Spotted! Trestle Tables On Trend in the Home Office
Take note: the versatile trestle table is making a statement in the study
Rebecca Gross
31 March 2017
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
The collapsible trestle table was the dining table back in medieval times, and was simply formed by placing a board over trestle legs. It remained the most common form of dining table until the 16th century, when it was replaced (in wealthier homes, at least) with more solid and permanent structures.
While its versatility makes it a great choice in the dining room or outdoors, the trestle table also makes a great desk for a home office or study, as these trending trestle tables testify.
While its versatility makes it a great choice in the dining room or outdoors, the trestle table also makes a great desk for a home office or study, as these trending trestle tables testify.
Vintage veneer
A secondhand trestle table comes with marks and scars that are evidence of a well-used piece. This wear and tear adds character to the table itself and to a home office, particularly a creative space such as this jewellery-making studio
Look for a pre-loved trestle table at a secondhand store or vintage market. Or search auction and secondhand sites online.
See more of this Byron Bay home
A secondhand trestle table comes with marks and scars that are evidence of a well-used piece. This wear and tear adds character to the table itself and to a home office, particularly a creative space such as this jewellery-making studio
Look for a pre-loved trestle table at a secondhand store or vintage market. Or search auction and secondhand sites online.
See more of this Byron Bay home
Craft corner
A white trestle table is a simple addition to this crafty home office, providing a space for both working and making. The flat surfaces inside the leg frames provide additional space for storage.
Trestle tables are a versatile option in the home. Due to their lightweight and portable nature they can easily be moved to other parts of a house if extra table surfaces are needed (think Christmas time and dinner parties), or folded and placed against a wall when extra space is needed.
A white trestle table is a simple addition to this crafty home office, providing a space for both working and making. The flat surfaces inside the leg frames provide additional space for storage.
Trestle tables are a versatile option in the home. Due to their lightweight and portable nature they can easily be moved to other parts of a house if extra table surfaces are needed (think Christmas time and dinner parties), or folded and placed against a wall when extra space is needed.
Old and new
This vintage industrial-style trestle table is complemented by a vibrant citrus stool that brightens and softens the table’s harder aesthetic. Interior designer Jason Grant recommends mixing and matching old and new pieces in a space to create a sense of personality.
“A home should be layered and not a one-stop shop,” Grant says. “Mix it up with old and new. Vintage pieces add warmth and character to your home.”
This vintage industrial-style trestle table is complemented by a vibrant citrus stool that brightens and softens the table’s harder aesthetic. Interior designer Jason Grant recommends mixing and matching old and new pieces in a space to create a sense of personality.
“A home should be layered and not a one-stop shop,” Grant says. “Mix it up with old and new. Vintage pieces add warmth and character to your home.”
Mix materials
A timber and marble trestle table is an elegant and tactile choice in this home office. The dark walls are brightened by the light through the sliding glass door and the timber legs complement the soft tones of the office chair.
Mixing and matching materials brings contrast and visual interest to a space, adding warmth and sophistication.
A timber and marble trestle table is an elegant and tactile choice in this home office. The dark walls are brightened by the light through the sliding glass door and the timber legs complement the soft tones of the office chair.
Mixing and matching materials brings contrast and visual interest to a space, adding warmth and sophistication.
Custom made
This custom-made trestle table blends beautifully with its timber surroundings. Work space to an artist and a landscape architect, the table provides plenty of space with a fully stocked bookcase behind.
Desk: Chapman and Bailey
This custom-made trestle table blends beautifully with its timber surroundings. Work space to an artist and a landscape architect, the table provides plenty of space with a fully stocked bookcase behind.
Desk: Chapman and Bailey
Scandinavian study
One piece of wood, one trestle leg and one set of drawers and voila – you have a Scandinavian-style study.
By switching out one trestle leg for a set of drawers, this study is given additional space for keeping home office essentials tidied away. However, it still retains the sense of visual space and a lighter aesthetic, and in timber and white the home office has a Scandinavian feel to it.
