleek standing desks (mostly) with a wide price range
CubiCubi (Cubiker, a sub-brand): Affordable, simple desks across a wide range of types (gaming, L-shaped, folding, etc.)
Flexispot: High quality, modern standing desks (I have the Comhar Pro at my office space/studio)
Herman Miller: The top end of the market, mostly known for their executive desks (but they offer a variety)
IKEA: Simple, affordable, clean (mostly white) desks for an affordable price
Varidesk: Mostly known for their standing desk converters, but they offer a variety of office products

Common Questions About Desk Types & Styles

How many types of desk are there?

There are 59 distinct types (or styles) of desk. Some of those desks have multiple names, like a cabinet desk which is the same as an armoire desk, or a minimalist desk which is also known as a simple desk. If you looked for the complete list of desk types, it would be closer to 100 (but with many of them being synonyms).

What do you call a desk with no drawers?

Many desk types could come without drawers. If you are specifically looking for desk types that don’t have drawers, though, these are the best bets:

Minimalist desk
Small desk
Writing desk
Floating desk
Ladder desk

What is a desk that closes called?

Answer: Roll top desk. Most of the time, the roll top desk is the one we think of when we picture a desk that can be closed up at the end of the day. These are some other desk types that could close as well: credenza desk, secretary desk, cabinet (or armoire) desk.

Now what…

Well, not many of you will make it down here, I’m guessing. But if you’re reading this, you’re likely as informed as anyone about the types of desks you can buy. Now it’s time to buy on of those desks. I have some guides for you to check out: