Best Art Desks & Drafting Tables For Artists

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Every artist needs a great desk to get their work washed. And the best fine art desk-bound for any age is the Studio Designs Comet Center. This comes with a free stool and a side attachment for storage.

At that place are tons of desks to consider and they each accept their pros & cons. Only ultimately I feel that the Comet Center desk-bound is clean, piece of cake to assemble, and sturdy enough to work with any type of drafting or drawing.

Not to mention this desk has a corking stool and can piece of work with whatsoever like seating like an office chair.

Merely this is just my stance subsequently looking over different choices for art desks(and in that location are many!)

In this guide I'll cover the various art & drafting tables yous can get, the diverse utilities of an fine art desk, what to look for, and how to brand sure you get the right one for your needs.

Fine art Desk Buyer's Guide

Before looking into any desk-bound you'll demand to know a few things:

Where will the desk-bound be placed?
How much infinite do you have?
What sort of end would lucifer the room?
Practice you lot have a chair or demand to purchase ane?

The spatial dimensions are the about important because you lot don't want to buy a desk that doesn't fit. Each desk also has a dissimilar rise off the ground, and so you'll desire to measure how loftier you want the surface to exist.

I recommend using a ruler or tape measure to accept estimates(not verbal numbers). This way yous can piece of work within a range of values to selection a desk that fits within that range.

Then you lot might want a desk that's at to the lowest degree 3ft long only no longer than 4ft. Or you might only desire a desk-bound that sticks out 2ft from the wall(or less).

These measurements are crucial because it'south easy to misrepresent a desk based on a photo.

Too consider how much room you'll need for storage & supplies. Do you already accept drawers for your art supplies? Or exercise you want desk-bound drawers?

Yous may not know exactly what y'all want, but you lot should at least have an idea. This crude idea includes general size of the desk, the material, and price range.

With this information you can whittle down your choices to your 2-3 favorites which makes picking an art desk so much easier.

Picking The Right One

Artist & drafting desks serve a diverseness of careers including architects, engineers, animators, illustrators, and many similar types of artists.

But the purpose of the desk volition change based on the kind of work you do. For example, an architect would benefit more than from a desk with a articulate pinnacle that can be backlit. This doubles as a drafting table and a lightbox.

The clear tabletop design might also do good artists—merely not all of them.

First consider why you're getting an art desk and what it's for. Will you keep this at home for yourself? For your kids? Is this for daily apply? Or will it be used as a dual art+function desk? Do yous demand extra storage for fine art supplies?

Y'all might autumn into many of these categories so you'll need to detect a desk that fills all your criteria.

Just in that location are some mutual things that all the desks in this guide have in mutual. They're all:

Sturdy
Affordable
Designed for art

The differences in size, materials, and features volition be the defining factors in your decision.

So permit'due south get into these desks! I'll start with my top choice and move through some other notable choices that work well for individual preferences.

Studio Designs Comet Center

If at that place's any company that knows drafting tables it's Studio Designs. They exercise such dandy quality piece of work in a variety of styles, sizes, and materials.

And I remember their Comet Center model is the #1 all-time drawing desk/drafting tabular array. It uses a very modernistic design with heavy steel construction. It comes with an attached side table with cubby storage and a custom stool.

Total measurements:

Width: 50″ wide(four.ii ft)
Length: 24″ deep(2 ft)
Peak: 30″-40″ height(based on tilt)

It'll stick out virtually 2ft from the wall but you have to consider the stool/chair as well. In total I'd say you lot need about 3-3½ feet of space from the wall.

The desk-bound expanse tin be angled up to a max 15° tilt. This is perfect for drafting, sketching, storyboarding, or pretty much any artistic work. Plus it comes with a detachable 2-human foot pencil ledge to go along your pencil & paper stock-still on the desk-bound even when tilted.

Notation the storage cubbies aren't detachable so this desk will have a width of about 4 feet total. Make sure you lot have the space.

For the height you'll get different measurements based on the tilt of the surface. But at the max tilt it measures twoscore″ from bottom to summit, so a max of 3½ feet tall.

