Cocobolo Desk - Environmentally Friendly Alternatives

The cocobolo desk is a desk made from cocobolo wood that is a particularly hard wood that comes from a slow growing tree. The slow growth makes wood from these trees expensive as they cannot be harvested quickly, making the availability low and price high. The price of a cocobolo desk costs slightly more than other custom solid wood desks which can be $10,000 or more.

The wood iteself has a stunning beauty that is unique to this tree which puts it at the top of the list based on consumer appeal and it's ability to provide a sense of luxury. Pieces made from this much sought-after wood not only include desks but also musical instruments such as a guitar or ukulele, or other office furnishings or supplies like an executive pen.

What is cocobolo?

Cocobolo is a type of tropical hardwood found largely in Central America and is popular largely due to its texture and color. Often described as being a rainbow of colors, cocobolo wood can range from being yellow to purple in tone and has a very fine texture. Its high oil content also means that it is largely waterproof and very durable. Due to limits in the supply of this wood as a result of conservation, items crafted from cocobolo, such as a cocobolo desk or ornaments are usually very expensive to buy. Many pieces of furniture made from cocobolo can cost into the thousands.

What are the best alternatives to a Cocobolo Wood Desk?

There are many alternatives to cocobolo and why you should consider them is not only availability, but also the cost. Locating a Cocobolo desk at a reasonable price will be extremely difficult. These are manufactured infrequently and to find one, you will have to locate a manufacturer who has a source of cocobolo wood and the ability to design a custom office desk from the wook.

7 Alternatives to Cocobolo Wood Desks

Pine - A desk made from pine can cost anywhere from to 0. Pine is equally durable and is FSC approved which means it is sustainably sourced. That being said, some pine wood, particularly sourced in China may be a result of illegal logging.

Douglas-fir - Desks made from Douglas-fir wood is usually sourced from European plantations and will, therefore, be FSC approved. Douglas-fir wood is classified as softwood and so might not be as durable as a cocobolo desk, however, it is relatively cheap to buy.

Red Cedar - In terms of aesthetics, cedar wood can provide a similar beauty to cocobolo wood. The red tint of the wood itself is striking and can bring a touch of class to any room or office.

Cherry - Cherry wood is largely harvested in North America and is largely popular in contemporary office environments. Available as both a laminate finish or as a hard solid wood desk, Cherry is an excellent, sustainable alternative to cocobolo.

Walnut - Walnut is considerably more expensive than Cherry or Maple however far cheaper than cocobolo. It’s natural brown wood grain makes it an attractive option for anyone seeking out a high quality solid desk.

Maple - Maple wood is naturally a light blonde color and is generally an affordable and ultra-durable option. This wood can be stained to match more expensive wood grains such as cherry or mahogany.

The #1 Alternative to Cocobolo Wood:

Laminate - Laminate, may in our opinion be the #1 alternative to a cocobolo desk. Not only is a laminate desk structurally sound, it is extremely affordable and far easier to move than a solid wood desk! Before investing in a solid wood desk, always consider laminate as an environmentally friendly option, which is mass produced and at a fraction of the price of any solid wood desk.

While cocobolo desks are appealing both visually and structurally, they can be extremely expensive and are not sustainable for mass production. The more environmentally-friendly alternatives can offer an equal sense of beauty and durability, at a lower and more affordable price. Due to the lower price of these desks, they can be used on a daily basis without worry of causing damage to the finish or structure as they can be easily replaced. A cocobolo desk, on the other hand, requires more attention in terms of upkeep and maintenance.