The 5 Best Drafting Tables

Serious designers and illustrators know that there's nothing more integral to their workflow than a large, spacious surface on which to let their minds and hands run free. But you can't be expected to do all your work at the dining room table, and your bedroom desk is obviously too cramped for your biggest projects. What you need, then, is a drafting table. Specially designed with architects and even painters in mind, these furnishings include over-sized surfaces, adjustable tabletop heights and angles, and drawers and other compartments in which to store your writing and drawing instruments. Together, these features will help streamline your creative process and make you more productive than ever. Our list includes top models that are perfect for a whole range of users, from students to professionals.

1. Studio Designs Glass Futura Craft Station

For Every Project And Person

A spacious glass surface, adjustable angle, and convenient compartments make the Studio Designs Futura Craft Station perfect for every project.

Best Overall

Find on Amazon

Whether you’re an illustrator, architect, painter, or just need a big surface on which to work, the Studio Designs Futura Craft Station is sure to maximize your productivity day in and day out. It’s one of the most convenient and ergonomic drafting tables out there, complete with a smooth glass top that adjust up to 35 degrees, a sturdy set of legs, and a host of compartments and trays for holding all of your paints, pens, and other equipment. And because it’s glass, it’s easy to put a lamp underneath and use it to trace and perfect your most complicated designs. Oh, did we mention it comes in several different colors and configurations?

Pros:

Tempered blue safety glass
Available in six different configurations
Hanging drawers underneath

Cons:

Angle is a bit shallow
Some plastic parts feel cheap

2. VIVO White Electric Height Adjustable 48 x 29 inch Table

Versatile And Comfortable

Programmable and height-adjustable, the VIVO Electric Table is one of the most comfortable desks around.

Best Runner-Up

Find on Amazon

One of the main advantages of drafting tables over regular ones is their comfort — being able to adjust the angle of the surface means you can work for longer periods of time without becoming fatigued. By that metric, then, there are few options as outstanding as the Vivo Electric Table. Powered by an electric motor, and featuring a flexible design that can adjust from sitting to standing and everything in between, it’s hands-down one of the most versatile models around, allowing users of all types to find their most comfortable working position. It’s also one of the most convenient, since you can store your desired height and angle with the programmable controller, saving you time and effort.

Pros:

Tabletop adjusts to 30 degrees
Motor is powerful and long-lasting
Operation is smooth and silent

Cons:

Somewhat expensive
Some assembly required

3. Stand Up Desk Store Height Adjustable Drawing and Drafting Table

Get Up Out Of Your Chair

For those who prefer to stand while working, the Stand Up Desk and Drafting Table is a worthy contender.

Best Stand-Up Desk

Find on Amazon

Sitting all day can wreak havoc on our posture and even health, which is why standing desks have become so popular today. If you too are looking to get up out of your seat while drafting daily projects and designs, we recommend the Stand Up Desk Store Drawing and Drafting Table. It’s one of the few high-quality, height-adjustable models on the market, complete with a smooth and spacious desktop that itself can be turned at an angle, from flat to 45 degrees. It’s just as easy to change height-wise, offering 12 inches of tool-free adjustment positions. It also features a neutral design that’s perfect for any environment, from schools to offices.

Pros:

Integrated pencil tray
Built-in paper stopper
Also comes in black

Cons:

Pencil tray is at an odd angle
Could be a little taller

4. Studio Designs Vintage Rustic Oak Drafting Table

Draft In Style

Made of solid hardwood and boasting a wide adjustable range, the Studio Design Vintage Rustic Oak Drafting Table is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional.

Best Wooden Table

Find on Amazon

Artists and illustrators tend to have pretty uncompromising aesthetic sensibilities, so it’s no surprise that Studio Design has made this Vintage Rustic Oak Drafting Table with them in mind. Boasting a solid hardwood frame and a classic antique finish, it will look right at home in your study or office, particularly when paired with a similarly vintage chair. Still, don’t let its good looks fool you: this is also a fully functional drafting table, capable of adjusting from flat to a completely perpendicular 90 degrees and back again in one smooth motion. It’s also plenty stable, so you don’t have to worry about going to town on it.

Pros:

Integrated pencil holder
Available in two sizes
Easy to assemble

Cons:

Surface is not complete smooth
Not as durable as other options

5. Studio Designs Eclipse Craft Center

A Complete Workstation

The Studio Designs Eclipse Craft Center is a basic drafting table that also includes a chair and desk.

Best On A Budget

Find on Amazon

If you’re looking for a complete workstation at which to do all your crafting and drafting, but don’t have a ton of money to spend, get the Studio Designs Eclipse Craft Center. It includes everything you need to get going on your first project or complete your current one, from a sturdy drafting desktop to a stool to a small cabinet with drawers to organize your stuff. Those pieces aren’t of the highest quality, of course, but they do all come at a price equal to more expensive drafting desks alone, making this a great option for students, beginners, or anyone else on a budget.

Pros:

Heavy gauge steel construction
Storage shelf under desk
White or black versions available

Cons:

Assembly can be frustrating
Included stool isn’t very comfortable

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a drafting table?

In its most basic form, a drafting table is just a multipurpose desk upon which you can draw, sketch, or outline projects. They usually feature an over-sized desktop, allowing them to accommodate larger pieces of paper, as well as one that adjusts up and down, offering their user a more comfortable position from which to draw or write. Some models are more specialized, featuring glass surfaces that allow light to pass through the table and paper on top, making them good for tracing. For these reasons, drafting desks are popular among illustrators, architects, engineers, or anyone else who needs to sketch out, or “draft,” large diagrams or other projects on a smooth surface.

What should I look for in a drafting table?

This depends largely on how you plan to use it. If you’re a painter or illustrator, it’s probably a good idea to find a more durable table that you don’t have to worry about spilling paints and inks on, as well as one with a lot of compartments to hold your art utensils. If you’re an architect or engineer whose line drawings need to be perfectly geometrical, you’ll probably want something with a totally smooth surface, such as tempered glass. Regardless of your profession, however, you’ll want to consider how widely the table top adjusts — some can go from flat to totally perpendicular, while others may only go to 35 degrees. And finally, for health reasons, you may want to consider a drafting table that adjusts between sitting and standing positions.