Solid Oak Desks Made to Fit Your Work and Space
A solid oak desk provides long-term durability, visual warmth, and functional comfort. In UK households and commercial workspaces, furniture must support frequent use, which is why hardwood desks made with precision joinery are trusted by those who value both reliability and aesthetics. Wooden desks, including those crafted from solid oak, are known for their lasting strength. Veneered or MDF-based products often deteriorate faster due to surface wear and structural weakness. In contrast, a real oak desk with a hardwax oil finish offers excellent load-bearing strength, edge stability, and surface repair potential.
At Tablemaker, we build made-to-measure desks in North London using full stave oak boards, ensuring consistent surface quality and accurate dimensioning for every order.
Our Range of Solid Oak Desks
All our tables are made from full stave solid oak, not veneer. The timber we use is strong, attractive, and long-lasting. Unlike many mass-market products, you can sand and re-oil our oak desks to keep them looking fresh over the years. Every table includes straightening bars underneath, which help the wood stay flat and avoid warping.
Tables are made to exact measurements. That means if you need a 145-centimetre table to seat six with the right amount of clearance, that is what we build. Edge profiles can be square, rounded, or chamfered depending on the design.
ATO 55 Desk(Best Seller)
Combining compact proportions with Scandinavian style legs, the ATO 55 is suited to workspaces where simplicity and space efficiency matter. Its flat frame supports a 24 millimetre oak top, upgradeable to 30 millimetres if desired. The table top is also available in clear pine as a lighter wood alternative.
Radius 70 Desk (Popular)
This model includes radius corners and a rounded front edge to reduce sharp angles. It is a popular option for households with shared rooms or for clients placing desks in visible areas such as lounges or open plan spaces.
Industry 68 Desk
(Practical & Durable)
Built for practical durability and industrial inspired aesthetics, this desk is available with powder coated steel legs. The solid oak top is supported with optional metal bracing or oak support rails. This makes it a strong option for creative studios or environments where weight bearing is important.
Taper 2 Desk (Space Saving)
This desk is built with narrow timber legs and a compact form factor. It is often selected for student rooms, small flats or under stair alcoves. Despite its size, it retains the structural strength of a full oak surface.
Oak Desk Tops
We supply stand alone oak desk tops to pair with your own base. These tops feature rounded front edges and optional cable management notches. They can be mounted on fixed height frames or sit stand mechanisms and are finished in protective hardwax oil. Learn about solid oak desk top dimensions and configuration options directly on our website.
Woods and finishes for desk
What desk woods and finishes are available?
Oak is the standard
We use solid European oak for most of our desk tops. It is long-lasting, has a strong grain pattern, and holds up well to repeat use. Oak desks can be sanded back and refinished over time, giving them an extended life.
You can pick from three finishes on all of our oak desks:
Clear for a clean, natural wood look
Warm for a golden tone that adds a little richness
Dark for more depth and contrast
These finishes can be matched to your existing base or furniture. We also offer finish samples by post so you can compare them at home before you order.
Satin Hardwax Oil Finish
All of our desk tops are sealed with a satin hardwax oil that protects the surface while keeping the woodgrain visible. The finish is food safe, wipeable, and easy to refresh later on. It works well in kitchens, dining rooms, home offices, and commercial spaces.
If you want to see how a finish will look before you buy, we offer wood finish samples you can order online.
Other Woods We Use
Ash desks, beech desks, pine desks, walnut desks, and birch ply desks are also available. These can suit different budgets or match a specific look. Ash has a lighter tone and more visible grain. Beech is smooth and pale. Birch ply is strong with a clear edge and is good for smaller desk tops or tighter price points.
Finishing Choices
We use hardwax oil for its durability and ease of repair. It comes in clear or pigmented tones. We also offer food-safe oils in case you eat at your desk. All finishes are low VOC and easy to maintain with oil refreshers or gentle cleaning products.
Can I customise a desk to suit my space?
Yes. Every order begins with your required size and style. We do not limit you to preset dimensions. You can select the length, width, height, and finish that fits your room, your use, and your preferences. Whether you’re looking for a made-to-measure desk or a customised oak office table, we tailor each desk to your exact needs.
Read our guide on how to customise your oak desk for full details.
Dimensions to Match Your Working Needs
Our tables can be built in 1cm increments. This gives you freedom to match alcoves, lighting, or other furniture. We also help you choose the best leg placement for maximum room, ensuring a perfect fit for your home office desk or commercial workspace.
Desk Top Thickness and Edge Profile
The standard thickness is 24mm, but we also offer 30mm or can create a false edge to mimic thicker wood. Edge styles include square, rounded, and bevelled options. These details can change the feel of the desk, whether you want a more formal look or a relaxed, contemporary style for your desk with storage.
Colours and Finishes of Our Wooden Desks
Our standard finish is a clear satin hardwax oil that protects and enhances the oak desk surface. We also offer warm and dark tints. For legs, you can choose from over 20 colour sprays or ask for custom finishes using paint brands like Farrow and Ball. If you prefer to paint the legs yourself, we can supply them sanded and ready.
Timber Options
Most tables are made in solid oak desks. We also work in walnut, ash, beech, or pine on request. These are useful if you are matching other furniture or creating a different visual effect for your custom desk.
