How can I find a desk that does not suck?

Question

I've been to office supply stores, consumer furniture stores, everywhere. I cannot find a non-sucky desk. Here is my criteria:

(1) All wood construction.

(2) No mandatory keyboard tray, no "monitor stand". Just a surface.

(3) No lip around the front to bump my legs.

(4) Kind of high up.

(5) No "knick knacks" - no CD holders are random surfaces where your legs are supposed to. Just 4 legs and a surface.

Where should I be looking?

Answer 1

Instead of the chain office supply stores, try a local independent office supply company. They usually have huge resources. It might be a little more expensive, but you stand a better chance of getting what you really want.

Check www.trimega.org or www.independentstationers.com
to find a local dealer.

Answer 2

I once had an old teacher's desk. It had been beat around a bit, not antique-status, but it worked. The down side was that it was big, and very heavy. Maybe you can find one of those.

The simplest would be to make one out of some 2x2 legs and bracing along with some glu-lam large-width planking. If you don't actually want to build anything, get some milk crates or cinder blocks to make the sides and then lay some plank or a plain wooden hollow-core door on top.

I looked at Ikea (US), but didn't see much. You can sometimes find cheap desks or desk-like objects at cheaper stores.

Answer 3

Shop antique stores. I just bought a solid desk and it's perfect. The old construction is so much better than the plywood rat stuff made today. My desk cost $40. Look in thrift stores FIRST, that's where I was lucky to find mine. Some people don't realize what treasures they are donating or don't care.

Answer 4

Hello Dude! I found a great desk several years ago at a used office furniture store. It was made in the 50s so it didn't have all the bells and whistles on it like the new ones do. Plus, it was all wood (walnut) with dovetail joints.

Answer 5

Ikea... Because it's like lego... You get the parts you want, and build the damn thing how you like it.

In our office, we have one single flat surface for 3 people with 48 square feet of flat space that actually curls around a corner (creating a great cable-drop space behind the desk)... It's not solid-wood, but it is all-wood (and glue), and bloody durable... Unlike many Ikea products, their office furnature is NOT cheap (in both senses of the word), and will last notably longer than most of the "general consumer" crap from places like Grand & Toy & Staples. Make sure you look at the "GALLANT" series though (with the adjustable height T-Legs), since Ikea does carry crap desks too.

Answer 6

I would try any local antique shops or goodwill/thrift stores...

I find nice solid furniture all the time :)

also check your local craigslist listings :)

OR find out if your state has a surplus store that sells old state office furniture etc... I know here in Oregon we have one that you can always find desks at.

Answer 7

You should just go to a furniture store/office store and buy an office desk, not a computer desk

Answer 8

I like my desk from IKEA (find them on line) But you should be looking at antique stores. What you are looking for is the same as what I spotted once in an antique store

Answer 9

I've gotten some really great, non-sucking, pre-pressboard REAL furniture from Craigslist.
unique stuff, too....a swanky 40's bar and a nice, ornate dining room set with matching buffet.
and cheap, to boot!

Answer 10

Ikea