The drawers themselves are squares measuring just under xiii″. This means you tin fit a ruler and like supplies, only anything longer than 12″ volition be a tight squeeze. The drawers are fabricated of cloth with a cardboard base of operations so they're not the strongest in the world.

But they're perfect for art supplies like pencils, rulers, paper, sketchbooks, or whatsoever.

You lot'll find a spacious cartoon surface area measuring about 36″ broad(3ft) by 24″ tall(2ft). The ruler edge measures nigh 2ft centered on the drawing space. For cloth it seems to be made of particle board or plywood covered in a vinyl terminate.

This is non the best woodworking but it's as well a very affordable desk for the cost. And actually you're simply drawing on it so this doesn't demand to be reinforced for heavy mechanism.

All-in-all this is one of the all-time drafting desks you can get. The height shouldn't be a problem whether information technology's used by a 6′ developed or a 3′ kid. And it works well with an adaptable computer chair and then y'all don't even need to use the stool.

Lesser Line: If you like this pattern and like the cloth drawers then you'll love this desk.

Martin Ashley Art-Hobby Table

If you need a unproblematic solution with a variable height & variable tilt then this desk-bound is for yous. The Martin Ashley Art-Hobby Table is reasonably priced with a good pattern and solid base.

With this table you can enhance and lower the total height from the legs. But it too supports a large angle from totally flat up to a 45° tilt.

Total measurements:

Width: 39″ broad(three⅓ ft)
Length: 25″ deep(2 ft)
Height: 26″-36″ height(based on tilt)

The adjustable superlative is amazing for such a unproblematic model. You tin buy this desk-bound for kids, teenagers, or even super tall adults. It's as well pretty small being just over 3 feet wide.

You lot'll go a few cubbies and a small rack holder to shop books, sketch pads, art supplies… whatsoever you want. And this comes with a pencil trough attached to the ledge of the cartoon lath so y'all tin can go on pencils nearby.

However this does not have a raised lip to go along newspaper from sliding off. This ways you'll need large board clips or alligator clips to keep the paper stationary if you're drawing at a tilt.

On the negative side, I will say the drawers are pretty cheap. They're only modest plastic cubbies so don't expect much storage infinite from this little extra.

And the melamine-coated drawing surface can experience a flake "inexpensive" if you've never used this material before. Simply it does feel sturdy and there's no concern of this unit toppling over.

For the price you get an adjustable desk-bound with an optional 45° tilt and a bonus stool. However a big reason why this isn't the #one selection is because there's no way to continue paper from sliding off at a tilt. Construction is great and the size is smaller than most desks in this list.

Bottom Line: If y'all're OK working effectually the depression edges then y'all'll similar this table. Especially if you want something with adjustable legs.

Futura Avant-garde Drafting Table

Hither's another one from the folks at Studio Designs and I take to say this drafting table is fantastic. If you need a see-through lightbox drafting tabular array and so the Futura Advanced Drafting Table is certain to delight.

This specific unit of measurement comes with a collapsable side desk-bound area to shop trinkets, supplies, food/drinks, whatever. I think the extra shelf is handy and information technology can exist complanate to save space when yous don't need it.

But if you don't like the side shelf then y'all can get this same Futura drafting table sans-shelving.

For this review I'm focusing on the Futura tabular array with the shelf because it'southward about the same price with such a useful improver.

Total measurements:

Width: 43″ wide(three½ ft)
Length: 24″ deep(2 ft)
Summit: 32″ meridian

The tabular array's legs are extremely sturdy and very well designed. The base of operations uses extruded aluminum with plastic caps to go along the table sturdy on carpet or wood paneling.

The unabridged cartoon surface measures nigh 38″ and information technology has reinforced blueish safety glass(called tempered drinking glass) that can hold upwards of 50-70lbs. That means you tin can use the Futura tabular array as a real desk-bound besides! And it'southward easy to customize.

You lot can move the collapsible shelf and the cubby to either side, or only leave them out entirely.

And you can tilt upward the drawing surface with a max 35° tilt.

On either side of the drawing space you'll observe plastic holders for pencils, rulers, t-squares, or any like supplies. Plus the bottom of the drawing surface has a raised lip to keep papers secured while working at a tilt.

