Office-type Furniture for Home

[livinitup]

I am so bad at buying furniture for my home. I am happy with the purchases we have made but shopping and deciding is a struggle. I need help if anyone else is experienced or gifted in this area and can point me in the right direction.

It’s time to upgrade the dining room space from a playroom to a functional homework, study, art space for my high schooler. This should not be so hard but I am struggling. I have wasted July and August avoiding it. We have space for 2 desks with shelves - one on each side of the room. One would be dedicated for homework/studying and the other for creative projects in her downtime.

Is there a middle place between office stuff at Target and heavy wood pieces at the furniture store? Our area is not great for showroom shopping for these pieces and online shopping is confusing. Should I look at Staples or some other type store?

Families seemed to master this during the sudden work-from home era of the pandemic. I just used second-hand pieces for my home office. So, I feel about 3 years too late for this question.

[starburst604]

Have you checked Ikea? We have a table/desk from there with shelves that go on top of the desk, also from there.

[wanderingback]

IKEA
Pottery Barn
West Elm

[livinitup]

Thanks - all good leads.

[DefenseAgainstTheDarkArts22]

I did far too much research for my desk a few years ago so I might be out of date but here is what I went with. This desk frame, it is a sit/stand, holds 200 lbs, digital adjustment and 2 saved heights $400. www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=36078

And a desk top from Ikea; easily the best cost to quality that I was able to find. If I remember correct, and things haven't changed that much. It was cheaper than making the top from just straight plywood.

[livinitup]

starburst604 and wanderingback @defenseagainstthedarkarts22 Thank you again. As luck would have it, my DD is visiting my parents this week and their area has an IKEA showroom. My city has a drop-off location. So, since it’s a rainy day, I called and suggested they look around IKEA and DD found 2 desks that might work.

She’s sending pics and the cost is in our price range. Chairs, too.

[rubytue]

I was looking for a desk at ikea, and ended up with the $99 pine dining table. I stained it myself and have been using it 2 years. I wanted more of the open style desk, not the type with lots of drawers that I wouldn’t use well.

[Roc A Bee]

I made my own using those 2x1 cubbies from Target and a piece of wood (like white laminate closet shelf) from Lowe’s. I created 2 work spaces along one wall.

My kids like to do homework in bed or at the kitchen table though.

[fn2187]

I buy desks from Costco or Wayfair, etc, but what makes the world of difference is that I add custom glass tops to them. SO much easier to clean and keeps desks looking new forever. I measure, call our local glass company and put in and order and pick it up. Prices have been reasonable too.