Where to buy a nice, small desk?

Clecko · September 2023

My wife has a stipend to buy equipment she needs to work from home and we may look at replacing her quite cheap and nasty desk. It's quite a small space, so we're looking at 90cm max.

John Lewis stuff looks either quite nice and wildly overpriced, IKEA stuff generally looks quite cheap and nasty (or the good stuff is too big for the space) and places like Made (didn't someone buy that?) and Rowen & Wren aren't really thnrowing up any good offerings.

Any recommendations?

steer · September 2023

I would go to Ikea, although you have ruled them out already. My Ikea desk is a larger one, but fits the bill nicely.

scrumhalf · September 2023

Do you need an actual desk or a small table with, perhaps, a pedestal underneath?

You could also try second hand office furniture suppliers, some of their stuff is as good as new.

UnclePsychosis · September 2023

I paid someone local far too much to build one, and then discovered that you can get Worktop Express to make you a custom size, solid wood, desk top, with custom edges (eg rounded, chamfered, etc) and cable holes etc pre drilled for very reasonable sums.

Buy some legs from a supplier of your choice, sorted.

EricTheWeary · September 2023

I faffed around with this for a long time and they were either crazy expensive, too big or just crap. MandS and Next might be worth a look although surprisingly poor for the money. If you are anywhere near Stoke you could pop into the Westbridge outlet (they supply M and S and Next and sell run ends, etc, at the outlet).
And so in the end...I retired. My son is on his second IKEA desk as the first one eventually fell to bits and if he ever moves out this one will have an axe taken to it if it hasn't.

Woodandwires · September 2023

Have a look on Esty there will be loads or Pinterest that’s what I did in similar circumstances

munckee · September 2023

I needed a lot of space for laptop, monitor, papers etc so bought a white kitchen table from ikea for £35 which matches the other white furniture in our office/den and is solid as a rock. (Or a heavy table at least).

Sporky · September 2023

There are some nice children's desks that'll go up to the right right but are well made, small, and jolly.

Moll spring to mind.

CHRISB50 · September 2023

I bought a desk from Riz and Mica Make.

All their stuff is reclaimed wood (mainly sanded / stained scaffold boards).

I just had a look and the smallest they do is 100x60 so a bit too big, but I’d happily recommend them.

SteveRobinson · September 2023

See if her office are throwing any out, the desk I'm sat at now was liberated from work.

Ah, just re-read the size constraint - maybe not then.

stickyfiddle · September 2023

I got one made during covid. It was expensive as it was quite big but it’s utterly perfect for our needs (in this case a specific size and integrated shelf to fit a puzzle board and guitar cables when not in use)

I’m not U.K. based so can’t offer recommendations beyond suggesting that it might still be a good option if you would benefit from something slightly non-standard!

Sassafras · September 2023

I bought a very nice solid pine desk from a charity shop for next to nothing.
Surprising what you can find in those places.

Shrews · September 2023

Staples

https://www.staples.co.uk/office-furniture/office-desks/

darthed1981 · September 2023

You just need to get a desk from Ikea, and change the pickups.

Then it's as good as any other desk.

Dominic · September 2023

knick one from a school..........they're quite small

EvansDrD · September 2023

West Elm

WezV · September 2023

I made a quick one in lockdown when my partner and I were working from home.

Just some metal hair pin legs and quickly jointed scaffold boards cut into a V fronted desk.

Then when she changed jobs I cut it down to fit a smaller space, reusing the same legs.