Furniture Secretary 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 21/11/2022

These secretary desks are incredible. When most people think secretary desk, they think something that's boxy and narrow but that is not the case here. This collection of furniture secretary desks features beautifully ornate craftsmanship and is made of top-quality materials by master furniture makers. They have an old-world style and a classic look they will enhance any space.

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Our Picks

Distressed Secretary Desk

This secretary desk is available in burnished walnut or harvest oak. Requiring partial assembly, it is made of manufactured and solid wood. As well as eight drawer spaces, it has six mini open shelf spaces, a large shelf, and cable management.

Designer Advice:

The distressed look of this secretary desk is ideal for vintage homes. The mini cubby holes give it an antique look harking back to the 1940s and 1950s, as do the mini drawers. We recommend pairing it with reddish-brown furniture that will accentuate the warm undertones – a dark brown or deep burgundy leather chair would complement it perfectly.

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Embellished Secretary Desk Antique

Featuring a drop-down door and two drawers, this secretary desk is full of old-world charm. With eight removable letter compartments for important documents, it stands on four curved legs and is embellished with stunning carved detail.

Designer Advice:

The charm of this desk stems from its carved detail. It would look beautiful in a room with old-style wooden flooring, especially with a paraquat or other geometric design. The mid-brown color will match well with both darker and lighter stains of wood, so we recommend a mixture of both, particularly if your floor features varying shades of brown.

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Dark Antique Desk

Three Posts™

Elegant and refined, this desk is crafted of manufactured wood with a kiln-dried solid wood frame. It has all you need: two drawers, eight storage boxes, and a flip-down writing surface. There are also cubbies and spaces for smaller objects.

Designer Advice:

The deep walnut color of this desk would be a stunning accompaniment to a study. However, in order to prevent your study from looking too gloomy, we recommend surrounding it with light colors. Beige and taupe would pair perfectly with the walnut hue and lighten up the surrounding area. Alternatively, a tan leather chair would lend your study a retro edge.

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Modern Antique Secretary Desk

Beachcrest Home™

Available in a wide range of colors, from distressed black to unique slate teal, this secretary desk is made of solid and manufactured wood. It has been designed with vintage features but features a chic modern edge. A small hutch is also included.

$309.99 ~~$833.76~~

Designer Advice:

This desk would be ideal for the corner of a living room or a bedroom if you work from home. For the light finish options, pair with slate gray for an elegant look that remains timeless. If you prefer brown or black finishes, we recommend sticking to white or cream, as a bright color will look out of place.

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Spindle Leg Vintage Secretary Desk

Lark Manor™

This secretary desk has a warm brown finish and is crafted from solid and manufactured wood. It has a small hutch, six soft-close drawers, cable management, several varying-size cubbies, and a shelf beneath. Conveniently, the back is finished.

Designer Advice:

The spindle legs of this desk lend it a Victorian look. You can lean into this aesthetic easily by hanging velvet curtains at your window or placing a lamp with a lacy shade nearby. For a more modern look, a geometric rug placed beneath your desk and paneled-effect walls will evoke a vintage look that isn’t too old-fashioned.

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Furniture Secretary Desk

Buying Guide

Is a secretary desk suitable for a compact space?

When it comes to buying home office furniture, secretary desks come in a wide variety of styles and sizes, and their fold down desktop makes them ideal for a compact space.

Secretary desks consist of a base with integrated storage in the lower half, such as drawers or cubbies, and a bookshelf or cabinet up top, with a fold-down desktop between. This abundance of storage is perfect for a small office, as it maximizes your vertical space and ensures that it remains uncluttered.

For a compact space desk ergonomics play an important role when choosing the right secretary desk. Make sure the work surface is at the right height for your posture. You should aim to sit with your elbows at 90° so that your forearms can rest on the desk as you type on your laptop or monitor keyboard. Get a secretary desk with a worktop that’s between 27”-32” off the ground, depending on your height.

Will secretary desks fit a large computer monitor?

Because of how small computer monitors’ bases have become, some compact office furniture, secretary desks, and corner desks can now fit a large computer monitor. However, this largely depends on the shape of the monitor’s stand, the shape and size of the desk, and the user’s desired setup.

Secretary desks are usually at least 30” wide and 24” deep to have enough space for writing. This may be enough space for a large monitor and keyboard or laptop.

Fitting both a laptop and a large computer monitor onto the top of the desk will be a challenge unless you put the monitor on the very top shelf above the main writing surface. You may find a small desktop computer to be a better option if you can tuck it into one of the lower shelves below the desk’s writing surface.

Will a secretary desk fit in a dining room?

Since they’re smaller than most desks, furniture secretary desks may fit in your dining room if there is extra space at either end of the dining table. Secretary desks are usually not very deep, so they can easily squeeze into small areas and provide an extra surface for storage or creating a display.

Most dining rooms are rectangular, so you may need to place the desk along one of the short walls to maximize walking space behind each dining chair. Remember, the high traffic areas around doors require extra space for people to pass through, so having a desk right by the door may be a hindrance. If you intend to use the desk as a workspace in the dining room, the secretary desk chair needs to be small. Consider using a tiny stool that slides completely beneath the desk so it doesn’t obstruct walkways when not in use.