How To Choose A Kids’ Desk That’s Both Fun And Practical

Decorating with kids in mind is no easy task. As an adult, you have to focus on functionality, durability, cost and other things that kids find boring and at the same time to try to see things from a kid’s perspective as well and to remember that the furniture you put in their room also has to be fun and to look interesting and cute. A kids’ desk, for example, is not just a regular that’s slightly smaller. A lot of thought goes in its design and you have to know how to find the perfect one for your kid.

Finding the right desk is all about making the right decisions. First of all, size matters. You might be tempted to just get a regular desk designed for adults but that would be a mistake for several reasons. A child’s desk needs to be small in order to be comfortable. This helps improve concentration and it also makes the child feel special. Also, regular desks are boring and no kid wants that. You might think that kids grow fast and there’s no point to get them a small desk. If you want to plan ahead you can solve this with a height-adjustable desk or with an extendable design.

Some themes are classic when it comes to decorating children's rooms.
Some themes are classic when it comes to decorating children’s rooms. This is a pirate-themed space
The desk is shaped like a great shark that appears to take a bite out of the top like it were a surfboard
The desk is shaped like a great shark that appears to take a bite out of the top like it were a surfboard
Girls usually prefer themes that are more delicate and feminine, with decorative carvings and details
Girls usually prefer themes that are more delicate and feminine, with decorative carvings and details
A classic writing desk with a decorative golden rim and soft and delicate curves fits perfectly in a girl's room
A classic writing desk with a decorative golden rim and soft and delicate curves fits perfectly in a girl’s room
A space-themed room decor can be pretty inspiring as well as fun for the kids
A space-themed room decor can be pretty inspiring as well as fun for the kids
The desk looks like apart of a pilot's console and adds a fun touch to the room
The desk looks like apart of a pilot’s console and adds a fun touch to the room

You should also plan ahead for storage. As kids grow, so does the amount of homework they receive and the amount of books and school supplies they require. All of these have to be stored somewhere so it would be useful to choose a desk that has more than one drawer or to make sure that there’s room for more shelves or a storage cabinet in the room.

For kids that love music, choosing a theme is extremely easy. Just think of guitars and musical notes
For kids that love music, choosing a theme is extremely easy. Just think of guitars and musical notes

Speaking of rooms, the placement of the desk is important too. We’re not just talking about the actual room where the desk stands but also about the area it occupies in that space, whether it’s a teenage girl’s room or a toddler’s bedroom. A small desk for bedroom areas can sit by the bed, can be a part of a loft bed construction or can be positioned in front of the window to take advantage of the natural light. With kids, we’re usually talking about bedroom desks since they don’t have a separate home office.

Not every kid's room is defined by a specific theme. Something abstract can suit the space just as good
Not every kid’s room is defined by a specific theme. Something abstract can suit the space just as good
You can simply focus on a decor that looks and feels trendy and modern and offers flexibility
You can simply focus on a decor that looks and feels trendy and modern and offers flexibility
Geometric designs are usually great for that because they're both practical and visually-engaging
Geometric designs are usually great for that because they’re both practical and visually-engaging
Always look for ways to customize a kid's room. For example, decorate the desk wall with decals
Always look for ways to customize a kid’s room. For example, decorate the desk wall with decals
It's ok for the desk to be simple as long as it's not completely boring and too formal-looking
It’s ok for the desk to be simple as long as it’s not completely boring and too formal-looking
For practical reasons, the desk can be a fold-down structure built into the wall unit
For practical reasons, the desk can be a fold-down structure built into the wall unit
Another idea can be to make the desk look like a slightly larger shelf, part of a bookcase
Another idea can be to make the desk look like a slightly larger shelf, part of a bookcase
Bold colors and fun shapes can play a key role in making a desk look appealing for kids
Bold colors and fun shapes can play a key role in making a desk look appealing for kids
When space is limited, look for ways to combine functions to avoid making the room feel cluttered
When space is limited, look for ways to combine functions to avoid making the room feel cluttered
For example, a desk can double as a bookcase or as a storage module as well as a divider
For example, a desk can double as a bookcase or as a storage module as well as a divider
The desk can be small and simple as long as you can offer storage in another way
The desk can be small and simple as long as you can offer storage in another way
Although very simple, this is actually a practical student desk for bedroom spaces
Although very simple, this is actually a practical student desk for bedroom spaces

Another thing to take into consideration is the function or use of the desk. This can help you decide which type of desk you should get. For example, a kids’ computer desk can be an option if you plan on letting the kids use a computer anyway. However, if you’d rather prevent distractions, you could opt for a simple writing desk instead. If the kids like to draw or to express their artistic side, a drafting table might be more suitable. You can also choose a modular desk or a custom-built one in case you have a special design in mind.

It can be useful to match the desk to other elements in the room just to create a more comfortable environment
It can be useful to match the desk to other elements in the room just to create a more comfortable environment
The little details can really transform a room, like this casual light fixture hanging above the desk
The little details can really transform a room, like this casual light fixture hanging above the desk
Storage is important so make sure there's enough room for all the notebooks and school supplies
Storage is important so make sure there’s enough room for all the notebooks and school supplies
Lighting is important so make sure the desk is either close to a window or has a lamp
Lighting is important so make sure the desk is either close to a window or has a lamp
You can add storage to a desk in the form of a bookcase which can double as a space divider
You can add storage to a desk in the form of a bookcase which can double as a space divider
It can be practical and convenient to either buy or order a whole furniture set instead of combining individual pieces
It can be practical and convenient to either buy or order a whole furniture set instead of combining individual pieces
A desk placed at the foot of the bed can make the room look cozy and can also be space-efficient
A desk placed at the foot of the bed can make the room look cozy and can also be space-efficient
If space is limited, a desk can double as a nightstand if placed by the bed
If space is limited, a desk can double as a nightstand if placed by the bed
A kid's desk doesn't have to be small. It has to be comfortable and that can mean a lot of things
A kid’s desk doesn’t have to be small. It has to be comfortable and that can mean a lot of things
This desk is a seamless part of the shelving unit. The other shelves and compartments offer storage
This desk is a seamless part of the shelving unit. The other shelves and compartments offer storage
Instead of having drawers or selves underneath the top, this desk has a special storage area at the top
Instead of having drawers or selves underneath the top, this desk has a special storage area at the top
A touch of color is often what a room needs in order to look complete and well-balanced
A touch of color is often what a room needs in order to look complete and well-balanced
This desk looks like an extension of a wall-mounted storage module
This desk looks like an extension of a wall-mounted storage module
The option to hide the desk behind a folding panel can be helpful to separate the work and play functions
The option to hide the desk behind a folding panel can be helpful to separate the work and play functions
The desk can be as simple as a wall-mounted panel, a lot like this one
The desk can be as simple as a wall-mounted panel, a lot like this one
The colored modules and legs establish a strong connection between the desk and the wall unit
The colored modules and legs establish a strong connection between the desk and the wall unit
It's important for a desk to look good but also to be strong and sturdy, especially when kids use it
It’s important for a desk to look good but also to be strong and sturdy, especially when kids use it

It can be useful to make a list of features that you want the desk to include. As a general rule, a kids’ desk needs to be strong and sturdy but also easy to manipulate safely. It also usually needs to include drawers but also shelves for displaying things on. It has to be practical and, ideally, to also have a transitional or adjustable design which allows it to adapt to the changing needs of its growing user. There’s also another detail, equally important: a child’s desk has to be fun! Desks are usually correlated with the idea of homework and a fun design can help make it more appealing and enjoyable.