Built in hidden desk
10 clever, creative home office desks |
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
Working from home is the new normal for a huge number of us now – but many of us have yet to really have the time to consider how we tackle the sticky issue of finding a dedicated space, just for ourselves, away from other members of the family who are also working – or studying – at home.
But it's not just about finding space – the other factor is not wanting to be able to even see the office paraphernalia at the end of the day. It just makes it so much harder to switch off, right?
So if you don't have a separate room with a door you can close at 5.30pm, it's time to get creative with your home office ideas. But stylishly – and these hidden desk ideas are H&G's favorite ways to do so.
Hidden desk ideas
Your home office setup may not be ideal. Perhaps it's in a kitchen, bedroom, living room or just on your knees. It may be small – or perhaps you have a large dedicated space, but within an open-plan room?
Whichever – you will find these hidden desk ideas really, really useful. It's all about disguising the workspace in downtime, whether you close a door or just a lid.
1. Hide a desk behind a sofa
(Image credit: TG Studio)
Console tables behind sofas aren't a new way to create hidden desk ideas but even small ones like this are a clever way to allow you to work in a shared space. Another reason this room by TG Studio works is that the sweeping windowsill is the perfect space to fan out paperwork while you work, while creating a sculptural display surface while you're not.
2. Build a hidden desk into little used floor space
(Image credit: TG Studio)
This extraordinarily clever idea by Thomas Griem's London-based TG Studio shows how work can be carried out in the smallest of spaces if you're creative. This built-in, slide out desk surface offers plenty of work surface space and storage beneath, with very little impact on the floor space.
'You don't need a lot of space,' says George Saumarez Smith, partner at ADAM Architecture in London.
'My office is 2.9m x 1.8m, and is a kind of nerve center for work. It stops work taking over the home.'
And, of course, with the idea above, when home working stops and you return to the office, this storage and desk space can be easily repurposed as clothes' storage and as a dressing table, with make up and jewelry hidden beneath.
3. Hide a desk under the stairs
(Image credit: Mia Baxter Smail)
Desks hidden beneath staircases can be really successful if they're subtly done. Yes, you can have units fitted to include storage and to match your staircase's intricate woodwork, but we like this simple contemporary approach, where a niche is cut out, painted and adorned with nothing more than a beautiful piece of wood. This approach keeps the space streamlined and visually uncluttered, perfect for a narrow space.
4. Use a bedroom alcove for a hidden desk
(Image credit: Future owns)
Bedroom alcoves are the perfect spot for hidden desks – small desks like this one being perfect for letter writing, laptop work and.
.. just, quiet time, while armoires with pull-out desktops can combine storage for paperwork or clothes to suit your needs.
When contemplating a home office scheme, function – such as storage – must be central to your design, but does not have to be visually dominant. Choosing an eye-catching focus, such as a statement office chair or a beautiful antique desk, even a work of art, will distract from the room’s purpose and make it feel as considered as a living space.
5. Turn a showpiece antique into a hidden desk
(Image credit: Studio Indigo)
If aesthetics are important and your only option is a freestanding piece, why settle for a conventional desk and run-of-the-mill office storage when an extraordinary piece of furniture can be adapted perfectly well to suit your needs?
This hidden desk space was created by Melissa Hamilton of Chelsea-based Studio Indigo . 'For this scheme, we wanted to create a private study for the owner of the house,' says Melissa, who chose a warm, neutral wall color to set off the deep, rich shades of the furniture.
'It takes the form of a delicately hand-painted chinoiserie bureau in the master bedroom suite...[a] much loved antique found on [the owners'] travels.'
Although only used for correspondence, it's easy to appreciate how much storage there is available to hold everything needed for a small home office. Melissa is also at pains to point out that when a study area is included in another space, such as a bedroom, it is crucial to factor in how it will impact the wider scheme. 'Even when this desk is not in use, it is a very aesthetically pleasing arrangement,' she says.
6. Divide an open plan space with doors
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
If your existing office is part of an open plan layout and you simply can’t get the peace and quiet you desire, then consider closing off the end you are working in with doors.
Sliding doors take up less space than hinged designs and if you choose ones that are full of character they will add a design statement as well as being practical.
Painting the office area in a darker more dramatic shade also zones it and makes it clear that it has a purpose compared to the rest of the scheme.
7. Hide a desk inside fitted wardrobes
2LG Studio was founded by creative duo, Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead. They design bold and beautiful residential and commercial interiors and naturally, their home is the epitome of cool and colorful design.
