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5 Pieces That Double as a Desk

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If you only use a desk every once in a while, why not make the most of it by taking a dining table or a countertop and turning it into a now-and-then workspace? Click below for 5 pieces from the living room, kitchen, and dining room that can double as a desk...

 
 

Above: The classic double-duty solution is to use the dining table as a desk. Image: Blu Dot Strut Table, $1,099 - $1,299 at Design Public.


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For a smaller, narrower space a console table works well. Image: Turned Leg Console Table Table, $399 at Brocade Home.


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A wall-mounted desk can be made from a floating shelf or a flip table. This is a much fancier version of the floating shelf idea: the Lax Wall-Mounted Desk, $675 at Uncrate.


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For a portable laptop desk, a tall end table or TV tray works. The Offi Mag Table is shown, $148 at Design Within Reach. For more options, see this post.


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We like the idea of a kitchen counter extended into a desk (image from This Old House). For a readymade version you could use a freestanding countertop or a kitchen island.

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tables - desks, storage, desk, home office, shelf, workspace

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Comments (12)

Love the glossy green table in the lead pic, just love it!

posted by ChrisToronto on January 22nd 2008 at 10:45am
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I don't understand the concept here. Can't any flat surface double as a desk? The glossy green table is definitely hot, but that's not what makes it desk-like. It's desk-like qualities (flatness, height) can be found in any dining table.

posted by mjoe on January 22nd 2008 at 10:52am
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In my small apartment, my desk doubles as a dining table when guest come over. I picked up Ikea a dark brown Vika Amon table top and silver Vika Fintorp leg. For $100CDN I can seat 6.

posted by violetjo on January 22nd 2008 at 12:25pm
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does anyone know the manufacturer of the gray chair with the splayed legs next to the green table in the first image?

posted by bawmis on January 23rd 2008 at 4:25am
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It's a Blu Dot Buttercup Chair- around $800

posted by a to the toy on January 23rd 2008 at 5:15am
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bawmis, the chair is also by Blu Dot. It's the Buttercup Chair and you can also get it as a rocker. Meg and John have the chair in their House Tour. Hope this helps.

posted by sarah c on January 23rd 2008 at 5:17am
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We have a table and six chairs from Blu Dot and I'm very sorry to say that the quality is quite poor. The chairs (molded plywood) are pitting and easily scratched. The legs on one are completely bent! The table, likewise, is quite a bit nicer on the site than in person. Sadly, we called our furniture store (a reputable dealer in modern design) and the customer service rep said, "They're nice guys, but it's basically Ikea furniture." They refused to let us return the items. It's not Herman Miller, but I don't think $2K spent on a dining room table and chairs should equal an Ikea-level experience.

By the way, we're not tall, not heavy, and not hard on furniture. The dining table and chairs are only used for dining (a dinner party every couple of weeks, but no ragers).

posted by ricestein on January 23rd 2008 at 6:48am
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Where is the glossy green desk from?

posted by cmeurer on August 22nd 2008 at 11:31am
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Does anyone know the name of the artist who made the painting (above the green table in image 1)? It's terrific!

posted by Johnmurphy on December 22nd 2008 at 11:39am
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The green table is by Bludot. They make a pink-ish watermelon color table and white and baby blue... they also come in a million different sizes, I love this table so much it's insane! Everything bludot has is pretty darn nice!

posted by toniad on December 22nd 2008 at 11:42am
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I have a small space and have been thinking about either the Vista Table from Crate and Barrel or CB2's Peakaboo Table.

I'm struggling as to what kind of chair to pair with it. Was thinking the Eames Eiffel or Series 7 might go well. The Ghost chair might also work well but don't want to overplay the clear furniture look too much.

Thoughts on either of the tables or type of chair to pair with it?

posted by cmdseattle on December 22nd 2008 at 12:01pm
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Love the glossy green table in the lead pic, just love it!-- ME TOO!!!!!!!!!

posted by Haunted_Studio on December 23rd 2008 at 4:27pm
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