Victorian Writing Desks

Looking at Victorian Writing Desks

There are actually many different designs when it comes to Victorian writing desks.  This term simply refers to any type of desk that was made during the reign of Queen Victoria in England, and so these pieces of furniture can range from fancy antique roll top desks or secretary style desks to very basic and boring desk designs that were the bare minimum of design and were simply meant to be functional. The variation can be incredible, and for that reason this is not the most descriptive term for figuring out what a piece of furniture looks like.

On the other hand, many of these writing desks were built from oak or other hardwoods that have had the ability to last decades or even centuries if properly taken care of.  Because of this, many antique models of these wood writing desks can last for a long time and remain in surprisingly good shape even after the passage of time. And the ones that were decorative instead of basic, they are absolutely beautiful pieces that stand out, such as the one in the picture to the left.

The Victorian Era lasted from around 1830 to 1900, and this covers a wide variety of styles, crafts, designs, and obviously the desks that were made for the common workers looked a lot different than the ones made for merchants or the wealthy.  because of this writing desks of Victorian times are very different with a variety that is hard to see at any other time under one particular name or title.  Because of this, there might be too much variety to easily stereotype them, but you can bet that these pieces of office furniture will be high quality.

Real Wood Writing Desks: Choose the Real Thing

Real Wood for Real Writing Desks

There are many opinions out there when it comes to finding a good writing desk, and one question that pops up frequently is whether or not getting an old fashioned wood writing desk made from real timber is the right way to go, or whether wood panel and other substitutes work just as well. While manufacturers of the cheap stuff and big retail stores like Wal Mart and Office Max might want you to believe that reproduction writing desks are just fine, most experts on quality furniture are going to disagree vehemently.

If you want a truly great writing desk that is going to be functional, beautiful, and stand the test of time, then you need one that is built from more materials. Not fiber board, plywood, synthetic plastic or any of that other rubbish. Real wood when treated properly can last for literally centuries. There are many antique desks floating around that are from hundreds of years ago and still look very good - and with an additional regal flair that most modern pieces lack nowadays.

There are many options when it comes to what type of wood writing desks that you want. One of the keys is to know ahead of time what sort of aesthetic appearance you're aiming for. When you're in the store and checking out furniture, remember not to compare desks to each other as far as appearance without first thinking about how it is going to fit with whatever room or office you are going to place that desk in. This is a major key. A mahogany desk might seem perfect in the store, but will it fit into an oak based home office? Probably not. Ditto with going the other way around.

So a few of the common and popular choices:

Oak writing desks. These are kind of the classic, never go out of style dependable models. Oak can be stain treated to look darker than its regular grain, or it can be kept fairly light with a non stain finish. Oak desks are going to be heavier than many other options because oak is a very dense and heavy wood by nature. But they are also strong and sturdy. A good oak desk that is properly taken care of should easily last decades, and if it is very well treated, even a century or more. There are very few timber that can even remotely compare with oak when it comes to durability and reliability.

Rosewood writing desks. Rosewood writing desks are on the other end of the spectrum. This isn't to say they can't last - many of the most popular antique writing desks are made from rosewood of some kind, and they were exquisitely cared for because the beauty and expense of the wood made that an absolute necessity. These desks tend to be among the most expensive because the wood is rare, and traditionally a writing desk made from this material has impressive artistic work to make sure to make the most out of it.

Cherry writing desks. Cherry wood writing desks are made from cherry, which is a very popular choice because of its smooth grain patterns and beautiful darker coloring. Cherry can take stain very well, or it can also be left alone and sealed for a unique but still impressive looking piece. These desks are a little more sensitive to wear and tear, meaning if there is going to be a lot of rough and consistent moving, then a different choice like oak or walnut might be a better over all choice.

This is just scratching the surface. Entire books could be written about the sheer number of different timber and options that are available to people who are looking for a real wood writing desk. This blog post will have to stay a little bit shorter than that, but hopefully with this post you have a really good idea of the many available options that you have when it comes to picking out the perfect and ideal writing desk, whether that is a quality wood model that stands the test of time, or you'll be forgiven even if we can't talk you out of a cheap writing desk, instead.

