Large desks are a luxury for any home office. I love them, especially office suites. I have a mish mash of an office suite at home which is comprised of one large rectangle desk, a small computer desk and a kitchen table at the back. I have the 2 desks in an L-formation.
While I enjoy plenty of surface area, it’s not the prettiest office set up in the world. I’m definitely due for a cohesive office suite… maybe one day.
The variety of desks you have to choose from is amazing. In fact, I’m amazed in general about how many different furniture items there are for sale. Literally tens of thousands of different products. Who buys all this stuff? People must buy it because a lot of time and money goes into designing it and making it.
One way to categorize desks is via size. There are small desks that can fit in a closet and then there are large desks that offer a terrific working space in your home.
This post focuses on explaining the different types of large desks you have to choose from. As you’ll see, the different types vary quite a bit. On the flip side, in some instances, the differences between two types below can be blurry. For example, there’s not a huge difference between large computer desks and executive desks. That said, we explain minute differences so you can make the right decision.
While there are many types of desks, not all main types offer small options. Take secretary desks, for instance. All secretary desks are small. Here’s what I’m talking about:
Related: Proper Desk Dimensions | IKEA Desk Facts | Bedroom with Built-In Desks | Unique DIY Desks
Accordingly, we chose not to include “secretary desks” in our set of options.
Below is our list and explanations of the different types of large desks.
1. Computer Desk
There are 3 main types of computer desks which is dictated by shape. they are:
L-Shape
The L-shape is popular because it doesn’t take up all that much more space than a rectangle desk, yet gives you a lot more surface area and storage.
The example below is a real beauty. I love how there is plenty of leg room on both sides of the desk.
Rectangle
Rectangle desks are very versatile and can be placed in a corner, against a wall or floating in the middle of the room. I have 2 rectangle desks and they serve me very well.
Corner
The corner desk is an efficient way to create an office and if your office space is not huge, it’s a way to get a good-size desk in the space. The large corner desks offer plenty of surface area and storage.
All large computer desks via Wayfair.com.
2. Executive Desk
I’m not sure there is all that much of a difference between executive and large computer desks. These days, most desks will house a computer of some sort. Also, people refer to different styles when referring to an executive desk. For instance, below we feature an L-shaped executive desk with hutch (the first one), but we also feature a classic rectangle with drawers on both sides. Both could be executive desks, although the second one below is more technically correct.
L-Shape
Rectangle
Corner
All large executive desks via Hayneedle.com
U-shape
The U-shape desk below is a monster. I think it desperately needs a hutch on at least one arm. Other than that, it’s an executive desk in every meaning of the word.
Source: Wayfair.com
4. Writing Desk
The writing desk is characterized by simplicity. It’s a desk with one surface and nothing else. No drawers or cabinets. Just a flat surface with legs. Here are some examples:
L-shape
The L-shape writing desks below are interesting because they do include a keyboard tray but they also include a leg with no keyboard tray.
I think in years to come a writing desk by function will merge with the laptop desk concept because let’s face it, who writes without a computer.
Rectangle:
This first writing desk is a real beauty. It’s a mix of traditional (the top) and modern (the legs).
Source: Wayfair.com
5. Credenzas
I’m not too big into credenzas, but I can see they’re value as more office storage. The reason I’m not into them is they aren’t a very good work station. Nevertheless, we include them because some people really like them and they are a sort of desk for a home office.
Below are some fine examples of large credenzas.
Tall credenza:
The credenza is old school and for other than storage is useless. Can you really see yourself working at that computer station below? I can’t. Where would you put your legs.
The credenza is no longer a work station. I think they’re main use is to store the computers of luddites in corporate culture such as the lawyer who will not use a computer.
Short credenza:
Source: Wayfair.com
6. Floating Desk
We debated whether to include floating desks in this post because floating desks aren’t large. However, within the category of floating desks, there are large floating desks.
The problem with floating desks is they’re kind of permanent. The benefit is they’re space savers and I think thy look cool.
Here are a few we like:
Corner floating desk:
You could set up 4 workstations in a fairly small office space with this type of floating corner desk.
7. Desk Armoire
Like credenzas, I have little use for a desk armoire other than the fact they look great. This is not a desk you want for your home office, however, it’s not a bad option for off to the side in a living room or bedroom which provides a desk option on occasion. You simply open it up and you’re in business.
Here are a few large examples:
Source: Wayfair.com
8. The Office Suite
If you’re looking for an office suite, you mean business for your home office. An office suite is a series of office furniture creating a full multi-unit work station. There are many configurations. We’ll showcase the main configurations.
L-shape (with hutch):
U-shape:
Corner:
With credenza:
10. Roll Top
The roll top desk is old school. It’s not ideal for computers, but it sure looks great and if you don’t use a computer much, it’s still a viable option. Most roll tops these days are decorative pieces more than anything else.
A large roll top desk has drawers on both sides. That’s about as big as they get. Here are a couple of examples:
11. Laptop Desk
A laptop desk is a computer desk without keyboard tray and doesn’t necessarily have a large storage area for the CPU. Some have a CPU area, but otherwise, it’s usually a simpler form of computer desk (i.e. no keyboard tray, which I like because I find my legs jam into the bottom of keyboard trays).
Please note that laptop desks can also mean small laptop trays that prop laptops up while sitting on a sofa or in bed. These are not what we mean for this article.
Here are a few examples of larger laptop desks:
Corner:
Rectangle:
L-shape:
Wrap Up
As you can see, while this post is all about larger desks for your home office, there is still quite a range in sizes. You have massive desk units with the office systems, then you still enjoy some fairly large computer desk and executive options, but for some specialty types of desks, they are smaller in nature.
If you have the money and space, an office system is best in my view. I love those configurations. It’s like working in a spaceship, especially the U-shape systems. They can really make the home office into something special.
