We Tested (and Rated!) All the Desks at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
As far as furnishing your home goes, a desk might initially seem low on the priority list, especially when you consider your need for a sofa, bed frame, or dining table. But really, it’s one of those pieces you don’t realize the importance of until you find the right one. This is especially true if you live in a small apartment. A desk can quickly become your dining table, vanity, and reading corner, all rolled into one. It has the potential to be far more than just a spot that you work from.
That said, investing in the right model is easier said than done, especially when you can’t see it in person. Luckily, you have our Personal Shopper series at your service. In this series, we visit the brick-and-mortar stores of your favorite home retailers, including West Elm, Design Within Reach, Ashley, and others to test the furniture and decor. After our visit, we provide a detailed breakdown of which rug, dresser, or coffee table is best for your space.
During our most recent visit, we went back to one of the retailers that started it all: Pottery Barn. We were impressed with the variety in size, aesthetic, and functionality we saw on display. All six models we viewed are listed below, and we can confidently say there’s something for everyone on our list.
Why Pottery Barn?
As one of the best home retailers across the country, Pottery Barn is a reliable brand that stays on top of trends, ahead of production and shipping delays, and true to its Americana roots. Beyond this, Pottery Barn has a Design Crew, a team of interior design experts across the country, to help with all things planning, logistics, and aesthetics. Not only can you take your pick from virtual, storefront, or in-home meetings with crew members, but they will also listen to your every desire when it comes to your dream space — whether it is one room or your entire home — and develop custom renderings. Oh, and they’ll do it for free. Yep, free! No need to purchase anything, either (though, yes, we can pretty much guarantee you’re going to want to).
The Desks
Most Versatile: Dillon Desk
Best Statement Maker: Pismo Console Desk
Best for Small Spaces: Cayman Swivel Desk
Best for Dedicated Home Offices: Livingston Executive Desk
Best Industrial Style: Thorndale Desk
Best with Built-In Storage: Malcolm Executive Desk
The Criteria
We judged every Pottery Barn desk we found in-store based on the following five criteria, giving each category an average rating between 1 and 5. These scores helped us determine whom the desk suits best, from the space-conscious studio dweller to the remote nine-to-fiver.
Appearance: What style of decor does the desk cater to? Does its design lean warm and traditional or sleek and modern? Is it classic with a wooden finish or contemporary with clean lines and a mixed-material construction?
Storage Capacity: Does the desk have drawers? If so, how many, and how big are they? Does it have shelves or extra storage?
Space Requirements: How much space does the desk take up? Does it require a lot of horizontal floor space, or is it relatively compact? Is its surface expansive or narrow?
Surface Area: How big is the desktop? Does it offer enough space to work, store supplies, and even display some decor? Or is there just enough for your laptop and a coffee?
Durability: Does it stain or scuff easily? Is it made from fragile materials? Do you have to use coasters? Would it age well with regular use?
Every Editor-Tested Desk at Pottery Barn
Most Versatile: Dillon Desk
Dillon 36" Writing Desk with Drawer
What impressed us: The no-frills design and all-white finish.
The Dillon desk is sure to become your new favorite spot for, well, everything. It provides just enough surface area for your laptop and a few personal items, but its simple design also makes it a great option for a vanity or even a console table for the front entryway. It was made with small spaces in mind, though it does take up a good chunk of floor space widthwise. But the Dillon makes up for this with the fact that it’s not that deep. We also love that it doesn’t have any beams running under its surface, which adds to its sleek appearance. For storage, you get two short but wide drawers that can fit all of the essentials, be that notepads and pens, makeup and skincare, or your keys and other items that could use a secure spot.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
Poplar, plywood, fiberboard, and oak veneers
Available in one wooden finish
Also available in rotating desk, console desk, and peninsula desk styles
Best Statement Maker: Pismo Console Desk
Pismo Reclaimed Wood Console Desk
What impressed us: The grand silhouette and rustic gray wood.