‘This is our home studio space; we live and work from here so it has to work hard for both of us. By day all the doors are open to our sample library and computers and by night we can tuck it all away neatly, close the doors and entertain,' says Jordan.
They chose a dramatic shade of electric blue for the interior which pops perfectly with the Floor Story rug that blends perfectly when the doors are open.
8. Reconsider windowless spaces you'd dismissed
(Image credit: Flower Michelin)
Have a look around your home with fresh eyes – where is there spare space that you had previously dismissed as unsuitable, perhaps because it had no natural light? It may even currently be an enclosed cupboard with a stud wall that you can remove – or the back half of a long kitchen/diner and living space.
Rather than setting up the space as desk only, go broken plan, with glazed interior walls – and door – that allow natural light in, but keep noise from others out.
For this homework station, architect Chantal Michelin of Flower Michelin natural light was borrowed from a glazed extension. This smart space includes a desk that slides in to allow access to the cupboards below, thereby increasing storage possibilities. Plugs, the router and cabling are all hidden within the cupboards, along with a small printer.
9. Pick mirrored furniture to make your desk disappear
(Image credit: OKA)
You've heard the phrase 'smoke and mirrors' and that is precisely the trick you can resort to if you are hiding a desk in a bedroom.
Elegant mirrored furniture, kept tidy and used carefully, will look beautiful, enhance your bedroom and won't take up visual space where you either want to disguise a study area – or in a small home office that relies on as much clever furnishing as possible.
And, of course, in a bedroom, a neat mirrored desk, like this Versailles desk by Oka , will look more like a pretty dressing table than a workhorse.
10. Invest in a purpose-built, standalone home office
(Image credit: The Dormy House)
This all-in-one option by The Dormy House is the very quickest way to create a hidden desk.
Doors closed, it looks like a smart piece of furniture – and you can have it painted and choose door furniture to suit your scheme. Doors open, and it's a perfectly functional small home office.
The clever bit is that the doors are double hinged so they can wrap around the sides and you can use them as a pinboard too. It comes with adjustable shelving, pull out shelves and the standard hole to hide all your wires. Storage underneath is key, so look for a design that gives you enough space for a printer and stationery.
How can I hide a desk in my living room?
Desks can be hidden in living rooms in a number of ways.
The least obvious way to hide a desk is by placing it behind another piece of furniture, such as at the back of a sofa – this work particularly well in open plan spaces. Another option is to put a desk into a living room alcove – within an armoire is the best way to hide it but choose one with a light finish to ensure it doesn't look bulky. You can also hide a desk in a living room by using a screen to pull across it when not in use.
Sophie has been an interior stylist and journalist for over 20 years and has worked for many of the main interior magazines during that time, both in-house and as a freelancer. On the side, as well as being the News Editor for indie magazine, 91, she trained to be a florist in 2019 and launched The Prettiest Posy where she curates beautiful flowers for modern weddings and events. For H&G, she writes features about interior design – and is known for having an eye for a beautiful room.
Hidden Desks Design Ideas
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Spectacular mudroom features side by side built in desks hidden behind aluminum garage doors over built-in dog bed nooks filled with gray quatrefoil dog beds atop gray staggered tiled floors.
Redstart Construction
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A glass door opens to a fantastic mudroom features side by side built in desks hidden behind aluminum garage doors over built-in dog bed nooks filled with gray quatrefoil dog beds atop gray staggered tiled floors.
Redstart Construction
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Amazing mudroom features a wall of built-in open lockers, one for each family member, situated across from side by side built in desks with aluminum garage doors over built-in dog beds accented with gray quatrefoil dog beds atop gray staggered tiled floors.
Redstart Construction
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A long white built-in desk seats for two is paired with industrial stools and positioned against a chalkboard backsplash.
Pine Bay Collective
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A row of windows is located in a nook over side-by-side white file desks matched with blue oval back rattan chairs lit by a silver sputnik chandelier.
Shelter Interior Design
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Chocolate brown center kitchen island boasts hidden cabinets.
Thorpe Concepts
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Living room features white rolling desks with pink chairs behind a royal blue velvet sofa atop a cream rug, a TV against a black and green accent wall and dark blue built in cabinets with a bench and drawers.
Laura U Interior Design
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Spacious white and pink home office with pink walls features white built in desks with white slipper chairs and a brown lacquer table lit by a Robert Abbey bling chandelier.
