15 Best Woods For Computer Desks 2023 (Peoples Choices & Why)

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15 best wood for computer desks 2023

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Ever since working from home has become a thing, desks have left the office and become a part of the household. With a boom in content creation and streaming, computers, too, have become relevant outside of work. Whether you want to build a desk for your home office or a station for your online gaming sessions, wood desks are often recommended. But what kind of wood?

The best types of wood for computer desks include Ashwood, Oak, Maple, and Cherry. In Pacific Northwest, wood like Teak and Cedar is better for its moisture resistance. If you’re looking for a prestige desk, you can use Walnut, Elm, Hickory, or Zebrano.

I consider Oak as the best all round wood for a computer desk.

In this article, you will learn more about the 15 best desk woods alongside their respective pros and cons. By the end of this post, you will know which type of wood is ideal for your computer desk and why. But before that, let’s list the 15 best woods for computer desks.

  1. Ashwood 
  2. Elm
  3. Walnut
  4. Teak
  5. Cherry
  6. Maple
  7. Rosewood
  8. Birch
  9. Oak
  10. Cedar
  11. Zebra Wood
  12. Pinewood
  13. Bamboo
  14. Hickory
  15. African Blackwood
15 best wood for computer desks 2023
An image showing a computer desk with computer monitor

Ashwood

Ashwood in dark brown backgroun_Ashwood_15 Best Woods For Computer Desks 2022
Photo of an Ashwood board.

Ashwood is surprisingly durable for its price and easy to work with. It is great for building desks because of its ability to take punishment but also because it is also visually appealing. It might not have the grain and the hue of mahogany or Oak, but it does have character.

Its grain is hard to notice because of its smoothness, which can make for a less distracting desktop. The grain runs straight along the length of its planks, and it doesn’t peep through paint as much as some other woods in this post.

A video that talks about the difference between Oak wood and Ash wood.

Pros of AshwoodCons of Ashwood
Cheap despite being durableIt is hard to find in some states
Can hold the same weight as Oak and Maple Not all types of ash are good for desks
Table showing Pros and Cons of using Ashwood to build a computer desk.

Elm

Elm
Photo of an Elmwood board.

Elm is unlike common Ashwood in that it is very dark. If you don’t want to paint your desk in dark colors and actually want a desk that looks raw, then elmwood would be a perfect choice. It suits offices with pre-existing rich and rustic colors.

It bends far more than most woods in this post, so if there is a requirement to have a curvature in the desk design, elmwood can be employed. However, its flexibility is not as crucial for desk building as its grain.

The interlocking grain of elm makes it easier to cut without splitting. Moreover, it produces a beautiful texture that is highly marketable.

Pros of Elm WoodCons of Elm Wood
Elm Wood is quite durable and can take plenty of punishmentElmwood takes a long time to dry
It is a heartwood with a very notably mute grainIt is vulnerable to insects
Its texture is smooth to the touch, making it easy to keep clean/clearIts flexibility can limit its load-bearing capacity
It has decent workability. Intermediate woodworkers can make advanced masterpieces from it.It is generally more expensive than most desk woods
Table showing Pros and Cons of using Elm wood to build a computer desk.

Walnut

Walnut
Photo of a Walnut wood board.

Walnut is yet another dark wood that can be used for desk building. However, its price doesn’t match the general market, which is why it is best left for high-end clientele like executives. Its rich dark hue also makes it ideal for such offices.

A walnut desk in a junior executive’s office would look out of place. Woodworkers prefer this wood because of its high workability. Its texture is hard to notice, but its color is not. The wood stains well, but a decent finish is all it really needs.

Pros of WalnutCons of Walnut
Visually appealing grain with a chocolatey appearanceIt is too costly by desk market standards
Imperfections aren’t as evident on itWhile durable, it can incur dents
It is sustainable if acquired by the right meansIt is difficult to install for most novice woodworkers
It resists molding despite being vulnerable to moistureIt is hard to move because of its weight
It can sustain heavy use because of its durabilityIt can be vulnerable to moisture and weather changes
It is quite stable and shock-resistantIt needs annual resealing to maintain its rich appearance.
Table showing Pros and Cons of using Walnut wood to build a computer desk.

