The computer desks with printer shelves that work best are the ones where the shelf fits your printer with room to spare, sits within easy reach of your chair, and leaves space for paper trays, scanner lids and cables. A sturdy lower shelf or a side tower suits most home printers, while a pull out platform is useful for larger all in one machines that you need to open from above.
Printers vary hugely in size, from compact inkjets to bulky laser models with scanners on top, so the right desk depends on the machine you own. Our range of computer desks UK sale includes designs with integrated shelving that can be matched to different setups.
When a printer sits on the main desktop, it takes up valuable space right where you need it most. It also adds vibration while printing and makes the desk look busier. Moving it to a shelf frees the work surface for your keyboard, notebook and screen, and gives the printer a stable home where cables can be managed properly.
A fixed shelf also encourages better habits. When paper, cartridges and the printer itself are in one place, you spend less time searching for supplies and less time tidying up after a print job. If you are planning a complete workspace, our broader modern home office furniture UK range makes it easier to coordinate desks, storage and seating in matching finishes.
A shelf running below the desktop at one end is the most common design. It keeps the printer close but out of your line of sight. Check that it sits high enough off the floor to avoid dust and low enough that it does not interfere with your knees. Front loading printers suit this format well, as you can reach the paper tray without moving the machine.
Some desks include a vertical storage tower at one side, with an open shelf sized for a printer and further shelves or drawers for supplies. This keeps everything in a single footprint and often gives the printer more headroom, which is useful for models with a flatbed scanner.
A sliding platform lets the printer sit tucked away inside the desk and then roll out when you need to lift the lid or clear a jam. This is a good option for top loading machines or where the shelf is deep. Make sure the runners are rated for the printer’s weight and that there is room in front for the platform to extend fully.
Desks with a hutch above the desktop sometimes include a shelf that can hold a compact printer. This keeps the floor and knee area clear but places the printer at eye level, so it suits lighter, quieter models and printers you use occasionally rather than all day.
Measure your printer in its working state, not just its closed dimensions. Open the paper tray, lift the scanner lid and extend the output tray, then note the full width, depth and height. Add a few centimetres on each side for ventilation and for your hands to reach in.
It also helps to measure the room. A desk with a side tower is wider overall, so check that it fits the wall without blocking a door, radiator or socket.
Printers generate heat, especially laser models during longer jobs. An enclosed cabinet with a door may look tidy, but it can trap warm air. Open shelves or cabinets with ventilation at the back are safer for the printer’s lifespan. If your chosen desk has a closed compartment, leave the door open while printing.
Vibration is the other consideration. A printer on a lightweight shelf can make the whole desk shudder. A desk with a solid back panel or a metal frame will feel steadier. If you notice movement, a rubber mat under the printer helps absorb it.
The printer shelf is only part of the picture. Paper, envelopes, spare cartridges and labels need somewhere sensible to live, ideally within arm’s reach. A drawer directly beneath the printer shelf works well, as does a small cabinet alongside the desk. Our home and office cabinets UK offer closed storage that keeps supplies dust free and out of view.
Store paper flat and away from radiators, as heat and damp can cause it to curl and jam. Keep a small tray for finished prints so that documents do not pile up on the printer itself.
Label shelves or boxes by contents so that anyone in the household can find a spare cartridge or a pack of envelopes without disturbing your work.
Printers usually need a power lead and, if not wireless, a USB or network cable. Look for a desk with cable holes in the shelf or back panel, so these leads can pass neatly to the wall socket and computer. A cable tray or a few adhesive clips under the desktop keep wires off the floor and away from your feet.
If you use a wireless printer, place it within a good signal range of your router. Thick walls in older UK homes can weaken signals, so a printer at the far end of the house may connect less reliably.
A printer shelf takes more wear than you might expect: sliding paper reams, a heavy machine and the occasional ink smudge. Durable surfaces such as laminate, lacquer or sealed wood veneer are easy to wipe and resist marks. If you love a natural wood desk, a protective mat under the printer will keep the shelf in good condition. For more on how different wooden finishes cope with daily use, our article on wooden desk finishes tested for UK homes is a helpful read.
How frequently you print should shape where the printer sits. If you print most days, perhaps invoices, shipping labels or school work, the printer needs to be within reach of your chair. A lower shelf at the end of the desk or a side tower on your dominant side means you can collect pages without standing up, which saves a surprising amount of time over a week.
If you print once or twice a month, the priority shifts to keeping the machine out of sight. A shelf at the far end of the desk, or a cabinet with a door you can leave open during printing, keeps it tidy without getting in the way. In this case, a wireless printer gives you more freedom to place it slightly further away.
Shared households bring their own needs. When several people print from different rooms, the printer should be easy to reach without anyone having to lean across your keyboard. A side tower or a separate cabinet beside the desk keeps the shared machine accessible while protecting your workspace.
Printers are not silent, and in a flat or a compact house the sound can travel. If your desk is in a bedroom or living room, place the printer on the side furthest from where others relax or sleep, and use a rubber mat to reduce rattle. Avoid putting it directly against a party wall in a terraced home or flat, as vibration can carry through the structure.
Think about dust as well. A printer on a shelf close to the floor collects more dust, which can affect paper feeds over time. A shelf raised at least a short distance off the floor, combined with a quick wipe during your weekly clean, helps keep it running smoothly.
A well chosen desk with a printer shelf makes a home office calmer to work in. The desktop stays clear, supplies have a home and the printer is accessible without taking over. Start with your printer’s real dimensions, choose the shelf format that matches how you load and open it, then add storage and cable management to complete the setup.
You can explore desks, storage and accessories together at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes. Returns are available up to 30 days.
Measure your printer with trays extended and the lid open, then add a few centimetres on each side and behind it for ventilation and cables.
It is best to choose an open or ventilated shelf. If the cabinet has a door, keep it open while printing to let heat escape.
A pull out platform or a side tower with generous headroom works well, as both let you lift the scanner lid easily.
Choose a desk with a solid back panel or metal frame, and place a rubber mat under the printer to absorb vibration.
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