Recommendations for a desk with good storage (otherwise: where do you keep your "stuff"?)

[neilw]

I need a new desk. My current one if functional but old and ugly, and it has a few things that really bug me. So, new desk.

When I look at pictures of folks' setups, I am mystified. I commonly see a flat desktop, along with a computer, a few accessories, and that's it. No storage in sight. How do people do it?

Stuff I have on my desk in addition to the computer and its own assorted accessories:
1) A single drawer full of office-supplies: writing utensils, paper clips, post-its, labels, etc.
2) The daily flood of incoming paperwork that is not yet filed
3) CD- and DVD-ROMs that I haven't yet figured out how to dispose of
4) tissues
5) stamps, envelopes, address labels
6) some books
7) some display stuff: pics, finished Metal Earth items
8) SD cards, USB sticks
9) headphones
10) notepads and notebooks
11) rechargeable batteries
12) some other misc. junk not worth cataloguing

This is my one and only desk, so it's not like I can separate the functions of Computer Desk and Everything Else desk. Clearly, if I were forced to, I could relocate some of this, and if I had more drawer space underneath it would be able to take some of this... but not enough for me to be able to live with a plain flat desktop.

So: how do people do it? Where do you store your "stuff"? How do you handle the relentless deluge of incoming paperwork?

And what decent desks are out there that have reasonable storage without looking overbearing and gross?

 

[Tikatika]

Following because I have the exact same questions!

 

[caligurl]

We have Ikea Besta.

We have 3 open shelves on the wall behind our desks but on another wall we have a Besta set up.

Under our desks, which are table style, we have a file cabinet type 2 drawer thingy.

and in the corner under the TV we have another Besta for the printer and to hold paper, etc. (and if we really want... we can put the printer IN the Besta cabinet but so far it doesn't annoy me being out!

 

[sgtaylor5]

I had a bookcase made and it's screwed down from underneath the homemade 5'x2' desk made of 2 x 4's and a 3/4' sheet of plywood. It's really strong. Bookcase from the thrift store and a couple of shelves and shelf supports from the hardware store.

 

[Fishrrman]

Get one of those plain-jane folding leg "conference tables".
30x72" is a common size.
Been using these for MANY years.
It's all I need.

(I believe they also come in a shorter version, 30x60")

 

[mapleleafer]

For decades I've used a 2 x 1 m sheet of particle board sitting atop two 2-drawer filing cabinets. Very portable and provides a sh*tload of space for all my electronic toys - computer, monitor, various external backup/DVD/Blu-ray drives. DAC, battery backup, and headphones plus telephone, lamp, and the current supply of DVDs and Blu-rays. The filing cabinets provide plenty of space for all my business and personal stuff plus various small knick-knacks such as rechargeable batteries, lightning cable, an extra mouse, and print manuals. Completely function over form (I have a cheesy-looking plastic table cover over the particle board for protection).

 

[DanTSX]

See if you have a used/reconditioned office furniture store in your area. You can find extremely nice desks from Knoll, Miller, human scale, steelcase, etc at prices you would pay for Ikea desks. Usually these type of items are very modular and adaptable, as well as robust. Often, if you are persistent and a bit flexible, it can also be very stylish and modern. With So many offices downsizing worldwide, there are some very nice options out there. Note these types of operations are typically B2B type setups in industrial parks, but will almost always be open to the public or take appointments. So assume it won’t be like shopping at Ethan Allen or Crate and Barrel

Outside of that, IKEA really does have some decent stuff if you assume it’s only going to have a 3-5 year lifespan.

We currently have a mix of the above two, get compliments on our office, and it will serves us well until things settle down a bit in the home improvement market, and we can talk to a cabinetmaker about custom home office installations.

 

[junkw]

See if you have a used/reconditioned office furniture store in your area.

This. Businesses usually purchase fully adjustable desks and chairs.
And you can get for cheap almost as new.
Ergonomic should be the priority on every setup.

 

[Freeangel1]

This

Walker Edison Ellis Modern Glass Top L Shaped Corner Gaming Desk with Computer Keyboard Tray, 51 Inch, Silver

Update your home office or study with this modern and sleek corner computer desk. Crafted from durable steel with a powder-coated finish and thick, tempered safety glass. The L-shape design provides the perfect fit for space-saving needs and features a sliding keyboard tray and unattached CPU sta...

www.amazon.com

OR.

TECHNI MOBILI 48 in. Rectangular Gray 3 Drawer Computer Desk with Keyboard Tray RTA-4985-GRY - The Home Depot

Bring home this brilliant looking Grey Complete Workstation Computer Desk with Storage which is a perfect companion during work.

www.homedepot.com

 

[colodane]

There are lots of desk options with storage. However I think it is a "cleaner" look to have a separate storage unit with small drawers and - yes - a filing cabinet for papers. Not everybody want to have all their storage in a computer chip.

I really like glass for a desktop surface. I'm presently using a large glass desktop supported by two metal modular office units from The Container Store. One has three drawers and the other one has two file cabinet drawers. Also have a larger modular unit with drawers elsewhere in the room. Using the modular units allows you to position your "pedestals" exactly where you want them.

Any decent glass shop can provide a desktop to your exact dimensions. It won't be cheap and it will be heavy. But it will provide a very pleasant place to work for many years.

 

[mj_]

I used to have a glass desk. Loved working at it. Hated cleaning it. That thing got smudgy just by looking at it

Anyway, I agree with the rest of your post. I also prefer to have my work space and my storage space separated. I now use the closet in my office that I have equipped with shelves for cables, papers, office supplies, etc. The printer is also inside the closed as I only need it very rarely (and mostly for scanning actually; I cannot even remember when I last had to print something) on a self-built wooden cubby on wheels with a single drawyer for scrap paper and storage space underneath as sort of an ephemeral storage (basically things I need to take with me on my next business trip... whenver that may be).

 

[Cassandle]

Desks with storage space tend to be worse than having the storage space separate.

I had an IKEA desk that had drawers at the front. But it meant I couldn’t sit at the desk properly - my knees kept knocking into the drawers, so I had to sit lower down, but that affected my posture as I was reaching up to get to my keyboard. I’m slim, and average height…

Get a plain desk, and have some separate drawers and/or shelves. If you need things on the actual desk, then under a screen riser is a good place to store things.