Rosewood Desk: The Rosewood Writing Desks

Redwood Writing Desk Review

There are few types of home furniture that look remotely as good as a vintage rosewood writing desk. While there's no arguing with cedar, cherry, or classic mahogany wood, but even among those it's hard to argue with the aesthetic beauty of an office writing desk made from vintage rosewood. These pieces of furniture can be hard to get a hold of since certain types of this wood are actually very rare now, and in some cases, so much so that they are illegal to harvest. Madagascar rosewood is one example of this. Italian, Brazilian, and Chinese rosewood are probably three of the most popular types still available for wood working. Many of the most beautiful desks you can find anywhere are vintage Victorian rosewood writing desks.

Rosewood writing desks, regardless of what specific species of tree they are made from in this family (or even general term), are beautiful accent pieces of furniture and are known for the gorgeous dark color that creates a striking and stately appearance which then draws the eyes to them as centerpieces of attention. Browsing images of antique carved rosewood writing desks of the Victorian period of England and even modern rosewood desks reveals the beauty of the wood, the polish and the craftsmanship that make each desk a masterpiece. The Victorian models are often extremely popular not just because of the dark coloring that has only been added to over the decades and centuries, but because most of these have intricate designs of carved rosewood that add extra character to these wonderful pieces of office, living room, or bedroom furniture.

Rosewood is a very richly hued timber, brown with darker veining. Even among the popular darker woods, rosewood desks in particular are known for taking on an especially dark polish well. In fact, this isn't just true with rosewood furniture. This type of wood takes on a wonderful polish and because of that fine dark finish, is used in the production of guitars, furniture, luxury flooring, and even custom made turned wood pieces such as pool cues. Beyond its workability rosewood is highly prized for its potent, sweet smelling aroma which lasts for years. Over-exploitation in the making of rosewood bedroom writing desks to other type of rosewood dining room furniture, or other classic Victorian designs.

Rosewood was a wood used by European cabinet makers in a broad range of classical styles from the Regency, Victorian, Georgian, and Sheraton periods of England and in corresponding periods around Europe. That said, there's little question that vintage Victorian rosewood writing desks are the most common antique rosewood desks that you are going to see from Europe, or at the very least they are the most popular due to the fine craftsmanship and decorative carving on the sides that have made these pieces of antique furniture classic.

Rosewood timber was found both in South America and also species from India and Southeast Asia. Consequently many rosewood desks were produced bearing Oriental influences. Regardless, the carvings were detailed and the inlay work exquisite. Inlay materials used for rosewood desks included brass, mother of pearl and abalone shell.

Rosewood was not only a favorite material for writing desks, but it was also a favorite choice throughout the decades for making table top desks or lap desks, as well as tables, beds, coffee tables, chairs, cabinets, and about any type of furniture that could be produced from rosewood timber wood. Lap desks were completely portable versions of their larger cousins. They featured a sloped lid, leather writing surface and several interior compartments for the storage and organization of writing implements and materials. In addition a second set of compartments was designated for dressing, somewhat akin to a modern portable hygiene kit. This provided needed versatility for military officers, teachers and traveling writers. So there were even such things as portable rosewood writing desks, although obviously these would not have the same lasting beauty and effect as a normal antique rosewood desk meant to sit in your study at home.

Whether you are browsing for antiques, shopping for a modern variety of rosewood desk, whatever you choose is going to make a personal statement of style. It is hard to deny the appeal of the richly colored, aromatic and stately rosewood writing desks.

French Writing Desks

French writing desks can add aesthetic distinction to your home office whether they be genuine antiques or recreations of the traditional styles. French desks hold elegance and adornment in high esteem but still leave room for function. One of the most elaborate French writing desks is found in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. From 1685 it was a writing desk for King Louis XIV. It boasts a tortoise shell veneer, engraved brass, ebony and rosewood.

