This innovative compact desk ($499) from Crate & Barrel is a genius at negotiating tight spaces. What looks like a 30″ cabinet converts to a 55″ full-size desk, making it a clever solution for studio apartments and multipurpose rooms. A quick slide of its top panel reveals hard-working amenities. When open, the top of the cabinet reveals generous storage space for a laptop, plus cubbies with removable dividers to stow paper clips, rubber bands and other smalls. Cord cutouts in back let you charge iPods, laptop and cell phones. Below are a storage drawer and one letter and legal-size file. Integrated wood handles run the length of the drawers, which slide smoothly on ball-bearing glides.
