Small Secretary Desk for Small Spaces

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A small secretary desk usually consists of a hinged desk, a set of wide drawers, and a bookcase or cabinet. These elegant retro-style pieces can add sophistication to your home office, den, or living room, especially when space is limited. Use it for work, research, homework, or writing letters — there are numerous possibilities with these highly functional secretary desks. To help you find the best secretary desk for your home, we’ve collected 10 of the best models available.

10 Recommendations and 184 Ideas

Updated 02/03/2023
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Small Secretary Desk With Hutch

Small Secretary Desk With Hutch

Lark Manor™

This small secretary desk features bun and crown molding and tapered legs, a hutch with six drawers that close softly, and a folding desktop. The desktop reveals generous storage options when folded down, including two additional drawers and cubbies. There are also two large drawers and a bottom shelf under the desktop, ideal for placing a printer or wastebasket.

$699.99 $1389

Designer Advice:

A traditional design with a stylish brown finish, this secretary desk has a compact footprint, making it ideal for small home offices, entryways, or living areas. Some assembly is required, and the smell of the lacquer finish can be strong for the first few weeks. Try off-gassing in a covered outdoor area or garage for several days. 

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Vintage Secretary Desk

Vintage Secretary Desk

Loon Peak®

This beautifully crafted secretary desk for small spaces features a vintage or antique design, solid maple construction, and a center storage compartment with two mail slots on either side. Choose from three colors: Michaels cherry, cherry, and ebony.

Designer Advice:

The hold-out desktop and hutch create a deep work surface for storing pens, pencils, markers, and ink. Take advantage of the space to write letters or draw on different stationary and construction paper sizes.

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White Solid Wood Secretary Desk With Hutch

White Solid Wood Secretary Desk With Hutch

One Allium Way®

This white secretary desk is made from hardwood and features decorative hand-carved scrollwork, an attractive antique finish, and a roll-top design. There are five drawers — three on top and two under the roll top — and four open slots for mail storage.

$499.99 $649.99

Designer Advice:

The antique finish and scrollwork complements traditional home décor and makes this secretary desk an excellent and stylish addition to your bedroom or den. Use the drawers for paper, pencils, and pens, and the open slots for letters, letter openers, and notebooks.

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Folding Secretary Desk

Folding Secretary Desk

Grovelane

This slim secretary desk design conveniently folds when not in use, allowing for easy storage and transport. The desk is made from rubberwood and features X-shaped legs, a neutral finish, and one small drawer.

$126.99 $299.99

Designer Advice:

If you’re short on space, this compact folding design is ideal. Teenagers and college students can also use this desk for homework or writing assignments. Use the drawer for pens, pencils, and markers and the top shelf for a desk lamp. 

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Wall Mounted Folding Secretary Desk

Wall Mounted Folding Secretary Desk

A wall-mounted secretary desk, this design uses an MDF frame and fold-down desktop and provides four cubbies, one drawer, and one paper organizer for storage. To match your home’s color scheme, you can choose from three colors: Black, gray, and fresh white.

Designer Advice:

When you need to save as much space as possible, a wall-mounted desk is one of the most efficient options on the market. Anchor the unit at your preferred height and open the desk when you need to work from home. When not in use, fold it up to display an elegant cabinet.

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Ice Blue Small Secretary Desk with Hutch

Ice Blue Small Secretary Desk with Hutch

Jonathan Adler

Attractively decorated, this bright, vibrant secretary desk features solid mahogany construction with an ivory lacquer. The desk has a cabinet that opens, turning into a desk with two drawers and four cubbies for organization. There’s also a convenient cut-out in the rear of the hutch for cables.

The brass drawer and compartment pulls feature a Greek key motif that perfectly complements the blue and white color scheme.

Designer Advice:

Add this to your bedroom or teenager’s room as a unique writing desk, vanity table, or a fun, artistic centerpiece.

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Writing Desk With Small Hutch

Writing Desk With Small Hutch

Made from MDF and laminate, this secretary desk has one open shelf, two open cubbies, two small drawers, and a magnetic blackboard. The tapered legs are made from iron.

Designer Advice:

This secretary desk would make a useful addition to your bedroom or living room for arts and crafts, sewing, writing college papers, or filling out paperwork. It provides enough storage and tabletop space for everything from creative writing to doing your taxes, and its design evokes a timeless charm. 

