An Ode to the Lap Desk

I’m a homebody. I love nowhere better than my favorite reading chair. I was “bed rotting” before the youths these days used the term. Over the years, I’ve collected a few creature comforts: a devotion to one particular lightbulb, fingerless gloves, slides for the warm months, slippers for the cold months, and the prettiest teeny tiny tea light candle holders tucked in every surface I can find to add warmth and sparkle.

But by far the most used item in my creature comfort arsenal is my lap desk. We picked up the two we have (my husband found himself reaching for mine so often, he got his own) from Barnes & Noble. They’re somewhat interchangeable in our house, but officially mine is the wooden top, which I happen to like better because of the way I primarily use mine, and his is the marble top. The wooden grain provides just enough friction to hold a book or my Kindle in place so I recommend shopping in person if possible because the textures really do make a difference, depending on if you’re primarily using these for writing, reading, working, or something else. If I were going to splurge and upgrade, I would get this one because of the extra features, like the tiny drawer, though I truly love the beanbag nature of ours which means I can readjust, even if sitting unevenly. It’s very forgiving of adjustments in bed or a favorite chair. I’ve even propped it on my lap for extra desk space when sitting at my computer desk.

I actually picked up the lap desk on a lark, during a prolonged season living in a hotel between moves, when I found I was spending more time than usual in the three limited spaces a hotel usually has to sit. I needed a little extra desk space. I fully expected I’d get rid of it once we finally settled into our new home, but I found it so invaluable, I now never wish to be parted from it.

My lap desk holds whatever I’m working on at the moment—my book, a laptop, a Kindle, even a drink or snack. It’s got the best parts of a pillow and the best parts of those gorgeous but less comfy trays I see sitting luxuriously on the bed in every Pinterest photo of a proper guest room.

The handle means I pretty much carry it from room to room—my emotional support lap desk, if you will. It goes with me everywhere; but if you’re trying to store one, they’re slim enough to fit in so many places. I especially love it this time of year when I inevitably feel under the weather or just want a duvet day.

Are you looking for a gift idea for someone who seemingly has everything? I’d be willing to bet that a good many of those on your list do not have a lap desk. It’s the item I never knew I needed, but after living with a lap desk, I now never want to know life without one.

Are you a lap desk devotee? Please share in the comments.

P.S. Add joy to your reading life with these favorite bookish accessories, Elevate your reading experience with these favorite bookish things, and Unconventional packing tips for your next trip.

About the author

Ginger Horton is our Book Club Community Manager here at MMD. Her go-to genres are literary fiction and classics. You can find Ginger on Instagram at @gthorton or the MMD Book Club account @MMDBookClub.