This really is a professional'southward workstation and it's beautifully crafted. However because of the glass surface I don't think everyone volition like this. It's best used by artists, architects, or anyone who needs that clear surface with plenty of infinite.

Also this unit does not come with a stool or chair. Granted this is pretty standard for any desk-bound you lot purchase. However since other options do come with a stool I find them a bit improve every bit "generalist" art desks.

Lesser Line: This desk is amazing. Seriously, if y'all like the design and have the money so you will be very happy with the Futura drafting table.

Studio Designs 10057 Futura Belfry

You may discover this desk borrows design ideas from the original Futura desk. Nevertheless this model works similar an function desk + an art desk-bound rolled into one.

The Studio Designs 10057 Futura Belfry has the same extruded aluminum base of operations and reinforced glass drawing surface. Just this design is a lot taller with a height shelf, corkboard, and a few extra supply holders for bigger office supplies(staplers, scissors, etc).

Total measurements:

Width: 54″ wide(~4.3 ft)
Length: thirty″ deep(2.5 ft)
Superlative: 58″ height(nearly v feet)
28″ height from floor to sliding drawer(to get your knees underneath)

Yeah this is a very tall desk-bound, and aye you can leave the corkboard aside and not attach it. Merely if you want that y'all can save coin with the simpler Futura model instead.

The working surface measures 33″ wide x 21″ deep and it does experience spacious. You might need to use an office chair that can sink low because the working area doesn't come too high off the basis.

Y'all can tilt up the drawing surface for a max of 35°. This raises the height of the drawing area by virtually 1 foot, merely the corkboard doesn't go in the way. If you go along heavy items in the plastic holders they might spill out though, so be careful what your store in in that location!

And the drawing surface comes with a pencil ledge for your newspaper/pencil when drawing at an angle. This ledge can be removed if you lot desire to use it flat like a desk.

If yous want to keep anything on the very top shelf but make sure the desk is level. It'due south not wobbly or unstable but if placed on uneven carpeting or bubbles in wood information technology can experience off-kilter.

Downsides: foreign meridian, can have a while to get used to.

It does feel sturdy just it besides takes up a skillful corporeality of space. The desk itself sticks out ~2.5 feet from the wall, and with a chair + the sliding drawer underneath it can feel much larger.

Bottom Line: If you lot have plenty space and like the design and so I say selection this upwards. But if y'all want something a flake simpler(or smaller) so the Studio Designs 10050 is a meliorate culling.

Sauder Maple Reckoner Desk

I have to throw in one standard desk for skillful measure. I know in that location are plenty of artists who want a desk that likewise functions similar a domicile office.

And this is exactly what you become with the Sauder Maple Computer Desk. The woodwork is impeccable and it has enough of storage drawers for paper, art supplies, ink, or whatsoever art/function related materials.

Y'all'll notice a sliding keyboard tray underneath that tin hold paper or fine art supplies. And the back/side of the desk-bound includes grommet holes to feed wires if you want a computer there too.

Total measurements:

Width: 60″ wide(5 ft)
Length: 24″ deep(2 ft)
Height: 29″ high(two.5 anxiety)

This is one of the widest desks in this whole list. A whopping five feet wide ways you lot need to brand sure you've got room earlier buying.

All the other measurements are surprisingly small with only 2ft from the wall and nether 3ft from the ground to the pinnacle. The terminate looks peachy and offers a variety of storage options for newspaper, hanging folders, art supplies, or a desktop computer tower(the tall drawer on the left).

It is a very heavy unit totaling well over 120lbs. Assembling this desk isn't likewise hard simply you will not want to move it effectually very much.

So why is this in the list if it's not a drafting table?

I want to nowadays all the possible options and permit you decide what's best. I think some artists will want a single desk-bound for art, paper piece of work, and computer time. This Sauder desk is the best choice for that because it's wide enough and deep plenty to hold a monitor & offer room for drawing.

Bottom Line: Fantabulous all-in-ane desk-bound if you're OK with a flat surface and no tilt. Certainly not a drafting table, simply a good choice for an artist who wants a long-term desk that'll concluding for a decade(or more) with versatility.