The Pismo is the same as the Dillon in its design, but we would classify it as too large for most apartments. Pottery Barn’s store manager told us that clients who live in the suburbs or own homes in the Hamptons usually use this piece as a general media or console table. If you do have the space for it, the Pismo would look right at home in just about any room. Use it to store table linens and hold serveware in the dining room or to display decor behind the sofa. If you do actually use it as a desk, you might need an extra filing cabinet or two, as this model only boasts two slim drawers (although they are very wide). That said, what the desk lacks in built-in storage, it makes up for in ample surface space — suffice it to say that you’ll never run out of spots for your digital devices, snacks, beverages, and other personal items when working at this desk.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
Reclaimed pine wood
Available in two wooden finishes
Best for Small Spaces: Cayman Swivel Desk
Cayman L-Shape Rotating Desk
What impressed us: The expandable surface and smooth texture.
By far the coolest desk we saw in-store was the Cayman desk, for obvious reasons. We’ve never seen anything quite like its rotating top, which is much easier to swivel out than you might think. The surface may look weighty, but one person can easily pull it outward to create an L-shaped form and increase the size of the workspace. The desk is incredibly compact when not expanded, which is why we deemed it the best option for small spaces. But even if you don’t have a dedicated home office, it’s still nice to have the option of a larger tabletop, especially if you plan on eventually moving into a bigger apartment. Also of note is the Cayman’s smooth mango construction, which is almost velvety soft to the touch (coasters are a must). Of course, it goes without saying that this unique model is sure to become the topic of conversation anytime a visitor sees it.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
Solid mango wood
Available in two wooden finishes
Also available in 72” executive desk, 108” executive desk, and wall desk styles
Best for Dedicated Home Offices: Livingston Executive Desk
Livingston Executive Desk
What impressed us: The crown molding and endless storage.
“Executive” could not be more fitting a descriptor for the stately Livingston desk, which looks important in all the best ways. Even though it was tucked away in a corner of the store, there was no ignoring its hefty silhouette and traditional details. This piece would definitely require a room of its own, which it would anchor with ease. For all that real estate, you get three slim drawers on top, two medium drawers on the sides, and two large file drawers at the bottom. The desk’s surface is also large enough for both work supplies and decorative objects, so you can dress up the Livingston to make it stand out even more. We were also drawn to the desk’s classic molding, pewter hardware, and fluted touches, which make it look like a lucky antique find. It also boasts Pottery Barn’s signature gray wooden finish, albeit in a darker tone.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
Kiln-dried solid meranti wood and veneers
Available in five wooden finishes
Also available in other desk styles
Best Industrial Style: Thorndale Desk
Thorndale Desk
What impressed us: The mixed materials and ample leg room.
At once modern and industrial, the Thorndale desk is as practical as desks come, so long as you have an additional bookshelf or cabinet for storage. It sports two slim drawers, and its surface is adequately large. The desk’s steel base makes it virtually indestructible while also giving the desk that modern mixed-material appeal that helps it stand out among other models we viewed. The drawers also feature wide steel pulls, so you don’t have to fumble with tricky knobs. When we sat at the desk, we appreciated the low beam running along the back of the base, which doubles as a convenient footrest. All you need is a comfy chair, and the Thorndale can also double as a prime lounging spot after work hours.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
Reclaimed pine wood and steel
Available in one wooden finish
Best with Built-In Storage: Malcolm Executive Desk
Malcolm Executive Desk
What impressed us: The spacious drawers and contrasting color scheme.
The Malcolm desk might not offer quite as much storage as the Livingston desk, but we enjoyed how easily accessible its drawers and cabinet were. Two drawers on one side glide open to hold tech accessories and important files, while a two-tiered cabinet on the other side can house anything from snacks to reading materials. You’ll also appreciate the Malcolm model’s antiqued metal base and hardware, which break up the otherwise all-wood construction. The black also contrasts nicely against the light wooden wash, helping the piece pop among other furnishings. The desk is at once warm, contemporary, and practical — a dynamite combination for the remote professional.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
Solid spruce wood, metal, spruce veneers, and fiberboard
Available in two wooden finishes
