Q. I need a desk for an at-home office. It will be in my living room, so I want it to look elegant when not in use.
— D.B., by means of email (To submit your own question, see our Ask A Designer™ page.)
A. incorporating a work zone into a living space is a common worry for small-space dwellers. Luckily, there are tons of good-looking models available! These three are quite clean-lined, so they don’t have much in the way of storage — but I think this helps them integrate into a living area.
1. Pottery Barn’s Ava wood desk in Antique White has a barely there glass top and classic X-base, and could easily be reimagined as a console if your needs change.
2. If you like the look of vintage, try the Risom desk from design Within Reach. made from walnut with a black leather top, it has a compact footprint and a drawer for crucial supplies.
3. Crate & Barrel’s oak Sentry II worktable has a slim profile that won’t interrupt sight lines. It could also do double-duty as a small dining table.
See a lot more Ask A designer responses. Plus, submit your own question, with instructions from our Ask A Designer™ page.
Clockwise from top: sleek contemporary, Crate & Barrel; vintage mod, design Within Reach; classic country, Pottery Barn.