Whether you have a permanent table you use for work, a dining table that's heaving with paperwork when it's not dinner time, or a folding table that you just call into action when it's needed, there are always ways to use your table space more effectively for peak productivity.
1. Home office desk
More and more people have the option of flexible working, so make sure you're equipped to be productive when working from home - especially if it's something you do regularly.
That doesn't have to mean getting a boring desk - your home office doesn't have to look corporate - so opt for something that maximises your workspace without stifling your creativity.
2. Tech tricks
You can pay through the nose for a modern desk with holes cut out for cables - or you can save a packet by doing it yourself.
Buy a simple wood-topped table and you can drill the right sized holes wherever you need them, so if your workspace is a forest of gadgets and gizmos, there's no need to trail all the cables to a single hole in the far corner of the desktop.
3. Writing table
If you have a lot of correspondence to keep up with, it's smart to equip your desk for this with the addition of stationary holders, in-trays and a couple of box files to keep loose papers organised.
You might even want to add a groove in the desktop using a router (the woodworking kind, not the networking kind) so you have somewhere to put your pen without it rolling away.
4. Sensible storage
All kinds of tables can be augmented with the addition of storage space, for example by attaching shelves to the underside of the tabletop.
When you have a dedicated desk for crafts and creativity, you're free to install the specific storage that suits your needs, so everything you need in easy reach has its own place to live.
5. Mood board
If you're into crafts or work in a creative role, why not keep a table laid out on a mood board? A simple square table doesn't take up too much space but gives you a worktop on which to put anything that's inspiring you right now.
This makes it easy to pair up different influences, whether to combine contrasting elements to create something new, or to work out colour schemes you want to include in your work - all at your fingertips whenever you need it.