A black beadboard desk is lined with two wood floating shelves holding a wood cutout accent and a small potted plant. The desk portion is stained wood and holds two small white vases with pink flowers and a succulent. A black chair with wooden legs rests nearby.
19 Nifty Built-in Desk Ideas To Make the Most of a Small Space
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Published: January 27, 2023
Updated: November 30, 2023
Built-in desks allow you to make the most of a space while keeping your setup compact. Instead of sitting at a desk in the middle of a room as a freestanding piece of furniture, you can create a modern design by attaching the desk and shelving units directly to the wall. These cozy spaces are the perfect setup for a home office or study space for all family members.
Modern desks can be built into walls in kitchens, offices, and even bedrooms. Shelving units can also be added to the desks to provide plenty of storage options and the perfect way to display your favorite shelf accents, framed images, and greenery. If you’re looking to create a built-in desk for your home, you’re sure to be inspired by this collection we’ve gathered here!
02 of Gray and Wood Built-in Desk Ideas
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A gray desk is built into a wall. A large framed calendar, a metal letter organizer, and a farmhouse wall hanging are arranged on the wall above the desk. A block calendar, a wooden desk organizer, and potted plants sit on the desk next to a laptop. A white shelf with hooks hangs on a side wall and a wooden, upholstered chair sits on a wood floor.
03 of Modern Built-in Desk With Overhead Storage
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A modern built-in desk features white beadboard paneling and a small gallery wall of prints. The white desk has a matching overhead shelf complete with a printer and two wicker storage baskets. A small dome light hangs from the top shelf above a white computer monitor. a printed lamp with a black shade sits nearby. Small vases of flowers and a personalized mug adorn the desk and a black chair slides up under it.
04 of Black and White Desk With Pullout Keyboard Tray
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White shelves stand above a natural wood desk built along the wall. The shelves are stacked with outward-turned books, a tobacco basket, a farmhouse scale, and black magazine holders. A pullout tray holds a keyboard and mask and a large basket provides storage underneath a computer monitor. A beige upholstered chair on wheels holds an accent pillow and a Christmas tree glows softly in the background.
05 of White Desk Built Into a Beadboard Wall
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A desk built into the wall creates a modern office space. A white beadboard paneling holds a mirror with hooks. A white desk with drawers on each side holds an open book with two glass jars.
06 of Soft Gray Built-in Desk
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A soft gray wall peaks out from behind a small built-in desk with a wooden desktop and matching chair. A small shelving unit sits on the desk holding white bowls, a black base, and framed art. A white vase with white flowers sits in an oval tray on the desk and a small vertical gallery wall adorns the wall behind it. A black and white desk lamp is ready to provide plenty of light and a beige geometric rug lines the floor.
07 of Black Desk With Natural Wood Shelves
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Natural wood shelves hang above a simple black desk on a white shiplap wall. The shelves are embellished with holiday decor, a wire magazine rack, and framed images. The desk displays a computer monitor, a white and gold modern lamp, and a framed image. A beige upholstered chair completes the design.
08 of Modern Neutral Built-in Desk
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A neutral color scheme gives this built-in desk idea a cozy and calm aesthetic. A white shelf holding wicker baskets and a minimalist sign hangs above a natural wood desk with black trim. Wicker baskets are arranged on the wall as decor and a small shelf displays a pitcher vase with white flowers and gray books. A wooden desk organizer sits nearby next to a closed laptop. Additional storage baskets and shelves are found below the desk next to a wooden stool.
09 of Gray Built-in Desk With Natural Floating Shelves
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Natural wood floating shelves line a white wall above a gray desk built into the wall. The desk is adorned with a white lamp, matching planters, and an alarm clock. The floating shelves are embellished with large framed landscape art, two brown rustic vases, a wicker basket, and an additional potted plant. A wicker chair rest under the desk and a bright white light gleams down from above.
10 of Split Wall With Built-in Desk and Console
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- birdsong.design
A small space is split to create a built-in desk on one side and a console table on the other. Two wooden shelves hang above a matching wooden desk. The shelves are decorated with a tall cloche, a small globe, wooden accents, and framed artwork. A lamp, alarm clock, and plant rest on the desk next to a computer monitor. A comfy beige chair is pulled up to the desk and a red curtain adds color to the background.
11 of Black and Wood Built-in Desk With Modern Décor
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A large black bookcase with a built-in desk covers an office wall. A computer sits between the two bookcases on a natural wood desktop. The shelves are embellished with framed images, candles, small trays of trinkets, metallic figurines, and other modern decor. A small wreath and initials hang on the wall between the bookcases with a metal hoop wreath.
12 of Modern Black Built-in Desk Ideas
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A modern, floating desk is built into a wall with wooden details and a flatscreen monitor. Two wood shelves hang nearby holding books, plants, and black and white decor. A brown chair is pulled up to the desk and two baskets provide storage underneath.
13 of Triple Built-in Desk Ideas
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Three built-in desks are arranged against one wall. Two white bookcases divide them and each one has four shelves and double cabinet doors. Wicker storage baskets, small planters of faux flowers, stacked books, and decorative signs adorn the shelves. Framed chalkboards and black lamps hang in each cubicle and white chairs are pulled up to each desk. A round black chandelier hangs from the center of the room to provide plenty of light.
14 of Multicolored Shiplap Wall Playroom Décor
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A gray, white, and natural wood shiplap wall is showcased in this boys’ playroom, which also displays a built-in wood desk with matching chairs. A black bean bag chair rests on a black and white rug beneath a wire wall hanging, with a white table and chairs on the opposite wall.
15 of Built-In White Desk in a Kitchen
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This kitchen features a built-in white desk. Black candlesticks are placed on the floating white shelf above the desk. A black lamp illuminates the white desk with drawers, while a black chair sits on the warm wood floor.
16 of Black Pantry Door with Nameplate
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Adorned with a black checkered apron, this black pantry door features glass windows, a silver door knob, and a silver name plate. A beaded light fixture hangs over a wood dining table set with black metal chairs, while a built-in desk along the back wall features floating shelves and white drawers.
17 of L-shaped Built-in Desk Ideas
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A spacious office with an L-shaped desk built into one wall features a black-and-white color scheme and a minimalist design. A woven rug covers the floor and a simple black office chair sits on top in front of a computer monitor and an open window with white blinds. Cubed shelves hold books, framed images, wooden baskets, and other modern decor. A plant, a larger print, and a small black magazine organizer adorn the desk.
18 of Gray Shiplap Wall With Built-in Desk
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A rustic gray shiplap wall holds a built-in desk with rustic pipe arms and a wooden desktop. Three matching shelves hang above decorated with a black trinket box, stacked books, antlers, and signs. Wire paper holders also hang above the desk. Beige curtains with a black metal rod adorn the open window alongside a bamboo shade.
19 of White Built-in Desk in a Kitchen
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A built-in desk in the kitchen displays a wooden desktop with white cabinets hanging above and below. A white computer monitor sits on a lifted stand and a black chair is pulled up in front of it. A wire paper tray sits on one side of the desk while round accent pieces and framed art is displayed on the other side.
