Blog / Buying guide
How to Choose an Office Desk: Single, L-Shaped, U-Shaped or Standing
Six desk types, what each one is for, and the questions that narrow it down before you measure the room.
The right office desk is the one that fits the work, the person and the room, in that order. Most desk decisions go wrong when they start with the look and end with a tape measure.
This guide walks through the six desk types we carry, what each one is actually for, and the questions that narrow the choice down before you order.
Start with the work, then the room
Before comparing styles, write down what happens at the desk. One monitor or three? Paperwork, or mostly a laptop? Visitors across the desk, or nobody but the person sitting at it? A desk that suits a call team rarely suits a manager who meets clients at it.
Then measure. Note the room, the doorways and the delivery route, and leave space behind the desk for the chair to move and for people to walk past. An L- or U-shaped desk that fits the floor plan can still fail at a narrow door.
The six desk types
Single desks
One straight work surface, often with a pedestal for drawers. The simplest, most flexible desk and the easiest to rearrange.
Good for: Open-plan rows, training rooms, smaller offices and anyone who works mainly on a laptop.
Shop single desks
L-shaped desks
A main surface plus a return at a right angle. The return holds a second monitor, paperwork or a printer, and turns a corner into usable space.
Good for: People who spread out across screens and paper, and offices with a corner to fill.
Shop l-shaped desks
U-shaped desks
Three connected surfaces that wrap around the person sitting at them. The most surface and storage in a single footprint.
Good for: Managers and specialists who need everything within reach, in a room big enough to walk around it.
Shop u-shaped desks
Executive desks
A larger desk built to receive visitors, usually paired with a credenza or hutch for storage behind. The finish matters as much as the footprint.
Good for: Private offices where clients sit across the desk.
Shop executive desks
Height-adjustable desks
An electric base that raises and lowers the surface, so the same desk works sitting or standing. Available in straight and L-shaped versions.
Good for: Anyone who wants to change position through the day, and desks shared by people of different heights.
Shop height-adjustable desks
Reception desks
A desk with a raised transaction counter that screens the work surface from the lobby and gives visitors somewhere to sign or set things down.
Good for: The front desk: the first piece a client sees when they walk in.
Shop reception desksMatching the desk to the person
Whatever the shape, the desk and the chair work as a pair. A chair that adjusts properly sets the right working height at a fixed desk; a height-adjustable desk does the same from the other side. If you’re buying both, test the chair at the desk you’re considering.
Think about storage too. A pedestal under the desk, a mobile file that rolls out of the way, or a credenza behind: each keeps the work surface clear in a different way.
New, pre-owned or a mix
Desks are one of the easiest places to consider pre-owned: a solid desk with light cosmetic wear still does its job. Matching a whole row is easier with new collections. We compare both in New vs. Pre-Owned Office Furniture: Which Is Better?
Questions to answer before you order
- What happens at this desk all day? Screens, paper, visitors, equipment.
- Will it fit the room and the route in? Measure the space, the doorways and the delivery path.
- Who sits at it? One person, or a shared desk that has to adjust.
- Where does storage go? Under, beside or behind the desk.
- How many, and do they need to match? Confirm quantities and finishes before you plan around them.
Sit at it before you choose it
Most of these desks are on our showroom floor in City of Industry. Bring your room measurements and team size, or send them over, and we’ll help you plan the layout and compare new and pre-owned options for Southern California delivery.
Keep reading
Buying guideNew vs. Pre-Owned Office Furniture: Which Is Better?
Both can make sense. The right choice depends on your budget, the look you want, the quantities you need and when your office needs to be ready.
Brand guideWhich Boss Chair? Start With the Upholstery.
LeatherPlus, CaressoftPlus, antimicrobial vinyl or mesh: how the four Boss materials differ, and where each one belongs.