Modern Roll Top Desk

Eliza Bush Interior Design Expert

Eliza is a creative interior designer who swears by the power of sleek interiors and quality furniture to transform daily personal and professional life. With a B.Sc. in interior design from Philadelphia University and a well trained eye for craftsmanship, she offers unparalleled advice on how to arrange your space to make it sophisticated, comfortable, and functional, whether it’s the office or bedroom.

Updated 30/06/2022

If you don’t have space for a dedicated office in your home, a modern roll top desk is a wonderful alternative. With plenty of storage space for all of your stationery and supplies, and the ability to simply close the top when you have finished your tasks for the day, a roll top desk is a smart way to keep everything looking neat and tidy. Take a look at these modern roll top desks, hand-selected by our design experts.

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Our Picks

Contemporary Teak Roll Top Desk

Crafted from solid teak, this modern roll top desk has all of the features you would expect from a desk of this caliber. It includes multiple storage spaces and different sized drawers for all of your storage needs.

Designer Advice:

The light natural wood finish and modern design makes this roll top desk an ideal choice for coastal and modern-farmhouse style homes alike. Teak is known for its durability, so you can be sure that this sturdy desk will stand the test of time and be in your home for years to come.

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Solid Wood Modern Roll Top Desk

Available in a choice of black, brown, or taupe, this stylish roll top desk features a slim design that will work well in smaller rooms. It features a classic roll down top and a variety of drawers for storage.

Designer Advice:

If you’re short on space this compact roll top desk is a must-have item, giving you the perfect little work space without compromising on style. It’s small enough to fit into an alcove, under the stairs, or even in a walk-in closet! The desk features a timeless design with stylish brass drawer pulls which give it an elegant look.

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Solid Oak Roll Top Desk

With a large desk area, and a pull out writing tablet, this modern roll top desk provides plenty of space for all your needs. It is lockable, providing extra security for your documents, and includes plenty of drawers for storage.

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Middleborough Hand Carved Roll Top Secretary Desk

Customer Photo

Hand Carved Modern Roll Top Desk

Charlton Home®

An ideal choice for smaller spaces, this beautiful roll top desk features lots of charming details that make it a wonderful choice for any living room or office. It has five drawers, and a variety of cubbies for storage.

$499.99 ~~$599.99~~

Designer Advice:

This desk is a great choice for smaller spaces, however, it’s worth noting that due to the small desk surface area, it’s not a good choice for those working on laptops. That being said, it’s ideal for those who simply need a desk to pay bills or write letters.

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Modern Roll Top Computer Desk

Three Posts™

With a flip down top which extends into a large writing desk, this stylish desk is perfect for those who work from home. Turned legs and a walnut finish give this desk a touch of timeless elegance.

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Elegant Modern Roll Top Desk

Chelsea Home

Featuring a design that combines classic elegance with modern functionality, this impressive roll top desk is ideal for creating a compact at-home office space. The roll top and two of the larger drawers can be locked for security.

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Jump to More Ideas

Modern Roll Top Desk

Buying Guide

Although roll top desks are older technology, they still work as a contemporary roll top desk. The general idea of having a cover that can be pulled down over one’s work to protect it from accidental disturbance or from curious eyes is a good one in any age. Contemporary desks usually take into consideration that the user will be working at a laptop or computer and have prepared spaces for wired connections. Some will even have a space for a printer, as well as file drawers and drawers for traditional office supplies.

What are roll top desks characterized by?

Roll top desks can easily accommodate small laptop computers or computers with flat-screen monitors. They are excellent for both business and student use. The pulldown tops are handy for concealing or protecting a work in progress, and for hasty room cleanups. They range in size from student or secretary desks to large-size business desks. Although most roll tops are constructed using slats, a few use solid, curved pieces of wood for the top.

What are the most popular designs of contemporary roll top desks?

Simple Secretary

A simple secretary desk is one primarily designed for writing letters. To make it contemporary, add a small laptop with a Wi-Fi connection to a central house printer. Since laptops typically require little or no wiring, other than a plug to a power outlet, it is not difficult to even convert a traditional roll top secretary for modern use. The secretary is likely to have pigeon holes at the back of the desk for mail incoming and outgoing, as well as a place for envelopes and stamps.

Kid’s Rolltop

This is the perfect desk for the budding executive or inveterate desk slob. The student rolltop desk has a top setup much like a secretary, with pigeon holes, a drawer for stationery, and a flat desktop for books or a laptop. In addition, it has a pull-out breadboard table and two drawers. It is an excellent choice for youngsters who are old enough to need a designated study location, but young enough to make a mess out of their personal space. The rolltop can pulldown to protect sensitive work from younger siblings or pets, and also to hide works-in-progress from neatnik parents.

Library Desk

This is a rustic style roll top desk with pigeon holes, card file drawers and stationery drawers at the back of the desk. On either side of kneehole are locking file drawers and shallow supply drawers. The desk is set up with an access port for wiring and has a pullout keyboard above the kneehole. This is an excellent kitchen desk or a desk for an older child who is ready for some serious scholarship. It would even work well for a college student.

Elegant Charles X Roll Top

A beautifully styled desk with French curved legs and a solid top that can be pulled down over the workspace. Unlike most roll tops that are made of slats, this one is more like a turtle shell. The finish is done in a combination of mahogany and rosewood veneer, with brass inlay and fittings. There are two small drawers, one on either side, and one central drawer.