Love antique desks? See how I styled a tall vintage professor’s desk in our dining room—and why antique desks work in every room of the house.
If you ever come across a charming antique desk while thrifting—don’t pass it up!
Antique desks are one of the most versatile vintage furniture pieces you can find.
From dining rooms to entryways, these timeless treasures can add character, function, and vintage charm to any space.
The Day I Discovered This Antique Desk at a New Hampshire Seacoast Summer Market
It was one of those classic coastal Maine summer weekends—hot, humid, and buzzing with bumper-to-bumper traffic heading toward the seaside. But that didn’t stop us from making our way to Sage Farm Antiques, one of my favorite pop-up vintage markets.
Ella, our Bernese Mountain Dog rode shotgun, as she always does, and we braved the crowds for the thrill of the hunt. As I wandered the vendor booths, I spotted it—a tall antique desk tucked off to the side. At first, I wasn’t sure what it was. A drafting table? A workbench? A professor’s desk? Whatever it was, I loved it.
The warm patina on the aged pine, the one simple drawer, and the unique height had me hooked. It wasn’t a total bargain, but it was worth every penny—and it’s still one of my favorite finds to this day.
How I Style an Antique Desk in the Dining Room
When I see a large antique furniture piece I love, I always imagine more than one place where it could live in our home. It helps ensure I won’t second-guess the purchase—and gives me a backup plan if it doesn’t quite work in my first choice of space.
I had a tricky corner in our dining room to fill, just beside a vintage cabinet, and this tall professor-style antique desk was the perfect solution. It brings height, charm, and a new surface to decorate with seasonal displays. From storing silverware to styling florals, it’s become one of my favorite vintage furniture pieces.
In My Mother’s Maine Home
Step inside our inherited coastal Maine home where antiques, thrifted treasures, and family memories come together. Explore the full series for room-by-room decorating ideas, restoration updates, and the story behind this special place.
Create Seasonal Displays on Antique Desks
One of the joys of decorating with antique desks is how they serve as instant styling surfaces. For summer, I like to forage for wildflowers like goldenrod, Queen Anne’s lace, and loosestrife to create natural, nostalgic arrangements.
I’ve displayed them in vintage pewter pitchers from my mother’s collection and framed aged architectural prints above the desk for a layered look. Whether it’s a bowl of pinecones in fall or a vintage lamp at Christmas, desks are styling goldmines.
Try a Styling Tip!
Looking for simple, vintage-inspired decorating ideas you can try in an afternoon? Explore all my Styling Tips for easy seasonal projects, quick DIYs, and creative ways to style your home with charm.
Don’t Overlook a Tall Antique Desk
Not all antique desks are built the same—and that’s a good thing. This taller, professor-style desk adds presence to a room and can serve double duty as a worktable, display area, or tucked-away storage for things like silverware or seasonal paper goods.
Don’t be afraid to decorate with desks in rooms you wouldn’t expect, like the dining room, hallway, or even a bedroom corner. It’s all about mixing function and vintage style.
Vintage and Thrift Shopping Adventures Across New England (and Beyond)
Join me as I explore the best vintage and thrift stores from Maine to Vermont—and even Paris and Canada. It’s your go-to guide for planning your next treasure-hunting adventure.
The Search for the Perfect Chair Led to a Vintage Tennis Umpire Find
While Thrifting with the Gals at one of my favorite New England antique stops—Cabot Mill Antiques in Brunswick, Maine—I stumbled across a tall, quirky chair I’d never seen before. Learn more in this Antiquing Down East, A Day’s Jaunt post.
I was on the hunt for a high stool or chair to pair with our antique desk, so I asked the dealer about it. To my surprise, she told me it was a vintage tennis umpire chair. Well, that sealed the deal. We’re a tennis-loving family—my dad played into his mid-80s—so it felt like the perfect, unexpected match for this piece.
I brought it home, styled it beside the antique desk with a vintage tennis racket (a gift from one of the gals while out antiquing), and added a vase of blue hydrangeas for a soft summer touch. It’s such a fun combination—nostalgic, personal, and full of charm.
Top Vintage Decor Ideas & Thrifted Finds You’ll Love
Explore my most popular vintage decorating posts filled with personal stories, styling tips, and lessons learned from years of thrifting across New England and beyond.
