Make working from home work for you with a stylish computer desk

or many of us, the Monday to Friday, 9 - 5 routine is over.

One of the many consequences of lockdown living meant that office workers (and their employers) learned that working from home for the long term was, in fact, entirely possible, without a dip in productivity. These days, flexi-working is the norm for many.

If you’re one of the millions of people who start work without leaving their front door for at least a few days a week, you’ll know the importance of a dedicated workspace. Somewhere you can get in the right frame of mind, away from distractions as you zip through your to-do list. Although the major draw of a laptop is that you can use it anywhere, sitting folded over on the sofa isn’t going to do your spine any favours in the long-term.

Whether you’re working on a laptop with or without a monitor, or you’re an iMac or desktop user, a computer desk is the essential piece of furniture you need for your WFH set up.

You may not have acres of space, or the luxury of a spare room to transform into a home office, but that won’t rule you out of the running.

Desks come in all shapes, styles and sizes, with some compact options that can collapse when not in use, opening space back up in your home. There are standing desks to keep blood flowing and your posture in check, while traditional desks with plenty of storage remain one of the popular choices.

To help the search, we’ve found the best computer desks for the home below. These designs bridge the gap between work and leisure, so won’t look out of place in your home. Dress it with plants, picture frames and fun stationery and who knows, you may actually look forward to sitting down to work every day.

Shop the best computer desks below

Dimensions: H75 x W140 x D62cm

Don’t like the idea of a desk in the standard black, brown or white? This office desk, made with FSC brushed pine, comes in a sage green, making it a much nicer-looking option to have on show in the home. There are three drawers to stow your things away at the end of the day, and when you’re not working on it, it can do double duty as a sideboard.

Dimensions: H135 x W67 x D67cm.

Turn an unloved corner into your part-time office with Habitat’s corner design, which encourages you to stand up while you’re working. We all know the dangers of a prolonged sedentary lifestyle; while staying on your feet means you keep moving, boosts circulation and cuts back pain, not to mention burning calories. The white corner unit comes with cubby holes, computer cable access, and plenty of surfaces to help you decorate and make it feel like home.

Dimensions: W83cm x D50cm x H94cm

For the space-squeezed, a design that can fold away when it’s not in use is worth its weight in gold. Behold, this Panana folding desk, which works in much the same way as a folding chair. There are two levels to use; a large surface that has plenty of room for a wireless keyboard and mouse, and a slimmer shelf above it on which you can place your laptop so it’s at the optimal eye level. It is best to use this with a laptop or Chromebook if you plan on folding it away at the end of each shift - putting away a desktop computer every night would be too much faff.

Dimensions: 55D x 120W x 85Hcm

You can’t help but get in the zone when you sit down at this computer desk, which comes with a slide out keyboard and a stand for your monitor to set it at eye level. It’s one for desktop users with a dedicated cubby for the hard drive, as well as two closed drawers and a shelf on the other end. The spacious main surface gives you plenty of room to store books, documents and stationery so you have everything you need to work effectively in one place.

Dimensions: H 95cm x W 115cm x D 58cm

With a sleek and modern design, this contemporary desk is one you’ll have no problem with keeping on show. It packs in a surprising amount of storage, with a central drawer beneath the surface, dividers and an upper shelf above a trestle frame to keep all your work essentials safe. Add a stylish office chair and you’re set.

Dimensions: W141 x D59 x H74cm

If you’ve got the space for it, this practical black desk makes a worthy workspace to help you get to business. Just one set of drawers keeps it from looking too bulky, but the wide table offers lots of space to keep your essential bits and pieces. If you’re using a laptop, we advise getting a stand to prop it up to eye level along with a wireless mouse and keyboard. It will make working far more comfortable, especially if you’re doing frequent full-day shifts.

Dimensions: H 140cm x W 118.5cm x D 118.5cm

If you’re on the prowl for a desk that won’t completely dominate the room, a skeletal design such as this corner desk from Dunelm fits the bill. While it doesn’t offer heaps of storage, it will allow you to get creative in dressing the unit thanks to the height in between the shelves, which also gives it an open and airy look. Compatible with all computers, from desktop PCs to laptops, the corner configuration means it will also serve lefties well too.

Dimensions: H76 x D70cm

A space-saving solution with a vintage aesthetic, this corner desk packs a raft of helpful features into the small space. There are holes for computer and laptop cables as well as a slim storage shelf beneath the top to store notebooks and pens.

Dimensions: H175 x W65 x D48cm

MADE is the home of clever, unusual design, continually coming up with new spins on traditional furniture. We love this industrial-look leaning desk, made from strong black powder coated steel.

There are two slim shelves as well as a boxy table for your laptop, giving you plenty of options to decorate the desk with houseplants and photo frames. You’ll need to screw in the desk to the wall at the top to keep it stable so while it’s not portable, it’s an innovative design that won’t eat up much room.

Dimensions: H91 x W94 x D50cm

A leaning desk with oodles of second life potential (dressing table? Breakfast bar? A display table for your houseplant/ candle/ vase obsession?) This sleek, minimal table is a great investment for anyone looking down the barrel of long-term WFH.

There are only two legs, keeping the space beneath your legs clear of clutter, while the table top has tons of space for your laptop and books. We like the addition of the top shelf, great for displaying motivational art prints and the odd low-maintenance succulent. There’s also a roomy drawer that’s perfect for packing away your office supplies when you don’t need them, keeping things neat and tidy.

Dimensions: H98 x W120 x D60cm

If you dream of a stylish bureau that can double up as a dressing table, look no further than this gorgeous design from Maisons Du Monde. The dark blue and brass effect finishings lend it a vintage look and there’s ample storage with three drawers for your knick knacks and stationery supplies.

DIY-phobes, be warned: some assembly is required, but with the end result looking as lovely as this, we think it’s more than worth the effort.