Solid Wood Writing Desks

Though each writer is different and inspiration can strike anytime and anywhere, creating a writing space around a solid wood writing desk can be just the thing needed to focus and funnel your thoughts onto paper. Solid wood writing desks have been around for centuries boasting dozens of different designs and wood materials used. Walking the line between elegance and functionality many modern desks are still based off the antique designs.

Dating back to the 1600’s is one of the earliest known samples of writing desks in the Jacobean style. The Jacobean style of desk was typically crafted out of walnut or oak, had a dark finish with a medieval appearance, straight lines and was usually adorned with carvings of acorns or geometric designs.

After the Jacobean style came a number of other desk designs, beginning with the William and Mary style. More ornate than the Jacobean design it featured Dutch and Chinese influences. It had a lacquered finish and trumpet-turned legs ending in a ball, or clawed foot. These desks were commonly made from black walnut, ebony or holly and provided a graceful or refined look. Other styles include Queen Anne, Georgian, Chippendale, Sheraton, Shaker, Victorian, and Arts and Crafts.

While the styles changed by era one thing remained constant. Solid wood writing desks were hand crafted by master cabinet makers for the homes and offices of the affluent. This trend continued on into the Industrial Revolution even though wood desks were by then being mass produced by machine and unskilled labor.

Whether antique or modern a solid wood writing desk can add beauty and functionality into your office or home. Whether it is a symbol of status or form allowing for function or a combination thereof a solid wood writing desk can last long enough to become a family heirloom and can stick around for generations.

Evolution of the Writing Desk

The Writing Desk's Evolution

From the early years of scribes to the models of today the evolution of the writing desk has been important in adapting and designing new desks to meet the needs of the writer. The evolution of the writing desk really took off during the Victorian era in Great Britain and later periods in the United States. Many contemporary writing desks are based off of antique designs.

The first writing desks weren’t really recognizable as desks. It was essentially a portable box with a sloped hinge lid containing the scribe’s tools of the trade. On location this box was placed on a table or platform for the scribe to write. The first mention of a desk wasn’t found until 1450.

Around 1660 the scribe’s desk became affixed to a stand, first temporary then permanent. This was the basic model of a clerk’s desk. Adding drawers to the clerk’s desk gave way to the design known as the bureau. From late 17th Century France came the roll-top bureau or cylinder desk with a roll down top made from wood slats glued to cloth as opposed to the sloped lid.

Near 1700 came the next phase in the evolution of the writing desk known as the knee-hole writing desk. Usually containing a cupboard in the back of the knee-hole it allowed the writer comfort, freedom of movement and plenty of storage space for writing supplies and personal effects. It was around this time as well that desks took on more decorative ornamentation.

During the Regency period of England a cabinet maker named Chippendale introduced the Serpentine Fronted Knee-hole Desk which became the branching off point of several later designs. As writing desks became common in Europe each country adapted their own style of writing desk, and some designs were developed in the United States, most notable the Shaker design, and the Arts and Crafts design which noted a reversal in the ornate decorating of desks and called for a more back to basics style.

While writing desks have changed over the centuries the certainty is that they have adapted to meet the needs of the writer and it is certain that the evolution of writing desks will continue into the future.

White Writing Desks

White writing desks are a popular style of office furniture that are among the most highly sought after type of writing desk on the entire Internet. In fact, searches for "white writing desks" outnumber searches on "black writing desks" over two to one. It's hard to say the reason for this. In fact, these statistics are somewhat baffling to me based on my own personal preferences. Personally I prefer true wood writing desks, especially when it's a beautiful oak writing desk, or even a gorgeous Italian writing desk. That said, there are many white writing desks available because many people apparently love this color of office furniture.

One reason for this could be that many white writing desks are smaller pieces of furniture, perhaps designed for use by children or teenagers. This type of furniture could be used to decorate children's rooms. The one downside to a white writing desk that is obvious right off the bat is that most office furniture that's painted white does not look professional. The true wood look from wood writing desks does look professional, as does many type of wood finishes even.

So white writing desks are definitely pieces of furniture that aren't designed for an office or even a home office so much as a decorative piece for kids or teenagers that can be used for reading, writing, homework, or crafts. This isn't a bad thing; encouraging your kids to read and write more often is always a great thing. No one is ever going to regret that particular decision. Because of this, these bits of office furniture are extremely popular.

If you're looking for some good white writing desks, there are plenty of places online to find exactly what you're looking for. Whether looking for antique white writing desks, or maybe just something to spruce up your dining room or study, there are many options available for this particular type of desk.

Cons of Small Computer Desks

If you're considering buying a computer desk for your home office, consider first the cons of small computer desks. While small computer desks are ideal if space is at a premium, they are not ideal if a lot of reference materials are needed on hand. If for instance a space demanding project is in the works, such as putting together a collage or presentations the work area can become somewhat cramped.

Another drawback to small computer disks is that depending on which one you buy there can be a sacrifice in durability. Some of the moving parts such as the keyboard slider are prone to breaking (and dropping the keyboard in your lap) and too much weight will make the support plates buckle. Before committing to a purchase be sure the desk will meet your weight requirements.

Small computer desks can also be prone to clutter. A little extra care is necessary to make sure your computer desk doesn’t become a dining room table or a repository for unopened mail. In other words, a small desk requires there to be a place for everything with everything in its place.

For those less than mechanically inclined, some desks do require assembly. Most require simple tools like an allen wrench or crescent wrench. Once assembled they can easily be moved from room to room. Or if you want no assembly required some smaller wooden desks are available.

The last disadvantage to owning or using a small computer desk is needing other furniture such as file cabinets, CD racks, or book cases to keep things close at hand that might otherwise have a home in a larger desk. While most office furniture is of a space saving design a small computer desk with a bookshelf and a file cabinet and a couple of CD racks might just be a zero sum factor to a larger desk with built in file drawers, shelving for books and room for the CD racks built in. Consider your needs carefully and consider the cons of small computer desks when looking to customize your office space.

Pros of Small Computer Desks

When fashioning a comfortable work area there are some definite pros to placing a small computer desk as the center piece of your office. To be an efficient worker your work space must accommodate you and your needs. It also has to be ergonomically efficient and comfortable but without distractions. Like designing any room in the home, designing an office space is no exception.

Some benefits to considering a small computer desk. The first incentive is the cost. Smaller computer desks can run hundreds of dollars less than larger models. Second is their size. In a small home or apartment where space is at a premium a large computer desk is going to take up too much room. Likewise in a large office space where several employees are divided off into cubicles a small computer desk allows for more employees with less cramping.

Another pro of small computer or writing desks is efficiency. A small computer desk demands efficient use of its space. This can provide an incentive for staying well organized, reducing clutter and keeping the working area clean and tidy. If the need for the office worker is to be mobile, a small computer desk can be moved more easily than a full-sized office unit.

If thinking of small desks, think even smaller. Children can benefit from having a small computer desk as well, even if not used for a computer. Kids often benefit the most from emulating responsible adult behavior. In as much as you have your own workspace, it can be beneficial to have his or her own work space too. Let your kids help pick out their own desk and let them be creative in decorating or painting their desk.

Children can benefit from having a work space to do homework, work on school projects, or brush up on hobbies such as modeling, drawing, or writing. And because the space is unique to them it can instill a sense of pride and responsibility of their possessions. Another benefit is that your kitchen table will then be free for a family dinner.

So whether you are looking to make the most of space in a small home/office or whether want your child to have a workplace of their own there are certainly many pros to small computer desks.