Teak

est Woods For Computer Desks 2022_Teak
Photo of a Teakwood board.

Teak is a naturally moisture-resistant wood that is fit for desks in humid coastal environments. It is generally used in marine applications because of its ability to resist warping and getting damaged upon contact with water. Since desks are often indoor furniture items, teak wouldn’t be seen as desk wood in dry states like Nevada and Arizona.

However, it would be the perfect desk wood for places in the coastal pacific northwest. If you reside in Washington, DC, for instance, you might as well make teak your only primary desk lumber choice.

Pros of TeakCons of Teak
Teak is strong and durable enough for even heavy computer setupsIt is costly because of its marine application demand
Teak isn’t vulnerable to insect attacksTeak is rare in common lumber markets
Teak’s density allows it to hold up heavier loadsIts internal strength can dull blades
It is pretty hard to topple overIt requires more maintenance than average hardwood
Table showing Pros and Cons of using Teak to build a computer desk.

Cherry

Woods For Computer Desks 2022_Cherry
Photo of a Cherrywood board.

Cherrywood is perhaps more popular than cherries, at least in the united states. Cherry is a reddish-brown hardwood that even non-woodworkers can recognize at a glance. It has a smooth grain that results in a texture that is hard to feel but very easy to see.

A video that talks about the characteristics of Cherry wood.

It is excellent for author desks and desks for small business owners because it ages very well. Often, Cherry furniture can be found at its best when it is an heirloom.

Pros of CherryCons of Cherry
Very conducive to a polished finishExtremely expensive
Admired universally for its appearanceIt can incur wear and tear over time
It can bear a load of computer and office accessories with easeIt can incur scratches if used carelessly
Table showing Pros and Cons of using Cherrywood to build a computer desk.

Maple

Woods For Computer Desks 2022_Maple
Photo of a Maplewood board.

Best left for expensive clients, Maple is one of the hardest desk woods in existence. It is often adopted because of its smooth grain pattern. If you do not like Maple’s creamy color, you can stain it any way you please. But again, being an expensive wood, it is best finished as it is.

Overall, the best aspect of maple desks is that they are very difficult to damage. Maple’s durability makes it highly sought after, and if you make maple desks, you can be sure they will sell more easily.

Pros of MapleCons of Maple
Relatively inexpensive and can be used for large desksIt cannot take as much punishment as other wood types
Its straight grain makes it easier to cut without splittingIt is vulnerable to insect attacks and can get easily damaged
It has visually interesting swirlsIt is one of the harder woods to stain
Table showing Pros and Cons of using Maplewood to build a computer desk.

Rosewood

Woods For Computer Desks 2022_Rosewood
Photo of a Rosewood board.

If you want to specialize in making desks out of one particular lumber, rosewood would be a great candidate for two reasons.

Firstly, it is not used as often for furniture making in the US. This can help you stand apart from the average furniture seller.

Secondly, this wood comes in a range of appearances based on the type of rosewood you’re working with. And almost all of them are great for furniture making. It is used in high-end desks in the eastern world.

Given its “luxurious at first glance” look, thanks to its rich dark color, it is also very likely to win an American client’s heart.

Pros of RosewoodCons of Rosewood
It is a corrosion-resistant wood typeIt isn’t as easily available
It can retain its appearance for a longer periodIt costs more than average furniture wood
It has decent strength and can easily bear a computer’s weightIt is difficult to move and can be hard to install
It is smooth to the touch and beautiful to look atIt might deform with careless use
Table showing Pros and Cons of using Rosewood to build a computer desk.

Birch

Best Woods For Computer Desks 2022_Birch
Photo of a Birchwood board.
https://twitter.com/revateurism/status/1522195880874737664?s=20&t=8IKjjJ-z3PIrM9_2qQYDxw

If you think you would regret using an expensive wood type for a desk that’s supposed to be painted, use birch.

