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Sep 29, 2023

Best Desks for Small Spaces 2023: 25 Compact Computer Desks

By Sophie Cockett and Lucy Smith Desks for small spaces prove there's no reason why a lack of square footage should stop you from enjoying a stylish and motivating home office space. It's true: while

By Sophie Cockett and Lucy Smith

Desks for small spaces prove there's no reason why a lack of square footage should stop you from enjoying a stylish and motivating home office space. It's true: while we may be back in the office more frequently, for many of us hybrid working has become a new reality. A WFH space that consisted of a makeshift desk come dining table/coffee table/dressing table might have been OK when we thought it was temporary but, three years on, neither our backs nor homes can quite face such a ‘make-do’ solution. Our spines are tired of working from our sofas and, finally, it seems the time has come to purchase an ergonomic desk chair and all the scented candles, dried flower bouquets and cute desk accessories our work set up requires. Oh, and something to actually use these accessories on, namely a desk for small spaces. As such, we've curated an edit of the very best desks to give your small room the glow-up it deserves.

While a spacious home office is certainly tempting, desks for small spaces are serving set-ups just as photogenic as the ones you've been drooling over on Pinterest. Yep: having a pocket-sized living room doesn't have to set you back, and there are many small-space desks on the market by the likes of John Lewis, La Redoute and Urban Outfitters which act as the perfect space-saving solution to your tricky productivity/storage space conundrum.

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Need proof? Check our edit of 25 chic mini desks to elevate your home decor game, from minimalist folding desks that you can store away at the end of the day to wall-mounted floating desks that won't take up valuable floor space. We've also got height adjustable standing desks to save you from slumping in an office chair all day, and narrow desks with hairpin legs to slot between your bookcase and armchair. Many of these small office desks come with storage shelves to keep your office supplies out of sight and mind, and none of them will break the bank.

Particular highlights? There's a minimalist brass and mango wood desk from Swoon, as well as a coffee table with a hidden 110cm desk within - what a way to optimise your living space.

For more from Glamour UK Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.

Piet, £369, Swoon Editions

Why we love it: This gorgeous small desk will make your WFH routine ever-more stylish. The evocative brass-clad drawer front has been scored by hand – a process which take hours. It measures 90cm wide and has metal legs that have been painted black.

Loft Compact Desk, £129, M&S

Why we love it: Sleek, stylish and affordable, this compact desk is modern and designed to fit neatly in a small space, and at a purse-pleasing price.

Save when you shop for desks for small spaces with these Marks and Spencer discount codes.

Jimi 1-Drawer Desk, £280, La Redoute

Why we love it: 75cm in height, this small desk from French furniture company La Redoute has sleek pine legs and a drawer for storage. It's compact, stylish and inspired by Scandi-design, perfect for days at the home office.

Save when you shop for desks for small spaces with these La Redoute discount codes.

Hashtag Home Floating Desk, £112.99, Wayfair

Why we love it: Currently discounted in the sale, this floating desk is a contemporary and modern solution for a small home workspace thanks to its leaning design, shelf and full-width drawer. It's available in four colours and can double up as a vanity table.

Save when you shop for desks for small spaces with these Wayfair discount codes.

Artic White Vintage Corner Desk, £161.50, Maisons du Monde

Why we love it: Inspired by Scandinavian interior design, this simplistic corner desk is bound to make you more productive. It's perfect for small spaces, with a shelf and two drawers underneath. Now all you need is a comfy desk chair...

Modern Multi-functional Coffee Table Extendable with Storage & Lift Top in White, WAS £1,749.99 NOW £289.99, homary

Why we love it: If you're tight on space - and we mean really tight - getting a small desk to sit in your living space just isn't an option (take it from someone who lives in a one-bed). Enter the 2-in-1 coffee table come desk. It'll give you around 30cm more working width than some of the permanent desk fixtures in this guide.

Modern L and I Shaped Walnut Desk with Retractable & Extendable Corner, Storage & 2 Drawers, WAS £949.99 NOW £709.99, homary

Why we love it: The ability to convert this desk to a bigger, L-shaped version on paper-heavy and perhaps even co-working days is genius. The fact that it has two added storage drawers is just another bonus. We're obsessed.

Harmoni Living Sustainable Wood Standing Desk | 77x45x80cm | Various Colours, WAS £220 NOW £159, Veo.

Why we love it: If working from the comfort of your sofa has left you with a semi-permanent tech neck, then it's time to upgrade to a standing situ. Don't want to switch up your existing desk? No bother, enter the tabletop standing desk converter.

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Desk, £229.99, H&M

Why we love it: With a mid-century design that really does look fresh out of West-Elm, this reasonably priced pick from H&M would look equally at home in your living room as it would in a home office. Top marks, H&M.

Save money on everything from L-shaped desks to the best duvet covers with these H&M discounts

Paddington Ladder Writing Desk, £326.99, Wayfair

Why we love it: Available in 15 different colours, this leaning writing desk will fit in even the smallest of properties and also gives a place to display your favourite books within arm’s reach.

Save when you shop for desks for small spaces with these Wayfair discount codes.

Scheinman Floating Desk, £229.99, Wayfair

Why we love it: If you don't want to sacrifice any floor space, consider a floating desk which can be mounted on your wall and concealed as a storage unit. This one looks like a chic and Scandi-inspired bookshelf, before you pull down the centre hatch to reveal a spacious work surface. Genius.

