Skip to main content

Bookcases with Desk

556
6
6
to
68
479
72
568
565
565
94
38
37
27
10
10
10
9
9
9
8
8
4
2
142
196
218
12
46
117
22
11
5
4
9
11
24
45
7
2
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
476
176
116
113
108
398
212
171
123
122
5
5
5
5
3
Sort By
Danish Teak Bookcase, Desk Secretary by Poul Hundevad
Located in Pomona, CA
its drop front desk with bookcase above and ample storage below.
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Monumental Antique Victorian Eastlake Walnut Secretary Desk & Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
A massive towering Victorian era Eastlake secretary writing desk and bookcase, circa 1870s. Made
Category

Antique 1870s Eastlake Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Rare Antique Federal American Mahogany Secretary Writing Desk Gothic Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
A fine and impressive Federal Period Mahogany secretary and bookcase, circa 1830s. The bookcase
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Federal Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Antique Georgian George II Figured Walnut Bookcase Bureau Secretary Desk, 1750
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique George II figured and inlaid walnut bureau bookcase/secretary, circa 1750. The
Category

Antique 1750s English George II Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Louis XVI /Directoire Cylinder Desk with Bookcase Top, France, 1790-1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Directoire cylinder desk with a book case on top, France 1800, mahogany veneer. The desk has its
Category

Antique 1790s French Directoire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

English Bookcase Secretary with Moroccan Style Glass Doors, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
English secretary with glass door and three glass shelves, leather inlay on desk surface, original
Category

Antique 19th Century English Bookcases

Materials

Wood

George III Glazed Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Batley, GB
A Georgian mahogany beurau bookcase with 4 long drawers raised on bracket feet. The desk fitted
Category

Antique Late 18th Century British George III Bookcases

Materials

Wood

George III Glazed Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
George III Glazed Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
H 87.8 in W 35.44 in D 19.3 in
19C Irish Georgian Style Secretary Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a STUNNING 19C Irish Georgian Style Secretary Bookcase. From circa 1850-60 and most
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Irish George III Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood

19C Irish Georgian Style Secretary Bookcase
19C Irish Georgian Style Secretary Bookcase
H 87 in W 84.75 in D 20.75 in
19th Century English Mahogany Glazed Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Staffordshire, GB
19th century English mahogany glazed secretaire bookcase circa 1870. 19th century mahogany glazed
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Antique English Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1790
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
display space for books, collectibles, or fine china. Below the bookcase, the secretary desk portion is
Category

Antique 1790s British George III Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Gilbert Rohde 'Paldao Group' Modular Bookcase System
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Brooklyn, NY
to a hidden desk with fitted drawers and cubbies. Works beautifully as a large storage wall, but
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century Spanish Walnut Bureau Bookcase ‘Secretaire’
Located in Miami, FL
A late 19th century Spanish Walnut Bureau bookcase ‘secretaire’ with fretwork open swan neck
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Queen Anne Bureau Bookcase in Inlaid Walnut, c. 1710
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine Bureau Bookcase of the Queen Anne period. The frame constructed in walnut, with inlaid
Category

Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Bookcases

Materials

Brass

English Regency Metamorphic Book Case -Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
This finely made English regency period metamorphic bookcase-desk is also of an interesting and
Category

Antique 19th Century English Regency Bookcases

Materials

Brass

English Regency Metamorphic Book Case -Desk
English Regency Metamorphic Book Case -Desk
H 55.5 in W 46.5 in D 13.25 in
Early 19th Century Duncan Phyfe Grecian Plain Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Brooklyn, NY
secretary bookcase sold through Northeast Auctions in 2009. There is evidence that the case built by Phyfe
Category

Antique 1830s American American Classical Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Shapland & Petter, Arts & Crafts Mahogany Desk with a Pierced Heart to the Top
By Shapland & Petter
Located in London, GB
Shapland & Petter. A wonderful Arts & Crafts mahogany writing desk with a pierced heart to the top
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

English Chippendale Mahogany Breakfront with Secretary, Circa 1770
Located in Hollywood, SC
desk, flanking drawers with original brasses, a brushing slide and lower four-door cabinets with
Category

