At 1stDibs, there are several options of drop leaf desks available for sale. Each of these unique drop leaf desks was constructed with extraordinary care, often using
wood,
hardwood and
teak. Drop leaf desks have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. There are many kinds of drop leaf desks to choose from, but at 1stDibs,
Mid-Century Modern,
Scandinavian Modern and
Georgian drop leaf desks are of considerable interest. Large drop leaf desks can prove too imposing for some spaces, so the smaller drop leaf desks available at 1stDibs — each spanning 21 inches in width — may make for a better choice. There have been many well-made drop leaf desks over the years, but those made by
Børge Mogensen,
Arne Vodder and
Edward Wormley are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
Vintage desks and writing tables span centuries of design. The writing table came first, a simple surface built for correspondence, while the drawered desk followed as record-keeping at home and in the office grew more demanding.
Styles to Know
Any desk at least 20 years old falls under this broader vintage category. If you want a tapered-leg, mid-century look specifically, browse mid-century modern desks; Louis XVI and Art Deco secretary desks bridge the writing-table and desk forms. A vintage table lamp adds task lighting to either.
How to Choose the Right Vintage Piece
Writing tables often carry little to no storage of their own, so a separate file cabinet or desk organizer may be worth planning for, alongside a close look at the surface dimensions against the space available. Each piece comes from a vetted 1stDibs seller, with era, designer and condition detailed, and every purchase is covered by the 1stDibs Promise.