Are Writing Desks Still in Style?

Even 50 years ago, this wouldn't be a question.  There'd be no doubt in anyone's mind of the usefulness of writing desks.  However, a lot has changed with the advent of the digital age.  The computer takes up a lot of space (not as much as it did 10 years ago, but it's still a large piece of equipment) and desks have grown into home offices, thanks in part to this.  But is having a writing desk, a small piece of furniture dedicated solely to the art of handwritten letters and papers, still in style?

The answer, if you have a space limitation or if you do a lot of work on the computer (I raise my hand here) is probably no. Limited space makes this a luxury item. For the generations that were raised on computers (virtually all Americans age 40 and under, and then the vast majority older than that have them too) the usefulness of a computer leaves the desk obsolete from a working standpoint. I can pay bills online, I can email or chat with friends. Honestly, I'm on a computer more than the TV. So why, if I have a limited space or budget, would I want a desk like that?

So from a practical standpoint, it's possible that this isn't the best investment for most Americans.

A funny thing happened on the way to the digital age though.  Voices are starting to be raised about the lack of contact and human-to-human communication today.  If we're always on our computer, when do we get an opportunity to actually see our friends, or feel close to them.  A letter, for example, is something unique to a person.  It has their handwriting, their chosen piece of paper, and perhaps, if you're romantic, a whiff of their perfume or cologne.  Email doesn't have this.  It's just letters on a screen.  Now perhaps you're not familiar enough with receiving letters to really feel the difference here (I barely remember the day when letters were commonplace) but letters are becoming a special event, in a way.  Emails you get everyday, dozens of spam and a few useful ones.  But a letter is a little more than that.  This has redefined the purpose of writing desk furniture.

Now, if you get a small writing desk for your home, it's not a place of mundane work.  It's where you sit when you want to do a little something extra.  It's where you sit when you want to write a special thank you to a friend for a birthday gift, or when you want to tell your loved one how you hope they come home from a trip soon.  It's where you sit when you want to write down your thoughts and have them in a concrete way.  The whole sitting is special.

The writing desk is now a luxury item - not luxury as in expensive, but luxury as in very personal to you.  The things you write here are now the things that you have more of an emotional investment in.  And that's even better than the old use of writing desks.

Writing desks just look nice too.  They're usually made out of excellent wood, and are designed with a bit of flair, so they add to the home when they're put in. A white writing desk for example would look great in my hallway, with a couple pictures set on it and perhaps a notepad in case I need it.  You could easily find similar uses for a small table surface in your home, I'm sure.

You just don't need to spend a lot of time sitting at them.  This decorative element, which even existed back when they were used as a home 'office', was prominent.  After all, if you're going to be sitting here for hours, it may as well look nice!  Search online for antique writing desks and you'll see what I'm talking about.

The writing desk has evolved over the years, turning it from a mundane place of work into something more special for most people.  If you have the room for one in your home, don't be afraid to get off the computer once in awhile, sit down with a pen and paper, and write something.  You have to keep that cursive in practice after all!

The tables are beautiful, and your home and mentality will do well with the addition.  The furniture isn't expensive, it's available cheaply at larger stores like Walmart or hand-crafted from a specialty workshop.  I encourage you to think about it.  Perhaps jot some thoughts down about it...?