Desk drawers are small units designed to fit snugly under desks, utilising space that would otherwise go wasted. They provide additional storage, keep your essentials organised, and some even come with locks for added security. Whether you use your desk for work, studying, gaming, or creative pursuits, a desk drawer will keep your stationery and items neatly tucked away until you need them.
Available in various shapes and sizes, features, colours, number of compartments and configurations, there's lots to choose from, so we're here to help you find the perfect one for your space. We'll also share our list of the 10 best desk drawers in the UK, all available to buy from sites like Amazon, IKEA, and more! From white plastic cabinets to industrial style trendy pieces with shelves, there's something for everyone.
Quick List - Top Desk Drawers
Office Hippo
Sturdy 3-Compartment Desk Drawer on Wheels That’s Fully Lockable and Includes Special Features
VASAGLE
A Rustic, Industrial Design With Plenty of Storage and Organisation Opportunities
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
Desk drawers range from just two drawers to five with some even having special compartments such as a cupboard or open space for quick access to your daily necessities. Therefore, it's worth thinking about the type and quantity of items you will be storing to figure out the number and compartment configurations suitable for your storage needs.
If you're mostly storing paperwork and documents, a unit made up of drawers would suffice. But if you're planning on storing bulkier items, or things you want to put on display, consider open shelves or larger, deeper drawers and cupboards.
Your cables will never be an entangled mess ever again with these handy cable tidy boxes!
Desk drawers crafted from solid wood, such as oak, contain natural, unique wooden patterns in the grain that instantly add style to any room. They can also be stained, coated, or painted to match your decor and tastes. Oak is also incredibly sturdy and durable and doesn't damage as easily as other wood types, so if you're looking for a unit that will last a long time, pick one made of oak!
Steel is another common material used for desk drawers due to its smooth, sleek finish and impressive durability. They require minimal maintenance and can be easily wiped down to keep them clean and dust-free. In terms of security, they're tougher to break into than wood, so consider steel if you need to keep any valuable belongings secure.
Desk drawers made of engineered wood such as particleboard are typically more cost-effective and have a smoother finish. Particleboard is a much more eco-friendly alternative, however, they are less durable and more prone to expansion and discolouration from moisture. This means you'll need to keep them away from water.
Movable castors or wheels under desk drawers are great for convenience and flexibility. They can, however, weigh quite a bit and are often too bulky to carry comfortably if you decide to move them. But, if you enjoy working in different parts of the home, wheels come in handy for keeping everything you need by your side.
Rearranging and moving becomes much easier with the help of these mobility enhancers. To prevent the unit from moving and sliding, however, remember to search for castors that can be locked to keep them in place. Moreover, if you live in shared accommodation or like a little more security for your sensitive belongings, search for a lockable desk drawer.
If your home is really short on space, check out our favourite folding desks!
To boost their durability, longevity, and safety, wooden desk drawers are often finished with a clear coat of heat and stain-resistant paint. Since wood is naturally flammable, heat resistance minimises damage in case of a fire while also preventing the fire from spreading. Meanwhile, stain resistance protects it from permanent smudges and stains.
Other features to look out for include anti-topple or anti-tilt engineering, which prevents the unit from falling over when the drawers are extended. This is a particularly important safety feature if you live with pets or small children, as it will prevent injury caused by little climbers! That note aside, it also saves you from having to rearrange your items if it keeps toppling.
Another feature that could come in handy is anti-slip, which prevents your desk drawer from slipping and sliding when in use. It will enhance your unit's stability while helping protect your floor from scratches.
Buying furniture online usually means that you'll have to assemble it yourself, so, make sure you check which tools are required so you can have them ready for installation. It's also worth checking the instructions to ensure you're up to the task.
Though most of us may be familiar with assembling IKEA furniture, not everyone enjoys the process. So, if you don't have the time, aren't into D.I.Y, or just want to save on the hassle, look for a desk drawer that arrives pre-assembled. Granted, these can be difficult to come by, but we've included a couple of options in our list to help with your search!
Get yourself a desk fan to help you keep cool in the summer months!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Office Hippo Heavy Duty 3 Drawer Mobile Pedestal | ![]() | Sturdy 3-Compartment Desk Drawer on Wheels That’s Fully Lockable and Includes Special Features | |
2 | IKEA IDÅSEN | ![]() | Equipped With an Integrated Smart Lock to Keep Your Valuables Secure and Organised | |
3 | HOMCOM Office Desk Drawer | ![]() | Sleek, Stylish and Spacious, Rollable Desk Drawer Available in Two Colours | |
4 | VASAGLE Industrial Style Desk Drawer | ![]() | A Rustic, Industrial Design With Plenty of Storage and Organisation Opportunities | |
5 | IKEA ALEX Drawer Unit On Castors | ![]() | One of IKEA’s Popular Desk Drawer Units With Five Compartments to Help You Stay Organised | |
6 | Office Hippo Heavy Duty 3-Drawer Desk Pedastal | ![]() | Desk Draws With Excellent Reviews Made Using Grey Oak for Exceptional Quality and Durability | |
7 | IKEA LENNART | ![]() | Affordable, Minimalistic Desk Drawer With Two Back Castors and See-through Drawers | |
8 | HOMCOM Multi-Storage Desk Drawer | ![]() | An Open-Plan, Spacious Option With Ample Storage and Organisation, Plus an Adjustable Shelf | |
9 | Vinsetto Rolling Desk Drawer | ![]() | Lockable, Movable Steel Unit With Great Mobility and Clean Lines, Perfect for a Minimalist Office | |
10 | IKEA TROTTEN | ![]() | Pretty and Compact Unit That’s Great for Smaller Spaces and Storing Bulky Items |
Made of wood that's coated with a heat and stain-resistant finish, it's designed to be extra sturdy and durable so you can count on it to be with you for years to come. Plus, it's fully lockable and easy to move around thanks to the four wheels fitted on the bottom.