Modern French writing desks still employ the old traditional designs; these include the Bonheur du jour, bureau a gradin, bureau Mazarin, the escritoire and the liseuse. Bonheur du jour translates into happiness of the day. It was a female writing desk of the mid 18th century. It is made of lightweight wood featuring an arched back with small drawers enclosed in a flap. The writing surface is a small platform over a single drawer. The desk was often topped with decorative brass or ormolu, a brass alloy that looks like actual gold.

The bureau a gradin was a flat desk with a bank of drawers resting atop a pullout writing surface. They feature good storage space with an enclosure.

The bureau Mazarin was a knee hole desk mounted on legs and is likely the predecessor to the pedestal desks of Britain and American design.

The escritoire holds a certain romanticized charm in the world of writing desks. It was a secretary desk with either a lockable sloped or hinged top lid. The desk was either portable or free standing. The romantic appeal came from the fact that these were often designed with secret drawers and compartments, requiring a second key to unlock. Beyond the mystique of who’s diary or will was stashed in a forgotten hidden compartment the smaller versions became popular with travelers, teachers and military officers as a portable lap desk.

The liseuse is a medium sized writing table with the unique feature of a small hinged panel that can be propped up at various angles desirable for reading or writing on a slanted surface.

Many other forms of French writing desks can be found either as antiques or reproductions. With the multitude of styles it might be hard to find a French writing desk that doesn’t suit your tastes.

Drop Lid Writing Desks

The Drop Lid Writing Desk

Drop lid writing desks offer a variety of advantages to the purchaser and user of these fine desks. First, these desks can be aesthetically pleasing. Made from fine, quality woods such as oak a drop lid writing desk add vibrancy and a classic look to the room which they adorn. Painters need canvas and craftsman need wood; the lid and the sides of the desk can be adorned with beautiful and intricate patterns.

Drop lid writing desks utilize old-fashioned space saving technology. The drop lid writing desk features a lid that drops down toward the writer, hence the writing surface of the desk is the opposite side of the lid. When not in use this means the drop lid writing desks can take up substantially less floor space than a modern desk offering up the equivalent writing surface space.

The drop lid writing desk opens to reveal a powerhouse of organization. Inside can be found cubbies, nooks, and crannies for all your office supplies. Many people appreciate this style of desk for organizing and paying bills but it is useful for so much more. If a laptop or small desktop computer is housed in the desk as well the drop lid can protect it from sun damage as well.

The closable lid provides just an added measure of privacy. Even a person who is well intentioned has eyes that wander. It’s just the nature of how the human brain gathers information. Anything of a personal or sensitive nature that you don’t want seen is readily concealed behind the ornately carved drop lid. This lid can also be locked for additional security.

Drop lid writing desks should be considered by any person who needs a finely crafted desk to organize a modern workload and budget. In addition anyone who needs a desk that saves space and keep sensitive documents hidden should look more into buying drop lid writing desks.

Queen Anne Writing Desk | Queen Anne Desk | Queen Ann Desk

The Queen Anne Writing Desk

Queen Anne Writing Desks are elegantly crafted furniture pieces reproduced to a style of writing desk dated back to the early 1700’s. They are named in honor of Queen Anne of England reigning from 1702 to 1712 and represented the industry standard of formal furniture. Its features include cabriole legs ending in a drake foot, along with solid brass hardware (handles and knobs) and dovetailed drawers. This type of handiwork is what makes the Queen Anne desk such a highly sought after piece of antique furniture.

The Queen Anne writing desk features dimensions that are generally smaller than modern desks. It offers a width of 51 inches (just over four feet) and a depth of 22 inches. It stands about 30 inches off the floor. The desks feature solid wood construction using oak or cherry. While both are highly sought after, the Queen Anne cherry writing desk is probably in slightly higher demand than the oak models.

Oak wood is a light colored wood with a protruding grain making grooves in the wood that can be felt with the fingers. Staining the wood will darken the grain. If given a natural finish it will have a pale blondish tint which will darken with age to a golden honey-like color. The occasional knot in the wood will add to its character. Staining is a good choice for oak Queen Anne secretary desks.

