Shaker Wood Desk

Industry Insider: Hardwood Furniture and Design

“Back in 1982, we were the first to design a computer desk with a hutch above it for easy access to the many manuals that went along with owning a home computer,” Peterson said.

In fact, this invention was touted in such national publications as Mechanics Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal and Woman’s Day, and was even featured on CBS News.

At one time Hardwood Furniture and Design made 24,000 computer desks per year and their newest designs were eagerly awaited at annual national and international furniture design shows.

The same was true of their entertainment centers, Peterson said. After a California company paired a television with a stereo tower in the same piece of furniture during the 1980s, Peterson ran with the idea, working to refine it and build the best stereo cabinet on the market.

According to Stereophile magazine, he succeeded. They proclaimed his stereo cabinet the best in the business, claiming it didn’t absorb sound and then release it like others being sold. It simply allowed the music to be heard in all its glory.

But once television screens grew to more than 30 inches across, the one-piece units were too big for most homes. Later, the invention of flat screen televisions changed the entire market, Peterson said.

People began to gravitate toward smaller, simpler furniture for their televisions, or they chose to hang them on the wall like a painting.

“They don’t want to enclose their televisions in big units anymore,” he said. “People want a smaller, one-piece console that is slightly wider than the television and sits below it, holding DVD players and other auxiliary items.

“As for the stereo cabinet, it only exists for high-end stereo buffs. The iPod killed the two-channel stereo.”

Similarly, the laptop computer, along with iPads, killed the large computer desks that were once popular. Today homeowners generally prefer small table desks that allow for lots of flexibility. People want to use the same space for multiple purposes, Peterson said.

Style and finish preferences have also changed. Peterson said people are looking for smaller pieces to fit into smaller homes and condominiums. They are also asking for sleeker, cleaner lines, similar to traditional, New England-style or Shaker furniture.

The big, heavy molding that was popular on furniture in the 1980s and 90s is out of favor.

As for finishes, walnut is the hot look.

Shaker Writing Desk - Winsome Wood Computer Desk, Honey | Shaker ...

These days, home offices are often as busy as their corporate counterparts--and they need to be equally efficient and organized. Winsome Wood offers a line of modular furniture to supply just that while also presenting a clean, inviting style that blends well with domestic décors. This solid beechwood computer desk features a large, open workspace accompanied by a pullout keyboard that stows behind the faux drawer front. The Honey finish is warm and casual, and the slender legs keep the overall look light and airy. Add the writing desk, corner table, printer stand, file cabinet, and bookshelf to customize any space. This desk measures 42 inches wide by 20 inches deep by 29 inches high. Assembly is required.

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