Onyx Interiors
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Home office space features an L-shaped wooden sawhorse desk under a window accented with a tan Roman shade with vintage wooden desk chair atop a brown striped jute rug, a woven basket, and wooden floating shelves.
Jute Interior Design
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Spacious white and pink home office with pink walls features white French doors, a brown lacquer table lit by a Robert Abbey bling chandelier and white built in desks with white slipper chairs.
Onyx Interiors
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Kitchen features a dark brown wooden kitchen island with legs and a hidden cabinet.
Thorpe Concepts
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Symmetry at its finest! This shared kids bedroom features face to face gray reeded French desks in nooks with custom cabinets and gray farmstyle chairs.
Establish Design
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Boston Functional Library Wall Lights mount above windows in a home office furnished with brown oak built-in desks.
Fox Group Construction
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A white and blue roman shade matches white and blue ceiling wallpaper in a homework room boasting white task chairs placed at two white built-in desks.
Morgan Harrison Home
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Amazing kitchen with wall to wall floor to ceiling kitchen cabinetry with coffee stained exposed wood beams and arched kitchen doorway.
Brian Watford Interiors
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Fantastic kitchen with wall to wall floor to ceiling kitchen cabinetry with exposed wood beams and arched kitchen doorway.
Brian Watford Interiors
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A hidden room is located behind a white bookcase door.
Purity Designs
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This wonderfully designed work space for three features a blue built-in u-shaped desk adorned with oil rubbed bronze pulls and a gray brushed oak top.
Clark and Co Homes
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White folding doors conceal a hidden living room bar and are accented with a nickel plate and nickel plated door knob.
Peridot Decorative Homewear
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Closet washer and dryer sits under white hidden cabinets with white built in shelves.
LC Interiors
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Bedroom features white bamboo chairs at built in desks under long floating shelves on colorful wallpaper and a cane bed over an ivory rug.
Mrs Paranjape Design
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Home office features mustard yellow master's chairs at white built in desks and shelf cork board on the back of shelves.
Anne Chessin Designs
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000 Smart tables at work and at home.
Results of the “Propose a feature” competition / Habr If at home we can determine the configuration of the workplace ourselves, then companies have different approaches to office design. Somewhere they think utilitarianly and put ordinary noname office tables in rows, like benches for rowers in a galley. As a result, working in such an office becomes unpleasant. How about trying something special? Will this affect productivity and how justified is this approach?
As this most "special" take tables with built-in electronics from the company Tabula Sense, which specializes in the development of furniture for IT companies and coworking spaces. A couple of years ago, Habré already published material about a desktop model for a home office and about how the idea of \u200b\u200bmanufacturing tables was born. This time I decided to test models that no one has yet touched on Habré: office Tabula Sense Smart Office and home Smart Desk. It turned out to be easy to negotiate with the manufacturer, and now - they give me a couple of tables for the test.
True, with the condition that I insert a surprise from the manufacturer into the article - he is waiting for those who read the material to the end. nine0003
Smart desk at work
The Smart Office desktop came to me for testing, or rather, a demo sample stuffed with all possible functions. Tabula Sence sends the same tables to potential customers for a test drive to make it easier to choose. At first glance, it did not stand out among typical office desks: a gray tabletop, a screen, metal legs - it seems to be nothing special. But how wrong I was. The filling of this table differs from the usual one in much the same way as the new Tesla Cybertruck from Niva. nine0003
Table top and screen
For me, the tactile sensation of touching the surface is more important than knowledge of the materials used. The table that came to Habr has a chipboard countertop. The tabletop is pleasant to the touch, and it is easy to wipe clean, I liked it. The material also attracts by the fact that when ordering a table, you can choose from 80 colors and textures.
I admit that someone prefers eco-friendly surfaces made of natural wood, they have different tactile sensations, they smell and, in general, are more “warm”. But I think it's all a matter of taste. However, the tree looks really beautiful. Instagram Tabula Sense just has examples of countertops made of solid oak. nine0003
Cable management
I think a lot of people are annoyed by power cords dangling haphazardly from the table, which can sometimes get tangled up and, if you're "especially lucky", brush something off the table. To avoid this, Tabula Sense offers a choice of as many as 4 options for organizing wires from the simplest and cheapest to pumped (the table that came for the test had all the options):
- Cutout in the tabletop with a cable tray under the table.
