Home Design Articles

Many different types of writing desks exist, and the preferred type can vary heavily from one person to another depending on what the person’s preferences are.  Desks vary not only based on the type of wood used or the specific design of each piece of office furniture, but also from stylistic representations of note.  One example would be the broad term “European writing desks,” which often refer to general beautiful old school designs made from dark wood and often reflect antique correspondence desk designs.  One of the most classic examples of this are Italian writing desks, which can run a pretty penny when looking to buy.  Some will go for several thousand dollars.

Italian desks aren’t the only ones distinctive enough to get their own recognition.  Victorian desks are technically European desks because they are historically from Britain, although this term often more commonly refers to a time period when antique desks were made as opposed to any one specific or recognized style.  Another nation that is known for having a very distinct style of furniture that stands out on its own are French writing desks, which are very popular like the Italian models, but many French designs have intricate carvings in the woodwork that are distinctly French in style and history.

These are just a couple of the most popular styles, but from a practicality stand point it might be better to go another direction.  Most desks that fall under the “European” moniker are correspondence desks, roll top desks, or secretary desks with hutches.  While these have fantastic aesthetics and can be used as excellent decorative furniture for bedrooms, dining rooms, or living rooms they are rarely fully sized desks that are practical for a modern office.

So if you’re getting a writing desk for design and appearance, then this might be a good route to go.

antique writing desk, wood writing desk, Writing desk, writing desks

While many things have changed over the centuries, the writing desk though different in some respects, has still remained somewhat the same. For example, the concept of writing desks being small and compact remains, as does the overall functionality of the desk.

Writing desks characteristically included small drawers where paper and writing utensils can be stored, many have pigeonholes and older desks had inkwells for storing inks and fountain pens. Today’s writing desks have many of the same features. They usually have several small desks, some have pigeon holes. One difference is that some modern writing desks now sport a keyboard tray as well, though the desk itself is usually not large enough for a full sized desktop computer.

In fact, many of the modern writing desks on hand are made as replicas of the antique writing desk, and they look just as good as the older antiques did. If you are thinking about buying a more classic type of writing desk this is probably the type that you would want to go for.

If your home is decorated in a more modernistic manner you may want to opt for the more modern designed writing desk. These, while still small, often have a glass top instead of the regular wood top with writing pad. There are also designs that feature metal framework, or have an open style of frame as opposed to the full, wooden frame.

One neat function that modern design writing desks have is the ability to leverage the desk top up and down to best suit the person sitting at it. This is most helpful if you spend a lot of time at your writing desk. The modern term for these types of desks is ergonomic and it revolves around ensuring that the body is in a comfortable position when using the desk and the tools that are on the desk (such as the computer I am typing on right now).

Another type of adjustable writing desk in the draftsman’s desk with the ability to change the angle of the slope in which the desk sits. Although this is writing of a slightly different nature, the principle is still very much the same.

An old style writing desk that can be found in many antique stores is the secretary desk. The table portion of the secretary desk is actually a fold down door that, when the desk is closed sits at a 45 degree angle. This door is pulled down vertically so that it falls into position revealing a very functional workspace including small drawers and shelves. Although this is an old-style writing desk it has been copied in more modern designs to recreate this multi-dimensional piece of furniture and adapting it fror today’s use.

Other modern designs look totally different from their antique counterparts. Many are painted rather than wood stained, while others are made from a hard plastic material rather than wood.  There are many different styles of desks available ranging from contemporary to antique and antique replicas. Choose what best suits your décor and what is also practical for your day to day use.

antique writing desk, small writing desk, white writing desk, Writing desk, writing desks