When personal computers were first becoming popular, there was another word for computer desk. It was “desk.” People put their newfangled home computers wherever they could, since there was no furniture designed specifically for them.
Today, despite the emergence of powerful tablets and smartphones, computers are ubiquitous – and will remain so, at least for the foreseeable future. And there’s an enormous range of computer desks on the market with pre-drilled openings and built-in channels for cables, monitor shelves and keyboard trays.
Some larger computer desks have space for peripherals as well, but when you’re trying to set up your home office or gaming computer in a small space, less is more. You simply need a compact unit that takes care of the basics. Thankfully, many options are available in widths between 20 and 26 inches.
Most small computer desks are inexpensive because they are mass-produced from materials like laminated “manufactured” wood – and they can drive you crazy, since they’re likely to require assembly. There are alternatives, however; some pre-assembled or higher-quality one-piece units can be found, albeit at a higher price.
Compact computer desks come in a wide assortment of designs. A standard unit could be a simple “table with legs” with enough space for both a monitor (or laptop) and keyboard, perhaps with caster wheels on the legs so it can moved easily. Some glorified tray tables are even sold as computer desks, which is fine if they meet your needs.
Moving up a notch, the desk may have a pull-out keyboard tray, a monitor stand and perhaps a lower shelf for the tower. You can also opt for more stylish glass versions of these desks, with steel legs and accents, giving your workspace a modern look and feel.
You’ll find that most small computer desks are advertised as “ergonomic,” which is said to ensure maximum comfort for the user but doesn’t really guarantee that the desk will be comfortable for you. It’s best to sit down and give the desk a spin, if possible, instead of relying on a manufacturer’s claim.
What’s more important is that there are sufficient holes and channels (sometimes billed as a “cable management system”) for the cables you’ll need to run, so you don’t have to deal with messy and potentially-dangerous wiring once your computer desk is set up.
Jessica Zernike Category Curator 
A two-tier computer desk with a printer shelf on the top and a shelf for the computer on the bottom, as well as a little compartment for storing books or CDs, all made out of aluminum and black-painted wood.
Compact and space-efficient design for a multifunction computer desk, perfect for an office or a study room. The desk has a set of handy shelves and compartments for devices and documents, making it really functional.
An innovative practical overbed table. Its frame of white coated metal is built of a U-shaped foot, a square height-adjustable pillar and 2 posts supporting 3 open shelves. Shelves and a tilted top are of wooden materials finished in light browns.
An aesthetic laptop stand which can serve e.g. as a desk or a side table. A frame of white coated carbon steel is built of 2 L-shaped height-regulated legs with locked wheels. A rectangular top and a frame stretcher are of MDF board in creamy hues.
Minimalistic take on a small desk for small living spaces, made out of walnut wood with white-painted elements. The desk has a folding surface as well as a drawer on the bottom and top with two small shelves for storage.
Simple and very minimalistic arrangement of furniture on a side wall in a living room, made to create a compact workspace. The frame of the desk is extremely thin and even has an extra compartment on the side for storage.
A small corner computer desk made out of vintage cherry wood with a red tint, giving it an elegant touch. The desk has a keyboard drawer and a couple of shelves for storage and is nicely finished with a modern office chair.
Vintage look for a simplistic and space-efficient corner desk for small living spaces. The desk is made out of white-painted oak wood and has a small drawer in the front as well as an additional shelf on the bottom part.
Modern design for a handy office desk with a frame made out of gray-painted, metallic aluminum. The desk has surfaces made out of black-painted wood and has an additional shelf on the back for display and storage.
A contemporary take on a simple yet efficient computer desk with a frame made out of chromed aluminum with a gray coat of metallic paint and surfaces made out of plywood stylized to look like oak wood.
A hip compact desk with a hutch. A desktop and open shelves are trapezoidal in shape, made of wooden materials in browns like a hutch back panel. A desk back panel and shelves back rails are of perforated metal, posts - of grey coated metal tubes.
An aesthetic compact modern computer desk with a simple rectilinear frame made of wooden materials finished in white. It has a rectangular top and 2 full panel supports with open shelves at outer sides.
