The name “secretary desk” conjures images of an old-fashioned piece of furniture. In fact, these classic desks have been around since the 1700s, although they’re still very much in use today. Antique secretary desks will often command very high prices, but you can also find reasonably-priced pieces in styles ranging from mid-century modern to Scandinavian.
You usually won’t find a secretary (or as we call them today, a personal or administrative assistant) behind a secretary desk. These pieces are designed primarily for an inner office or a home. The classic design features drawers built into a wide base, and a hinged desktop which folds down for use and then folds back up to cover more drawers, storage nooks or shelves. With most antique secretary desks, supports must first be pulled out to hold the desk top before it is lowered. More recent units have automatic mechanisms to raise and lower the top.
The desk’s upper drawers and shelves are normally housed in a hutch sitting atop the base, and taller hutches are likely to feature bookcases or bureau drawers concealed behind glass or folding doors. In most cases, the hutch and base are constructed as an integral unit, although less-expensive units may consist of a separate hutch to be mounted on the base after purchase.
If the name secretary desk doesn’t sound familiar, that may be because it often goes by other name such as secrétaire or escritoire. It’s even called “desk and bookcase” in some European nations, since the furniture often resembles a bookcase or bureau when the writing surface is folded up. Half-wide secretary desks can sometimes be found in antique shops.
Modern versions of this classic desk are likely to be called reproductions because they resemble the antiques that inspired them, but you also can purchase high-quality secretaries hand-crafted from solid hardwoods like oak or mahogany. Less-pricey models will usually be manufactured from MDF (pressed wood) and then painted or covered with a durable veneer.
A secretary desk isn’t the type of furniture which will blend seamlessly with the rest of its surroundings, because of its elegant style and large size. Whether it is a true antique or a reproduction, however, it will stand out and add a touch of class to any room where it’s placed.
This handcrafted piece combines modern comfort and classic elegance to make your house a home.
The Fleur De Lis Living Davenport Desk is a stunningly hand-carved furniture art piece. It has eight interior drawers, eight brass-handled side drawers, and a top compartment for writing instruments. The Davenport Desk also features trim bun feet with ornate scrollwork that supports a hinged, lifting desktop.
The charming Secretary Desk with Mountable Hutch boasts a three-drawer design and durable materials for long-lasting use. The desk's fold-down desktop is ideal for writing or drawing, and when not in use, it can be folded upward to conceal your laptop and other items within a hutch that mounts to the wall. Add a cottage-chic touch to your home office or study with this functional secretary desk. To build on the country-inspired style, try rolling out an over-dyed pink rug, adding some antiqued lanterns, and hanging a whitewashed chandelier overhead. Need an arts and crafts space instead? Place this desk in your master suite, and fill the drawers and cabinets with colored pencils, a sewing machine, painting supplies, construction paper, and more.
Our French antique replica is sized for versatility and boasts a sliding desktop for added writing space. Crafted of hand-carved mahogany, it features two shelved cabinets and drawers for storage, flanking a space for display. Its rich authentic period details take a team to complete this signature piece of furniture art.
The Roll-Top Writing Desk offers a brilliant solution for hiding confidential documents. The writing surface is accessible via three shiny metal knobs and completely hidden when it's not in use. The roll-top is spacious and accommodates small organizers and trays securely. It is the perfect option for storing your bills and writing endeavors. The top of the desk accommodates small decorative items such as figurines, and it offers enough space for a sophisticated table lamp.
The One Allium Way Fleuriel antique white indoor roll top desk is a perfect addition to your home. The desk has a gorgeous antique white finish, which complements traditional style decor and settings. Constructed from premium hardwoods enhances its sturdiness and durability. It has a hand-carved scrolling that decorates the front of this distinctive roll-top desk. This desk has five spacious drawers that can accommodate your small yet necessary items like stationery, pens, notepads, keys, or other required items. It also has four main slots to keep the emails organized. This desk is perfect for libraries, study areas, bedrooms and other places that require a place to keep small yet necessary items like stationery, pens and notepads etc. The standard desk is stain resistant that helps it look new for a long time.
Inspired by antique desks, this Large Mahogany Secretary Desk from Niagara Furniture is impressive in both its design and scale. Crafted of mahogany with a beautiful grain, the bookcase features a removable pediment top section with finial.
