Working from home is quickly becoming the new normal. The pandemic has transformed our homes into multi-purpose spaces that serve multiple functions, including as offices, and the desk has taken center stage in workspace design.
A desk can be set up almost anywhere in the home, from the living room to the bedroom. A desk does not have to be limited to a home office and serves a primarily practical purpose, but it does not have to look boring or “cold”. In fact, “cozy” desks are on the rise: warm, inviting spaces that actually make you want to sit in front of your computer, rather than pushing you away from it.
With searches for this keyword on Pinterest up 100 percent since last year and wellness at work becoming a priority for Gen-Z, it makes sense they'd want their desk to be calming and inviting. It remains to be seen whether a beautiful-looking space translates to productivity, but at Livingetc, we're all about making the mundane look beautiful.
What is a “cozy desk”?
(Image courtesy of Mendelson Group / Photo by Eric Piasecki)
When we think of coziness in the home, a desk isn't the first place that comes to mind. It's certainly not thought of as the most comfortable place, or a place to sit and relax, but that doesn't mean it can't exude a cozy vibe. But what does a “cozy desk” actually mean in the eyes of a designer?
“A cozy desk is a work-from-home setting that doesn't require a traditional office space,” says Gideon Mendelson, founder and creative director of The Mendelson Group. “You can use a nook, a dining table, or a windowsill to create a dedicated workspace.”
But that doesn't mean you can't incorporate a cozy-style desk into your traditional home office idea. The word “cozy” often has connotations of small or snug, but it's all about comfort. Adding warm lighting, soft furnishings, and some well-chosen shelving can instantly transform a cold, unwelcoming desk space into a welcoming one.
Why are “comfortable desks” so popular?
(Image courtesy of Michael PH Clifford, Kirsten Blazek)
As Gideon rightly points out, these “makeshift” office spaces with small desks were born during lockdown but are now becoming a permanent fixture as hybrid (and in some cases fully remote) working becomes the norm.
“The need to create workspaces has increased, at least in part, as more people are working from home, but many don't have the space for a dedicated home office,” he said. “Instead, they're using a corner or a dining table to work from home.”
But why should it be a cozy space? Why not a sleek, traditional, professional design? The desk, the liminal space between the office and home, should still be a design priority. After all, it is part of a larger space. This also helps to create a mental relationship with the workspace.
“With so many people working hybrid or fully remotely, it's harder to mentally switch between work and home,” explains Charlie Stillman, vice president of creative at Resource Furniture. “Creating a cozy or comfortable desk environment can help with productivity, physical health, and mental wellness.”
Price: $200
Shade: Caramel Chevron
These portable lamps are extremely practical for multi-functional spaces and their decorative shades give off a cozy, warm light.
Price: $82.50
Design: Onyx
Adding books will instantly make the space feel cozier, while adding bookends will give it a design-first study feel.
Price: $45.99
Material: Engineered wood
This storage shelf allows you to easily add a shelf to your desk and provide practical storage space. The dark wood texture is very pleasant to look at.
How can you make your desk a cozy space?
(Image courtesy of Mendelson Group / Photo by Eric Piasecki)
Making your desk cozy is pretty easy: the best desks have organisers and accessories to help you work, but the real coziness comes from design-focused details like soft furnishings, lamps and shelving.
Start with the basics, like a desk organizer; this bamboo option from QVC is perfect for documents. “I recommend having plenty of storage space to keep your living space from becoming cluttered,” says Gideon. You can also add some bookshelves above your desk to create a scholarly, studious vibe (a row of fiction books will do the same).
For a cosy feel, consider a built-in desk from the get-go. A drop-leaf table can be a multi-functional idea, like one placed within a media wall or next to a bed in a guest room. “Transformative furniture pieces can essentially make an entire room look bigger when they've taken up space vacant by traditional, fixed pieces,” says Challie.
“For example, a Murphy bed with a built-in desk on the front can turn a guest room into a home office in a matter of seconds,” she adds. “By using a desk that converts into a bed or a fold-out desk, it's easier to mentally transition from a place to work to a place to relax and sleep.”
Finally, add your finishing touches. We love portable lamps, like these from Pooky. Not only are they great for task lighting, they also add a warmth that angled lamps can't provide. (Plus, they're easy to transport if you're working with a multi-functional desk space.) Use lots of accessories (paperweights, bookends, photo frames, etc.) and tie the whole thing together with soft furnishings like chair cushions and foot rugs.
These extra considerations will instantly transform your desk from cold and unwelcoming to cozy and welcoming — making working from home that much more appealing.
Desk Organizer with Drawers
Price: $42.99
Material: Bamboo
Use a desk organizer like this one to organize your documents, clear away clutter, and create a more cozy atmosphere.
Price: $140
Material: Steel
Statement paperweights are an underrated décor item, but this chrome option is very on-trend.
Price: $23
Color: Light Blue
A mousepad rug that's cute, practical, and undoubtedly cozy. This Anthropologie product is available in three different colors.