Home office desks, chairs are in demand as Hoosiers work, attend school at home

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Virtual learning is the new norm for many Hoosier children, which means more people looking to buy desks and desk chairs.

But, it’s apparently getting harder to find those must-have items for the home.

Marcus Ward and his wife on Monday were on the hunt for home office furniture.

“I needed a desk in my office. She needs one in her home office. The kids need one for school in their bedrooms.” Ward said.

Ward told News 8 that the kids’ desks were on back-order, and they’re still waiting on one to come in. “Since we can’t get it right now, we’re like ‘Well, OK … if I gotta wait, I gotta wait,” Ward said and laughed.

After visiting several stores, the Wards finally found a couple pieces they liked and planned to buy.

They’re not alone. Search “desks for home” on Ikea’s website and you’ll see several of them are out-of-stock at their Fishers location.

“We’ve experienced increased demand for desks and home organization products during the pandemic.  We understand that families look to IKEA to help create comfortable learning and work spaces at home using our affordable products. However, due to the impact of COVID-19, we are experiencing some supply delays.

“During this time, we encourage customers to check online or download the IKEA app to determine product availability in their local store prior to their visit. Due to system updates and high demand, there is a chance that an item with low stock may not be available for purchase. Our IKEA co-workers are doing their best to meet the needs of our customers, whom we know look to us for their home furnishing needs. We appreciate their patience while we work with our suppliers to restock their favorite IKEA products.”

Ikea U.S. spokesperson

At Ergo Office Furniture in Indianapolis, Susan Sharp, the general manager, told News 8 it has an increase in demand from 20%-25% for desks and desk chairs. Why? Sharp says people are working from home temporarily or even permanently during the pandemic.

“So, they want something better, set-up wise, than the dining room table and the wooden chair,” Sharp said.

One of her best-sellers is an electric height-adjustable desk that lowers to the height of an elementary school desk.

“I think in the beginning, it was people were accustomed to having a nice high-adjustable desk in their office, a higher-end chair that they sat in, and they wanted that for their home as well,” Sharp said.

If you’re in the market for desks and chairs, Sharp recommends considering used furniture or “buy local” if you must have it now.