7 Thrifted Finds I Regret Not Buying (And What I Learned)
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Styling Tip Takeaway: Say Yes to Antique Desks
Whether you find one at a pop-up-market like Sage Farm Antiques or tucked in the back of a thrift shop, don’t pass up an antique desk. Their charm, versatility, and function make them one of the best vintage investments you can bring into your home.
I’m still styling this one season after season—and I’d do it all over again.
Why Antique Desks Are One of My Favorite Vintage Finds
Antique desks are one of the most versatile and character-filled pieces you can add to your home. Whether you style them in a dining room, entryway, or bedroom corner, they bring warmth, height, and endless decorating potential. From seasonal vignettes to family treasures, these vintage desks are so much more than office furniture—they’re statement pieces that tell a story.
👉 Thinking about adding an antique desk to your home? Next time you’re out thrifting, don’t pass one by. You just might find your new favorite styling surface.
💬 Let’s chat: Have you ever styled an antique desk in an unexpected room? Share your ideas or photos in the comments below—I’d love to see them!
Frequently Asked Questions About Styling Antique Desks
Antique desks can work beautifully in a dining room as a display table, serving station, or accent piece. Add framed art, seasonal flowers, or vintage accessories to tie it into your decor style.
Antique desks often feature solid wood construction, unique proportions, and timeworn patina that adds charm and character. They’re often taller or more compact, making them flexible for styling in many rooms.
Try placing an antique desk in an entryway, dining room, bedroom, or even a hallway. Think of it as a versatile vintage piece that doesn’t have to stay in a home office.
The right chair depends on the desk’s height and purpose. For taller desks like mine, look for vintage bar stools, drafting chairs, or even quirky finds like a tennis umpire chair for extra personality.
Look for signs like dovetail joints, solid wood construction, hand-carved details, and signs of wear that match its age. Many antique desks also have unique drawer pulls and wood grain patterns not found in modern pieces.
Your Guide to Embracing Eclectic Style, Vintage Finds, and Thrifted Home Inspiration~
Love decorating with vintage finds, thrifted treasures, and eclectic charm? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below, share this post with a vintage-loving friend, or join our Reader’s Showcase Series — where we feature your favorite thrifted and antique finds. Email me at [email protected] to be part of it!
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Ann,
I can just imagine this table being used over the years. So much history. I love it.
Thank you so much, Rachel!
Hi Ann,
I think this looks like an old drafting table from its height.
NJ doesn’t have great thrifting as you know from Stacy I’m sure.
This is oerfect in your Maine hone.
Enjoy it!
Oh, I know Cindy. I’m starting to think it was an old educator’s desk made into a work table, as the top doesn’t open but you can see that it did at one time. But I love it!:))
I agree with Cindi, it could be a desk. We have an antique schools master’s desk that slants like this one but opens up for the school master to put pens, ink, etc. inside leaving the top free for his current book or lesson. What a great find!
I agree. The desk top doesn’t open but it looks like it used too. I love it too❤️❤️❤️
Love your desk/table. I wonder if it was cut down from a taller desk for a teacher to stand at in front ot the class? I think that bottom stretcher is waiting for a large basket full of dried flowers or throws! Years ago, I helped a friend make several flower arrangements for the Windsor Fair. She handed me some cat-o-nine tails, then told me to to pick some Queen Anne’s lace, wild asters and goldenrod along the road. The container was an awesome “watering can” made of thin white birch slabs. We won a BLUE RIBBON!
Kathy, someone else mentioned a teacher or professor’s desk to me today too. I never ever thought of that, but yes! It totally looks like that. Ok, now I need to get some “cat o nine tails”. My mother used to get them all the time and I haven’t ventured in to get them yet. They are so beautiful with the color purple I think! Thanks so much for dropping by today Kathy!
Well that looks fabulous there! Love the phone and how you styled the table. I hope you don’t mind me saying your Mother must be happy to see you finding such pleasure decorating her home.
Thank you so much, Jillian that means so much to me!
Love your weed bouquet, and you will have so much fun decorating your table.
Thank you so much, Marlene! Yes, it’s very decoratable, ha ha!
Wonderful find!!
Thank you so much Eileen😃
I can picture Bob Crachit from The Christmas Carol sitting at your table. Didn’t his desk slant? New to your blog and enjoying reading about your adventures. How lucky are you to have houses in two of the prettiest states in the US. We visited Maine several years ago and fell in love with it but I am not a cold weather person. 😀. Peace to all.
Oh I loved that book and movie. Yes so funny. Welcome and thank you so kindly for dropping by today!