Most tables are made in solid oak desks. We also work in walnut, ash, beech, or pine on request. These are useful if you are matching other furniture or creating a different visual effect for your custom desk.
Choosing the Right Desk Dimensions and Surface Features
Why size precision improves comfort and productivity
Work surface dimensions affect posture, reach, and how you arrange your tools and technology. We manufacture custom desks in one-centimetre increments, allowing you to fit the desk with storage or corner desk exactly between two walls, under shelves, or within an alcove. Standard lengths range from 60 centimetres to 190 centimetres, with widths between 40 centimetres and 100 centimetres. Height can be specified to accommodate ergonomic seating or standing desk frame requirements.
Edge profile and wrist comfort
Our desks are available with several edge styles. A square edge is ideal for clean visual lines. A 10-millimetre roundover radius provides comfortable wrist support over long periods. Bevelled edges are also available if you prefer a tapered edge detail. These technical refinements affect both use and appearance, particularly in mixed-use living areas where oak desks are visible outside working hours.
Cable management and desk shape options
We can add a rear centre cable notch measuring three centimetres by three centimetres, suitable for most standard monitor or charger cables. This is especially useful when the back edge of the desk is flush to the wall. You can also request an offset notch or dual notches for more complex setups. Learn more about available customised oak office tables and other features on our site.
What are the long term benefits of choosing solid oak over veneer or MDF?
Oak has a higher density than MDF and a more stable surface than particleboard with laminate. This means better resistance to wear, higher load tolerance, and no peeling or bubbling over time. A veneered surface, once scratched or chipped, cannot be repaired effectively. By contrast, a solid oak desk can be lightly sanded and re-oiled without loss of material.
We use full stave oak boards for every top, which are cut and joined to reduce movement and warping. These boards have fewer joins and deliver better visual consistency across the surface. The desk with storage is supported by internal straightening bars to help keep it flat, even in central heating or mixed humidity environments.
Get a Quote for a Desk
Choose between straight desks and curved desks that have been designed to suit modern office layouts. Our office desks provide comfort and durability.
Desks Built for Home Working, Office and Studio Use
Our desks are used in a wide range of settings including home offices, creative studios, coworking spaces, and commercial offices. We build made-to-measure desks individually and in batches for companies who want a reliable, attractive solution for their teams. Whether you need one desk with drawers or twenty matching units, we can help configure the size, edge style, colour, and leg finish to meet your needs.
Clients can also combine desk orders with matching solid oak shelving or custom dining tables for coordinated fit-outs. Paint finishes are available in standard RAL colours or matched to UK brands such as Farrow and Ball or Little Greene.
Desk Care and Maintenance
Wipe the surface with a damp cloth and a small amount of gentle detergent. Avoid solvent-based sprays or products containing ammonia as these can weaken the oil finish. If the desk top starts to feel dry or absorb water, apply a fresh coat of hardwax oil using a lint-free cloth.
Small scratches can be removed by sanding gently along the grain and then reapplying oil. This makes solid oak desks a good investment in the long term. Unlike veneered desks, which wear through to the base material, solid timber desks can be renewed multiple times.
Specialists In Making Desks From Wood
Why Choose Tablemaker For Your Dining Table
Built in the UK
We make all desks in our London workshop. This helps us keep control over the materials, sizing, and finish and means you can get help or advice from the people building your custom desk.
Made to measure
Everything is cut and built to your measurements. That means better fit, easier placement in your home or office, and less compromise on layout.
Faster than average
Most desks are built and delivered in two to three weeks. If you have a deadline, let us know and we will confirm if it is possible.
Questions We Get Asked
About Oak Desks
If you have a question of your own, then please ask.
Yes. We offer both wood samples and finish swatches which can be ordered directly from our Samples page. They’re a great way to see how each option looks in your space, under your lighting.
Because our tables are made to your specifications, they are not eligible for return unless faulty. We always send order confirmations with measurements and options for your approval before we start, so make sure to check everything carefully.
Need help choosing size or care?
How to choose the right size table
If you are not sure what size table to order, our table sizing guide gives examples of space per seat, table spacing and clearance.
Looking after your table
See our care guide for how to keep solid wood looking good. Includes advice on cleaning, oiling and handling small marks.
How to order a made to measure desk
You can order online by choosing your design, entering your size and selecting the finish. If you need something not listed, use the customise form or send us an email with your request. We usually reply the same day. Once everything is confirmed, we will start making your desk.
Desks are usually ready within two to four weeks. Delivery is available across the UK or you can collect in person from our North London shop. For commercial orders or large projects, we can arrange scheduled deliveries.
Visit The Tablemaker Store
Our workshop and retail space is located on Hornsey High Street. Visitors are welcome by appointment. If you would like to see oak samples, go over a sketch or ask for technical advice, please contact us to arrange a time.
We are happy to offer help choosing a desk or planning a room layout. You can reach us through the contact form on our website, by phone or by email. If you have plans or drawings to send, we will respond with feedback and recommendations quickly.
Contact Form For Desk Customers
To get in touch about a product, custom project, restoration or to make a general enquiry, please use either the contact form, email address or phone number.