- Opening metal hatch with the same tray. nine0344
- Socket block hidden in the table with USB ports and cover.
- Modular unit with anodized aluminum escutcheon, with special hole for Ethernet cable.
Such a block can be ordered for 2/3/4 sockets.
The aluminum block has an interesting modular connection feature. Tables with this type of connection can be powered from the network in series, 6 in a group, with only one of them connected to the outlet. I did not manage to check this, since there was only one table. But when outlets are scarce in a new office and wiring is needed, this daisy-chaining feature can cut costs by a factor of 6 (system administrators, who usually oversee this process, will definitely like it). nine0004
Each of these cable management options can be installed in the center of the table and hidden from the user's eyes behind a monitor or laptop screen. And no matter what you choose, under the table there will be a tray for a surge protector and a power supply.
In addition to standard 220V sockets, there are 3 more USB ports (5 and 10W) at the end of the table for charging gadgets (and if you have a socket block with USB, then there are 5 of them).
Given that I have a whole zoo of devices for personal use and testing at work, this turned out to be relevant for me. Hello to all testers and mobile developers, this table feature is clearly for you. nine0004
In my opinion, USB at the end of the table is a controversial decision, because you can break them when getting up from a chair. But it was convenient for colleagues, as it turned out to put the phone to charge on the bedside table under the table and not be distracted by the gadget in the process of work. And the manufacturer assures that since the shipment of several thousand tables, no one has ever damaged the ports.
The top of the table is engraved with the QI standard symbol, under which the wireless charger is integrated into the table top. Yes, this is no longer rocket science, but it's still nice that it exists. You get used to the convenience of charging almost immediately, and the need to reconnect the cable to the phone feels like a step back in time. nine0004
True, at first it was not possible to put the phone on the table so that the gadget would immediately start charging: for this, the center of the phone had to be aligned with the engraved QI charging logo. But over time, I got used to it. Perhaps marking on the table in the form of a telephone outline or a circle would help to cope with this faster.
Convenience (Height)
And here is the killer feature of this table model from Tabula Sense - legs with height adjustment. I press the button with the up arrow - and the table begins to rise with a soft buzz (almost simultaneously with this, the eyebrows of surprised colleagues rise) to an impressive height of 1.17 m for the table. It's time to try that very standing work, about the benefits of which so much has been written about. This work seemed inconvenient to me, but someone might like it. True, you will have to look down on your colleagues in the truest sense of the word. nine0003
Lowering the table is as easy as raising it - at the touch of a button.
The table can remember 3 positions, but I needed to fix only 2: low and high, optimal for my height. The table can lift a weight of 120 kg, but it was somehow scary to check this by lifting itself.
Smart Office telescoping table legs are from Danish pioneer Linak, which has been producing them for over forty years. From plain and noisy Chinese counterparts, these legs are distinguished by reliability, compact size and a large number of adjustment methods (from remote controls connected via Bluetooth to a smartphone to tracking data from fitness bracelets to understand that you are too long and it's time to work standing up). There is even such a feature as the display of the company logo on the remote control. nine0004
If the feature with height adjustment is not required, fixed legs can be ordered. Moreover, they are several times cheaper.
Form factor
I had a standard rectangular table on the test, but when visiting Mail.ru I saw tables from Tabula Sense in the form of a wing.
Those tables have a connection on both sides and such a useful feature as an ergonomic traverse that you don’t hit with your knees. For those who have 2-3 monitors, such tables are especially convenient. If desired, tables can be arranged in a circle. And yet, it turns out, there are tables in the shape of a trapezoid. nine0003
The company is not limited to work and home tables, Tabula Sense also has meeting tables (in which Jabra voice systems are built in), armchairs, bedside tables, and even cabinets with lockers that are unlocked by fingerprint. If desired, you can pack the entire office. And if you need it urgently and don’t have time to wait for tables to be made, Tabula Sense has an “Instant Office” service, which provides replacement tables right on the day of payment. They are folding and the office can be assembled in minutes. nine0003
Why such a table in the office?
You can say as much as you like that each individual feature of the table is already in some other products.
But when all the options are collected in one device, it attracts. So much so that I did not want to give back the table sent for review.
Such furniture gadgets will seem like overkill to those who are used to working in Spartan conditions, at “desks” from Ikea. It is especially sad when the position of “nothing more” is professed by the leadership.
But when all these conveniences streamline workflow and improve life (even in small ways), is it worth saving? In business, the convenience of an employee generally becomes beneficial for the company, because it increases his efficiency.
