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How to Choose the Best Nail Desk

nail technician painting a client's nails on a manicure table

Finding the best manicure table for your nail salon makes a big difference to both nail technicians and clients. Here’s what to look for in terms of size, functionality, comfort and style to help you get the most value from your investment.

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Size & Mobility

First and foremost, you need to make sure your manicure table(s) will fit in your nail salon and provide enough space for the number of manicure appointments you have on busy days.

Manicure Table Dimensions

The depth of a manicure table is the most important measurement, because the nail tech and client need just the right amount of space when facing each other. Too far, and it’s a stretch. Too close, and people feel cramped. Aim for a nail desk depth between 15-24” to keep things comfortable.

Manicure table width is much more flexible, because it depends on your nail salon size and layout. You can use our free 2D design tool to see how placement and spacing could work with different manicure tables.

Manicure table height is fairly standard, ranging from 30-32”. Height adjustable nail salon chairs or stools make it easy for nail techs and clients to find an ergonomic manicure position.

Minerva Beauty Nail Desk Dimensions:

Nail Desk Depth Width Height Wheels
J&A Granite Top 15” 40” 30.5” Yes
J&A Double Granite Top 15” 71” 30.5” Yes
J&A Glass Top 16.5” 43.25” 31” Yes
J&A Glass Top w/Fan 16.5” 43.25” 31” Yes
Lucerne 17.5” 45” 32” Yes
Luma 18” 48” 30” No
Cecile 19” 42” 31.25” No
Iroquois 19” 46.5” 31.25” No
Montauk 20” 40” 30.75” No
Lanier (white) 23” 51” 31.5” Yes
Lanier (black) 23” 51” 31.5” Yes

Stationary vs Rolling Manicure Tables

Mobile manicure tables can make things a lot easier, especially for smaller nail salons. Manicure tables with wheels can be rolled out as needed and stored out of the way when not in use.

Mobile nail desks are also a good way to quickly create extra space if you tend to have high demand for manicures at specific days and times.

But if you have enough room for a permanent manicure setup, stationary nail desks offer greater stability and convenience, and present a more high-end look.

Two of the manicure tables we sell, the J&A Granite Top and J&A Double Granite Top, have hidden casters so you can enjoy the benefits of a mobile manicure table without visible wheels.

double width professional nail desk with granite top and built in shelving

Shop the J&A Double White Granite Top Manicure Table with hidden casters & a white or walnut base

professional granite top manicure table with dust collector ventilation and hidden wheels for mobility

Shop the J&A White Granite Top Manicure Table with hidden casters and optional air ventilation piping.

Manicure Tabletop Materials

Make sure the work surface on your manicure table is durable and easy to clean. Glass, granite, quartz and laminate can all be good options depending on your priorities.

Glass

  • High-quality tempered glass used for nail desks is thick and strong with beveled edges.
  • Glass is scratch resistant, acetone resistant and very easy to clean with glass cleaner or disinfectant wipes.
  • Glass tabletops complement a modern or minimalist aesthetic.

Granite

  • Granite is extremely hard and durable, and highly resistant to heat, scratches, chips and cracks.
  • Granite is non-porous, so it’s easy to clean and resistant to stains and chemicals.
  • Granite tends to cost more than other tabletop materials, but it also adds a sense of luxury to your nail salon.

Quartz

  • Quartz is a manufactured stone with properties similar to granite: it’s extremely durable, non-porous, heat resistant, and very easy to clean.
  • Quartz tends to cost more than other tabletop materials, while offering superior chip resistance and a high-end look.
stylish white manicure table with hardwood base, quartz top, 2 drawers and steel legs with brushed gold finish

Shop the Cecile Manicure Table in white with a white quartz top (or in ebony with a glass top) featuring brushed gold stainless steel legs & accents

Laminate

  • Our contractor-grade standard laminate is extremely durable and resistant to scratches, stains, acetone and other chemicals.
  • Our premium Infinity laminate is also antimicrobial and fingerprint resistant with an ultra-matte, texture-less finish.
  • Laminate is easy to clean - you can use disinfectant wipes or a damp cloth and spray cleaner.
  • Manicure tables in our designer series feature contractor grade or Infinity laminate in 19 colors + custom finishes

Prevention RTU (Ready To Use) disinfectant wipes and Prevention RTU disinfectant spray cleaner are safe to use on non-porous surfaces like manicure tabletops, and kill pathogens in one minute!

Storage

Nail desks come with many different storage options, so it’s worth putting some thought into how you want to organize your stations before shopping. Consider all the types of manicure equipment and supplies your nail technicians use on a regular basis to get an idea of your storage needs.

