Small desk for kitchen

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Corner Command Center

A sit-down desk in a calm corner offers extra space outside of the bustle of the work triangle. This office designed by Norwich, Connecticut architect Michael Stein is a natural landing place for keys and mail, and a place where family members can sit comfortably. Designers generally recommend a desk height of 28 to 30 inches and a knee-hole depth of 25 inches.
Deep drawers in this maple base unit—painted moss-green to match the island—are fitted with hanging folder frames. And the 7-foot-long granite countertop is perfect for spreading out textbooks. To hide clutter, the upper cabinets' glass fronts are frosted and supplies are stashed in boxes and baskets. With eight electrical outlets, a telephone jack, and a cable port for high-speed Internet access all located above the counter, powering up electronics is easy.

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Side-by-Side Seating

Gabrielle Kessler for Folio Photography

Kitchen designer Elsa Kessler devised this dual workstation for a New York City mom who wanted a space she could share with her 12-year-old son. Key features include outlets for two computers, a cordless phone, and
a printer; undercabinet xenon lighting; and a dividing
column of drawers to stow craft and office supplies.

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The Handsome Assistant

Courtesy of Billota Kitchens

Use finish details to make a desk look like heirloom furniture. New York City kitchen designer Rita Luisa Garces was inspired by an Arts and Crafts-style hutch, creating an office that's as good-looking as it is functional. The hutch, constructed of rift-sawn white oak using dowel joinery, was custom-made by Rutt Handcrafted Cabinetry, which also built the kitchen cabinets. It rests on wooden feet rather than a recessed toekick and shows off ornamental beadboard and recessed paneling along its back surface. Decorative brackets adorn either side of a mail sorting station and small drawers for storing stationery. The deep desk drawer on the right side holds hanging files, while a smaller one above it stows pens and pencils. The desk cabinet hides a hard drive or wireless modem.