Coaster Artist Drafting Table

If you desire a real simple drafting tabular array with a clear display then the Coaster Artist can be a perfect fit. I certainly similar the stylish design. Information technology reminds me of a retro-modern 50s era abode.

You'll discover this design is very similar to the Studio Designs drafting table mentioned earlier. Merely this one is a fleck taller and smaller(width-wise).

Total measurements:

Width: 41″ wide(3.5 ft)
Length: 24″ deep(ii ft)
Pinnacle: 32″ high(2.6 anxiety)

The actual working area measures 36″, or just about 3 feet. This should be plenty of space to setup anything from a sketchpad to a drafting sheet. It uses tempered glass for the surface which feels incredibly secure.

Looking at the table you lot wouldn't imagine it could concur much. But the manual suggests a max of 100lbs when laying flat. And the working expanse tin tilt upwards of 50°-lx° in total! That's a lot of space if y'all adopt to work at an angle.

And the extra loving cup holders are detachable so you tin can remove them if you need an even smaller table.

Drafters may detect it tough to utilise a t-square when the plastic cup holders are attached. I suggest removing them if you use a t-square oftentimes.

The legs are fabricated of tubed steel with screw-on plastic bottoms. These bottoms tin be adjusted to handle uneven floors and it'due south made to be wobble-free.

I have to say Coaster did an excellent job with this desk-bound. It feels similar an artist's workstation and the design is non flimsy in the least.

Bottom Line: This desk is small merely sturdy. If you need a large angled tilt and then this Coaster Artist drafting table tin can do wonders for your workflow.

Dorel Living Drafting and Craft

Simple, sweetness, and straight to business organisation. That'south how I'd describe the espresso Dorel Living Drafting and Craft Table.

This pattern is cute and it'due south ane of the taller desks in this listing. Information technology too has some of the sturdiest storage infinite you lot can get for a drafting table.

Total measurements:

Width: 48″ wide(iv ft)
Length: 21″ deep(i.75 ft)
Height: 36″ high(3 feet)

I'm surprised how picayune this table feels. Information technology barely sticks out from the wall at all, measuring most 20 inches from the wall which is under two feet. But with a desk chair/stool it tin can land simply over 2 anxiety.

The bodily drawing surface measures 32″ wide by the same 21″ depth. This is merely about 3 anxiety past one.5 feet, definitely a smaller working area than most. It does come with a raised edge to continue your papers stock-still while tilting. However that edge is non removable so make sure you desire it!

Past default the working area only has ii settings: flat or 45°. This is a allow down since many of the Studio Designs desks have 5 or six different settings for tilts.

Working on the desk you lot'll realize it'southward just pressed wood and certainly not a high-stop design. Just it is affordable and it's clearly made for artists.

The storage areas feel spacious enough to keep everything yous need. I personally don't like the "open" shelving and I'd prefer actual drawers. But the shelving does measure out fine.

The top shelf measures nigh 4.75 inches loftier. The bottom shelves are taller measuring about 6.5 inches of infinite. And all the shelves + drawers accept the aforementioned spacial dimensions of eleven″ wide by 16.5″ deep.

Sturdy, cheap, but minor and great for artists who like this style.

Bottom Line: I sadly can't recommend this for serious draftsmen who need big working areas. But for practicing artists who don't take much room this is a cracking upkeep desk.

Studio Designs Ponderosa

Anyone looking for a wooden art desk that can double equally an office desk should cheque out the Ponderosa Wood Desk-bound by Studio Designs. It'due south one of the simplest tilting desks I've institute with a stylish design and enough of infinite.

Underneath the drawing area is a sliding drawer with 5 slotted areas for storing pencils and office supplies. This tucks away nicely and doesn't coil out when you lot tilt the top.

Total measurements:

Width: 42″ wide(4.five ft)
Length: 24″ deep(2 ft)
Meridian: 42″ high(4.v feet)

You lot tin get this table in either a glass tiptop or wood top. Both styles have the aforementioned pivot for tilting which offers 16 different settings ranging from completely apartment to a max of 30°. And you tin attach a lesser lip to the desktop to proceed your pencil & paper from sliding while angled.