A pretty traditional computer desk with a hutch crafted of white finished wooden materials. It has a rectangular top, short angular legs, a drawer and a shelved door cabinet. A hutch has a rectangular top and several size-varied open front shelves.
A hip compact contemporary computer desk with a hutch of white finished wooden materials. A desk has a rectangular top, 2 full panel legs, 2 open front shelves, a computer shelf on a side. A hutch has open shelves around a central one for a monitor.
Ideal for small spaces, this computer desk will fit perfectly well into every corner. Its universal design will match both contemporary and classic decors. Features two convenient storage shelves, juxtraposed perpendicularly.
Ideal for small, contemporary studios, this wall mounted computer desk with a shelf for the PC station and an extendible keyboard one will be an ideal solution to many home office spaces. Practicality and style in one.
A simple yet efficient mobile computer desk on wheels for study or office rooms. The frame of the desk is made mostly out of black-painted aluminum with wooden elements, and it has a couple of handy shelves for storage.
Modern design for a narrow computer desk for small living spaces with a frame made out of solid wood with a black coat of paint and silver handles on the drawers, paired with legs made out of stainless steel with a brushed finish.
Ideal for contemporary studios or home offices, this computer desk will fit well into smaller spaces. Functional, ergonomic design bases on a solid metal chassis. Features an additional shelf for the monitor and an extendible one for the keyboard.
This corner computer desk constitutes an ideal proposition for a small studio or home office. Crafted in wood, this gentle constructiion features a long drawer and two, perpendicularly juxtaposed shelves.
This small, L-shaped corner desk constitutes a perfect proposition for all smaller spaces. Dark wooden finish provides a classic appeal that shall fit into most of the decors.
A cool space-saving contemporary corner computer desk with a simple rectilinear frame of white finished wooden materials. It has a pentagonal top, a drawer with a metal knob, 5 upright square section legs joined by an L-shaped bottom shelf.
A super contemporary corner desk with a hutch. Trapezoidal both a desktop, bottom, top and small side open shelves as well as a hutch back are of wooden materials in browns. Round upright posts are of grey metal tubes, shelves backs - of metal mesh.
A cool small contemporary corner computer desk entirely finished in white. It has a rectilinear frame, a rectangular top, a drawer with an edge pull, 1 full panel support of wooden materials. A rectangular metal frame is the second support.
Paisley Home Office Computer Desk
Contemporary setup for a compact office room with a computer desk made out of black-painted solid wood with a keyboard drawer and a matching office chair on wheels with a seat upholstered in white faux leather.
Chase Computer Desk
Traditional setting for a space-efficient office room with a minimalistic computer desk made out of cherry wood with a polished finish. The office is fitted with a tall, floor lamp with a curved shape made out of brass.
Tenleytown Computer Desk
Modern design for a minimalistic computer desk for offices, made out of light pine wood top with a frame made out of stainless steel with a black coat of paint. The desk has a handful of drawers and shelves for additional storage room.
Gerardo 40" Computer Desk
A simplistic approach to a contemporary office desk made out of hardwood with a dark coat of gray paint. The desk has a keyboard drawer underneath the top surface and is finished off with a plastic office chair with a padded seat cushion.
Osp Designs Computer Desk
Modern computer desk with a very solid powder coated steel frame in black color. It includes practical elements like a pullout keyboard tray and lower storage shelf. Construction of this desk is perfect for small spaces.
An aesthetic modern computer desk featuring rectangular both a top and a sliding tray of clear hardened glass. A base of black powder coated steel tubes is built of 2 gently curved X-legs and simple stretchers (a back dual one has a zigzag inset).
Ideal for small spaces, this small computer desk will be a lovely accent to most of the home offices. It combines smoothly white and dark purple, providing a cosy, adorable propostion.
This small, space-saving home office desk from IKEA constitutes a good proposition for all smaller or multifunctional space. Black finished, it will fit into most of the decors. The right-hand side constitutes a storage part for books and a lamp.
