Hasta La Ideas

Even the most digitally-focused clients I’ve worked with want something other than just a laptop close at hand when working at their desks, and they struggle a bit when using a desk with no storage space. So I’m always interested in seeing the many ways designers have incorporated storage into the desks they create.

The PAD desk from Compar doesn’t seem to have much storage at first glance: just a drawer and a riser.

But that’s before you realize the top surface is actually a lid that opens up. This gives the end user a lot of storage space, but it won’t work well for those who keep a lot of items on their desktop (since those items would have to be removed every time the lid was lifted). 

The Sol desk from Team 7, designed by Sebastian Desch, is another one with hidden features. The open space where the end user might slide notebooks and such is only one of the storage features. Note: That attachment in the back is optional and provides dimmable LED lighting.

There are also some nice milled pen holders. However, reaching to the back of the desk to get at the pen holders isn’t always convenient, depending on what else is on the desk—and how long a stretch is comfortable for the end user. That’s a potential concern with any desk with storage along the back.

But the writing surface can also be pulled forward, exposing additional storage space. Besides simple storage, this space can also be used for the optional power socket (which includes a USB connection). Team 7 says Qi wireless charging, a cable outlet and a cable conduit are also available. 

Frederik Alexander Werner has created MeetMyDesk—yet another one with hidden storage, this time in the form of a slidable top that reveals a storage compartment. 

The desk also has a drawer at the end—an inconvenient place for anything the end user might want to grab while seated at the desk. Accessing this desk’s storage spaces will be just a bit too cumbersome to suit some end users. 

The Woolsey Agent Desk from Sean Woolsey mostly relies on drawers for storage. The center storage area (with a tilt-down door) is lockable, which is a nice feature. 

But this desk, too, has some hidden storage—in this case, a compartment under the mouse pad. The compartment opens with a strong magnetic wood geode, which is included. The only drawback to this feature: The end user needs to keep the geode readily available, so that’s one more thing that needs a space. However, it’s nice that the geode is a large-enough thing that it won’t easily get misplaced, and it allows somewhat secure storage without the bother of a key. (Just don’t let kids see you using it, or you’ve just turned them onto a new fun toy.)

The desk also comes with a magnetic power block (two power outlets, four USB) that can be attached anywhere on the steel frame. That’s a nice cord-control feature (except for those of us who always prefer to use surge protectors).

On the opposite end of the spectrum from these desks which include hidden storage are those that make the storage entirely visible—which will appeal to end users who work best when they can see everything they need. The Arco desk from Design House Stockholm, designed by Chuck Mack, is one such desk.

The drawer opens from both sides—not a feature that’s usually all the helpful in a single-person desk, but it can’t hurt.

My Writing Desk from EMKO has a totally different way of keeping things visible, by providing storage that surrounds the desktop. This wouldn’t work for things like pens and paper clips, but it could be quite useful for an end user dealing with lots of papers and/or projects. The two drawers could hold all those smaller items.

The File Desk, designed by Julie Tolvanen of Studio Tolvanen, makes papers visible by building file storage into the desktop. One drawback: This significantly reduces the desktop space available for working. 

More traditional storage options include drawers, and the Homework desk from Bensen has that covered. The end user can choose a single drawer, a double drawer or a file drawer (that accommodates either letter and legal size files) on each side—or no drawer at all on one side. This is a nice recognition that end users have varying storage needs.

Writing desks with storage compartments along the back are another common desk design, but the choice of those compartments can vary greatly. The Canterbury writing desk from Pompanoosuc Mills would suit an end user who prefers open storage. 

The writing desk from Woodsport would be the type to appeal to an end user who prefers to have everything tucked away, out of sight. Neither of these designs is very good at storing items of differing heights, though.