Contemporary 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 16/05/2021

Such a wonderful idea, and so classic, but now they have had a pretty significant update with these contemporary roll top desks. The original style remains the same, these just have metal options, which in and of themselves are still quite classic. The writer's choice for a wonderful and timeless desk, take a look at this collection of roll top desks.

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.