Use these tips to get started:

  • Decide if you need a manicure table with a polish rack that sits on the surface
  • Look for a built-in trash compartment if you don't have floor space for a trash can
  • Check out the dimensions of drawers, cabinets and shelves if there are specific items you want to store in your nail desk (such as a UV nail dryer, paper towels & spray cleaner)
hardwood glass top nail desk with drawers and cabinets open to show storage capacity

Our Iroquois Manicure Table packs plenty of storage into a slim design with 4 pull-out drawers, 2 cabinets & 2 cubbies

wheeled granite top nail desk in light grain wood with drawers and cabinets open to show storage capacity

Our Lucerne Manicure Table has a storage cabinet, 5 drawers, a cubby & removable polish rack plus wheels & outlets

Nail salon carts and trolleys make it easy to add more storage and keep each nail tech’s tools and supplies separate if tables are shared.

Features

Manicure tables can offer many different features depending on the design, so always read the product description carefully to make sure it has the features you need.

  • Client wrist rest - some tables come with a padded wrist rest
  • Accessory outlets - outlets can be located on the top or side of a manicure table - perfect for plugging in a mag lamp or other device
  • Built-in cord holes - pre-drilled holes for electrical cords help keep the tabletop tidy
  • Built-in draft fan - the J&A Glass Top Manicure Table with Draft Fan includes a self-cleaning feature
  • Ventilation piping - some tables include ventilation piping by default or as an option (so you can hook up a separate draft fan)
  • Built-in UV dryer slots - curing lamp slots are designed to hold UV nail lamp dryers, keeping them easily available and safely out of the way
  • Hidden casters - some nail desks include retractable casters for the convenience of mobility with a cleaner look
  • Ease of assembly - Minerva Beauty manicure tables require only minimal assembly, saving you valuable time! Be wary of manicure tables with free shipping, as this often means your table arrives as a flat pack and requires a lot of assembly work.
  • LED task light - a built-in LED lamp makes it easy to add light and save space on your worktop
eco-friendly customizable manicure table with built-in LED task lamp for nail technicians

Shop the Living Earth Luma NailSpace Manicure Table made from eco-friendly materials in your choice of 10 laminate colors, black or white glass inlay, right or left-side drawers & a built-in LED task lamp

Most manicure tables don’t come with an LED task light, but we offer a wide range of nail tech lighting including adjustable tabletop and floor lamps as well as magnifying lamps.

Design & Aesthetics

Factoring in manicure table aesthetics is important to make sure your nail salon has a cohesive look. Think about the overall table style as well as color and materials to find the best fit.

Use these tips to narrow down your options based on your nail salon interior design:

  • Modern/Minimalist: Look for a nail desk with clean lines and sleek materials such as glass or laminate.
  • Glamorous: Opt for a black manicure table with a granite top and/or metallic accents to add a luxurious touch.
  • Rustic/Industrial: Materials like reclaimed wood and metal hardware go well with an industrial vibe.
  • Spa-like: Choose lighter wood tones, frosted glass, or classic white to complement your relaxing, spa-inspired atmosphere.
minimalist mobile black manicure table with black laminate body, wheels, storage drawers and cabinets, curved glass top and wrist rest

Shop the Lanier Manicure Table with Black Glass Top for a minimalist design with maximum storage & mobility

glamorous manicure table with black laminate body, granite work surface, drawers, shelving and wrist rest

Shop the Lucerne Manicure Table in black, walnut or birch with a solid granite inlay & rounded contouring on the client-facing side for a touch of glamour

rustic or industrial style manicure table made from eco-friendly reclaimed wood with drawers and storage cabinets

Shop the Iroquois Manicure Table made from reclaimed wood & hand-sculpted solid iron framing with a tempered glass top

nail desk for salon or spa with matte white laminate body, brushed gold accents and customizable design

Shop the Montauk Manicure Table and choose from a wide range of colors & textures for the laminate body & metal accents to perfectly complement your salon or spa aesthetic

Check out these nail salon product pairing ideas to enhance your interior design!

Manicure Table Pricing

Manicure table prices vary based on size, materials, features and overall quality. Nail desks sold by Minerva Beauty range in price from $319 to $2495, providing options for every budget.

Let value, rather than price, be the deciding factor. Choose a manicure table that best fits your nail salon’s needs and get the highest quality version you can afford. Cheaply made manicure tables will cost you more in the long run because they’ll need to be replaced more often (not to mention making a bad impression on clients).

You should also look at warranty information, customer reviews and the seller’s reputation before investing in a manicure table.

All manicure tables made by Minerva Beauty are backed by our no-hassle one year manufacturer warranty and provide the most value with no middleman markup.

Our dedicated customer service team provides support before and after your purchase, and is available to assist with questions about product selection, installation and more.

Minerva also makes it easy to get the manicure tables you need by offering nail salon equipment financing with affordable payments and the lowest possible rates.

Manicure Station Accessories

Once you’ve found the perfect nail desks for your salon, don’t forget to complete your setup!

We also sell a wide range of pedicure chairs and portable pedicure supplies.

Shop Manicure Tables

Shop manicure tables online, and check out our buying guide for nail tech stools and chairs to equip your stations.

Reach out to our customer service team if you have any questions about nail desks or other salon equipment. Our representatives don’t work off commission, so you’ll get the same great service whether you’re ready to buy today or not!

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