The downside: out of all the tables from Studio Designs I think this ane is the well-nigh wobbly(or has the well-nigh adventure of wobble). The legs are designed as directly confined so it's piece of cake to notice issues on uneven flooring.

If you lot're nervous about the floor try laying a stack of similarly-sized items along the area(pencil boxes, books, any). If they all look evenly aligned and then you should be practiced.

The drawing surface is exactly the size of the desk so what you lot run into is what you lot get. Inside the sliding drawer you lot'll go one big rectangular pocket wide enough to fit a keyboard, plus 4 other smaller pockets.

This drawer is perfect for art supplies, newspaper, sketch pads, or even a digital tablet if you want this desk as a painting surface.

Lesser Line: This is certainly a nice table with simple construction and a wide cartoon infinite. Non peachy for uneven floors, and I'd avoid the glass model since the glass tends to shift(a scrap) in the frame. Merely this can double equally a reckoner desk with a tilted meridian which is a huge bonus for artists.

Alvin CM40-4-XB CraftMaster

The Alvin CM40-four-XB CraftMaster is a chameleon for any purpose. Arts, crafts, drafting, computer piece of work. This matter can tilt, store your stuff, and roll around with optional casters for the legs.

I do think this ane is a bit on the pricier side. I only recommend this if you really similar the design and don't mind the price tag. And yous can pick from four unlike materials for the pinnacle: maple, cherry, or white/black plastic-blazon material(woods veneer).

Total measurements:

Width: 40″ wide(3.3 ft)
Length: 24″ deep(2 ft)
Tiptop: 26″-32″ high(ii-ii.5 feet depending on casters or floor glides)

The total tabletop measures over 3 feet broad by ii feet deep. If you lot add together in a chair information technology'll peradventure take up 3 anxiety of space from the wall.

This does come up with a notch to adjust the height so y'all can have it lowered to almost 2 feet or heightened to a max of ii.5 feet using casters. Annotation this means you'll only have about ii.5 feet underneath the table to fit your knees.

Alvin does not ship a chair with the CraftMaster so measure your chair before buying. Office chairs tin can adjust but this isn't true with all stools or fixed wooden chairs. Be certain to have measurements!

The storage bins are small only you have half dozen of them. They're pretty sturdy and concord plenty room for typical printer newspaper.

You tin can use this desk for art and computer piece of work alike. Simply personally I think the features(storage, tilt, size) are sub-par. What saves this desk is the adjustable height and the optional casters making it easier to motility.

Bottom Line: If you lot need adjustable height settings or need to move your desk easily then this tin can work well. Otherwise try to find a more suitable focused desk based on the work you practice.

Safco Separate Level Drafting Table

Safco's 3965MO Divide Level Drafting Tabular array is a professional person artist's best souvenir wrapped in a small bundle. This is a very expensive table merely information technology's crafted specifically for draftsmen and artists from watercolors to oil painting to charcoal.

The desk has a fully adjustable height with a single tilting area and another smaller drawing area. These different surfaces do non connect straight then this desk can feel fragmented.

I think this could fit as a smaller desk-bound designed for artists working in various mediums.

Total measurements:

Width: 47.5″ wide(~4 ft)
Length: 30″ deep(ii.v ft)
Height: 26″-37″ high(ii-3 anxiety adjustable)

Now I'm sure you'll want to know the dimensions of the individual surface areas also.

The left side has the tilting feature and can be positioned up to a 50° tilt. Information technology measures 31.5″ wide(2.5 feet) by 20″ deep(about one.six feet).

The correct side does not tilt and it'due south much smaller. It measures 16″ wide(1.iii feet) by 20″ deep. Both surfaces are flush with the edge so their distance from the wall is equal.

When laying apartment you can draw from one surface to the other with ease. When tilted you can use the smaller shelf for supplies, drawing equipment, or anything similar.

Since this is about four feet wide information technology's about the aforementioned structure as any other desk. However the surface is split making it useful but to specific situations.

Safco took a weird option on this design and information technology forces you to ask yourself 1 question. Tin you lot work on ~32″ of cartoon space? This measures nigh 2.7 feet, and it does accept a lip to go along your paper in position.