This secretary desk is a must-have for home offices or dens, as it combines ample storage space with top-quality craftsmanship.
Our Worker Bee Writing Desk has a bold yellow and black color palette that's fit for royalty. The hand-painted wood desk features a pull-out tray, flip-down front, and drawer for storage. Place this collection in a sitting room, she-shed, or home office to give your queen bee plenty of space to enjoy her royal lifestyle.
This secretary desk features a drop-down table that can be used as an extension of the desktop, as well as a power outlet (2AC/2USB) and eight storage compartments. It has a felt-lined drawer with full extension glides, which houses one piece of A4 paper. The desk also has two doors that open to reveal adjustable shelves. This piece is crafted with pine and plywood construction and is available in antique brown, antique white, and antique gray colors.
When selecting the material for your secretary desk with a hutch, you want something that is not only durable but practical as well. Solid wood and manufactured wood are two highly popular choices, but interior designer Billy Cotton says to opt for solid wood when you can due to the increased durability and longevity. Hardware materials are normally made from metal, with steel or aluminum being the most common option for desks and hutch additions. You can also find more industrial or minimalistic styles made from metal and glass, with marble or other stonework surfaces being used.
Secretary desks should be large and sturdy, but not impossible to construct at home if you have to do it yourself. Construction should be secure and prevent any wiggling or squeaking when the desk is being used. The hutch should also have solid construction as it will be holding books, lamps, decorative items, and other accessories you want protected. Interior design specialist Jessica Davis suggests looking for DIY construction that is easy to piece together but difficult to deconstruct for the best and most durable results.
Traditional style secretary desks will be in either rectangle or L-shapes, but it's not impossible to find custom and unique shapes as well including U or C shaped units. Most standard secretary desks you will find on the market will be rectangle shaped, with vertical shelves on the hutch for holding books or computer accessories. Expert Dan Fink says your secretary desk should be grand enough to be the centerpiece of the room, but not obtrusively large that it feels out of place.
Traditional aesthetics for your home will normally mean solid wood or manufactured wood for your secretary desk. If you are looking for a more industrial, elegant, minimalist, or whimsical design, look for metal framing with glass tops. Interior designer Nicole Hollis says using a metal and glass combination will help create an elegant and mature aesthetic in the room. If you want something more homey and warm in its overall aesthetic, consider opting for solid wood or manufactured wood in rich mahogany tones or darker oak colorations.
Vintage style for an old-fashioned, primitive secretary desk with a hutch on top. The desk is made out of white-painted oak wood with a distressed, weathered finish, which gives it a unique, old-fashioned appearance.
Traditional design for a spacious secretary desk with a hutch on top, made out of solid wood with a white coat of paint and a smooth finish. The hutch has three shelves for display paired with a plenty of drawers beneath.
Traditional approach to an old-fashioned, antique-looking flip top secretary desk made out of burned oak wood with a coat of varnish. The desk has two drawers and a couple of display shelves, as well as a rack on the bottom.
This antique secretary desk with hutch constitutes a perfect proposition for a refined, classic interior. Ideal not only for a home office, but also for a bedroom, or a living room, it creates an inimitable ambience.
An elegant secretary desk with hutch of wood in mid browns. It has a flip-down desktop, 3 drawers with golden metal C-pulls, turned corner posts, low bun feet. A hutch has a crown top, a 2-glazed door shelved cabinet, a wavy apron over a shelf.
An Amish-styled secretary desk with a built-in hutch on the top, made out of solid oak wood with a light tint. The desk is fitted with a cover, as well as a drawer and a cupboard underneath for additional storage.
A chic antique style secretary desk with hutch of wood with a whitewashed beige finish. A bottom part has a flip-down lockable desktop, 3 drawers (with 2 ornate metal pulls each), curved angle legs. A hutch has a crown top, 2 shelves, 2 glazed doors.
An adorable classy secretary desk with low slanted hutch of wooden materials in mid browns. It has low ornate angle legs, fluted corner half-columns, drawers with golden metal pulls. A flip-down top hides pigeonholes, drawers, a small door cabinet.