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8
Two Legged Secretary Desk

Two Legged Secretary Desk

Lightweight, compact, and sleek, this secretary desk has two legs, a fold-out desktop, and a top shelf. Despite its two-legged construction, the desk is durably constructed; you can anchor it to a wall for additional stability.

Designer Advice:

The minimalist design is modern and stylish, and the small footprint allows you to place the desk conveniently in the corner of a room or against a wall. A versatile desk, you can use it for various purposes, from writing tasks to a vanity table for makeup. 

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9
Mid Century Secretary Desk with Hutch

Mid Century Secretary Desk with Hutch

George Oliver

This desk features a contemporary or mid-century design and is available in either neutral gray or wenge. Made from MDF (medium-density fiberboard) and solid wood, the desk has a single drawer below the desktop, a small hutch with two compartments, and a hole for cable management.

Designer Advice:

Place a laptop on the desktop and keep your computer and other electronics charged using the desk’s cable-management provision. In addition, the single drawer is useful for storing peripheral devices, such as USB chargers, flash drives, and battery banks. 

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10
Secretary Gaming Desk with Hutch

Secretary Gaming Desk with Hutch

Inbox Zero

A small secretary desk with storage, this design is optimized for use with gaming PCs and features a rustic aesthetic. There are five drawers — two on either side of the hutch, two on the left side of the desktop, and one large drawer on the right. There’s also a keyboard tray below the desktop.

Designer Advice:

The sliding keyboard tray is convenient to use, and the top shelf is properly sized for a monitor. Add this secretary gaming desk to your bedroom or office for a farmhouse charm that lets you game or work efficiently. 

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Small Secretary Desk for Small Spaces

Buying Guide

Many people work from home these days so secretary desks are becoming more and more sought after pieces of furniture. Whether it’s having a home office or just a laptop to catch up on emails and other work-related stuff, we are always looking for ways to be as productive as we can at home.

Finding enough space for a traditional desk can be difficult. In some cases, you may have the space but for some reason, you may not need a large workspace. This is where secretary desks come in.

Designed to be relatively more compact than traditional office desks, secretary desks are innovatively designed to offer reliable workspace and extra storage without taking too much floor space. They can be placed in any room, including along the hallway or the foyer. In this post, we are going to give you a detailed guide on how to buy the perfect secretary desk.

Before we get to the specific factors to keep in mind while looking for a secretary desk, it’s important to create a checklist of what’s important to you. Secretary desks have many features, and they come in different sizes too and different designs.

So, what is the most important thing to you? Is it the desk space, the storage options offered by the desk, the aesthetic or décor value, or the vintage and modern appeal that the desk brings to your space?

Either way, you need to decide what works best for you and that way, it will be easier to find the desk that you want.

Size

Just like with any other piece of furniture, size is a huge factor when buying secretary desks. Keep in mind that secretary desks are supposed to be accent furniture pieces. In other words, they are not meant to be the main center of attention in a room. It’s actually because of this that they are more compact and smaller than normal office desks.

Secretary desks are placed along the wall or in one corner of the room or home office. Start by measuring the wall along which the desk will be placed. After that, get a secretary desk that fits at most a third of that wall. You can place it in one corner or just in the middle of the wall.

Storage

Versatility in furniture design has become a huge thing these days. It’s not just about getting a desk to work on. You also want to get a desk that comes with ample storage and a great design. In this day and age, we are always running out of space to put our stuff.

Any piece of furniture that comes in must help address that problem in some way. This is why you must consider the storage capacity that you will need from secretary desks.

  • Do you need large drawers to store documents?
  • Will small drawers or cubbies for stationery items come in handy?
  • Will a keyboard tray be useful?
  • Do you need a shelf to store your laptop when not in use?
  • Do you need space for the printer?

You will need to answer all these questions before buying the desk. Ultimately, you want to buy a secretary desk that offers plenty of storage without necessarily taking a lot of space at home.

The aesthetic value of the secretary desk is also very important. You are not just buying a workspace here. The desk will become an integral part of your décor and must, therefore, have that appeal.

There are several things to consider when choosing the design and finishing.

