Minimalist Desks
Clean-lined, efficiency and pared-down good looks have come to define the modern office, replacing bulky, oversized furniture with bells and whistles on display. Contemporary desks from Blu Dot, BDI and Gus*, among others, make the point handsomely, with innovative designs—like the Blu Dot Stash Desk and the Ethnicraft Oscar Desk, above, which combine an inspired use of materials and finishes with smartly calibrated work surfaces and storage solutions. The BDI Sigma Compact Desk may be compact and perfect for smaller spaces, but a refined silhouette and ample storage space make for a supremely understated modern desk.
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Standing Desks
One of the smartest—and healthiest—home office investments today is a standing desk. The detrimental effects on the body of too much sitting can be mitigated by a contemporary desk that easily segues from sitting to standing position. The Tyde Sit-Stand Desk, above, fits the bill handsomely, offering a generous working surface and electronically powered leg system that's controlled via keypad. The Copeland Invigo Standing Desk series is a highly configurable design, available in a range of sizes and finishes, and a programmable lift base that raises the desk from 25" to 51" inches in height.
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Wall Mounted Desks
When space is at a premium, it's hard to go wrong with a modern wall-mounted desk that magically turns a cramped corner or narrow hallway into an efficient home office. The Minimal Float Wall Desk and the MASH Studios LAX Series Wall Mounted Desk, above, are so elegant—serving up well-appointed work surfaces and generous storage space in a slender horizontal footprint—they very well may be viable contemporary desk options, no matter the space constraints. Blu Dot's Wonder Wall and the Rail Desk from Menu are a minimalist's dream, getting the job done with the least amount of materials possible.
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Kids' Desks
Proof that good design can be kids' stuff are thoughtfully designed contemporary desks for children and teens by Ferm Living and Oeuf, among others. The Oeuf Brooklyn Desk, above, is sized for smaller bodies, but has the the urban-influenced good looks of a grown-up desk. The Ferm Living Little Architect Desk, comprised of ash veneer, and available in a range of inspired colors, injects Scandinavian restraint into a kid's room, without extracting the fun. The Knoll Risom Child's Amoeba Table and Cherner Children's Table offer evidence that Mid Century masters Jens Risom and Norman Cherner didn't reserve their keen minds for adults alone.
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