Best Desks For Kids 2023

Jan 25, 2024

The best desks for kids can provide a clean and organized space for studying and doing homework. “Kids need to differentiate between ‘work’ and ‘play’ time,” says Lisa La Bella, a reading specialist at Polk Street Elementary School in Franklin Square, New York. Having a designated spot for schoolwork—like their own little desk—can help students focus and eliminate distractions. After reviewing a slew of options, my top pick for the best desk for kids is the Parke Wood 2-Drawer Kids Desk, a modern, sturdy study spot with built-in organization.

The best desks for kids offer them a place to study, to think and to keep their school supplies ... [+] organized.

Kid-sized desks are more than just furniture. They’re a space for kids to claim as their own. A child’s first desk might be where they discover a passion for writing, drawing or designing. To that end, a good kids’ desk needs to be a sturdy piece of furniture that’s appealing to kids, whether that appeal is via a corkboard where they can post pictures of their friends or the fact that the desk is just their size.

After you’ve chosen a quality desk for your child, you may want to find one of the best desks for yourself, too. Or, if you’re prepping for back to school, you might snag one of the best Chromebooks for students or a new pair of headphones for kids. In the meantime, here is our choices for the best desks for kids.

Crate & Barrell

This sophisticated and sturdy desk is a high-quality piece that has plenty of space for kids to spread out and store their belongings. You can also purchase an additional hutch that includes shelves and a bulletin board, which allows kids to decorate their desk to make it their own. The desk itself has two drawers and two deep shelves. It’s made of low-emission engineered wood and solid poplar, and is available in white, navy blue or charcoal. Measuring 48 x 24 x 30 inches, it’s a decent-sized desk.

“This desk is perfect for kids who need a comfortable and functional workspace,” says Artem Kropovinsky, interior design expert and founder of Arsight.

Because it’s stylish, it can go anywhere, be it your child’s room or tucked into a corner of the dining room. Keep in mind that you’ll need to purchase a desk chair separately.

Amazon

While they might not have much homework or studying to do yet, toddlers and preschoolers have important work to do, too. The Melissa & Doug Wooden Lift-Top Desk and Chair gives them their own space to do all their coloring, gluing and cutting. Think of it as their creation station perhaps. The top of the desk also lifts up to reveal a storage compartment, so you can tuck away all the glitter and crayons to keep your space looking clean and organized.

Small gaps between the desktop and the storage area help prevent pinched fingers. The desk is available in white, gray, espresso and honey and measures 26.4 x 18.5 x 6.9 inches. It includes a chair, which holds up to 100 pounds, and still comes in under $100 on sale. It’s just the right size for young kids, and it may even take them into their early elementary school years before they outgrow it.

Amazon

From projects to reading to regular homework, elementary school students typically have a lot of responsibilities, and a good sized desk can help them stay focused. The Guidecraft Children’s Media Desk and Chair Set has an ideal worktop and also features a corkboard and storage shelves. Your purchase includes a chair and a hutch topper, making this a convenient purchase with plenty of storage spots to keep them organized.

The desk is available in six colors to match the décor in your child’s room: gray, lavender, navy, pink, teal and white. It measures 44 x 24 x 40 inches and has cutouts in the back for cord management. For kids who are just beginning to bridge the gap between little kid and big kid, this desk provides the best of both worlds with its small size and fun colors yet sophisticated look.

Amazon

If you want a desk that can go the distance, the adjustable ApexDesk Little Soleil is a good choice. Kropovinsky recommends it, pointing out some of its standout features such as its adjustability and an integrated shelf and drawer. This is one of the most inexpensive desks on our list, and yet, its solid steel frame is sturdy, and the adjustable height means it might last a growing child longer than some of the competition. The desk has a clean design, and there’s the option to tilt the top, which is ideal for drawing and finding an ergonomic position to work. Adjusting the height of the desk is quick and easy with a crank located on the side.

You can choose to purchase a matching adjustable chair with the desk for an additional $150. The dimensions are 21 x 27.5 x 43 inches, and it’s available in blue, green and pink.

Pottery Barn Teen

By the time they reach high school, your kid’s desk might become more multipurpose, storing sports schedules, pictures of friends, textbooks and devices. Nonetheless, it’s still important for them to have a dedicated workspace to help them stay focused. Kropovinsky likes this wall desk for its sleek and space-saving design, as well as its eco-friendly and durable materials. It’s available in acorn or white and has a good-sized worktop, measuring 38 x 19.5 x 70.5 inches. It also includes a corkboard, a drawer and a storage cabinet with sliding doors. Its standout features include LED touch lighting and a hidden USB and power compartment.

Wayfair

A floating desk can also be a game changer for those in small spaces. The KidKraft Arches Floating Wall Desk and Chair has ample storage, and it folds up when not in use. Whether the desk is in a tiny bedroom or you need to tuck it out of the way during the day, this desk delivers. Not only does it save space, but it also provides storage and organization in the form of shelves, a corkboard, two picture frames and a cutout for cords. There is plenty of room to store toys, trinkets, art supplies, and of course, school supplies.

The desk is currently only available in white, and your purchase comes with a chair that holds up to 120 pounds. It measures 64.8 x 31.3 x 36.1 inches.

Ikea

You don’t need to live in a 2,000-square-foot house to give your child a desk of their own. The Ikea Micke Desk is only 28.8 x 19.6 x 29.5 inches, meaning it’s easy to tuck into a corner. It gives kids just enough room to open their notebook, book or binder, and it has one storage drawer to help them keep their school supplies organized. It’s also available to purchase with a coordinating chair.

The desk has a cable outlet to help with cord management. A finished back and reversible legs give you some flexibility in how you set the desk up and where you place it. It’s compatible with other desks and drawers in Ikea’s Micke series, giving you the option to expand down the line if your needs change. Even if you’re not living in a small space, this is a simple and functional desk that can work for anyone.

At Forbes Vetted, we have frequently test and review a broad array of furniture—everything from sofas to bean bag chairs—not to mention children’s furniture, such as cribs and toddler beds. For the furniture you’d typically find in kids’ rooms, we especially value pieces that are safe, functional, stylish and durable.

Alicia Betz, the author of this article, is a mother to three and spent six years as a high school English teacher. She drew on her considerable personal experience to evaluate the kid’s desks in this roundup, but also reached out to experts who she interviewed to glean insight and ensure her picks were quality choices.

To help you find the best desks for kids, we started by talking to two experts: Artem Kropovinsky, interior design expert and founder of Arsight and Lisa La Bella, a reading specialist at Polk Street School in Franklin Square, New York. I also relied on my experience and knowledge as a former high school English teacher.

From there, we researched the most popular and well-rated desks for kids. We also considered desks made by well-known brands and those recommended by Kropovinsky. We gave favor to desks that were durable and that provided something that might interest kids, be it a fun color or a corkboard. We also aimed to include desks at various price points and with various styles.

To find a desk that is sturdy and functional for your kids, consider the following attributes: