The Good Trade editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.
We’ve researched and tested hundreds of desks with eco-friendly and nontoxic materials — these are our top picks for a sustainable home office.
We’re upgrading our desks to maximize our productivity and comfort, and we think you might be too. If you’re also on the hunt for a new desk that is maybe a step up from IKEA, check out these sustainable and nontoxic options with local manufacturing, responsibly sourced materials, and low or neutral carbon emissions. Top it off with a comfy and eco-conscious desk chair, and you’ll be good to go.
Why choose a desk made with eco-friendly and nontoxic materials?
You might opt for a wooden desk or one made with nontoxic and sustainable materials for a few reasons — aesthetic appeal, durability, safety, and sustainability being at the top of the list. Unfortunately, many conventional desks are treated with toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, phthalates, flame retardants, and wood preservatives to prevent surface defects, which can wreak havoc on the air quality of our home and health. That’s why choosing a nontoxic desk made with all natural and nontoxic finishes is so important, especially when most of us spend the majority of our days at our desks!
The natural beauty of wooden desks offers a timeless appeal and can easily complement other furniture in your home. High-quality materials are also made to be sturdy and durable, especially when made from hardwoods — meaning your furniture will stand the test of time. Best of all, many sustainable wood desks are made with wood from sustainably managed forests, or reclaimed wood, which is better for our environment.
Our criteria:
Our editors have filled their homes with sustainable and nontoxic furniture for years. We’ve relied on our first-hand experience, corresponding with the top brands, and reading thousands of customer reviews to make our selections. The options on this list are all nontoxic, eco-friendly, and will enhance the comfort and overall look of your workspace. We’ve even included at least one more affordable option on the list. We regularly update this list with new favorites that meet the following criteria.
- COMFORT & DESIGN | All of the nontoxic desks on this list — whether you’re looking for solid wood, bamboo or something else — will elevate your space.
- SUSTAINABLE & ECO-FRIENDLY | The brands below use reclaimed or responsibly sourced materials to ensure your desk is good for the earth and good for you too. You’ll find options that are FSC certified, Climate Neutral, and registered B Corps. These high quality materials mean your desk will last for years to come, too.
- NONTOXIC | Not only are these nontoxic desks made with natural materials, they’re never treated with any hard chemicals that could disrupt your health while you work. Most of these come with reputable certifications that indicate low-to-no emissions.
- AFFORDABLE | Investing in your workspace can be steep. We’ve included at least one option that is lower cost for smaller budgets.
And, of course, if these desks aren’t your style, consider renting or going secondhand. Be sure to add on these nontoxic rugs and sustainable office chairs for a cozy and conscious upgrade to your workspace!
Best Overall | Most Affordable | Best For Small Spaces
1. RLDH
Nontoxic Materials | Baltic birch plywood
Features We Love | Made-to-order, carbon-neutral shipping
Starting At | $129
Rodolfo Lozano launched RLDH in Southern California after seeing his design dreams come to life on his renovated home, his son’s crib, and a successful Kickstarter. Today, RLDH’s scaffolds and standing desks are made-to-order using high-quality maple and birch, tailored to your specific height and computer. Consider one of these desks or scaffolds if you’re not quite ready to purchase a new desk but want to switch to standing work. (And enjoy carbon-neutral shipping!)
Customer Review | “Love how it works standing or sitting. Perfect height for me – simple without moving parts. Exactly what i was looking for. As well, it doesn’t take up a lot of real estate on my desk” – Radiant Roots (Read all reviews.)
2. Avocado
Nontoxic Materials | Solid walnut wood, solid maple wood
Features We Love | Climate Neutral certified, GREENGUARD Gold certified, FSC certified, sustainable solid wood, nontoxic materials
Starting At | $3,499
Avocado’s Mid-Century Modern Desk is here to elevate your office space with its angular silhouette, soft-close drawers and timeless charm. Made with responsibly-sourced solid wood (for its long-lasting and resilient appeal) in Avocado’s FSC-certified Los Angeles woodshop, this desk is designed for longevity and durability for years to come. Safety is of utmost importance, with the desk being Formaldehyde-Free Claim Verified by UL, meaning no VOC’s and phthalates. For environmentally-friendly living, you can’t get any better!
3. Work From Home Desks
Nontoxic Materials | Birchwood ply
Features We Love | FSC certified birch, EPA certified for low emissions
Starting at | $639
Work From Home Desks is the ergonomic, easy, and effective setup you need to get right to work, wherever home is (without any tools!). Crafted just outside of Los Angeles with FSC certified birch timber, each adjustable desk is slim and simple yet exceptionally sturdy, holding up to 100 pounds of equipment. You can also find larger or kid-sized desks and accessories like a laptop lifter or shelf to best fit your needs.
