Drafting tables have been in our world for decades and they have become essential tools for the human race more than ever before.
While these pieces of furniture were usually associated with some particular professionals some decades ago, they have become omnipresent in every work of life today. Students, artists, craftsmen, industry planners, and a host of others use drafting tables for several functions – read, sketch, draw, plan, write, among many others.
While the craftsmen of old have their ways of designing drafting tables with their unique touch of excellence, technological advancement has enabled contemporary designers to do better and improve to satisfy contemporary needs.
While we have many drafting tables on the market today, some are more excellent than others. It is for this fact that we’ve compiled a list of the Best Drafting Tables of 2020 that can satisfy a vast array of your needs.
The Best Drafting Tables Reviewed
| Editor’s Award | Brand |
| Our Top Pick | Studio Designs Vintage Rustic Oak Drafting Table Vintage |
| Alternate Top Pick | Zeny Height Adjustable Drafting Draft Desk |
| Runner Up Pick: | Studio Designs Two Piece Comet Art Drafting Table |
| Alternative Runner Up | Studio Designs Deluxe Craft Station |
| Best Premium Option | Safco Split Level Drafting Table |
Our Top Pick: Studio Designs Vintage Rustic Oak Drafting Table Vintage
Our Top Pick
Studio Designs Vintage Rustic Oak Drafting Table Vintage
Rustic Oak tops is our list of the best drafting tables for many reasons. For one, it reminds us of those vintage drafting tables that were first made with their antique finishes but now made better by some bits of modern touch.
For another, it provides one of the most versatile drawing surfaces as its working area is moderately large and its angular position can be adjusted between 0 and 90 degrees for utmost convenience.
Even in its simplicity, it features a pencil groove and ledge to ensure that your working space (which is up to 42” W x 30” D) is neat and convenient.
What We Like:
- Lightweight | Weighing just 27 pounds, Vintage Oak is the most light-weighted product on this list and surely the best of its kind on the market. Writing, drawing, sketching, and reading don’t have to be done on tons of weights after all.
- Premium Quality Woods | Made of quality, maple hardwood, this product is considered a masterpiece simply because of its precious woods. The manufacturer of this of Vintage Oak has gone to great lengths in ensuring a top quality product by going to the best part of the forest to tap the best part of trees in making it.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Alternate Top Pick: Zeny Height Adjustable Drafting Draft Desk
Alternate Top Pick
Zeny Height Adjustable Drafting Draft Desk
This product features a quality MDF board surface and steel frame that make it durable and easy to maintain.
It features 2 spacious drawers that will conveniently house your drafting essentials as well as a slide and lock pencil ledge for your pencils, pens, and brushes.
Apart from the flexibility of 0 to 45 degrees tabletop positioning, enjoy a double work surface that provides you a convenient workstation to draft, craft, read, and write. With this, you can place your laptop and still have enough space to work sitting a soft padded stool.
What We Like:
- Multi-purpose | When not in use, fold the table top and use it as an everyday desk.
- Easy to clean | The MDF surface is particularly liked by users because it makes cleaning the drafting table stress-free.
- Rubber feet | The soft feet make it to be gentle on the floor, preventing it from destroying the floor, at the same time stable and agile enough to prevent it from slipping.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Runner Up Pick: Studio Designs Two Piece Comet Art Drafting Table
Runner Up Pick
Studio Designs Two Piece Comet Art Drafting Table
When it comes to the furniture industry, Studio Designs have become a name associated with excellence.
And after four decades in the business, the company has been producing some of the best drafting tables in the industry year after year.
Two Piece Comet Art and Drafting Table by Studio Designs is one of the best products you can find on the market. This one has been designed with proper attention to aesthetics and will fit any venue – home, studio, and office.
What We Like:
- Heavy Gauge Steel Construction | Made of top quality steel grade and supported by six-floor levelers, this product is famous for its impeccable durability and its stability under pressure.
- Padded Stool | Two Piece Comet was made to provide all the comforts and conveniences you need to excel at your work. Its padded stool can be adjusted at multiple angles while its tabletop can be adjusted by up to 40 degrees.
Alternative Runner Up: Studio Designs Deluxe Craft Station
Alternative Runner Up
Studio Designs Deluxe Craft Station
Studio Designs has a lot of drafting tables dominating the industry and the Deluxe Craft Station is one of those products that give the company pride.
It affords every user a more than enough drafting surface(36″ W by 36″ D) on which they can spread all of your large format notes needed for the project.
Store your pencils and other drafting tools into its 24″ pencil ledge that could be slid for lock and opened at will. Supporting that are two side trays that can hold paints, brushes, and other useful accessories.
You can also neatly place your drinks into its secure cup holder as you take some refreshing sips while working.
What We Like:
- Lightweight | With just 33.8 pounds of weight, Deluxe Craft Station is as lightweight as a drafting table gets. On top of that, its assembling process is stress-free
- Ease-to-adjust tabletop | Adjust this spacious surface from flat to 40 degrees angle just by the tip of your finger. Yes, it’s as easy as that.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Premium Option: Safco Split Level Drafting Table
Best Premium Option
Safco Split Level Drafting Table
The most important thing about this product is not its aesthetic appeal because it comes with some unique features that you can never find in other products.