  • What is your existing décor scheme? In case you have a modern décor with a little bit of flair, consider getting modern secretary desks. White finished desks with gold or brass accents will bring a vibrant appeal to a modern home décor scheme.
  • Pay attention to the wall paint. If your home has bold bright colors on the wall, consider going for neutral desks. This works best if you are going to place the desk on the foyer or hallway.
  • Secretary desks can offer great accent value to bare walls, too. For example, a walnut or natural grain finished desk will add immense character to a bold and brightly colored wall.
  • Check the intricate patterns and craftsmanship on the desk. Does it feature extra unique carvings? Is the desk handcrafted? In most cases, handcrafted desks tend to be unique. They bring a certain authentic décor appeal that you won’t get with machine produced desks.

Material

Traditionally, secretary desks are constructed from wood. Wood is readily available and can easily be customized to meet various design tastes. But you can still find desks made from metal, laminate, and even plastic.

In case you are looking for something elegant and classy, you have to choose wood. It’s such a versatile material that can blend into any décor easily. Besides, even though wood is not nearly as strong as metal, it’s still durable. With the right maintenance, it can last for years.

Height

The height of your secretary desk is determined by the kind of storage it has. In most cases, the extra vertical space will often feature shelves or additional drawers. However, if you are going to pick taller desks, at least make sure they have an open shelving design at the top. This will be a great display platform for your antiques, art, and even books, and the piece will appear less bulky.

Additionally, if you are picking a shorter desk, make sure it has a usable countertop. You can place a vase there or use that space for displaying your precious stuff.

As for the** height of the work surface**, most are *28" to 30"*, which is an optimal height for people between 5'8" and 5'10" tall, provided they use a conventional task chair.

Your priorities when choosing a material for a secretary desk should be weight, strength, and durability. If you'll be changing your space frequently, you'll benefit from a unit that is compact or can easily come apart. It's ideal for this type of furniture to be lightweight, so you can pick it up and move it around without breaking a sweat. Also, checking weight loads will be a good idea if you'll be using your new secretary desk for a heavy-duty purpose.

  • Steel - Secretary desks made of steel require low maintenance. They also offer expectational storage, a professional look, and durability. What's more, they happen to be your most affordable options. There are several different colors and designs available, making steel secretary desks excellent when you're matching existing furniture to your new addition.
  • Laminate - Laminate secretary desks are popular for furnishing offices and administrative spaces. They're highly customizable via accessories including various file pedestals and keyboard trays.
  • Veneer and Solid Wood - When they're properly maintained, secretary desks made of veneer or solid wood offer security and durability over decades. They are perfect for traditionalists as well as people who want to achieve a timeless and vintage look inside their offices. Wood veneer is very popular due to widespread availability. As for the price, it will be depending on which type of wood you select.

When choosing between several different secretary desks for small spaces, it's important that you select the material that's best suited to your needs and budget. Understanding the material of a secretary desk will provide you with an insight regarding its pricing and suitable environments. The traditional secretary desk is made of hardwood. However, it's easy to nick, a bit expensive, and can be heavy. If you love wood's look but you're not willing to spend a lot of money on a desk, then consider wood veneer.

To increase the functionality of a secretary desk, you might want to consider adding additional parts to it. If you're seeking for more storage out of your secretary desk, you can get it from file and drawer cabinets matched with bookcases, and keyboard trays. By incorporating a special feature to your secretary desk, you'll be able to ensure your desk caters to your specific needs.

The guide above should help you determine the most important features of your desk so that you can pick something that works for you in the end.

Best Ideas

Solid Wood Brown Rectangular Secretary Desk

Solid Wood Brown Rectangular Secretary Desk

With three interior shelves for convenient storage, this solid wood secretary shelf will provide you with plenty of space to keep everything from important papers to a home phone. It has a fold-down door that acts as a small workspace that you can use when needed. The lower cabinet is perfect for putting books and other items that you need to keep handy.

Desk for small space

A practical, ergonomic desk. It is white and black, to ensure its elegant and stylish. Plenty of drawers and storage units, to make sure you can accommodate all of your stuff. At the same time, the minimalistic appeal makes it appropriate for any interior.

Secretary writing desk

Secretary desk with cabinets and drawers in various sizes for storing personal items. Frame is made of wood and fitted with metal handles. Perfect solution for small spaces.