Cherry wood offers less grain and is smoother than oak. Cherry will age to a rich red and brown color commonly smattered with black specs and a swirling grain. Small knots in the wood can create dimples in the surface. Light or medium colored stains work well on cherry. Dark stain is not recommended as it can blot out the natural color and beauty that comes with cherry wood.

Hard wood furniture like the Queen Anne writing desk can hide flaws with much more grace and elegance than synthetic materials. Even with a good finish, however, natural wood desks are sensitive to humidity and will swell or shrink slightly from season to season.

With solid wood construction and beautiful craftsmanship purchasing a Queen Anne writing desk will add a cherished and valued piece destined to become a family heirloom with generations of enjoyment and use.

White Writing Desks: Writing Desks for Decoration

More on White Writing Desks

While there has already been one post on white writing desks on this blog, there are enough people online who are searching for information that it seemed like a really good time to put up another subject post on the matter. These types of desks are not the most common, seeing as how in actual offices there is definitely not a high demand for painted office furniture, but either for the gray cookie cutter writing desks that you might see in a cubicle, or for the classic wood desks or wood finish desks.

So why would anyone want a white writing desk? Well this is actually a good question, and one that might partially be answered by another popular search: "antique white writing desks." Many of these desks were designed for children as decorations, hence the reason they would be painted white. This also means that some antique white writing desks are seen as collectible or valuable because if you trace back their history enough you will find they belonged to a well off or maybe even a royal family.

White desks are popular in general because they are often specifically aimed at kids. Having furniture that makes a little girl's or little boy's room look really nice while also giving them a place to write, read, draw, and play is a bonus for everyone involved. White writing desks for kdis can often be some of the best furniture for this function that you'll end up finding.

While white writing desks aren't for everyone, there are many writing desks that can fill in for whatever your individual needs are. Beyond that, take a look around for the piece of office furniture that serves your needs best and you'll be sure not to be disappointed.

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.

Shopping for Your Writing Computer Desk

Writing & Computer Desk Shopping

Almost every one of the chain discount stores has a home furnishings department that has a wide selection of writing desks. In these departments you will find writing computer desks available for sale. While these are tremendous buys for those who need a desk immediately and don’t have a lot of money to spend, they are not meant to last for many years. To choose the right writing desk for you, it is important that you consider how long you expect to keep the desk in your home.

When shopping for furniture, you should be shopping for durability and a well made piece that will last in your home for years. You may enjoy furniture shopping, but you probably don’t want to do it every couple of years. To make sure that you get the very best for your home, take some time with your decisions and choose the very best pieces for your home, including your writing computer desks.

Solid wood construction will likely cost you a bit more money than the desks found in the discount stores, but they are built to last much longer. The materials that are used are of the highest quality and will hold up well under daily use.

Visit several stores before you decide on the writing computer desks that you will buy. You can also look for other materials used in desks that are made to last such as glass and steel. These materials offer a different look for your home office, but they are a wonderful choice for durability and great looks.

Consider the décor of the room or the décor that you would like the room to have when you are choosing your writing computer desks. The desk is likely to be the focal point in a home office and it should be a stunning piece of furniture to design the room around.

Portable Writing Desks

On Portable Writing Desks

Can You Use a Portable Writing Desk?

Many people have jobs that require them to be on the go and not confined to one place. The portable writing desk was designed to help these people work more productively while they are in a location that does not have a writing surface to use. Salesmen who spend a great deal of time in their cars will find that the portable desks allow them to work comfortably in the car while they are on the road.

Typically a portable writing desk is nothing more than a box that doubles as a writing surface. The lid of the box allows for a solid and reasonably large space to comfortably write. The inside of the box can be used to hold supplies, paper and any forms that the employee might need while they are working on the road.

The portable writing desk that you choose may have a sloped top to allow for better handwriting while on the road. Those who are concerned with penmanship understand that writing on an incline will improve the quality of the writing. That is why you find calligraphers and artists working on desks that incline.