Antique 1770s English Chippendale Bookcases

Antique Early American 19th Century Pine Plantation Desk
Located in Forney, TX
An early American 19th century pine plantation desk with nicely aged patina. Born in the Mid
Category

Antique 19th Century American Primitive Desks

Materials

Pine

The Secretary by Jonathan Nesci in Powder Coated Aluminum Plate with Leather
By Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
, secretary/bookcase that has substantial height, color, and interchangeable use. Because of its metal
Category

2010s American Minimalist Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Gilbert Rohde Paldao Secretary Display Case for Herman Miller
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookcase with drop-front secretary desk and storage drawers in paldao wood. Glass dividers separate
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Bookcases

Materials

Paldao

Dressing Chest
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
An 18th century mahogany dressing chest with bookcase and writing surface, designed by Thomas
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Dressing Chest
Dressing Chest
H 78 in W 44 in D 22 in
American Mahogany Writing Desk with Bookcase Norfolk VA
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany writing desk with bookcase Norfolk VA, circa 1840.
Category

Antique 1830s American Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

1930s Georgian Style Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk with Bookcase
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1930s Georgian style painted chinoiserie secretary desk with open bookcase top. It is
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Johannes Sorth Secretary Bookcase Desk
Located in Southampton, NJ
Danish Modern Brazilian Rosewood secretary desk by Johannes Sorth number 331 32. Multifunctional
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Johannes Sorth Secretary Bookcase Desk
Johannes Sorth Secretary Bookcase Desk
H 79.75 in W 39.5 in D 17 in
Campaign Style Bookcase W/ Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century stacking cabinet with drop front desk. Attractive campaign style with brass hardware
Category

Mid-20th Century Campaign Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Campaign Style Bookcase W/ Desk
Campaign Style Bookcase W/ Desk
H 78.75 in W 30 in D 16 in
Antique Diminutive Renaissance Revival Walnut & Burl Cylinder Secretary, c1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Renaissance Revival diminutive cylinder desk offers walnut and burl construction with
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Desks

Materials

Walnut, Glass

TOMLINSON Crotch Mahogany Block Front Secretary Desk with Blind Bookcase
By Tomlinson
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Chippendale style secretary desk by Tomlinson. Crotch mahogany with brass hardware, pediment top
Category

Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Georgian Style English Desk Bureau Bookcase with Banded Drawers, Leather Top
By George Hepplewhite
Located in Toronto, CA
A stunning vintage Georgian style English secretary desk with bookcase top. Crafted in mahogany
Category

20th Century English Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood

Original 18th Century Venetian Secretary Desk Bookcase burled walnut with inlaid
By Bassano's Ebanisteria
Located in Vigonza, Padua
durability of the furniture. It is a classic chest of drawers with upper bookcase which will certainly
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

BAKER Georgian Walnut Bonnet Top Secretary Desk with Mirrored Blind Bookcase
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Georgian style secretary desk by Baker Furniture. Walnut with brass hardware, double bonnet
Category

Late 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Unique Venetian Italian Paint Decorated Secretary Desk with Bookcase Circa 1890s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
painted secretary desk. Done in the tradition of the Venetian style, this beautifully designed piece is a
Category

Antique 1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Very Rare Italian Hardwood Cylinder Bureau Bookcase Desk with Must See Pictures
Located in GB
bookcase with ornately inlaid internals This is one of the finest flamed mahogany cylinder top desks I
Category

Antique 1820s English Regency Dressers

Materials

Hardwood

Teak Mid-Century Modern Wall Storage Bookcase Cabinet with Drop Front Desk
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Mid-Century Modern or Scandinavian Modern large wall storage cabinet and bookcase with a
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Laminate, Teak

CRAFTIQUE Solid Mahogany Chippendale Secretary Desk w/ Bookcase
Located in Charlotte, NC
A stunning secretary desk with bookcase by top-quality furniture maker Craftique, in the style of
Category

Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Rustic A. Brandt Ranch Oak Secretary Style Drop Front Student Desk with Bookcase
By A. Brandt Ranch Oak Furniture
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Late 20th Century Rustic or Western secretary style drop front lighted student desk with
Category

