Are Kitchen Desks Dead—or Just Evolving?

Many interior designers treat kitchen desks like rotary phones, a remnant of the past that has fallen out of fashion. Frankly, I think this view is short-sighted.

In many homes, a kitchen desk is still worth having, providing both utility and visual appeal. While I acknowledge that kitchen desks are not for everyone, they can be a meaningful addition to plenty of remodeled kitchens. Modern homes can often take advantage of reimagined kitchen desks that have compelling functionality and style.

In this post, I'll explain what kitchen desks are, discuss their potential benefits, and describe some of the ways that they are being redesigned to make them increasingly useful to you and your family.

What Is a Kitchen Desk?

Traditionally, a kitchen desk is a space in or immediately adjacent to the kitchen that includes a flat workspace and an open space for a chair. The desk surface is typically below counter height and has attached cabinets or drawers for storage space.

Today, the concept of a kitchen desk has expanded. The traditional design is still a great fit for many kitchens, but now some homeowners want desks that deviate from the classic style. For example, they may want the desk area at counter height. For seating, they may use a bar stool instead of a desk chair, or they may primarily use the desk while standing.

How Can a Kitchen Desk Be Useful?

We often think of desks as solely for writing, but they are incredibly versatile pieces of furniture. Kitchen desks, in particular, create a multi-use space that you can take advantage of in many ways.

• Extra workspace: If you don't have a home office, a kitchen desk can be a place to get work done. Even if you have an office, a kitchen desk can offer a distinct place for you and your family members to get things done without taking up space on the dining room table.

• Family togetherness: Having a kitchen desk means that no one has to be isolated while prepping meals. This can be especially useful for parents who can whip up dinner while still being able to give quick help to their kids who are doing homework at a kitchen desk.

• Organization and storage: It can be handy to have a place on your main floor to organize mail, papers, and other documents. A kitchen desk usually includes shelves, drawers, or cabinets for storage. You can enhance organization with dividers and cubbies.

• Auxiliary countertop space: If you're entertaining or hosting Thanksgiving dinner, a kitchen desk can provide extra counter space for things like drinks and appetizers.

• Safe spot for technology: On a kitchen desk, electronics can be accessible but safe from splatters and spills. Phones, tablets, voice-activated smart home devices, TVs, or monitors can all be kept and charged on a kitchen desk.

In many cases, a kitchen desk fits perfectly into a small niche, corner, or other irregular space with just enough room. In this way, it can contribute to space optimization, especially given its ability to be used in multiple ways.

Reimagining the Kitchen Desk Space

As I mentioned before, kitchen desks are being reimagined for a broad range of uses, making them far more versatile than most interior designers would have you think.

In the following sections, I'll give just a few ideas for how you can create a non-traditional kitchen desk that is adapted to your needs.

Electronics Command Center and Charging Station

Most of us use multiple different devices every day, and we need to keep them charged and organized. With built-in USB ports or wireless charging pads, a kitchen desk can be a convenient place for charging phones and other electronics. You can also put a TV or desktop computer monitor on a swivel so that you can watch sports or Netflix while cooking.

With this type of desk, you may not need a chair. In fact, some people prefer that this type of charging station be at counter height for easier access and better viewing angles.

Kitchen Island Desk Seating

More and more homeowners are using a remodel to add a kitchen island, and we've found that an island can double as a place to put a kitchen desk.

In this design, you can have one or more chairs at counter height, although it is possible to install a lower-height desk surface adjacent to the island. Although less useful for storage and organization, this type of desk space can be great for doing work or homework, and it doubles as a place to sit down for a quick snack.

Integrated Fridge

The traditional kitchen desk has a knee hole to put a chair, but an alternative is to use that space for a smart fridge or beverage fridge. You can still use the countertop as a standing desk and the surrounding drawers for extra storage. This variation on the kitchen desk works especially well when trying to optimize space in your kitchen.

Tiny Desk

Your kitchen desk can be small and compact, and, depending on the orientation of your kitchen, it can even be tucked around a corner and hidden from sight.

With a tiny desk, you typically have less built-in storage, so you may want to consider putting floating shelves up on the wall.

Coffee Bar

One practical variation of the kitchen desk is to use it as a space for a coffee bar (or even a dry bar for making cocktails).

By moving the coffee station out of the center of your kitchen, you can reduce traffic jams in the morning when everyone is trying to get ready and out the door. If you want to be able to work at the coffee bar, you can simply leave a space to pull up a high-top chair.

Countertop Carve-Outs

Although not ideal for doing work, countertop carve-outs can perform some functions of a classic kitchen desk. They can make the most of irregular spaces, giving you extra counter space, a landing zone for keys, mail, and other items, or a handy spot to put small appliances.

When to Leave a Kitchen Desk Out of Your Design Plans

While I'm a fan of kitchen desks, I recognize that they're not ideal for every kitchen or homeowner.

• You have limited kitchen space: In a smaller kitchen, putting in a desk may mean giving up something else that's important to you. You also don't want a desk if it crowds the cook's "work triangle," which is made up of the fridge, stove, and sink.

• You struggle with organization: Kitchen desks work best for people who can effectively stay organized. Otherwise, the desk becomes a clutter magnet, buried under office supplies, mail, bills, grocery lists, recipes, and all the other stuff that accumulates in day-to-day life.

• Other spaces already meet your needs: If you prefer to work in a home office or already have a breakfast nook or other supplemental work area, you may not get as much value from having a desk in your kitchen.

Designing Your Kitchen Remodel

Every kitchen remodel starts by defining your needs and preferences, which allows you to envision what you can achieve with a renovation. Through this process, you can determine whether specific design elements, such as a kitchen desk, are right for your home.

As a remodeling firm with more than 25 years in business, we have an established track record of successfully guiding homeowners through the design and construction of projects of all sizes. Our process is built upon communication, collaboration, and a dedication to helping our clients see their dreams become reality.

We specialize in high-end remodels, serving the greater Chicago area and southern Wisconsin. If you're looking for a trusted partner for your kitchen remodeling project, we'd welcome the opportunity to prepare a proposal. You can see examples of our work in our portfolio or request an appointment directly on our website.