Western Living Magazine
Trade Secrets: This Dark Powder Room Has a Practical Side
8 Ways to Add a Cheerful Pop of Yellow to Your Space
This Modern Cedar Cabin Near Victoria Is an Anti-Office in the Woods
Say Cheese: Inside Whistler’s Tiny, ’80s-Inspired Cheese Shop
The Best Al Fresco Winery Restaurants in the Okanagan for Summer
Recipe: Dry-Aged Duck Breast with Beet Pavé, Rainbow Chard and Blackberry Jus
The Best Okanagan Wineries for Architecture Lovers
Inside the $100-Million Reinvention of Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
This Remote Texada Island Retreat Has Tiny Homes, Treehouses and a Forest Spa
In Living Colour: 8 Striped Home Finds for Summer
The Unsettling Wallpaper in A24’s ‘Backrooms’ Has a Very Vancouver Backstory
New in Stores: 11 Home Decor Finds We Love Right Now
Photos: Western Living Designers of the Year Finalists Reveal Party 2026
The 2026 Western Living People’s Choice Awards: Voting Is Now Open
Announcing the Finalists for the 2026 Western Living Designers of the Year Awards
Smartly designed desks to help you build a home office without sacrificing space.
Moving is supposed to be one of the most stressful experiences in a person’s life, but as I count down the days until I get access to my new space (one month to go!), I’m focusing less on the hassles of booking movers and sourcing boxes and figuring out how exactly to sneak out of the apartment without paying strata the move-out fee, and more on the opportunity that awaits to redecorate.Specifically, I’m daydreaming about a fresh home office setup. A new floor plan means my current desk—a long, slim table that fits perfectly under our bedroom window now—just won’t work with the wall angles and closet-placement of the new place…so I’ve got a perfect excuse to shop for an alternative. On the hunt for a compact desk that can work tucked into a living room nook, I’ve uncovered some serious gems. Now, my biggest stress is actually figuring out which one to choose.
The Sergio desk ($299) from Structube features angled mid-century-modern-inspired legs, a single drawer and a fresh white tabletop that’s deep enough to accommodate a keyboard but shallow enough (less than 24 inches) to leave some breathing room. structube.com
In a small space, visual flow is everything—which is why acrylic and glass pieces are great additions, adding function without any visual weight. This Peekaboo acrylic console from Cb2 ($899) would create an unobtrusive workspace with a contemporary edge. cb2.com
The Stockholm desk (because there are so many customization options, price is available on request only) from Resource Furniture mounts directly onto the wall. Float on. resourcefurniture.com
The vibrant orange finish isn’t for everyone, but if you don’t mind a hit of colour, Ikea’s PS 2014 Secretary desk ($249) is a dream; when you’re done with your emails for the day, just fold up the door to tuck your computer out of sight. ikea.ca
The marble top and teak finish make the West Elm Penelope Mini desk ($420) both on-trend and timeless, but it’s the compact shape (which still manages to fit a deep drawer) that makes this one a perfect fit for the modern condo. westelm.com
Stacey is a senior editor at Western Living magazine, as well as editor-in-chief of sister publication Vancouver magazine. She loves window shopping on the job: send your home accessories and furniture recommendations over to [email protected]
Are you over 18 years of age?
Get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox 3 times a week.