An L-shaped desk wraps one corner of your workspace. A U-shaped desk surrounds you on three sides. The choice comes down to room size, how much surface and storage you need, and whether you meet with people at your desk.
Choose an L-shaped desk for most private offices and open workspaces. It gives two full work surfaces, fits rooms from about 8' x 10', and starts at $373 in our catalog. Choose a U-shaped desk for executives, managers, and anyone who needs a third work surface, a credenza for storage, or a clear front for meeting visitors. It needs a larger room, about 10' x 12' or more, and starts at $932.
| L-shaped desk | U-shaped desk | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | A desk plus one return at a right angle | A desk, a credenza behind it, and a bridge connecting the two |
| Work surfaces | Two | Three |
| Typical footprint | About 60" to 72" on each side | About 66" to 72" wide and 100" or more deep |
| Room it suits | From about 8' x 10', corners and open plans | From about 10' x 12', private offices |
| Storage | Pedestals or a file under the desk or return | Pedestals plus a full credenza, often with a hutch above |
| Meeting visitors | Works with a guest chair at the open side | Built for it: the front of the desk faces guests while you work behind it |
| Price in our catalog | From $373 | From $932 |
Footprints and room sizes are typical ranges, and each desk lists its exact dimensions on its product page. Leave about 36" of clearance behind the chair so you can push back and stand up.
Several of our desk lines come in both shapes with matching finishes, so a manager's U-shape and a team's L-shapes can look like one set. The Classic Series, for example, offers an L-Shape Desk from $373 and a U-Shape Desk from $932.
An L-shaped desk is a main desk with one return at a right angle, giving two work surfaces. A U-shaped desk adds a credenza behind the desk and a bridge between them, giving three work surfaces and more storage.
Plan on a room of about 10' x 12' or larger. That leaves space for the desk, the chair clearance inside the U, and guest chairs in front. Check the exact dimensions on the product page before ordering.
Many can. Some L-shaped desks are reversible, so the return can go on the left or right. Others are ordered as a left or right return. Each product page lists which.
It is when you meet visitors at your desk or need a credenza's worth of storage. If neither applies, an L-shaped desk gives most of the work surface at a lower price and in less space.
Send us your room dimensions and we will lay out the desk, storage, and clearances at no charge.
Get space planning Shop all desksMore from the Resource Center: Office Desk Buying Guide · Height-Adjustable Desk Guide · Storage & Filing Buying Guide