If you don't get carried away with options, then the price of the table is quite affordable (from 8990 in retail). The manufacturer even has a special bot in Telegram, which gives an idea of the prices for all models of the company.
Smart desk at home
Tabula Sense Smart Desk
After I tested one of the Tabula Sense tables at work, it was time to test it at home.
I got the top version of the table for the test. It has, probably, everything that is possible: a USB hub, speakers, and wireless charging of gadgets. There is height adjustment and even induction mug heating. In particular, a similar model of the table is in the office of the managing director of the Yandex group of companies, Tigran Khudaverdyan, and the director of the British Higher School of Design, Ekaterina Cherkes-zade. nine0003
Charging gadgets
For her, the table has 3 USB inputs familiar to us from the office model at the end of the table. This USB hub is connected to the computer through the port under the table top. If you connect the computer to the table, then any devices can be connected to the computer using the ports on the table.
At first glance, this section lacks USB 3.0 instead of at least one USB 2.0 and a couple of USB-c. But during work, to be honest, the first Wishlist somehow evaporated. Everything works fast. Well, USB-c still asked for a hub to charge some laptops and connect them to the table through a native wire.
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Wireless charging is the same as in the office model. Worked great with my iPhone.
Speakers
Connecting to speakers, perfect replacement for desktop devices, is done via Bluetooth with one touch. The sound is clear, the vibrations in the table are pleasant, although the bass is a bit lacking. Well, calls through them will not work - after all, these are ordinary speakers, and not a conference call system, the interlocutor hears an echo.
A very cool feature of these speakers is that they cannot be drowned. The whole table is waterproof, that is, you can spill water on it, and nothing terrible will happen. I didn't check it out, of course. nine0003
Mug Warmer
A handy feature for those who like to work with a cup of hot tea or coffee but often forget to drink it on time. You press the button and the drink does not cool down. Bliss. The heating indicator light looks very atmospheric, like an element of cyberpunk in everyday life. True, not every mug is suitable (it just won’t heat up), so the manufacturer puts in the kit a branded mug with a stainless steel plate, which is installed instead of a ceramic bottom.
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When I first got the table, “without reading the cake” I decided to try boiling water in a mug. To no avail. This function is only suitable for maintaining the temperature of the drink, and not for cooking at the workplace.
Tablet slot
I found the tablet slot to be the most convenient way to view something “in the background” while working (if it allows). For example, after working until the evening, sports fans can turn on a football match. And if you don’t like multitasking, use the “parking space” only to charge the gadget. nine0003
Height adjustment
The telescoping legs of this table are the same as the office model, so I'll just show the scale here. For comparison, I put a regular chair next to it. That's how high this table rises. The load capacity of the table is the same as that of its office "brother" - 120 kg.
Worktop and design
The table is covered with natural veneer and the edge is made of black anodized aluminum, similar to the touch of a MacBook cover. All controls are conveniently located, you do not need to reach for them. It just seems that the beverage warmer slot is located too close to the workspace. A little scary for my own crooked hands. nine0004
Lovers of minimalism will love the table. It is sophisticated, does not clutter up the space around it. And despite this, it gives the impression of stability and "great weight" of every detail.
However, there are some inconveniences. Here's what bothered me:
- The table is powered by two wires, so you need 2 sockets nearby. However, this is only in my case, since power is required for telescopic legs, for simple ones, a second outlet is not needed.
- The wire hole in the tablet stand is very narrow. It will only accept a USB-C cable. nine0344
Who should buy such a table for home?
For those who have long wanted to optimize their workspace, but did not dare, because the mess can be so familiar and cozy (I know from myself).
After the test, an interesting analogy came to mind. This table is like an Apple product. Someone considers it not worth the money, someone does not like the design, and someone uses it with pleasure, because Apple sells not only gadgets, but also a certain lifestyle, forms an ecosystem in which it is pleasant to work without being distracted by little things, focusing on important tasks. nine0004
The promised surprise
Tabula Sense's main customers are IT people, and the company is constantly improving its products to meet their needs. And since Habr is the largest IT community, Tabula Sense turns to us with a question: what other options does the community want to see in these tables?
The most helpful comments on this post will be rewarded.
1st place - Tabula Sense Light on a stationary underframe.
2nd place - Ember smart mug with the function of setting the temperature of the drink through the application. nine0004
3rd place — Natural oak laptop stand.
