We are (and should) becoming less reliant on piles of papers and file cabinets. Our computers are shrinking. So, while I love those fabulous old lawyer's desks (bigger than the average dining room table), they are a tad impractical for most people, especially apartment dwellers. Here are five compact and space-saving desks and workspaces. Not only do they leave a minimal footprint, many of these can be shut up and tucked away when you want to escape from the seductive come-hither of your computer screen. And nothing makes a room look messier than a stack of bills on a messy desk.
In a funny way, these compact little wonders are a bit reminiscent of the old fashioned secretaries, which had fold out desk tops for writing letters with an actual pen! The horror! I use the good old reliable West Elm Parsons desk because I have the space. But if I were still in my 1 bedroom I would go for one of these cool space-saving options.
Images:
• 1 Dwell. A space saving work station that has doors and shelves that can be obscured with ease, as in the image on the right.
• 2 Love this pretty little desk from House to Home.
• 3 Historic Home as Work in Progress. This fabulous teak custom built in cabinetry includes a very tidy flip-out work area.
• 4 Here a vintage hutch doubles as a storage space and workspace. Brabourne Farm.
• 5 Tiny flip-down desk in a hotel featured in Space-Saving Ideas From Good Hotel.
Sources: As credited above.






Shaw's Original Fir...
I'm partial to the old-fashioned secretaries, like this one: http://www.ballarddesigns.com/eastman-secretary/furniture/desks/12202?listIndex=12
I love the first one. Too bad my main machine is a ginormous 27" iMac.
#3 is freaking gorgeous!
For our computers we mostly use TV trays, but I have a large desk that has a printer/scanner/copier on a shelf with my sewing machine and craft supplies on top.
*gurgle of delight* I NEED THESE!!! My biggest pet peeve is my desk and my s.o.'s because of all the mess and wires that just can't be helped... but these pics prove they CAN!
Love the 1st one.
Just saw a storage coffee table in WestElm.com that has storage inside but also when open, pulls up to double as a desk surface. Considering buying because we like to work from the couch, plus it's on sale!
Heavily digging the surgical lamp.
I love the first one. Does anyone know where the small chest of 6 drawers on the shelf comes from? I've been desperately looking for something exactly like this!
I thought Ikea did something like this way back, but I don't find it on their website anymore...
#1 Rocks!
What I don't like about these closet or corner offices, is that you don't get the 'writing' space. I work from home and will need to compare reports and not having enough 'table' space drives me nuts. I'm currently trying to rectify that but it's tough when you do have your office in a closet.
Other than that, they are nice if you don't need the table or writing space.
My dressing table doubles as my desk. It is a nice and roomy version from (GASP) IKEA. Plenty of room for laying out reports, etc. I have a three tier cart next to it that holds my printer and serves as a charging station with all the ugly stuff discreetly tucked behind a hand-stiched, coordinated curtain. Out of the way, unobtrusive to the design of my bedroom and double-duty furnishings (I'm patting myself on the back as I type this ... it's not that easy to do, either).
Love the second one. I need info on how to acquire this one!!!!
I use an antique secretary for my computer desk. Drilled a clean hole in an unseen spot on the back for the wires to go through and it is stunning!
I like that #3 was wired for electricity, inside. So cords and such can discreetly tuck out of the way.
Ikea and Fly have some flip-down desks too:
Beavis grey
Beavis white
Ikea PS
Ludvig (ugly copy of the Fly product)
Holy Mary!! The lamp in Pic 4 looks like a death ray!!