Late 20th Century American Rustic Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Poul Hundevad Rosewood - Drop Desk - Wall Unit Bookcase
By Poul Havgaard
Located in Wallkill, NY
Stunning rose wood book case or desk. Sliding door on the bottom with file draw and shelving. Two
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Hollywood Regency Secretary Desk Secretaire Bookcase w/ Chinese Motif
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Hollywood Regency secretary desk secretaire bookcase with hand-painted Chinese motif featuring a
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood

English Mahogany and Satinwood Secretary Desk Bookcase, 1790-1820
Located in San Francisco, CA
a kind mahogany secretary-desk-bookcase with satinwood marquetry detail of seashell motif. The
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Light Hardwood Library Bookcase Secrétaire Desk Brown Leather Surface
Located in GB
We are delighted to this stunning circa 1880 light mahogany library bookcase with secrétaire desk
Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood

Fine Quality French Mahogany Bronze Mounted Secretary Desk Bookcase Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
features a bookcase top with adjustable shelf and a marble top and trimmed in bronze ormolu. The desk is in
Category

Vintage 1940s French Directoire Secretaires

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

English George III Mahogany Secretary Desk and Bookcase, 18th Century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETARY DESK AND BOOKCASE England, circa last quarter of the 18th century
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Vintage French Provincial Corner Cabinet Writing Desk Bookcase Hutch 80"
Located in Dayton, OH
Intriguing French Provincial Corner unit or writing desk, circa 1970s. Base features a central
Category

Vintage 1970s French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Seaweed Inlaid Walnut Mirrored Tombstone Georgian Secretary Desk Bookcase Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
inlaid walnut and mirror secretary desk. The desk features beautiful mirrored tombstone shaped doors and
Category

Vintage 1930s English Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Satinwood, Walnut

Antique Arts & Crafts Macey Five Stack Oak Barrister Bookcase & Desk c1920
By Macey Co.
Located in Big Flats, NY
and Crafts barrister bookcase by Macey offers quarter sawn oak construction with fur stacks having
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Oak

Vintage Cresent Queen Anne Style Cherry Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase Bureau
Located in Dayton, OH
Beautiful Queen Anne style secretary desk and bookcase by Cresent Manufacturing Company, circa
Category

Vintage 1970s Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Cherry

Rare Victorian Flamed Hardwood Library Bookcase Secretaire Desk Chest of Drawers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Victorian flamed mahogany library bookcase with
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood

Mid 20th Century Cherry Secretary Desk W/ Blind Door Bookcase, Attrib. BENBOW'S
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Chippendale style secretary desk, no branding marks found, attributed to Benbow's. Solid cherry
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Late 1700's English George III Mahogany Secretary / Bookcase w/ Pull Out Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 1700's English George III Mahogany Secretary / Bookcase w/ Pull Out Desk with an overhanging
Category

Antique Late 18th Century British George III Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English Mahogany Secretary With Mirrored Bookcase. Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
English mahogany secretary with mirrored bookcase. Secretary has a upper case broken pediment top
Category

Antique 1780s English George III Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Empire Mahogany Bureau Secretary with Bookcase
Located in Miami, FL
. Cylinder top opens to a pull-out desk which offers an adjustable baize-lined lectern or writing surface
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Venetian Hand-Painted Blind Door Secretary with Bookcase, Circa 1900
Located in Hollywood, SC
Venetian blind door secretary with a carved scrolled decorative cornice, upper case bookcase with
Category

Antique Early 1900s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires

Materials

Brass

American Mahogany and Stenciled Secretary with Bookcase. NY Circa 1825
Located in Hollywood, SC
American mahogany stenciled and painted foliage secretary bookcase with fitted inlaid birds eye
Category

Antique 19th Century American American Empire Secretaires

Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional Empire secretary bookcase in fine burl ash wood. Denmark or North Germany, circa
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Scandinavian Empire Secretaires

Materials

Ash, Burl

English Chippendale Mahogany Blind Door Secretary With Bookcase, Circa 1775
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Chippendale mahogany blind door secretary with bookcase. Upper case has a carved cornice
Category

Antique 1770s English Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Venetian Secretary Bookcase with Painted Scenes and Floral Sprays
Located in Miami, FL
A very lovely painted green and yellow Italian fall-front secretary bookcase in the Venetian
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Paint