Save when you shop for desks for small spaces with these Wayfair discount codes.

Industrial Sofa Side Table Height Adjustable Rolling Laptop Desk W/ 360° Wheel, £119.99, Wayfair

Why we love it: Another multifunctional design, this side table-come-standing desk-come living room sit down desk (that was a mouthful) is genius. Whether you need a spot for your cuppa, somewhere to display your vases and flowers, or somewhere to work on your company's Excel spreadsheets, this set-up will have you sorted.

Save money on 2-in-1 living room/office furniture by using these Wayfair voucher codes when you checkout

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Tyonna Desk, £79.99, Wayfair

Why we love it: Sold out in three colour-ways but available in this gorgeous walnut hue is this stylish and affordable metal frame desk from Wayfair.

Save when you shop for desks for small spaces with these Wayfair discount codes.

Mila Oak Wall Mounted Desk, £475, La Redoute

Why we love it: Whether your kids' rooms don't afford the space for them to do their homework or you just need a little nook to sort out your tax returns, this wall-mounted desk will be just the ticket, and won't mar your existing decor.

Save money on the best small wall-mounted desks with these La Redoute discounts

Nostalgic Business Professional quality stained mango wood desk, £605.50, Maisons Du Monde

Why we love it: Deep wood stains are our new fixation and the fact that this desk (which looks like an antique console, if you ask us) comes with a wire outlet despite looking like it was first crafted in the 1800s is, well, glorious.

Habitat Roscoe Oak Desk with 2 Drawers, £100, Habitat

Why we love it: This solid wood desk from Habitat comes complete with two drawers for storage and, with tapered legs, it won't cut off the space in your study or working space. Crafted from solid oak and oak veneer, it's sturdy enough for use with a computer, and even on sale with over £100 off.

Save money on wood desks with these Habitat discount codes

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Habitat Zander 2 Drawer Desk, £140, Habitat

Why we love it: This delightfully-minimal two-tone desk has textured ripple-front drawers, oak-effect legs and a sleek white top. There's plenty of room for your office essentials, and it's easy to assemble.

Save money on desks with room for a CPU underneath with these Habitat discounts

John Lewis & Partners Lift Storage Desk, £249, John Lewis

Why we love it: Give your office space an instant refresh with this lift-top storage desk from John Lewis. It's made from high-quality MDF and bamboo and the worktop lifts up to reveal a spacious storage drawer, with three compartments to stow away your essentials.

Save when you shop for small desks with these John Lewis discount codes.

Costway Wall-mounted Drop-leaf Floating Laptop Desk, £44.95, Amazon

Why we love it: With an average review of four and a half out of five over 100+ ratings, this Amazon wall desk is not only functional, but versatile too, serving as an impromptu dining space, coffee table and even plant ledge. Made of pine and metal, it can hold up to 20kg and is easy to assemble.

Save money on wall desks with these Amazon discount codes

Spindle Desk, Mustard, £199, John Lewis & Partners

Why we love it: Relatively affordable and made from renewable materials including bamboo, John Lewis' Anyday range is always a top pick for us and this Spindle Desk is no exception. We're big fans of the fact that it comes with free delivery and it's highly reviewed, too.

Save money on desks for small bedrooms with these John Lewis discount codes

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John Lewis & Partners Abacus Small Desk, £129, John Lewis

Why we love it: This cute and compact desk is narrow enough to fit in even the smallest of spaces, and comes with a keyboard tray which slots neatly underneath.

Save when you shop for desks for small spaces with these John Lewis discount codes.

Simple Desk Gaming Table in Pink or White, £217.03, Amazon

Why we love it: We'll be honest: if you're into interiors and gaming, the options for gaming desks (with wire tidies, clips etc.) that are actually aesthetic are minimal, to say the least. This option is relatively neutral and could certainly be elevated with a pair of sleek monitors and some cute desk accessories. While we're not into ‘pink everything’ just because you, reader, might happen to be a woman, we do have a sneaky fondness for the pink colourway…

Save money on desks for gamers (that won't mar your decor) with these Amazon discounts

Sid Black Metal Desk, £375, Graham & Green

Why we love it: With an antique finish that mimics something out a Pottery Barn - the ever favoured furniture retailer across the pond - this Graham & Green desk is gender neutral, comes complete with space for both a computer monitor and lower level for a keyboard and mouse, and even offers buyers three drawers worth of storage. Plus it's got good reviews.

Save money on small computer desks for small spaces UK with these Graham & Green promo codes

Teknik Office Pivot Cupboard Desk, £249.99, Ryman

Why we love it: With a wheeled fold-out section for easy manoeuvrability, plus a neutral design that's hard to dislike, this 3-in-1 desk-come-storage unit is a top choice for open plan living and could even be elevated with a lick of sage or matte black paint on the unit's doors.

Save money on desks that have plenty of space and yet, simultaneously have fold away functionality to not take up plenty of space by using these Ryman discounts

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Lommarp Desk, £179, IKEA

Why we love it: Available in light beige and a stylish dark green hue, what this compact desk lacks in space it sure makes up for in style. It boasts gold hardware, a drawer for hiding your essentials, a slat for standing books and a crevice for hiding charging cables.

Save money on everything from glass top desks to bed frames with these IKEA discounts

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