Ideal for a loft or contemporary studio, this small computer desk will fit into any tiny corner. Its white finish provides a universal and contemporary character, adding brightness to the space.
A cool modern open corner computer desk with hutch. A frame is of grey metal tubes and perforated sheets. A desk has 4 posts, a hutch - 2. Size-varied trapezoidal white shelves and a desktop, a rectangular tray and a hutch back panel are of MDF.
A cool modern open frame desk with black trapezoidal both a desktop (a rectangular sliding tray is below) and 3 shelves of MDF. A frame is of grey metal tubes. Side posts hold small shelves. A narrow backing is of plywood and perforated sheeting.
Contemporary setting for a cozy workspace area in a bedroom made with the use of a floating, wall-mounted computer desk with a frame made out of white-painted solid wood and an additional display stand.
A simple yet stylish look for a minimalistic computer desk with a frame made out of light pine wood with a glass top in a dark tint. The desk has an additional keyboard tray underneath the top surface which hides a handy drawer.
Simple yet stylish approach to a small computer desk, perfect for small living spaces. The desk is made out of oak wood with a light tint and has two aluminum columns on the side, which hold up three tiers of shelves.
A modern computer desk for small spaces with a frame made out of aluminum with a chromed, shiny finish. The surfaces of the desk are made out of solid wood with a white coat of paint and a reflective shine.
Ergonomy and functionality served in the best contemporary way. This designer computer desk will work out perfectly in modern studios or home offices. Crafted from solid, bright wood.
This small computer desk constitutes a smooth proposition for smaller spaces. Its smooth contemporary design combines metal and glass elements, providing a solid, durable construction, that will serve its role for years.
Pull Out Computer Desk
An interesting space-saving contemporary desk with a pullout nesting computer desk of wooden materials in dark brown. It has upright angular legs, a rectangular top, a central drawer with an edge pull flanked by 2 tiny drawers with mini brass pulls.
Leann Space Saver Computer Desk
A cool modern computer desk with a frame of grey coated steel. It's built of 2 low bowed feet, 2 upright and 2 gently curved top supports and a perforated back panel. Side walls and a rectangularish top are of wooden materials in warm brown hues.
Julia Peninsula Computer Desk
Simple yet efficient design for a computer desk with a frame made out of light solid wood. The desk has a metal pole covered in a white coat of paint on the side, which holds up two tiers of shelves, one for the computer and one for CDs.
Computer Desk
A minimalistic computer desk with a frame made out of stainless steel with a black coat of reflective paint and a top surface made out of black-stained glass, paired with a handy keyboard shelf on a rail.
Meagan Compact Computer Desk
Rustic approach to a stylish computer desk made out of hardwood with a cover made to resemble walnut wood with a gray tint. The desk has an attached extension on the side, which provides a few additional shelves to the piece.
Easy to store and easy to fit inside a small room, this smooth computer desk enchants with its compact size. Measuring 964 X 492 X 790mm or 38" X 19" X 31, it will be a smooth accent. Made of natural oak wood and polished brass material.
Crafted from PVC laminate veneer, scratch-resistant and corrosion-resistant, this compact rolling laptop computer cart desk with drawer and shelf will be a perfect proposition for all smaller office spaces.
Durable and sturdy, computer desk is made of high-quality MDF board and powder-coated metal frame, which ensures sturdy and durable & anti-corrosion and anti-rust. The curved design of the leg of the table is very smooth and beautiful.
![Ferty Movable Computer Wooden Desk Table, Rolling Small Spaces Laptop Desk Shelf with Keyboard Tray Drawer Stand on Wheels for Home Office Study Workstation [US STOCK]](https://visualhunt.com/photos/10/ferty-movable-computer-wooden-desk-table-rolling-small-spaces-laptop-desk-shelf-with-keyboard-tray-drawer-stand-on-wheels-for-home-office-study-workstation-us-stock.jpg?s=wh2)
This movable wooden computer desk can be a great option for all smaller interiors. Featuring a keyboard tray and a smooth short bottom shelf, it is a really functionally designed space. The workstation is based on wheeled casters.