English 19th Century Black and Gold Secretary Bookcase with Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
desk and gold Chinoiserie décor. Created in England during the 19th century, this secretary bookcase
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820
Located in Miami, FL
refinement and elegance! The cylinder top opens to a pull-out desk whose interior is in fine West Indies
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Antique North German/Danish Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1815
Located in Miami, FL
secretary with bookcase in ash with inlays and marquetry silhouettes of neoclassical Roman images. Cylinder
Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Secretaires

Materials

Ash

English Chippendale Mahogany Inlaid Fall Front Secretary with Bookcase, C.1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
keys, fitted interior burl walnut desk, satinwood string inlays, flanking lower case book matched
Category

Antique 1780s English Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Painted Secretary Cabinet Bookcase
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gustavian Painted Secretary Cabinet Bookcase, Sweden Antique Swedish secretary cabinet in
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

  • 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Bookcases With Desk", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Bookcases with Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal bookcases with desk for your home. Each bookcases with desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and glass. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer bookcases with desk, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A bookcases with desk is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Georgian and Victorian styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one bookcases with desk that is appealing in its simplicity, but Bevan Funnell Ltd., Cees Braakman and Drexel produced versions that are worth a look. A large bookcases with desk can prove too imposing for some spaces, so the smaller bookcases with desk available at 1stDibs — each spanning 31.5 in width — may make for a better choice.

How Much is a Bookcases with Desk?

The average selling price for a bookcases with desk at 1stDibs is $4,142, while they’re typically $1,250 on the low end and $38,000 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Secretaires for You

Your antique, new or vintage secretary desk has become the (chic) saving grace of the "new normal" at home.

Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments — pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers — are revealed.

Traditionally, a secretary is composed of two parts — a chest of drawers on the bottom and a cabinet with shelves on the top. Taking its name from the French word for the piece, secrétaire, the secretary desk dates back to the 18th century, when Paris-based cabinetmaker Jean-François Oeben, known for his exquisite marquetry and clever mechanical desks, is thought to have invented the secrétaire à abbattant, or drop-leaf desk.

While the defining drop-down feature of the secretary desk has remained constant, the materials used, as well as its configuration, size and style have evolved over time.

At first, secretaries were typically made from exotic woods, like rosewood, tulipwood and kingwood; later, hardwoods like cherry, maple, oak and mahogany were more common. The desks also became lighter, with space carved out of the lower half for the writer’s feet or with drawers replaced by legs — making them more table-like.

When open, the secretary is a dynamic, versatile Wunderkammer. When closed, it’s a sophisticated, space-saving piece of furniture.

“A fine secretary with a good provenance adds stature and credence to its owner — it is a cornerstone piece,” says antiques dealer Stanley Weiss, who specializes in 18th- and 19th-century English and American furniture. “In this disposable world, fine furniture is always passed on and speaks to who its owner is.”

No matter what style or period you choose, and no matter how you decide to use it, the timeless, flexible secretary desk is bound to become an indispensable part of your daily routine.

Browse a range of antique and vintage secretary desks on 1stDibs, including mid-century modern secretaires, Georgian secretaires and others.

