If you have pets, look for a computer desk with a sturdy, stable frame, a wipe clean finish that resists scratches, enclosed cable management and storage that closes fully. Laminate, lacquered wood and tempered glass all cope well with paws, fur and the occasional muddy nose. Add rounded corners and a clear space beneath for a pet bed, and you have a desk that suits both you and your animals.
Working from home with a dog at your feet or a cat on the windowsill is one of its pleasures, but pets do place extra demands on furniture. Our collection of modern computer desks UK includes many designs that work well in busy, pet friendly homes. Here is what to check before you choose.
A desk that wobbles is a nuisance for you and a risk around pets. Dogs lean, cats jump, and both can knock into desk legs when they are excited. A stable desk with a rigid frame, cross bracing or solid side panels will stay put and keep your monitor and laptop safe.
Check how the legs connect to the top. Bolted metal frames and solid panel ends tend to be the most stable. If you choose a tall desk or a design with shelves above, fix it to the wall with a suitable anchor so it cannot tip if a cat climbs it.
Our full modern home office furniture UK range includes desks with sturdy frames as well as matching storage, which helps when you want everything in the room to be equally robust.
The surface of the desk takes most of the daily wear. Claws, fur, dribble and the odd water bowl spill all leave their mark, so the finish matters.
These are hard wearing, scratch resistant and very easy to wipe clean. They are a practical choice for desks that see a lot of traffic, and wood effect laminates can look surprisingly natural.
A well sealed wood surface resists moisture and cleans easily. Light scratches tend to blend into the grain, especially on oak and walnut, and the desk often looks better with a little character. Oiled finishes are more vulnerable to water marks, so they need more care in a home with pets.
Glass is hygienic and very easy to clean, and toughened glass is strong. It will show nose prints and paw prints clearly, so it suits owners who do not mind a regular wipe. Check that the glass is tempered for safety.
Gloss wipes clean well, but it shows fine scratches and smears more than other finishes. It is worth considering for a desk that pets rarely reach, but less suited to a desk a cat walks across every day.
Cables are the biggest safety concern for pet owners, particularly with puppies, kittens and rabbits who like to chew. Choose a desk with a cable tray, a hollow leg or a closed back panel that keeps wires out of reach.
Fit a single extension lead to the underside of the desk rather than leaving it on the floor. Use cable sleeves or chew resistant covers on any wire that runs down to the socket. Wireless keyboards and mice reduce the number of cables altogether.
Unplug chargers when not in use and avoid leaving loose cables trailing over the edge of the desk, where a cat may bat at them and pull a laptop or lamp to the floor.
Dogs moving quickly through a room can catch themselves on a sharp corner. A desk with rounded or softened corners is kinder to pets and to people, especially in a busy family home. Check the height of the corners too: for a larger dog, the edge of a desk may sit at head height.
Many dogs like to settle at their owner’s feet while they work. A desk with a clear, open area underneath, without a central drawer or modesty panel in the way, leaves room for a pet bed. Make sure there is still space for your legs and chair once the bed is in place.
A low shelf or footrest under the desk can become a favourite spot for a cat. If you would rather it did not, choose a design without one.
Open shelves are inviting to curious cats, and anything on them may be swept to the floor. Drawers and cupboards that close fully keep stationery, medicines and small items safely out of reach. Soft close drawers prevent paws being caught.
If you need extra storage beside the desk, our range of home and office storage UK includes closed cabinets and drawer units that help keep a workspace tidy and safe.
The chair takes as much punishment as the desk. Fur clings to some fabrics, and claws can snag loose weaves. Faux leather, tightly woven fabrics and mesh backs tend to be the most practical. Avoid chunky bouclé or loosely woven upholstery if your cat likes to knead.
If you use a chair with castors, keep an eye on tails and paws when rolling back. A chair mat makes castors easier to control and protects the floor from both wheels and claws. Our range of modern home office chairs UK includes designs in easy clean finishes.
Where you put the desk can make a big difference. Placing it away from a pet’s favourite route through the room reduces knocks and spills. Keeping it a little away from a window can stop a cat using the desk as a stepping stone to the sill, although many owners are happy to leave a window spot for a cat to watch the world go by.
Avoid placing pet bowls near the desk. Water splashes and food crumbs attract attention to the area and can damage electronics.
Cats are drawn to warm laptops and to wherever their owner’s attention is focused. A small bed or cushion placed on the desk, or on a shelf nearby, often gives them an alternative to the keyboard. Some owners find that a cardboard box beside the laptop works well. Closing the laptop lid when you step away prevents accidental emails and unexpected messages.
Pet hair settles on every flat surface. A quick wipe with a slightly damp microfibre cloth at the end of the day lifts fur better than a dry duster. A small handheld vacuum is useful for the floor beneath the desk and the chair seat. Check vents on laptops and computers regularly, as fur can build up and affect cooling.
Once a month, take a closer look at the desk surface and edges. Small scratches are easier to treat early, and checking the legs and fixings at the same time keeps the frame stable. For a closer look at how different surfaces hold up to everyday wear, our report on how 12 wooden desk finishes performed in UK surface tests offers a useful comparison.
The floor beneath a desk sees a lot of activity in a pet friendly home. Chair castors, claws and the occasional accident all leave their mark, particularly on wooden floors and light carpets. A chair mat protects the area you use most, and a washable rug beside the desk gives a dog a comfortable place to lie that can go straight into the machine when needed.
Felt pads under desk legs stop the frame scraping wooden boards if it is nudged. On carpet, they also make it easier to move the desk for cleaning, which matters when fur gathers in the gap between the desk and the wall.
Every animal uses a room differently, so it helps to think about yours before you choose. A large dog that sweeps a tail at coffee table height may knock items off a low desk return. A young cat that climbs everything will treat open shelving above a desk as an invitation. An older dog may simply want a soft spot close to you.
Watching how your pet moves through the room for a day or two often reveals the best position and design. A desk that suits the household as it really is will be far easier to live with than one chosen for looks alone.
At Furniture in Fashion we offer practical desks, chairs and storage suited to busy homes with animals, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Laminate and melamine are the most scratch resistant everyday finishes. Sealed wood such as oak also hides light marks well because scratches blend into the grain.
Choose a desk with enclosed cable management, fix the extension lead under the desk, and use chew resistant cable covers for any wires that reach the floor.
Tempered glass is strong and easy to clean, but it shows paw and nose prints clearly. It suits owners who are happy to wipe it regularly.
Offer an alternative, such as a small bed or box on the desk or a nearby shelf. Many cats simply want to be close to you while you work.
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