There are a number of styles available for a portable writing desk today. Some of the models are designed to be used in the office or home and will roll over to where you are seated to accommodate your writing needs. Others are designed to be used on your lap for comfortable writing no matter where you are located. You might also choose one that is designed to be used like a bed tray for those who must work while confined to bed.

Accessorize your portable writing desk with clip on lights and pen holders for the ideal work environment when you are not in the office. Choose the model that will help you to be more productive while you are working on the road.

Corner Writing Desks Make the Best of Space

Corner Writing, or L-Shaped Writing Desks

A corner writing desk might be the perfect way to create a usable office in a smaller room. When you are faced with less space than you would like, you will have to come up with some creative ways to use the area. A corner desk allows you to take advantage of all the space a room has to offer, even when that room isn't designed to maximize the efficiency of a regular desk.

The corners of a room can often be difficult to work with and you often lose the space that is available to you. The corner writing desk, which is often the same thing as an l-shaped writing desk. This design of office furniture is built to be able to maximize any office space, no matter how small. This will allow you to free up some of the floor space in the room for other necessary pieces of furniture. These bits of furniture are perfect for a bedroom that is doubling as an office or for a small home office that has to fit in filing cabinets and other work related equipment.

It is sometimes necessary to use space that is otherwise wasted in a room when the room is smaller than average. Using wall space for shelving books is a better idea than eating up valuable floor space with a bookcase, for example. The corner writing desk works on the same idea.

Corner writing desks are often among the most popular because they give so many options and can fit into virtually any room. They are also designed to maximize the amount of files, computer read outs, or other papers that are right on hand. This makes the l shaped writing desks among the most useful, as well, since many business owners need to be able to juggle more than one thing at once.

When making your own desk, be sure and measure the area that you have to work with carefully to be sure that your corner writing desk will fit properly and snugly against the wall.

Pine Writing Desks | Pine Wood Writing Desks

Finding a Quality Pine Writing Desk

There are many different cheaply made writing desks on the market in your local discount stores. These constructions are designed to hold a computer and the other trappings of the home office. While these desks may be low priced and affordable on any budget, they are often not the best value for your money. Saving your money and buying higher quality pine writing desks is a much more practical choice for your home office.

When you consider the life of the cheaper computer desks on the market, you are likely to be replacing the desk every few years as it deteriorates and becomes damaged. In the long run, you will end up spending much more money on these desks than you would if you bought a quality desk the first time.

Pine writing desks are a fine choice for your home office that will not cost too much money for those on a budget. They may be more expensive than the fiberboard constructions that are available everywhere, but they are not the most expensive type of wood for you to use in your home. The difference in the fiberboard desks and the quality solid pine desks will become apparent within a few short years. While you still may be able to use your cheaper desk, the look will become significantly diminished as it ages and your everyday use causes damage.

Shop around when you are looking for pine writing desks. You can find a good price on these pieces if you take the time to do a little comparison shopping. You might also be able to find a second hand desk that still has many more years left in it. A fiberboard writing desk is not recommended for a second hand purchase. Look for solid construction and fine materials used for the hardware on the pine writing desks as well. A well cared for piece will last in your family for generations.

Glass Writing Desks

Choosing a Glass Writing Desk

A look for your office that is clean and modern is a glass writing desk. These beautiful desks provide a very sleek look to your office and can come in a wide variety of finishes and styles. This type of desk is currently the trend for home office furnishings because of its slick and stylish look.

Most people need a desk of some sort in their home to place a computer or at least take care of the bills. A glass top writing desk is a modern and lovely choice for your home office. The structure of these desks is remarkably solid with a steel construction holding the glass in place. In most cases, they are much easier to put together than the traditional writing desk.

A glass writing desk is available in a variety of designs and styles. You can choose clear glass for a stark and modern look. There are also glass tops available with designs in the glass to provide a beautiful and unusual style to your home office. Take some time and look at all of the styles of glass tops that are available for these desks. Does the idea of seeing your feet while you work bother you? Try a frosted glass top for a completely opaque look.

The glass is tempered and very solidly designed. There is no question that a glass writing desk appears more delicate than one made of solid wood, but it is just as strong and well built.