Birchwood isn’t too expensive yet is durable enough to outperform some of the best wood types that are far more expensive.

It is straight-grained and can also be stained to mimic other wood types. If your office furniture is made from another type of lumber that is not ideal for desks, you can use Birchwood and stain it. It is easy to see that Birchwood isn’t the most rustic-looking choice but do check out the birch core, as it is reddish.

Pros of BirchCons of Birch
Its grain is visually interestingIt is not moisture-resistant
It is relatively cheapIt can be cracked by heat or damaged by insects
It is very easy to paintIt can incur wear and tear easily
Table showing Pros and Cons of using Birchwood to build a computer desk.

Oak

Best Woods For Computer Desks 2022_Oak
Photo of an Oakwood board.

Oakwood is one of the go-to options for almost any load-bearing furniture project. This is because of the hardwood’s durability. Oak Wood types used in furniture options include Red Oak which has a reddish brown appearance, and White Oak, which has a more creamy appearance.

Red Oak’s Janka hardness is 1260 while White Oak’s hardness rating is 1360, making both of these wood types overqualified for common desks. Oak wood’s straight grain alongside its rings makes it unmistakable to spot and ideal for prestige desks.

Pros of OakCons of Oak
It is highly durable and very sturdyIt might not be the most expensive wood, but it isn’t cheap either
It is easy to stain and finish but looks great regardlessIt is too heavy for a casual computer desk
It is fire-resistant, which can be a plus if there is an electric sparkIf not maintained properly, it might shrink or crack
Table showing Pros and Cons of using Oakwood to build a computer desk.

Cedar

Best Woods For Computer Desks 2022_Cedar
Photo of a Cedarwood board.

Cedar is more commonly used in fences and outdoor benches than in desks because it is moisture-resistant. However, it is perfect for indoor office furniture for highrises in the pacific northwest for the same reason it is perfect for outdoors elsewhere.

Aside from its ability to resist moisture, Cedar is also desirable because it is easy to work with and has a unique texture. Its range of colors grows from pale red to darker colors, its grain is straight, and its texture is coarse, giving it an undeservedly expensive appearance.

Pros of CedarCons of Cedar
Resists rot, decay, insect attacks, and water damageIt must be sealed annually
It has an attractive appearanceIt is not dense enough for heavier PC setups
Even beginners can find it easy to work withIt is a softwood and can ultimately scratch very easily.
Table showing Pros and Cons of using Cedarwood to build a computer desk.

Zebrano

Best Woods For Computer Desks 2022_Zebrano
Photo of a Zebrano, also called Zebrawood board.

Zebrano or Zebrawood is titled after its appearance. This wood has zebra-like black stripes with Cappucino to cream-color wood base. Its visual distinctiveness and exotic origin make it quite a niche wood type. So it is best left for specialized desks for clients who prefer products that stand apart.

Zebrawood is one of the most popular exports from central Africa and is known for its appearance first.

However, it is also one of the hardest hardwoods on this list. Its Janka rating is a whopping 1830. It has an interlocked gain but can also be wavy, and it has a coarse texture that peeps through stain and paint.

Pros of ZebranoCons of Zebrano
A very distinct pattern that is hard to missNarrows down the market to the few who like its appearance
It is a very strong wood that resists wear and tearIt is hard to source because it is grown in Africa
Table showing Pros and Cons of using Zebrano wood to build a computer desk.

Pinewood

Best Woods For Computer Desks 2022_Pinewood
Photo of a Pinewood board.

Not all desks are meant to be sturdy and capable of bearing heavy loads. Some desks are much better valued because they are easier to move. Often, these desks are constructed with light non-ferrous metals and have a pinewood desktop.

Even a desk made entirely out of pinewood is very easy to move. Aside from being lightweight, pinewood’s other desirable properties include its rustic appearance and ring-porous look. Above all, it is a straight-grained wood that is easy to work with.