Antique approach to a Jamestown-style secretary desk with a hutch and a set of spacious drawers underneath. The desk is made out of dark oak wood and the hutch above has glass doors which hide a couple of shelves.
An attractive traditional secretary desk of wooden materials in warm browns. It has a rectangular top, drawers with metal shell pulls, gently slanted flared downwards angular
legs. A trapezoidal hutch has 3 small drawers above 3 open front shelves.
This gorgeous secretary desk will be a proposition for all, who like industrial or rustic furniture. Densely grained wood and metal chassis provide a sturdy and stylish construction.
Enchanting with its natural wooden appeal, this desk with hutch will fit perfectly well to all traditional or rustic interiors. 3 bottom drawers, 3 glazed shelves on the top and a set of nooks between them, form together an impressive storage space.
An antique-looking secretary desk with a spacious hutch on top, made out of oak wood with a dark tint and a polished finish. The hutch has three shelves for display, paired with eight additional drawers underneath.
A classy antique woody secretary desk in browns. It has 3 curved panel lockable drawers (with ornate metal pulls), paw legs, a flip down top. A hutch has a cabinet with 2 glazed doors with geometric lattice and an arched split top with a pinnacle.
This secretary desk with hutch constitutes a perfect proposition for all shabby chic or cottage-inspired decors. Due to its multifunctional construction, it can be used either in a bedroom or a home office, depending on your needs.
Traditional design for an old-fashioned secretary desk in a graham style. The desk has a sizable hutch on top which hides three tiers of shelves behind a glass door, which together with drawers below provide a lot of storage.
Colorful and bright setup for a cozy corner in a living room, furnished with a large cabinet with a couple of shelves on top and drawers on the bottom, as well as a desk in the middle, providing an additional workspace.
A classy secretary desk of wooden materials in white. It has a crown top, a cutout base, low angle legs. A down part has shelved door cabinets and drawers, a hutch - a shelved cabinet with glazed doors. A flip down desktop hides drawers and shelves.
A chic secretary desk of mahogany wood painted semi-gloss white. It has a rectangular desktop, 2 tiny drawers below, an arched apron, turned tapered legs. A hutch has a crown top, 3 open front shelves, rounded side posts, an upright slatted back.
Shabby style for a vintage secretary desk with a hutch on top, made out of white-washed, white-painted wood with a slightly distressed coat of paint and pastel blue insides, which give the piece a sophisticated finish.
Antique design for a large and spacious secretary desk with a sizable hutch on top, made with a white-painted oak wood with a distressed coat of paint. The desk has three drawers on the bottom and three shelves on top for display.
Vintage look for an old-fashioned secretary desk with a hutch on top. The desk is made out of white-painted oak wood and has a sizable hutch on top with a glassed cabinet, providing a lot of storage space.
A chic vintage a bit worn woody secretary desk in beige with golden undertones. It has curved front lines, a lockable flip-down top, 3 drawers with C-pulls, paw legs. A hutch has a split arched top and a shelved cabinet with lockable glazed doors.
A classy woody secretary desk with hutch with an aged white finish. It has a flip-down desktop (hiding 4 drawers and 8 shelves), a 2-door shelved cabinet, low angle legs. A hutch features a crown top and a shelved lighted cabinet with glazed doors.
Finished in a dark stained wood, this secretary desk with hutch creates a stylish and functional office furniture. Its multiple storage spots create together a great way to hide your documents and papers.
Fitting perfectly well into all classic and classy decors, this secretary desk with hutch comes with an automatic drop lid slide mechanism. Offers various pigeonholes that allow a laptop to be closed and stored. Measures 86.5'' H x 35.5'' W x 20'' D.
Finished in classic bright oak, featuring inside bottom with adjustable shelves, this beautiful secretary desk with hutch will be a proposition for all classic interiors. It measures 44'' H x 38'' W x 16'' D, while the drop down area 38'' W x 29.5'' D.
Automatic drop lid slide mechanism, wire management and surge suppressor distinguish best this beautiful classic secretary desk with hutch. Beveled glass emphasizes its refined, traditional appeal. Measures 89'' H x 35.5'' W x 20'' D.
A classy secretary desk of wood in browns. A lighted hutch has a crown top and a 2-glazed door cabinet with 2 adjustable glass shelves. A lower part has 4 angle legs, drawers with metal C-pulls, a drop-down lid hiding 2 small cabinets and 7 cubbies.