The glass writing desk is not an expensive option for your home office, but it does have a look of opulence. You can often choose the frame or leg construction and separately buy the glass to rest on top. This allows you some flexibility in the price of your desk. Just be sure that you choose legs for the desk that are able to hold the weight that you are putting on top of the desk.

Modern Writing Desk and Hutch

Writing Desk and Hutch

There are many different styles and materials used in the modern desk. One of the most common items to include with your desk, whether you are using it for a computer or for writing, is the hutch. A writing desk with hutch allows you to store away your items without having to leave them out in the open on your desk.

A hutch is a great piece to have with your writing desk if you plan to place the desk in a room that is frequented by others in your family. Important and private papers can be put away in the hutch so that others are not able to read your private information. A desk that does not have a hutch as an accessory must make use of drawers or filing cabinets to store away the private documents that you may have on the desk.

Many of the modern desks are nothing more than a large surface with no drawers or hutch. While these desks are very sleek and modern in appearance, they are not practical unless your office is off limits to the rest of the family.

A writing desk with hutch also gives you a convenient place to store software and extra supplies for your computer and printer. These items can clutter up the desk if it is not put away in a closed location. The hutch allows you to clean up your desk in an efficient way.

Many computer desks include a hutch for extra storage and file space. You can even find a hutch for a secretary style writing desk that will give you more room to store your supplies. Even if your desk is completely private, having a writing desk with hutch is a much neater option than a flat stark surface. Most home offices could use the extra storage space.

The Charm of an Antique Secretary Writing Desk

Antique Secretary Writing Desk

It is possible to go down to the local discount store and buy a generic piece of furniture that will pass for your desk and computer stand. The price will be right and it will serve its purpose. However, these desks have no character or life in them like the old style writing desks such as a secretary writing desk.

The secretary writing desk was created in an age when people actually sat at a desk to write letters and take care of their finances. The kitchen table was meant for eating and not paying the bills. The writing desk was created with style and grace to fit in with the other furnishings in the home and serve its purpose. The secretary writing desk, in particular, is a great example of beauty and utility all rolled up in one stunning piece of furniture.

Including one of these antiques in your home is a great way to add some elegance to your home while you also have a place to take care of your correspondence and household bills. The secretary writing desk is often full of cubbies to hold all of your bills and items that you need while working at your desk. The writing desk that you choose should be a useful piece of furniture while it adds grace to your home.

If you don’t want the added expense and responsibility of an actual antique, you can choose an antique style secretary writing desk to use in your home that will give you the same great look in a desk that was made in modern times. These are a good choice for someone who wants an elegant room but is on a budget.

The style of the desk can vary widely from a feminine and stylish white secretary writing desk to one that is comprised of metal and has a very industrial feel to it.

The Classic Appearance of Cedar Writing Desks

Cedar Writing Desks

When decorating your home, you will find that there are some things that just never go out of style. Finely crafted pieces of furniture made of quality wood are some of the things that many people fill their home with because of the timeless and classic beauty that it provides. Cedar writing desks are one of those items that will give your office or home office a look that will never be out of fashion.

Cedar is a wonderful choice for your writing desk because of its fine good looks and the wonderful smell of cedar wood. Of course, over time the wood will lose the smell, but the look will never go out of style if it is cared for properly. Fine wood furnishings require care and maintenance to make sure that the wood stays in good condition.

Choosing cedar writing desks can set the tone for the whole room. The rest of the furnishings in the room should be made in the same style and preferably with the same materials. Adding some color to the room will bring out the warm tones of the cedar in your desk.
The look is classic, but you should consider that you will be using some modern equipment on the desk. Older desks will not have the convenient holes for your chords and other requirements for your computer and other equipment. Hiding the cords to keep the office looking classic without losing the convenience of your equipment might be a challenge, but you can find ways to make the cords much less noticeable.

The cedar writing desks that you find available for your home office might be a little more expensive than other materials, but it will last for many years if it is cared for properly. A well made desk is a lasting and durable piece of furniture if you choose the right wood and take care of it consistently.