Customer Review | “This small desk fits nicely in an alcove near our kitchen. The additional shelf holds the monitor at the correct height. I did not want a “serious” piece of furniture, but I did want a practical, stable, attractive work area. The small desk checked all my boxes.” – Ilene K. (Read all reviews.)
4. orbit anywhere
Nontoxic Materials | Baltic birch
Features We Love | Responsibly sourced, some recycled materials, water-based adhesive, title VI & CARB compliant
Starting at | $495
orbit anywhere crafts wood desks that are all about smart, sustainable design with serious style. Handmade in the USA from responsibly sourced Baltic birch and finished with safe, high-pressure laminates, these desks are built to last and look good doing it. Whether you’re into sleek Scandinavian vibes, timeless mid-century modern, or the fun, wavy energy of their popular squiggle desk, there’s something for every aesthetic. The best part? orbit desks are modular and super easy to put together or take apart — perfect for your home office, studio, or on-the-go workspace. They even welcome custom requests if you’ve got a unique combo in mind.
Customer Review | “This is my second purchase with orbit & they do not disappoint! Bruce has amazing customer service and their products are so impressive. I love my Updesk!” – Nay (Read all reviews.)
5. Sundays
Nontoxic Materials | European oak, MDF, oak veneer
Features We Love | Sustainably sourced & FSC-certified wood, BIFMA compliant
Starting at | $1,250
Sundays desks are built to be everyday heroes in your space — stylish, sturdy, and made to last. The Everyday Desk lives up to its name with a clean, timeless design crafted from solid European oak. It’s got a soft-close drawer for storage, a hidden grommet for cable management, and a matte lacquer finish that’s water- and stain-resistant. On the flip side, the Form Desk brings a softer silhouette with rounded edges and a minimalist, hardware-free look. It offers four push-to-open soft-close drawers for all your essentials and even features protective glides to keep your floors scratch-free. Simple, durable, and effortlessly good-looking!
6. Flexispot
Nontoxic Materials | Solid wood, bamboo, chipboard
Features We Love | FSC certified, recycled materials, natural materials, gives back
Starting At | $100
Flexispot’s commitment to wellness and productivity in the workplace is seen through their line of ergonomic desks and workstations. The brand carries a large selection of height-adjustable, drawer and L-shaped standing desks in a number of sizes, materials and prices that fit any budget. Made from recyclable, recycled and upcycled materials including wood from sustainably managed forests, Flexispot ensures they limit their carbon footprint even when producing premium products. We especially love the high-tech desk control options that display your favorite height settings and the embedded charging ports for ease of use.
Customer Review | “I recently purchased E7 pro standing desk from flexispot and I’m truly amazed by the build quality. It is designed really well and motors inside the legs don’t make much noise compared to other standing desks. The solid warranty flexispot offers, it’s a great and a safe buy. I can safely 100% recommend this product to anyone looking to buy a good standing desk.” – Farhad K. (Read all reviews.)
7. MasayaCo
Nontoxic Materials | Solid hardwood
Features We Love | Sustainably harvested wood, plants more trees than they harvest via their Seed to Seat process, eco-friendly production
Starting At | $1,200
MasayaCo is an FSC-certified sustainable furniture brand from the heart of Nicaragua. With a focus on thoughtful design, artisan craftsmanship, and reforestation, the brand has planted over 1.3 million trees to date, keeping part of their reforestation projects untouched to allow nature to thrive on its own. The minimalist desks come in two wood swatches, all of which are handmade to order by their trained in-house artisans. So not only are these desks gorgeous, but they’re an intentional investment in communities, too.
Customer Review | “The walnut desk is a sharp and modern piece in my study. It came well-packaged and protected during shipping. The desk is a comfortable height with spacious desk space. The stain is a little thin, however, and needs to be protected from scratches and chips.” – Brandon (Read all reviews.)
8. West Elm
Nontoxic Materials | Solid wood, raffia, glass
Features We Love | FSC certified wood, GREENGUARD Gold certified, water-based finish, Fair Trade Certified options
Starting At | $279
West Elm’s line of Fair Trade Certified desks perfectly blend style and sustainability. They’re made with responsibly sourced materials, including FSC certified wood, by workers in safe, fair working conditions across Asia. Finished with a water-based stain, these mid-century style desks are stunning natural and neutral options for any home office. We especially love the ones that come with additional storage!
9. Urban Natural
Nontoxic Materials | Solid wood
Features We Love | USA-made options, ethically-sourced, handcrafted by artisans, sustainably-sourced wood
Starting At | $949
Urban Natural’s mission is to offer safe, heirloom-quality furniture for a healthy home. The marketplace partners with local craftspeople that build sustainable desks from ethically sourced and non-toxic materials. Each desk is handcrafted by fairly compensated artisans using eco-friendly methods, ensuring that the furniture is built to last and can be passed down through generations. With their extensive options at various price points, you’re sure to find the desk of your dreams!
Featured image from Work From Home Desks
