Office desks must be utilitarian and at the same time blend well with the office environment. They must be subtle so as not to stand out within the office's confines. Most office desks are painted in subtle colors such as grey, black, blue, and white. However, modern offices have been known to experiment with their office furniture in both pattern and color, and hence newer office desks are much different than their earlier counterparts.

Desks used in offices must be wide enough to hold several files and sometimes a computer. They must also provide lots of leg room for the person to sit comfortably. Office desks are made to be highly ergonomic as people sit at them for hours on end. Office desks may contain a few drawers which may have locking provisions. There are also hutches that can be affixed to the wall over the office desk. Hutches become very convenient to place important files and books of reference.

There are several trendy designs nowadays in office desks. There are no longer any conventional parameters limiting desks to a rectangular format. Desks can be found in offices in extremely abstract shapes and designed with a really wide array of materials. En vogue are desks with transparent glass tops and metal legs. Such desks give the impression of occupying less space due to their sleek design. Traditional wooden desks are also found a lot. Maple desks are very expensive. Desks are also made from metal, fiberglass, and molded plastic.

Office desks are usually ordered in bulk. Orders are usually placed by hiring a carpentry contractor, who crafts the desks along with the other office furniture. As they are ordered in bulk, their prices are lower than on an individual basis. Yet, desks for offices are more expensive than home desks or institutional desks due to the reason that they need innovation and uniqueness in design. Their prices depend on their design, and quality. These office desks can cost about $200.