But the funky desk-bound design and higher toll leaves me recommending this desk for artists who prefer this design. I know that most people won't.

Simply I have to throw this in for expert mensurate because information technology does technically work well as a drafting table.

Bottom Line: if you like the split tabletop design and desire to spend the money and then you lot should enjoy this. Otherwise there are far better desks with compatible surfaces higher upwards in this listing.

Best Fine art Desk For Animation

I know this is a popular request so I desire to embrace a skilful desk for animators.

What is the best drafting desk-bound for animation? Well the answer differs based on traditional animation or digital blitheness.

If yous're working traditional then you lot definitely want a tilted acme. Y'all also probably want a glass tabletop then y'all can backlight other drawings for cels or tracings. You can't get incorrect with whatever glass design.

Still for traditional animation I recommend the Futura Advanced Drafting Tabular array with a side table for keeping paint, extra cels, or any else y'all use. A cheaper option is the Coaster Creative person since it's simpler and comes with a higher range of motion striking 50+ degrees.

Digital animation is a bit unlike. This works through a tablet which you might want to tilt, merely if your monitor is on the table then y'all really can't tilt it.

The best solution for a digital animator is a standard computer desk-bound similar the Sauder mapletop design. This way yous tin store the figurer away underneath with enough of workspace for your monitor plus the tablet.

To get that inclined angle you lot can take hold of an adjustable cartoon lath which gives the same feel as a tilted tabletop, and y'all'll still have that apartment workspace for the monitor screen or laptop. Best of both worlds!

Best Fine art+Office Desk

If your house or apartment is pocket-sized and then you probably won't have room for a drafting tabular array and a calculator desk. Unfortunately this means you'll accept to discover ane that supports both.

And if you demand a tilting workspace and then standard calculator desks are out.

The best art+function desk combo is the Ponderosa Woods Desk-bound. It's made past Studio Designs and so y'all know it'due south great quality. And you tin select from a wood acme or a clear drinking glass top making it perfect for both drafting and computer work(aye the drinking glass tin can back up a monitor).

It comes with a sliding drawer with plenty of room for a keyboard and perhaps a mouse. If yous only utilise a laptop then this is absolutely the desk-bound to check out.

Just it tin piece of work just as well belongings a desktop underneath with a mouse/monitor on the top.

Yous can tilt the working surface area upward to a max of 30° which is perfect for drafting work or doodling/drawing.

The unproblematic design and under-top storage drawer make this desk a wonderful fit for whatsoever home role + art studio.

Best Budget Fine art Desk-bound

Buying a new art desk is a big decision and information technology tin can be plush. If you're on a budget so the Martin Ashley Art-Hobby Table offers the all-time bang for your buck.

It'south incredibly stable and comes with the lipped edge for tilted drawing.Plus it comes with a free stool so you don't fifty-fifty need to become yourself a new chair!

I do non especially like the storage on this desk. It'due south smashing, although certainly not great. Y'all'll probably demand to go along your fine art supplies elsewhere because there isn't much room in the plastic cubbies.

Merely this art table comes with adaptable legs for varying heights between 26″-36″(around 2-3 anxiety). Not to mention it weighs about the aforementioned as a typical desk-bound chair(35 lbs) and then you can motion it around with ease.

No uncertainty the Martin Ashley artist tabular array is the best budget option. You go everything you need without breaking the bank.

Top Choice: The All-time Art Desk-bound

If you're looking for the all-time all-around art desk for beginners & experts, immature & old, the Studio Designs Comet Centre will not disappoint.

It's very fairly priced and comes with a sturdy foundation and a very solid drawing expanse. It can tilt up to thirty° and does have the raised lip to go along your papers/pencils resting soundly.

Plus information technology has a kick-ass blueprint and comes in a few different color schemes. Overall this desk offers all the best features without the hefty cost.

But if you're still not sure and then take another look over this postal service and meet what you call back. Most of the time your gut feeling is correct so if you lot see a desk-bound that catches your centre and so information technology's probably a adept fit.

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Source: https://conceptartempire.com/best-art-desks/

Best Art Desks & Drafting Tables For Artists