Working from home is fast becoming the new normal. Driven by the pandemic, our homes have become increasingly versatile spaces that serve multiple functions, office included. And when it comes to designing a workspace, the desk takes center stage.
You can incorporate a desk virtually anywhere in the home, from living rooms to bedrooms and everywhere in between. They don't need to be limited to desk ideas for the home office, and while they serve a primarily practical purpose, they needn't look boring or 'cold' either. In fact, 'cozy' desks are on the rise - warm, inviting spaces that actually make you want to sit down at your computer instead of shy away from it.
Searches of the term on Pinterest are up 100 percent since last year, and with wellness at the workplace a priority for Gen-Z, it's hardly surprising that we want our desks to feel calming and alluring. Whether a lovelier-looking space is conducive to productivity is yet to be decided, but here at Livingetc, we're all for making the banal look beautiful.
What are 'cozy desks'?
As far as coziness in the home is concerned, a desk isn't the first place you'd think of. They certainly aren't considered the most comfortable spot, or one for hunkering down and relaxing in, but that doesn't mean they can't be conducive to a cozy atmosphere. But what does a 'cozy desk' actually entail in the eyes of designers?
'I would describe a cozy desk as an at-home work setup that doesn't require a traditional office space,' says Gideon Mendelson, founder and creative director of Mendelson Group. 'They can utilize a nook, dining table, or windowsill to create a dedicated workspace.'
That doesn't mean your traditional home office idea can't have a cozy style desk, though. 'Cozy' often has connotations of being 'small' or 'snug', but 'comfort' is the overriding evocation. The simple addition of warm lighting, soft furnishings, and curated shelves can instantly turn a cold, uninviting desk space into a cozy one.
Why are 'cozy desks' trending?
As Gideon rightly points out, these 'makeshift' office spaces using small desks were born out of lockdowns, but have now become a permanent fixture as hybrid (or in some cases, fully remote) working becomes the norm.
'Since a lot more people are working from home, at least partially, there is an increased need to create a workspace yet many people don’t have the space for a dedicated home office,' he says. 'Instead, they are utilizing nooks and dining tables to work from home.'
But why make them feel cozy? Why not go for a sleek, traditionally professional design? Well, as a liminal space between office and home, a desk should still be a design priority. They are, after all, still a feature of your wider space. This is something that can help with your mental relationship with your workspace, too.
'With so many people working hybrid or fully remote, it's harder to create a mental shift between work and home,' explains Challie Stillman, vice president of creative at Resource Furniture. 'Creating a "cozy" or comfortable desk setup can help with productivity, physical health, and mental health.'
Price: $200
Shade: Caramel chevrons
These portable lamps are really practical for multi-functional spaces, and the decorative shade casts a cozy warm glow.
Price: $82.50
Design: Onyx
Books instantly make a space look cozier, and adding bookends will create a studious setting that's also design-led.
Price: $45.99
Material: Engineered wood
This storage hutch makes it easy to add shelving to your desk for practical storage. And the dark wood feels ultra-cozy.
How do you make a desk feel cozy?
Cozying up a desk is really easy. The best desks will feature organizers and accessories that help you with your working day, but the real cozy factor comes from more design-led details like soft furnishings, lamps, and shelves.
Start with the basics, like a desk organizer. We like this bamboo option from QVC that's perfect for your paperwork. 'I recommend incorporating plenty of storage to help avoid clutter in your living space,' says Gideon. You might also want to add some bookshelves above your desk to create an academic, studious vibe (even if you style them with fiction books, they'll have the same effect).
To play up the coziness, consider a built-in desk idea if you're starting from scratch. You can combine this within a media wall with a drop-leaf table, or next to a bed in a guest room for a multifunctional idea. 'Where conventional, static furniture would otherwise be sitting idle, transforming furniture can practically add an entire room,' notes Challie.
'For instance, a Murphy bed with a desk built into the front can transform a guest room into a home office in a matter of seconds,' she adds. 'The conversion from desk to bed or using a fold-away desk can facilitate a mental shift to take place from a workspace to a place for relaxation and sleep.'
Finally, add the finishing touches. We love Pooky's portable lamps, like this one. Not only do they offer great task lighting, but they also add warmth where an angle-poise type lamp doesn't. (Plus they have the added benefit of being easily transported if you're working from a multi-functional desk space.) Use plenty of accessories (think paperweights, bookends, and photo frames) and wrap them all together with some soft furnishing like a cushion on your chair and a rug underfoot.
With these extra considerations, your desk will go from cold and uninviting to cozy and welcoming in an instant. Working from home just got far more enticing!
Price: $42.99
Material: Bamboo
Clear the clutter for a cozier feel by using a desk organizer like this one to file your paperwork.
