Wow.. the yard sales have been yard saling, let me tell you.  We have gone to so many of them this year and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Yard sales and flea markets are the best thing about summer in our area. We have so many of them.  I have found so many great things to add to our collections this summer. I’ve even started a few new ones this year. A few weeks ago, I found an antique roll top desk at a huge barn sale in Portland, Indiana, and decided I needed to add it to our home. 

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The Different Types of Roll Top Desks

When Deb and I first saw this piece in the garage of this sale, we both gasped. The wood is beautiful and it was a perfect size. It’s very tall so whoever bought it would need tall ceilings, which we do. Our ceilings are 9′ and 10′ depending on what room.  I was mesmerized by the roll top part of this piece. All roll top desks that I’ve seen have the slats.  This one has more of a panel look to it, which is why I loved it so much. That made me head straight to google to see all of the different types of roll top desk that were made and I thought you may be interested too.  Which one do you think we have?  I think it’s the secretary roll top desk.

Pedestal Roll-Top Desk

The most common style, featuring two pedestal bases with drawers on either side and a central kneehole for seating. The pedestals often had multiple drawers of varying sizes, with some featuring file drawers for larger documents. Typically, these desks were made from solid oak or mahogany, with decorative moldings, brass hardware, and sometimes even carved details. The roll-top itself was made of slats that curved into the desk when opened. This style provided ample storage and workspace, making it ideal for offices and homes alike.

S-Shaped Roll-Top Desk

A variation of the traditional roll-top desk, the S-shaped desk featured a roll-top cover that had a distinct “S” curve when rolled down. This allowed for a smoother, more elegant look compared to the straight roll-top. The S-shape added an element of sophistication and was often accompanied by ornate carvings, intricate veneer work, and high-quality wood. The design allowed for easier access to the contents of the desk when the top was partially rolled down, making it more user-friendly.

Tambour Front Desk

This style featured a roll-top cover made of closely set slats, known as tambours, that rolled back into the desk. The tambour front was usually more rounded and could be designed with finer, more delicate slats. Tambour front desks often had a more streamlined and less bulky appearance, with finer craftsmanship evident in the slats and overall construction. The desk might be smaller, designed for more personal use, such as letter writing. These desks were often more compact, making them suitable for smaller spaces or personal studies.

Ladies’ Roll-Top Desk

Specifically designed for women, these desks were typically smaller and more delicate than the larger, more robust pedestal desks. They often had a more feminine design, with lighter wood and more decorative elements. Features included curved legs, more ornate carvings, and sometimes inlaid decorations. The roll-top might be more gracefully curved, and the interior compartments were often designed to hold smaller items, like letters, stationery, and personal effects.  These desks were used primarily for correspondence and personal writing, offering a private space in a Victorian lady’s bedroom or sitting room.

Double Roll-Top Desk

A rarer style, the double roll-top desk had two separate roll-top sections, often on either side of a central writing surface. Each side could be independently opened and closed. This type of desk was usually larger and more elaborate, with multiple compartments and drawers. The double roll-tops allowed for better organization and separation of workspaces. The double roll-top design was practical for those who needed to manage different types of work or correspondence simultaneously. It also provided additional security and privacy.

Kidney-Shaped Roll-Top Desk

This unusual design featured a curved, kidney-shaped desk surface with a roll-top cover that followed the same curvature. The shape allowed for a more ergonomic workspace. Often more ornate and sophisticated, these desks were made with high-quality materials and featured intricate detailing. The curved shape made them stand out as a luxurious piece of furniture. The ergonomic design made it easier to reach all parts of the desk, while the roll-top provided security for personal papers.

Secretary Roll-Top Desk

Combining the features of a roll-top desk with a secretary desk, this style had an upper cabinet or bookcase section above the desk surface. The roll-top covered the lower writing area, while the upper section provided additional storage or display space. These desks were often highly decorative, with glass doors on the upper cabinets, intricate woodwork, and detailed hardware. They were usually made from high-quality wood like walnut or mahogany. This design was ideal for those who needed both a writing desk and additional storage for books or decorative items. The roll-top protected the work surface, while the upper cabinet provided easy access to books and papers.

Antique Roll Top Desk

I knew where I wanted this antique roll top desk when we brought it home.  I absolutely love it here in our dining room but I’m really not sure it will stay. I’ve said over on social media many times that October will bring on a huge project here at our home.  We are adding on a sunroom.  The sunroom will be right past this door behind me in the above pic. The entire room will be windows but there will be two small walls on each side of the door going into the sunroom. I have mentioned since the planning stages that I would love an old secretary desk to have in the sunroom so that I can actually sit there and work rather than on the couch on my laptop.  Time will tell.

I had to get this all decorated with my pottery collection and my fall items, which I will share in another post.  But, I just had to share our antique roll top desk with you all first.

What do you think of it?

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