Before ordering an L shaped desk, confirm four things: that both arms fit the corner once skirting boards, radiators and sills are accounted for; that the orientation, left hand, right hand or reversible, suits your room and the way you work; that the frame and joint between the two sections are solid; and that you have at least a metre of clearance for your chair. Storage, cable management and finish come next, but these four points decide whether the desk will work at all.
L shaped desks give you two connected surfaces, which makes them a strong choice for multi screen setups, paperwork alongside a computer or creative work that needs room to spread out. They are a central part of our L shaped corner desks UK sale collection and sit within our broader modern home office furniture UK range. The guide below walks through each decision in a sensible order.
An L shaped desk sits against two walls, so you need two sets of measurements rather than one. Measure along each wall from the corner to the nearest obstruction: a door frame, a window reveal, a radiator or a built in cupboard.
Then look closely at the details that commonly cause problems:
Mark the outline of the desk on the floor with masking tape and live with it for a day. It is the most reliable way to judge whether the size suits the room.
L shaped desks are usually described by the length of the main section and the length of the shorter section, often called the return. Some designs have two equal arms, while others have a long main desk and a short return.
Think about how you will use each part. Typically, the main section holds your primary screen, keyboard and mouse, and the return holds a second monitor, a laptop, paperwork or a printer. A return of around 100 to 120cm gives useful extra space, while a shorter return of 80cm or so works as an occasional writing surface.
Desk depth matters too. Around 60cm is common and suits most setups. Deeper desks give more distance from larger monitors, which many people find more comfortable over long working days.
L shaped desks come in left hand, right hand and reversible designs. The naming refers to which side the return sits on when you face the main section, though manufacturers do not always describe it the same way, so check the product images and diagrams carefully.
To decide which you need, stand in the corner facing the wall where your main screen will sit. If the return will extend to your left, you need a left hand desk. If it extends to your right, you need a right hand desk.
Reversible designs, where the return can be fitted on either side during assembly, are a sensible choice if you might move house or rearrange the room. They give you flexibility without needing a new desk later.
The joint where the two sections meet is the most important structural point on an L shaped desk. A weak connection can lead to sagging at the corner or a slight step between the two surfaces, which becomes noticeable when you rest your arms there.
When comparing desks, look for:
Desktops in laminate, melamine, wood veneer and solid wood each have their own strengths. Laminate is practical and resists everyday wear, while wood and veneer bring warmth but benefit from a little extra care.
An L shaped desk naturally places you in or near the corner, and you will want to swivel between the two sections. Allow at least a metre of clear space behind the desk so the chair can move freely and you can stand up without bumping into a bed, wardrobe or door.
Check the space beneath the corner, too. Some designs have a leg or panel at the inner corner that limits how far you can tuck in, while others leave it open. If you plan to sit at the corner itself, an open corner is much more comfortable.
If you use two or three screens, an L shaped desk lets you arrange them in a gentle arc. Place the main monitor directly in front of you on the main section and the secondary screen angled on the return.
Many people use the main section for the computer and the return for reading, writing or sorting documents. This separation keeps paperwork away from the keyboard and makes switching tasks easier.
L shaped desks suit gaming well, with room for a large monitor, a console or tower and accessories. Our modern gaming desks UK include designs with features such as cable ports and headset hooks, many in corner configurations.
In some homes, an L shaped desk allows two people to work at once, each using one arm. This only works well when each section has enough width and the chairs have space to move without clashing.
L shaped desks often include storage, though the type varies. Some have built in drawers or shelves on one end, others offer a hutch above the return, and some leave storage entirely to you.
A freestanding pedestal beneath one arm is a flexible option. It keeps files and stationery close without making the desk itself heavier, and it can be moved if your needs change. Our office pedestal drawers UK sale include mobile and fixed designs that slot beneath most desks.
Think about where you naturally reach. Items you use daily should be within a short swivel of your chair, while archive files and spares can sit further away.
With equipment spread over two sections, cables can quickly become tangled, particularly in the corner. Plan cable routes before setting up:
Corners can be the darkest part of a room. Natural light from a window on one wall is helpful, especially if it falls side on to your main screen. In the evening, a desk lamp on the return or an adjustable lamp clamped to the main section provides focused task light. A soft overhead or floor light reduces contrast between the bright screen and the surrounding room, which is more comfortable for the eyes.
An L shaped desk is a large piece of furniture, so its finish has a big influence on the room. White and light oak keep a corner feeling open. Walnut and darker woods add warmth and suit studies and larger rooms. Black metal frames with wood tops lend an industrial or contemporary character. High gloss surfaces reflect light and can brighten a darker corner.
If you are drawn to a wood finish, our comparison of wooden desk surface finishes in UK home offices explains how different treatments hold up to daily use.
L shaped desks usually arrive in more than one box, and the boxes can be long and heavy. Check that they can travel up stairs and through doors, particularly in flats or homes with narrow staircases. Assemble the desk in the room where it will stand, and ask someone to help when joining the two sections, as aligning the corner is easier with two pairs of hands.
When you are ready, Furniture in Fashion offers free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes, and Returns are available up to 30 days.
Measure both walls from the corner and allow for skirting, radiators and sills. You will also need at least a metre of clear floor behind the desk for the chair.
Face the wall where your main screen will sit. If the return extends to your left, choose left hand. If it extends to your right, choose right hand. Reversible designs suit either.
Compact L shaped designs can work in smaller rooms, but full size versions may dominate. Mark the outline on the floor first to check the room still feels comfortable.
Yes, if each arm is wide enough for a workstation and there is space for two chairs to move without clashing in the corner.
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