Questions About Bookcases with Desk
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Barrister bookcases are made up of several distinct book shelf units which combine together to form the cabinet. This can be beneficial when moving, as the books can remain within the shelves and each shelf can move separately.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021
    A breakfront bookcase is usually a large wooden bookcase that houses either books or dishes. They’re similar in appearance to hutches in that they have glass-fronted shelving on the top and cabinets on the bottom.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
    A bookcase with doors is also called a bookshelf, a bookstand, a cupboard or a bookrack. It is a close-sided unit that encases books and is designed to sit on the floor. On 1stDibs find a wide variety of antique, new and vintage bookcases today.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    The term barrister bookcase means a piece of storage furniture primarily used during the 17th and 18th centuries. Also called lawyer's bookcases, the furnishings featured wood construction and glass-paneled doors. At the time the bookcases were most popular, books were expensive luxury goods. The glass doors helped to protect them from light and dust. Shop a collection of barrister bookcases on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023
    Yes, there can be a difference between a bookshelf and a bookcase. Although many people use the words to describe any piece of furniture with shelves for books, some manufacturers call pieces with doors bookcases and pieces without doors bookshelves. Find a variety of bookcases and bookshelves on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    The main difference between an étagère and a bookcase is the design. Both types of furniture have shelves. However, an étagère usually has an open back, while most bookcases have enclosed backs. Shop a range of bookcases and étagères on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    An ideal bookcase depth is usually between 10 and 12 inches. Shelf spacing can range from 7 to 15 inches for bookshelves, with 8 to 12 inches being the most typical. Because compact bookcases are designed for lesser volumes and libraries, they will be shallower. A small bookcase's depth is usually around 6 inches. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of antique and vintage bookcases.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, you can generally put wheels on a bookcase. However, the wheels that you choose must be strong enough to support both the weight of the bookcase and the total weight of all the books you intend to store on it. As a result, industrial-strength metal casters are usually the best option for the job. You'll find a large collection of bookcases on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    A bookcase with glass doors is also called a barrister bookcase. Designed in a cabinet style, these bookcases’ glass doors protect books and collectibles from gathering dust and allow guests to peruse your treasured volumes. The name “barrister” owes to the legal profession — barristers are experts in case law in England and traditionally required numerous law books for reference purposes to travel from chamber to chamber, and the sturdy and portable cabinets that were used to do so earned this nickname. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary bookcases from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021
    The best wood used for building a bookcase is plywood made from hardwood. It is easily available and comes in many types. Laminated panels that can be glued together are also a great option for a bookcase. On 1stDibs, you can find a variety of antique, new and vintage wooden bookcases.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    A few companies made barrister bookcases, including the F. E. Hale Manufacturing Company, Globe Wernicke, Grand Rapids Furniture Company, Gunn Furniture Company and the John Danner Company. Barrister bookcases are bookcases with solid backs and removable shelving units that get stacked inside. Doors that open outward and slide away under the shelf enclose each unit. On 1stDibs, shop a range of barrister bookcases.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
    A Murphy desk is a wall-mounted desk that folds out to provide a work surface for a laptop, tablet, documents, and other items. It is a great solution if you have a little space or don't require a full desk every day. Shop a range of antique and vintage Murphy desks on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    A captain’s desk is a type of desk that you stand at rather than sit in front of. It usually has an angled desktop and decorative molding. Captain Josiah Davenport commissioned the British furniture maker Gillows of Lancaster to design the first one in the late 18th century. Sometimes, people refer to the furnishing as a Davenport desk in his honor. Shop a variety of captain’s desks on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

    A person of average height should have a desk that is 28 to 30 inches high.

  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
    A kidney desk is a desk that has a curvy top that is similar in shape to a human kidney. Many kidney desks are very ornate, showing off details like vellum-lined tabletops and parquetry inlay. Shop a selection of kidney desks on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
    To date a desk, first look for any stamps or labels that tell you the name of the company that produced it. You can then use the maker information to research the piece using trusted online resources. In some cases, you may even find a manufacturing date on the piece. If you have difficulty determining how old a piece is, seek help from a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and modern desks on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    A waterfall desk is a desk that features rounded corners. This term comes from the idea that this stylistic feature makes it seem as if the lines of the desk flow like a waterfall. The waterfall style emerged during the 1930s and 40s. Find a range of waterfall desks on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A desk tray is a storage solution used to tidy up desktop work areas. Normally, they are flat rectangular trays with raised sides, and their proportions make them ideal for storing stacked papers. Some trays have more than one tier to separate incoming and outgoing paperwork. You'll find a variety of antique and vintage desk trays on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021
    A bed desk — or lap desk — is a type of desk that is primarily designed for use in bed or for other similar circumstances. It generally offers a flat work surface with enough room for a laptop, mouse and a notebook.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A peninsula desk is a two-sided desk, with each side designed with one long drawer. This functional desk makes working with a partner easy. You can shop a collection of peninsula desks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Read More

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home

Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.

What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?

The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.

This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once

Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.

28 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name

Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.

Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition

Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.

Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way

Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.

Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture

In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.