5 Best Desk for Artists: 2018 Choices!

The drafting desk can transform the way one approaches their art. It can transform their work ethic, task management and workspace organization.

But how do you choose the best desk for artists without going through dozens of mediocre ones?

Don’t worry; we’ve got just the solution!

Here, we enlist some of the best offerings available on the market. We also outline why they might make for the biggest change you’ve made to your workspace.

We also have a buying guide to help you make the right addition to your studio.

5 Best Desks for Artists

1. Studio Designs 36 X 24-Inch Vintage Drafting Desk, Rustic Oak

Standout Features

Our Experience

The desk immediately impresses you with its ease of installation. It has by far the least work to install as compared to all the other desks reviewed. You might want to go in for the 42” model depending on the space you have, since more area means more flexibility.

The desk does not come with any storage compartments. From time to time, one might instinctively reach for spaces to keep stuff on. Also, the desk is heavy, but not as heavy as one would expect. As the title suggests, this is a drafting desk and hence geared for that purpose.

This can also double up as a standing desk, but only for people shorter than 5’7”. It is also suitable for occasional use to keep heavy items on owing to its solid oak construction.

All in all, we would say this is one of the best drafting table for artists. And needless to say, you will surely get your money’s worth.

Pros & Cons

2. Studio Designs Catalina Craft Desk in Pewter with Blue Glass

Standout Features

Our Experience

This desk has a perfect design for those inclined towards painting and the fine arts. People who paint with watercolors and oil paints, will be pleased with the metal edges to keep supplies on.

The height adjust-ability helps for whenever it is used in different situations. This is useful for when you want to stand and work.

For those looking at light desks, this is a good option. The glass is too narrow to hold a canvas (the thickness is around 1/4”). Also, we found ourselves reaching for storage spaces and cubbyholes. These weren’t present.

This desk is good for many purposes. One such case may be working on art on the glass pane and working on your laptop kept on the side pane.

Pros & Cons

3. Best Choice Products Drawing Drafting Craft Art Desk

Standout Features

Our Experience

It is useful for those looking for a homework desk or a sewing desk that doubles up as a full fledged art desk. It is sturdy enough to sustain most uses one can think of. It cannot double up as a standing desk for anybody but growing children. It can, however, be used as a drafting desk or an easel.

This desk is however, large enough to accommodate all of your possible needs. Further, the stool that comes with the desk is a useful and comfortable companion item. This desk is a joy to use, and caters to almost every need you can think of.

However, this does not come with a glass pane which many other competing desks have.

Now, it may not be our top pick, but, if you’re looking for a simple artist desk with storage, this should do the job fine.

Pros & Cons

4. ZENY Glass Top Adjustable Drawing Desk Craft Station

Standout Features

Our Experience

It is very sturdy, minimalist, and spacious. It comes with a unique system that makes sure your supplies stay in place while the top inclines. The flexibility and mobility are also unique. The wheels are useful when you want to move the desk across rooms.

It is not as simple to use and install as the rest. It comes with an Allen wrench and a regular wrench. You will need a Phillips head screwdriver which doesn’t ship with the desk. The instructions could have been clearer and more intuitive.

The materials are all classic and have stood the test of time. It can also be used as a laptop desk. The desk has an airy vibe to it which brings the feeling of space to any setting one might want to place it in.

Pros & Cons

5. Studio Designs Eclipse Craft Center

Standout Features

Our Experience

The instructions to set up the desk were fairly accurate and the desk does not take time to set up. The drawers are removable should you not need them. It is suitable for a variety of applications, from painting to drafting and architecture designing. It can also find use as a simple laptop desk from time to time.

The lower part is quite susceptible to hitting the shins, if one is not careful. The desk has a very modern and minimalist design , which comes in all-black or black-and-white. This contrasts well with bright rooms and lighting, yet goes well in darker settings.

All in all, this is one of the best drafting table for comic artists in the market. And if you happen to be one, you should surely check it out.

Pros & Cons

Complete Buyer’s Guide to Artist Desks

Deciding which artist table or painting desk to add to your studio is one of the biggest decisions you can take, as far as your art is concerned. Here, we present to you some of the factors which we think you should keep in mind before laying down the money on a desk.

1. What do I need the desk for?

An artist’s desk can have a variety of use cases, depending on your profession and your level of commitment to the art. Hobby artists generally do not need to go all the way for a professional desk.

As an example, the desk which is suitable for an architect is unlikely to serve an illustrator or an animator well. Further, you might want a multipurpose table with lots of storage as compared to a simpler drafting desk.

2. How much should I spend?

Budget is also an important factor. To that end, there are a variety of desks on the market to suit your exact requirements.

Be careful on going by price alone, since there are many desks which offer greater value than the others. They are often priced similarly as well. Keep in mind that more features on paper do not exactly equate to more comfort.

3. Where will I keep it?

The space that you have at hand along with the exact measurements of it are crucial to making the decision for buying a desk.

The intended aesthetic of your workspace will of course also have a major effect on the type of desk you intend to buy. If you want to go for a rustic vibe (and do not need a glass pane) you’ll want to look at wooden desks.

If you want your workspace to reflect lightness, you should look for metallic designs. Metallic designs do not compromise on sturdiness. A glass pane can also be used as a light table in some cases, so you might want to give glass paned tables a once over.

4. Do I need a standing desk?

Another factor that has a clear impact on the kind of desk you go in for, is the rise above the ground the desk has. It is completely dependent on whether you want to stand or sit or intend to do both at certain points in time.

Your height also plays an important role in making that decision. In any case, you should be aiming for complete comfort while working. Many people have bought the wrong table and later found out it wasn’t comfortable enough to work on.

5. Bringing it all together

There is a lot of variety among the desks, in number and in use. It is wise to keep all the factors mentioned above in mind. A few things that should be kept in mind regardless of any particular use are:

-> It should be sturdy and very reliable

-> It should be easy to install and work with

-> It should be meant for artists

Even if you do not have an exact idea of your requirements, you cannot go wrong with the choices presented above. They cover a variety of possible uses and designs, so go for the one which you connect with the most.

Wrapping it Up

Buying a desk doesn’t have to be a mind-boggling experience; one has to keep space and use in mind, along with the budget. Your artist’s desk should be your Zen space. Hence, spending some time in making a decision about the best artist desk can reap huge rewards.

Happy shopping!