Built-in Desk Spaces for Back to School

Double Duty Desk

The desk design below can serve as an eating bar within the kitchen space, as well as a workstation for doing homework. The bottom doors of the countertop wall cabinet serve as storage for a laptop.

Second Story Study

The home below converted the bonus room into a relaxing study for the family. A couple of individual desks make room for two people to study without getting in each other’s way and provide plenty of storage for files, supplies, and anything else that needs to be tucked away. The seating by the large windows makes a perfect reading nook for American literature studies.

The Work Loft

Many newer two-story homes often have an upper loft or family room area that can easily be used as a study area, as shown in the design below. Built-in desks create individual workstations as well as storage for files and supplies for the whole family.

Creating a Study Space

Many times, you can carve out an area within the home where a desk can be added, especially if the space is already using cabinetry for other storage needs. These can be multi-use spaces, just like some of the kitchens shown earlier. Adding an additional work zone within a laundry or mudroom to create a desk area can be really helpful in space planning, and you don’t necessarily need to create a whole room dedicated to an office or study.

The project below is a great example of stealing a small corner next to the fireplace to create a custom desk area. It has built-ins on both sides, creating a cohesive design along the wall.

The gallery of photos below shows areas in different homes with desk areas that have been created. Some of them have dedicated corners of the kitchen, while others utilize a small room. There are also great examples of small, stolen spaces in other areas that would have normally been unused space or occupied by a piece of furniture.

The laundry room design below serves a dual purpose for the family with the added desk area, creating a quiet space to study that is tucked away from the rest of the house.

Thoughtful Desk Storage

Desk areas should be intentional, so don’t forget to include accessible storage options. Organization is the best way to keep kids on track with their studies, as it increases productivity and reduces stress. We have several options to consider adding to your spaces, wherever they may be. Consider using cutlery dividers in desk drawers to keep writing implements sorted and easy to find. Pull-out trash cans aren’t just for kitchens and can be utilized in an office setting. Adding file drawers keeps important paperwork organized and on hand. Printers can be stored in base cabinets rather than on the countertop and easily accessed with a roll-out shelf or even a stand mixer lift shelf.