This interesting pick from IKEA has a built-in smart lock feature that can give you peace of mind if you're storing precious items. The cabinet is also raised on a set of castors, and as it's entirely made of steel, you can attach magnets to the outside. Now, you've got your very own mobile pinboard!
If you're looking for something to store any sensitive or precious belongings, we think this should be one of your top considerations. The golden brown colour adds a unique vintage feeling, but if you find this colour hard to blend with your other furniture, it comes in beige too!
The entire structure is sturdy, and due to the engineered wood, guarantees durability. With four omnidirectional wheels, you can easily move it around (even when it's full) and lock it in place to prevent sliding. It's also available in either a stylish all-black or all-white colour, which should easily fit in with most rooms.
We love the combination of the rustic brown and solid black steel frame that gives this desk drawer a unique, industrial look. But this pick isn't just winning in terms of design, as it offers ample space and organisation opportunities!
The top features an open compartment, with a standard size drawer on the second level and a larger, deeper, lower drawer with hanging file folders to store any documents and paperwork. All of this sits on top of four wheels, so you can easily move it around and lock it in place when you need to.
Thanks to its clean, minimalistic design, the ALEX Drawer unit from IKEA is a great fit for any space. It can be neatly tucked under your desk to save room or be used as a standalone item to display its stylish design.
With a total of five drawer compartments (two small + three medium), you'll have plenty of space to organise your belongings. The bottom castors mean that you can move it to wherever you wish so that you can have everything you need without having to go back and forth.
Up next is another unit from Office Hippo that has excellent ratings on Amazon, and it's easy to see why. It's so convenient that it comes pre-assembled; all you have to do is attach the feet and silver handles. Made using grey oak, it doesn't just look amazing, it's extremely durable and sturdy! The durability is enhanced even more by the heat and stain-resistant finish.
You get two medium-sized drawers at the top and a larger, taller one at the bottom, which can be used for filing documents or stowing away larger things. All of these can be locked so that you can keep your valuables safe. Alas, given its outstanding quality and features, this is the priciest option on our list.
Looking for something minimal and lightweight? Consider the LENNART drawer unit from IKEA! The entire frame is made of steel and features see-through drawers thanks to their unique mesh borders. Each drawer can only fit A4 sizes of paper, though, so it's definitely one of the smaller options on our list.
But, if you're not planning to store many items and have a smaller desk, this is a great choice. It even has two wheels at the back, so you can move it around easily. Nevertheless, it does require self-assembly, and according to some reviews, the structure can be a bit flimsy if it's not done right.
Although this is technically a printer cabinet that's meant to stand on its own, if your desk is large enough, you'll be able to use it as a desk drawer too! This is an especially good option if you prefer a more open plan concept where you can view all your items.
You'll have plenty of storage options and a shelf that can be adjusted as you wish. The unit also features four castor wheels, with two that can be locked in place, making it moveable and safe. On the downside, assembly is required before it can be used, so make sure that you have the right tools to set it up.
Vinsetto's white metal filing cabinet is perfect for organising everything you need so that it's within reach whilst working at your desk. The lockable compartments make it a great storing place for your sensitive items too.
It's a really spacious unit, with two small and one large drawer, plus it features four omnidirectional wheels on the bottom, meaning it's also mobile. However, while the lack of handles adds to the clean look, opening the drawers may be a little inconvenient.
Another great option for smaller desks, this simple, compact, and open-plan unit is great if you're short on space. The drawer comes with a lock to securely store important belongings such as your wallet, money, passport, or other sensitive documents.
Meanwhile, the bottom layer is an open space where you can stow bulkier items such as your bag, storage boxes, water bottles, or other bigger items. On the downside, it doesn't come with wheels, but it is really lightweight and easily movable.
No. 1: Office Hippo|Heavy Duty 3 Drawer Mobile Pedestal
No. 2: IKEA|IDÅSEN
No. 3: HOMCOM|Office Desk Drawer
No. 4: VASAGLE|Industrial Style Desk Drawer
No. 5: IKEA|ALEX Drawer Unit On Castors
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games