One piece of wood, one trestle leg and one set of drawers and voila – you have a Scandinavian-style study.
By switching out one trestle leg for a set of drawers, this study is given additional space for keeping home office essentials tidied away. However, it still retains the sense of visual space and a lighter aesthetic, and in timber and white the home office has a Scandinavian feel to it.
Old-school cool
An old-school trestle table instantly adds a sense of history to a space. This one has an industrial, utilitarian vibe and, painted blue-green, it adds some subtle colour to the otherwise black, white and timber palette.
It’s also easy enough to paint again if another colour is desired, or to cover up any marks that mar the desk over time.
Browse industrial-style home offices
An old-school trestle table instantly adds a sense of history to a space. This one has an industrial, utilitarian vibe and, painted blue-green, it adds some subtle colour to the otherwise black, white and timber palette.
It’s also easy enough to paint again if another colour is desired, or to cover up any marks that mar the desk over time.
Browse industrial-style home offices
Contemporary cool
This contemporary trestle table is fully adjustable so that the height of the work surface can be raised or lowered to suit. It has also been positioned so that both sides of the table can be used, making it a great choice if visitors also come into the home office.
This contemporary trestle table is fully adjustable so that the height of the work surface can be raised or lowered to suit. It has also been positioned so that both sides of the table can be used, making it a great choice if visitors also come into the home office.
Utilitarian aesthetic
Metal meets metal in a home office that is a haven of white. The dark colours and materials add weight to the light and bright room.
Metal meets metal in a home office that is a haven of white. The dark colours and materials add weight to the light and bright room.
Also Spotted
As an outdoor table
The trestle table is a classic outdoor dining table. It comes in large enough sizes to fit a group, and the independent and foldable legs mean it can be easily moved as needed or stored away.
As an outdoor table
The trestle table is a classic outdoor dining table. It comes in large enough sizes to fit a group, and the independent and foldable legs mean it can be easily moved as needed or stored away.
As a dining table or kitchen island
It can also make a stylish dining table or additional work surface in the kitchen. This timber and glass trestle table does double duty in this kitchen where it can be used for preparation, serving food, dining or even as a temporary desk. It can easily be moved against a wall or folded away if additional space is required.
It can also make a stylish dining table or additional work surface in the kitchen. This timber and glass trestle table does double duty in this kitchen where it can be used for preparation, serving food, dining or even as a temporary desk. It can easily be moved against a wall or folded away if additional space is required.
Tell us
Do you have a trestle table in your home office or house? Upload a picture to the Comments section below to show us how you use it.
More
Read up on more trends
Do you have a trestle table in your home office or house? Upload a picture to the Comments section below to show us how you use it.
More
Read up on more trends
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In the Arts and Crafts period, trestle tables were very popular, and the Stickley designs used by home craftsmen all over to make sturdy, well-constructed and simple (relatively simple to make) tables.
The basic concept is the same as all these. The patterns are not difficult to find and the result is so beautiful and logical-classic Craftsman. We're thinking of making one for our dining room from one of the old patterns.
Like celestina89 said, everything old is new again. But even older than 1960, if you go back to medieval practicality and c1900 Arts and Crafts aesthetics!
The trestle table and trestle legs (known today as sawhorses) were used in the Middle Ages (5th to 15th century) until around 16th century. They were simple, easily taken apart and moved. The popular design was replaced by stronger and sturdier framed based legs; ie refectory and gateleg. Trestle tables never really went out of use. They just evolved.
Below is a photo By Dezidor - Own work
It shows a copy of a long table/bench )used in Medieval period around 12th century) in Latvia Open Air Museum outside Riga, the capital.
When the Amish came to the US, they used this type of table and it spread to the western world (early 18th century).
I do! I combined IKEA sawhorse with a Pottery Barn tabletop...more than enough space for clutter, etc. Keeps me constantly decluttering the thing