Small Roll Top Desk

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A small roll-top desk brings a lot of historical character to your home without taking up too much space. The great thing about these secretary desks is that you can roll them up or fold them to hide your desk clutter. Be it a dark-colored desk or in a white distressed finish, they work in different interior styles that have a vintage appeal. Our designers’ list of small roll-top desks will definitely entice you to add another workspace to your home.

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Updated 12/07/2023

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Small Roll Top Desk

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A small roll top desk, sometimes called a secretary, is the perfect way to keep papers and even current work protected from casual disturbance. Invented in a time when record keeping was done by hand, and when letter writing was an art form, these small desks provided a place for keeping accounts, writing letters and more. They are often equipped with pigeon holes where bills, letters, and writing supplies can be kept.

What are the uses of a roll top desk?

A small roll top desk is a handy way to protect papers, a laptop or other small computer, your bills, receipts and other work. It can even be used to protect small artwork projects or to keep pets or children from disturbing a puzzle. While the roll top is old technology, new needs have brought some changes to these fine pieces of office furniture. They are just as useful as they ever were for the business of concealing and controlling generalized workspaces.

What are some of the best designs of roll top desks?

The Harvard Secretary

The Harvard Secretary has all the details needed by anyone who does a lot of record keeping or letter writing by hand. The inner organizer includes pigeon holes for envelopes, bills, and letters. There are drawers for stationery and stamps, and a space for keeping an inkwell and pens. This space could easily be adapted for a tablet or small laptop if desired. The rolltop pulls down over this section. Above the kneehole is a long, narrow drawer with a lock, and two deeper drawers – one deep enough for files – are located. If your home or office is equipped with a networked printer, this one desk will get you through most processes.

The Caravan Model

The caravan model is a little different from the Harvard desk. It has a series of small drawers on top, above the roll top. These could be used for cards, stamps or similar small items. This one is a little more streamlined, having only the storage areas provided at the back of the rolltop section, no file drawers or other drawers are included below.

Pennsylvania Secretary/Computer Desk

If you need technology to get your work done, but prefer not to decorate with it, this sleek little roll-top desk will do the job. The roll top not only conceals pigeon holes and drawers for stationery, it also is set up to house a CRT computer screen, but could also accommodate a more modern flat screen. A pullout desk unit on the left conceals a computer tower, while the keyboard rests on a pullout drawer unit. To the right of the knee hole is a file drawer and two smaller sorter drawers. It combines the best of both the older secretaries and the newer computer desks.