This article is part of our latest Design Special Report, on new creative avenues shaped by the pandemic.
In those distant prepandemic times, remote working was a remote option. According to a study published in February by the Pew Research Center, 23 percent of Americans with jobs that could be done from home exercised that choice all or most of the time before the virus hit. During the pandemic, that number rose to 71 percent, and now 60 percent of homeworkers say they want to continue the scheme.
For people settling into a home office permanently, it may be time to rethink makeshift furniture. Time to move from the kitchen table to a real desk. Time to spend those working hours in a comfortable, ergonomic chair with an efficient desk lamp that’s flexible enough to reach all corners of the work surface. Time for special shelves for storage. As the furniture industry strives to meet these demands, it offers a wide range of well-designed products in every price range. (Note that pricing and availability were confirmed as of April 19.)
DESK
Premium
Thomas and Benjamin Cherner founded the Cherner Chair Company in 1999 to revive an award-winning plywood chair designed in 1958 by their father, Norman, among other of his creations. In 2013, Benjamin Cherner designed the Studio desk as a supplement. The piece is crafted in Grand Rapids, Michigan, using plywood and sustainably sourced American walnut veneer. Gently tapered legs create a graceful silhouette. The 48-inch wide desk has a pen tray. Starting at $2,149 from lumens.com
business class
The Celine desk, by Nazanin Kamali for Case, has a sleek, midcentury-modern vibe. The 43.3-inch wide desktop accommodates a monitor, keyboard and printer. A drawer and an open compartment provide storage space and a path for cords and wires. Celine comes in walnut or oak veneer with a black painted option. The turned hardwood legs click into place without tools. $1,295 from dwr.com
economics lesson
Poppin, a 13-year-old American company, specializes in affordable office products. The Key desk has a powder-coated metal frame, a comfortable drawer and angled legs. The 48-inch-wide desktop, made of medium-density fiberboard, has rounded edges and a built-in covered drawer that hides cords and cables. Key is available in veneered oak or walnut or in white, grey, slate blue or brick powder coated. The desk requires assembly, but the task is tool-less. $425 from poppin.com
BOOKSHELVES
Premium
Simple yet substantial, the New Order bookshelf by Stefan Diez for Hay, a Danish manufacturer, can be customized by adding panels, doors or drawers and is available with cabinets or sideboards. The interconnected, powder-coated aluminum elements are offered in light grey, charcoal or red. Each shelf can hold up to 66 pounds. This High Single version is 71 inches high, 39.5 inches wide and 13.5 inches deep. Assembly is required. $1,795 from dwr.com
business class
Hitch stands alone as a single unit or can be incorporated into a wall of shelving. Produced by Minneapolis-based Blu Dot, the system consists of a powder-coated steel frame to be mounted to the wall, and wooden shelves in walnut, white oak, smoke or ash veneer, or in white or black lacquer. An individual unit is 73 inches high, 28 inches wide, and 11 inches deep. Assembly requires a Phillips screwdriver. $695 from bludot.com
economics lesson
The Container Store produces this cast iron bookshelf, which folds flat for storage. The six-shelf unit measures approximately 69 inches high by nearly 28 inches wide and just over 11 inches deep and has a natural pewter finish. Each shelf can hold up to 60 pounds. The design is also available in three and four shelf versions, which require no assembly. With the application of a protective sealer, this item can even be used outdoors. About $230 from thecontainerstore.com
OFFICE SEATS
Premium
Joe Doucet designed the 25 inch wide Duet office chair especially for small spaces. Manufactured by Bernhardt Design, the perch has polished stainless steel arms that wrap around a curved plywood shell that forms a nest for the molded polyurethane infill. Duet is adjustable, with a standard gas-pneumatic lift and turn-tilt mechanism. The base, made of polished die-cast aluminum, is fitted with caster wheels that are said to work equally well on carpet or hard surfaces. The chair’s Greenguard certification means it meets low chemical emissions standards. A wide variety of flat or quilted leather options are available. $1,330 from hivemodern.com
business class
The Dirk office chair has a chrome frame and a foam-filled seat and back that are made of one piece and covered with artificial leather. The seat and arm heights are adjustable and a tilt mechanism offers five locking positions. The chromed steel swivel base has 2 inch chrome castors. It has been certified as commercial grade by the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association, which says the chair can easily withstand more than eight hours of use per day. About $715 from keyhomefurnishings.com
economics lesson
Offering many of the same features as its more expensive counterparts, the Kilbourne office chair has a tilt mechanism that locks into place and an adjustable seat with lumbar support. (The chrome arms are fixed.) The seat is padded with foam and upholstered in vinyl with ribbed stitching, resembling leather. The five color options are black, brown, gray, white or orange. Kilbourne is a product of Wrought Studio, a trademark of Wayfair. About $120 from wayfair.com
RELIEF
Premium
DCW Editions has revived the Mantis lamp, designed in 1951 by Bernard Schottlander as a tribute to the artist Alexander Calder. Originally produced in a limited edition and almost forgotten, Mr Schottlander’s design includes a system of thin metal bars and counterweights that allow the steel body to rotate 360 degrees. The asymmetrical shade of painted aluminum provides the directional lighting that desktop work requires. Mantis takes an incandescent or LED bulb. $820 from lumens.com
business class
Kelvin is an energy-efficient lamp with a double arm that resembles a windshield wiper blade and a rotating head that accommodates multiple LED lamps. Stainless steel springs and steel cables make it easy to place the lamp where it is needed. Designed by Antonio Citterio with Toan Nguyen, Kelvin goes on and off with a tap on the head. In “green” mode (activated by tapping the head again), it automatically adjusts the light and responds to the brightness of the work surface. Available in four finishes. $550 from flos.com
economics lesson
No less than its more expensive cousins, Ikea’s Forsa lamp owes its style to the classic Anglepoise lamp created in 1932 by George Carwardine, an automotive engineer. Its spring-loaded arm rotates 180 degrees and its head moves a full 360. Sturdy metal base discourages tipping. The steel lamp comes with an LED lamp. About $30 from ikea.com