Desk for working from home

[Selfcaredaytime]

I have an allowance at my new job to purchase what I need to work from home.

I could really do with a new desk but I am overwhelmed by all the options. Any recommendations ?

Unfortunately my office is in the living room so it needs to be subtle, wood/white coloured and not too bulky. I would quite like having a couple of drawers to hide rubbish in though.

Budget up to 350 pounds. Thanks!

I bought this one last year.
It's ideal for me. Quite deep so you can comfortably rest your arms, type and have a monitor too on it.
It doesn't have drawers but i have a couple next to it.
https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-anyday-james-desk-white/p3585377

i have an ikea table on adjustable legs because I really like having a height lower than a standard desk.

ikea have lots of options.

and get yourself a really nice chair - that is more important than the desk for being comfortable.

Hemnes desk from ikea. Solid pine, natural worktop, white painted/sealed elsewhere. Two drawers plus a place to hide leads at the back. Reasonably lightweight too. Most importantly, it looks like furniture not a cold office utility piece. £150.
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/hemnes-desk-with-2-drawers-white-stain-light-brown-30534954/

I bought this at the start of Covid, for working from home. 3+ years later, still going strong. It is discreet, non-bulky and durable enough for my needs.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0842MNVVF/ref=ppxyodtbsearchasintitle?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have my second screen on the top ledge, along with my stationery and cuppa tea. Main desk area is big enough for my laptop, a separate keyboard and my mousepad etc. My favourite part is that every Christmas, when I finish for two weeks and want extra space for my tree, I can fold it flat and it zips underneath my sofa, totally hidden!

I have one of those tiny davenport desks, which do the job, although you wouldn't think so; and have millions of drawers.

A modern one wouldn't look right in my house, and I had a nice repro one for £50 from eBay for years, finally replacing it with an antique one after I'd saved up.

I have the IKEA Idasen in the cream/off white colour with brown top. It’s great quality!

And the Alefjall chair. Very comfy and look great.

I’ve got this one. In fact we have two, it works so well DH bought the same one!

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/malm-desk-oak-veneer-80214158/#content

I have my eye on this made one

https://www.made.com/style/st621923/715723#715723

I'd look at a standing desk and buy separate drawers to go underneath.

I appreciate you don't want it to look like a deal, but you have to be comfortable 7-8hrs a day!

Maybe look at a room divider or a standing screen to put around the work zone when you're not working?

One example:
SONGMICS Electric Standing Desk, Height Adjustable Desk, 70 x 160 x (72-120) cm, Continuous Adjustment, Spliced Tabletop, 4 Memorable Heights, Rustic Brown and Simply Black LSD026X11 https://amzn.eu/d/8XhicyG

We made our own from ikea. 2 sets of the Alex white drawer units on either end, and then an oak worktop over the top of them. Its perfect because you can make it the size you want it then

I got an electric white standing desk from Amazon and it’s been brilliant. Especially with having back issues. It was less than £200. Doesn’t have storage though but I have a small bookcase at the side with some boxes in it

What's your budget? I like a large surface area for papers plus monitor and keyboard etc.

Mine is this one: www.habitat.co.uk/product/4469465?clickPR=plp:1:30

Sorry you did say budget!

Daals have some nice ones - I just got this one for my daughter last week:
Frances Woven Rattan 2-Door Desk, White | daals

Plus they have a variety of other options, all pretty nice looking. My daughter's really pleased with her desk.

Although I've worked from home for years, and got this about 5 years ago, with a cheap desktop from Ikea for the top. It's not as pretty as some others though, but having the option to adjust the height is really useful.

FLEXISPOT Dual Motors，Sit Height Electric Adjustable Standing Desk with Memory Smart Pannel EB2 Series (White Frame Only), Steel : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

I just got this from amazon, they have one with drawers too.

Similar situation here in that I work in the dining room. I have one that packs away so it just looks like a cupboard when not in use (you slide in the desk bit and shut the doors). It's great when you don't have a separate office.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adjustable-Electric-Standing-Computer-EGESD4V/dp/B0B41ZQQM7/ref=sr_1_28?crid=CTZOQCALISZX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4hyUyOEiOxgeQlfq2-fKMXO3sPmdIyURz3m8n7SyGxkmf_n2cl6_oGMZw0ZpeYSMsvhXkVxXg0_nMp5HJcVnLlkIlq8ans8_si4gMqavfjPB65oh55aNpnkOb8FT9NQI8Ki3ms2sB0--Rha_rj3XKQUfr9_LIhjwDsVquS1OqzFLFGNSTb3svsgU0oIKYMvIWzOtQEzhDdC8gW4AnuAs59zo637lpjfNEPjAAVuxhsRizwkbENxKH0kerR1c8A3snZK6UxV-jcWcn86JR1R-pL4owiMGhJX5MBMAre9bjAg.acSjhwVtdk8pgzmSxmuo8uxsHZQQauXdD-JdjJ-d4rQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=stand%2Bup%2Bdesk&qid=1710365127&sprefix=stand%2Bu%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-28&th=1

Thank you for all the ideas! I ADORE this one, i think it's perfect for my living room. Enough drawer space without looking too desk-like. The price is great too, so I could treat myself to a new chair instead of my very corporate black swivel chair. I

I would recommend that you set up your workstation on a table or office desk and work out what dimensions you need as it really depends if you work off just a laptop or set up with monitor(s) and keyboard, mouse etc. I found that some desks were tiny and not deep enough to accommodate the equipment I use. I wouldn't get one with drawers under the desk if you have a chair with arms because you won't be able to pull it in close enough. You could always get a separate set of drawers that fits underneath.

I find it essential to have a shelf unit on top of the desk, as in this one. It keeps your monitors at the right height, & gives you more workspace,

Me too. Has to be big enough so my endless pile of disorganised crap doesn't fall off.
Also enough room for a full on face-plant when life gets too much 😬

We have ikea powered riser frame and put a piece of melamine coated board on top. Sitting/standing desk, comfy chair, makes a big difference.

RandomUsernameHere do you have a photo or link you could share pls..

This sounds perfect for what I’m looking for. I also use the dining room. Where did you get it?