While it weighs 68 pounds) more than it looks, its sturdy steel frame and wood grain melamine top enhance its durability. Maximize its use by storing your essentials in its top-shelf.
What We Like:
- Split level surfaces | This is, no doubt, the most prominent feature of the Safco Split Level Drafting Table which offers you 3-level surfaces to work. The three levels provide you the opportunity to take care of three different tasks without unwanted interference.
- Adjustable height | The 3-level is also so flexible that you can turn the three surfaces into one large flat surface by lowering the height of the tabletop. In short, you have the opportunity of tilting the tabletop up to 50 degrees and adjusting the height between 26″ and 37″.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the factors to consider when choosing a drafting table?
Price – The size of your budget is an important factor to consider when choosing a drafting table on the market. Endeavor to compare all products in terms of features and qualities before making a purchase so as to get the best value for your money.
Ease Of Use – Like every other product, comfort and convenience are very important factors to consider when choosing a drafting table. Height adjustment features, padded stools, soft feet, ease of assembling, adequate storage spaces, and ease of cleaning and maintenance are some factors to consider when choosing a drafting table.
Quality – Premium quality hardwoods, top quality tempered safety glass tops, and powdered coated steel and padded rubber feet are some of the features you can observe in highly durable drafting tables. However, your choice of quality will be mostly dependent on your budget. In the end, you have to make enough research on each product available on the market and choose one that best serves your needs.
Size – While your needs should be the primary consideration, your choice of a drafting table will be determined by the space you wish to dedicate to it. Drafting tables of larger tabletops and sturdiest feet will be adequate for you if you need and have an ample space to put it. However, if your space is quite small, then choose something smaller. Just endeavor you choose a drafting table that you won’t have to be packing every now and then.
Height – Fortunately, many drafting tables now have adjustable heights. Height is an essential factor to consider when choosing a drafting table as it directly affects the user’s convenience and comfort during use. It is better to choose a drafting table that can. be used both when standing and when sitting, and most importantly, buy one of adjustable height.
What is a drafting table?
Although older versions of drafting tables were made for architects and engineers for bringing their technical imaginations into reality, today, a drafting table is a desk which has a multi-purpose function of being used for drawing, writing, reading, sketching, and drafting by various people from every work of life. It is usually made to be sturdy so as to accommodate large sheets of paper or several numbers of notes. It comes in various sizes and with various features that center on the convenience of the users including adjustable tops that can be made to slope at a range of angles.
Do architects still use drafting tables today?
The answer to this is YES! While we now have many design software that makes architects and other design professionals do their works whimsically, drafting tables still have someplace in the design industry for some reason. For one, drafting tables have unique aesthetic appeals that fit into offices and speak well of design firms, something no software can do. Also, some designers consider the use of drafting tables a better way to protect their intellectual property which can be easily stolen on design software. Also, many architects and other designers still adore the creativity that drafting tables bring to the industry.
What is the ideal height of a drafting table?
Drafting tables come in various sizes from different brands basically because they were made for different purposes. It will be hard for you to see two drafting tables on the market that will be exactly the same. Nonetheless, there are some standard heights for drafting tables which include 24” by 36”, 30” by 42”, 37.5” by 48”, and 37.5” by 48”. Yet, your choice is dependent on your needs. Put into consideration the available area in your home where you want to put the table and reconcile that with what you see on the market to make a decision.
Other Worthy Mentions
These are ones that didn’t quite make the cut as one of the top picks but are still interesting enough to be worth a look.
Adjustable Height Drafting Table by Nova Microdermabrasion
This Adjustable Drafting Desk will increase your productivity in different projects by preventing back pain and affording you good working posture through its comfortable workspace, easily accessible supplies storage, and relaxing stool.
- Large and adjustable working area
- Adjustable and foldable height for easy storage
- Hassle-free assembling process
- Soft padded stool
Studio Designs 10053 Vision Craft Station
Manufactured by one of the best drafting table manufacturers in the industry, the convenience afforded every user by Vision Craft Station is only paralleled by its functionality and durability. Key Features:
- Relatively lightweight at 48 pounds
- Large working area
- Adjustable tempered safety glass top (9 to 70 degrees)
- Multiple slide drawers, side trays, and pencil ledges
- Attached wheel casters for adequate mobility
Studio Designs 100057 Futura Tower
This gauge steel surface drafting table with the powder-coated elegant finish was designed to bring every user comfort and convenience at work.
Key Features:
- Relatively light in weight at 54.8 pounds
- 6-level top board angular adjustments (from 0 to 70 degrees)
- Multiple drawers, shelves, and cup holders for storage
- Combo magnetic cork/board.
Dorel Living Drafting And Craft Counter Height Desk
Creatively designed, Dorel Living Drafting and Craft Table is simple, strong, versatile, and aesthetically appealing for home studio, professional, and student use.
Key Features:
- 2 inbuilt drawers, 3 open shelves, and table lips for tools
- Durable and smooth wooden working area
Tangkula Drafting Table Art and Craft Desk
Elegant and sturdy, this highly functional drafting table comes with all conveniences that every modern-day premium drafting table has.
Key Features:
- Easily adjustable, tempered safety glass top
- Inbuilt 3 drawers provide massive storage space
- Useful for children writing and drawing
- Convenient padded stool
Leave a Reply