Ideabooks

Ideabooks

A stunning solution for any small space - this desk will allow you to both work with comfort in mind and won't take almost any of your space, making it the perfect option for any household that needs class, style and functionality.

Manchester Wood Shaker Secretary Desk

Manchester Wood Shaker Secretary Desk

A piece of furniture created for use in a home office. It is a secretary desk that offers a durable and stable construction. This kind of product features two storage drawers and its full size is 40.25" H x 25" W x 14.75" D.

Graham Smart Technology Secretary

Graham Smart Technology Secretary

Secretary desk fitted with cabinet and drawers for storing personal items. Construction is made of wood. Great solution for saving space in all kinds of interiors. Functional furniture for each home.

Secretary desks for small spaces

Secretary desk in traditional form. It is completely made of wood. Includes cabinet and 7 drawers in various sizes for storing personal items. Perfect for work organization at home.

White roll out desk modern desks

White roll out desk modern desks

Get your job done with easy, while using this roll-out desk in white finish. The desk is compact, thus offering space-saving benefits for smaller rooms. If needed, it can be rolled out in order to provide a larger workplace.

Modern secretary desk

Improve the functionality of your room or office by using this tall secretary desk, crafted from wood and covered in a white finish. It has 2 storage drawers, 1 door cabinet, 8 vertical partings, 2 open shelves, and 1 hutch with a desktop and place to put your monitor.

Small corner secretary desk

An absolutely adorable, wooden secretary desk for one's home office. If you deal with the tiny office, like an alcove one, this proposition shall arouse your interest. It features 4 drawers and one door for storage.

Coastal secretary desks for small spaces 2

Coastal Secretary Desks for Small Spaces

Hand Finished Rectangular Birch Wood Secretary Desk

Hand Finished Rectangular Birch Wood Secretary Desk

The hand finished design of this secretary desk makes it truly stunning, and the fixed shelves offer lots of storage space. The birch wood and MDF construction of this secretary desk makes it extremely durable. The detailing on the legs of this table is one of the more impressive things about it, making it a great little rustic piece to have in your kitchen or home office.

Darling shabby chic secretary desk

Darling Shabby Chic Secretary Desk

Secretary desk modern

Desk idea for den. Secretary Desk CO 772

Secetary desk

Secretary desks are like pop-up workspaces for any room.

Corner desk small spaces

Versatile design for a traditional secretary desk for small spaces, as it is half the size of a regular desk yet has double the storage. The desk is made out of plywood with a black coat of paint, giving it an elegant finish.

Rectangular Cherry Manufactured Wood Drop Front Secretary Desk

Rectangular Cherry Manufactured Wood Drop Front Secretary Desk

The solid hardwood design of this drop front secretary desk makes it extremely sturdy and long-lasting, so you will have nothing to worry about. The recessed panel and goes back to reveal a large workstation that can fit a laptop or large pad of paper. There are two drawers and plenty of surface area for you to put various decorative items and writing supplies.

Sonoma maple secretary desk by prepac dc

Sonoma Maple Secretary Desk by Prepac - DC

Secretary desks small spaces

This very original secretary desk is dedicated to very cramped flats. There are a lot of little drawers and compartments intended to storage documents, frippery and everyday objects. There is take-down desktop, where you can insert your computer.

Small desks for small spaces

This elegant secretary desk comes with beautiful nature-themed carvings that will add style to your home office. This hardwood desk features hand crafted and carved floral patterns on the front and sides, adding depth and personality.

Goofy little desk great for small spaces

Goofy little desk, great for small spaces.

Wayborn Eiffel Secretary Desk

Wayborn Eiffel Secretary Desk

A compact secretary desk crafted of wood with a pretty brown finish. It has straight angular legs with truncated ends, 2 shelves with X-like stretchers on shorter sides, a drawer with a metal handle, a tucked top under 2 drawers with sloped wings.

This distressed birch secretary desk folds down and opens up

This distressed birch secretary desk folds down and opens up to reveal an enormous amount of storage in a small space. Open the slate inlaid drop leaf to reveal a work surface for writing or your laptop, numerous small cubby holes for keeping organized,

Small office desk solution for an affordable 149

Small Office Desk Solution for an Affordable $149