Pros of PinewoodCons of Pinewood
It is not very costlyIt can incur wear and tear even with normal use
It is easy to work with It is limited to only medium-weight setups
It is light on the environment and in its actual formIt is hard to select high-quality lumber from pine
Table showing Pros and Cons of using Pinewood to build a computer desk.

Bamboo

Best Woods For Computer Desks 2022_Bamboo
Photo of a Bamboo wood board

Bamboo might be a surprising entry in this list because it is technically not wood. It is grass that is practically the same as wood. It might seem weak because a stalk of bamboo is easier to bend than the trunk of even a softwood tree. But if you compare bamboo and wood on a board-for-board basis, it wins against Oak and Ashwood.

Its Janka hardness is 1200 on the low end and 1400 on the higher side. What does this mean for desk-making? Bamboo can be acquired more cheaply and can bear more weight than some north-American hardwoods.

It is an economical choice for budget desks and will sell quickly in a demography that doesn’t care for wood types. There is no wood-like grain on bamboo, and its texture is relatively uniform.

Pros of BambooCons of Bamboo
It is quite strong and highly durableIt shrinks and swells with ease
It is hard to break with the weightIt is easy to scratch
It is generally fire-resistantIt is technically not even wood
Table showing Pros and Cons of using Bamboo wood to build a computer desk.

Hickory

Best Woods For Computer Desks 2022_Hickory
Photo of Hickory wood board

Hickory is one of the more durable and luxurious woods on this list. It ranges from pale to deep cappuccino color and is often admired for its visual appeal and ability to resist scratches. That’s why it is often used in veneering. Hickory wood can be used for just the desktop or for the entire desk.

https://twitter.com/voluntary_ben/status/1506284464997126150?s=20&t=8IKjjJ-z3PIrM9_2qQYDxw

It is one of the hardest hardwoods, with a Janka rating of 1820! It might be harder to cut because of this, especially if you use hand tools more often than power tools. Hickory has straight grain for the most part with some level of waviness. The waves are often visible and are a part of the wood’s charm.

Pros of HickoryCons of Hickory
Among the more prestigious lumber typesIt is very expensive
It resists wear and tearIt can be too heavy to move or install 
Table showing Pros and Cons of using Hickory wood to build a computer desk.

African Blackwood

Best Woods For Computer Desks 2022_African Blackwood
Photo of an African Blackwood board.

The final word on this list and the second one of African origin besides Zebrano are African Blackwood. This wood is a close alternative to ebony, which is one of the most expensive woods in the world. African Blackwood has a deep black color which opens up plenty of doors for visual possibilities, including contrast and cohesion.

In other words, an African blackwood desk can fit in a white room as easily as it would in a room with plenty of black furniture. African blackwood has a straight grain, and its fine texture wouldn’t be visible, even if it were coarse, due to its non-reflective appearance.

Pros of African BlackwoodCons of African Blackwood
Rich dark appearanceNot everyone wants a black desk
It is very strong and can hold the weight of multiple PCsIt is pretty expensive and rare
Table showing Pros and Cons of using African Blackwood to build a computer desk.

Desk wood FAQs

Which wood is best for the office desk?

Oak is the best wood for an office desk because it balances durability with economy and aesthetics. It is good-looking, can bear a load, and is considered a prestigious choice.

What is the best solid wood for a computer desk?

Ash wood is the best solid wood for a computer desk because it can hold up a computer and PC accessories without buckling, and it is not as expensive as other hardwoods.

What is a good material for a computer desk?

Maple, Ashwood, and Oakwood are all excellent materials for a computer desk. Ashwood can be used for broader desks because of its price. Maple and Oak can give your computed desk a touch of tradition.

How thick should a computer desk be?

A good computer desk is 1-inch thick, but the specificity of the desk thickness depends on the material. For instance, plywood desktops are often 0.7 mm thick at a minimum, while some solid wood desks are 1.25 inches thick.

Where to buy wood for the desk?

You can buy wood for a desk from Home Depot or your local lumber shop. Alternatively, you can shop desk wood online on stores like Amazon and even on Etsy.

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