A pretty traditional secretary desk of wood in mid browns. It has an open front base, a 2-door shelved cabinet, 2 drawers. Small mushroom pulls are of metal. A low hutch has a slanted front, a rectangular top, pigeonholes behind a drop-down desktop.
A chic antique style writing desk handmade of hardwood in mid browns. It's adorned with carvings especially on tall curved tapered paw legs. It has a rectangular top with indented edges, 2 drawers below, a low hutch with pigeonholes and sloped wings.
Old-fashioned design for a classic secretary desk with a flip-top structure. The desk is made out of oak wood with a dark tint and a polished finish and has a couple of storage drawers and a handy shelf on the bottom.
Antique style for a Jamestown secretary desk with a spacious hutch on top, all made out of oak wood with a dark tint and a polished finish. The hutch has three shelves hidden behind a set of glass door, perfect for photo display.
Antique design for a Lexington-styled secretary desk with a hutch on top, fitted with a couple of display shelves on top hidden behind glass doors and a cupboard on the bottom, which provides additional storage.
Vintage approach to an antique, unfinished secretary desk with a sizable hutch on top, all made out of exquisite mango wood. The desk has two shelves behind a glass door on the top, perfect for a photography display.
A classy vintage solid wood secretary desk in natural hues. A lower part has 2 shelved doored cabinets flanking 3 drawers with edge pulls. A flip down top hides shelves and drawers. A hutch with a crown top has a shelved cabinet with 2 glazed doors.
Ideal for traditional or rustic offices, this secretary desk with hutch is made of mango wood. It features a drop front, ideal for a keyboard and plenty of various storage holes and nooks.
An awesome antique secretary desk of wood in warm browns. It features finely encrusted panels, a rectangular flip-down desktop, 3 lockable drawers with brass ring pulls. A 2-door hutch contains shelves, drawers, cabinets, has an arched split top.
An old-fashioned approach to a tall secretary desk with a hutch on top, made out of oak wood with a dark brown tint. The desk is fitted with three drawers for storage, as well as a shelf for photo display and a cupboard on top.
Shabby chic take on an elegant secretary desk with a glassed hutch on top with a couple of shelves. The desk is made out of solid wood with a pastel coat of blue paint and has a handy set of five drawers on the bottom.
Vintage look for a large secretary desk with a hutch on top, which has three tiers of shelves for storage and display. The desk is made out of solid wood with a light tint and has an additional couple of drawers on the bottom.
Having 4 tiers of drawers and a considerable storage space in the upper hutch, this corner secretary desk not only enchants with its antique charm, but also with functionality and capacity. All finished in nicely sanded, bright wood.
Coming from the IKEA Hemnes collection, this secretary desk with hutch enchants with its functionality and solid, wooden construction. Densely grained, bright wood will add warmth and cosiness to any office space.
A cute classy small secretary desk with low hutch (with a slanted front) made of wooden materials finished in nice mid browns. It has tall upright turned collared legs. A rectangular flip-down desktop hides pigeonholes and small drawers with knobs.
An antique-looking secretary desk with a hutch on top and a covered surface, made out of oak wood with a light tint. The desk is fitted with a set of drawers on the bottom and has a spacious cupboard on the top.
Vintage look for an old-fashioned free-standing secretary desk made out of oak wood with a dark tint and a smooth, polished finish. The desk has a set of drawers and shelves on the top as well as a larger drawer on the front.
This modern secretary desk with hutch enchants with its dark espresso appeal. It combines a working station with a smooth storage space, divided between the various doors, drawers and nooks.
Antique secretary desk with hutch delights with its natural wooden appeal. Densely grained, bright wood emphasizes the rustic character of the item. A great proposition for all traditional home offices.
Painted in white, this wooden secretary desk with hutch will be a perfect working station for one's home office. It features a considerable space for your PC and other devices, while having also enough space for documents, papers and office supplies.
Delighting with its beautiful antique appeal, this secretary desk with hutch constitutes a perfect proposition for all traditional interiors. With its plenty of drawers, shelves and nooks, it will be a perfect spot for your papers and utilities.
