Choose an L-shaped desk if you want more work surface in a corner or a smaller private office. Choose a U-shaped desk if you need a full executive setup, with storage behind you and room to meet with someone across the desk. A U-shape takes up about 40 percent more floor space than an L-shape and usually costs more.

Below, we compare the two side by side using real sizes and prices from our own desk sets, so you can measure your room and decide with confidence.

L-shaped vs U-shaped desk at a glance

*Prices at the time of writing. Size, finish and storage options move the price within each range.

What each desk is made of:

L-shaped desk

An L-shaped desk joins a main desk to a shorter side surface called a return. On our 6′ x 6′ L-Shaped Desk with Drawer Pedestal, that means a 72″ x 30″ desk shell, a 42″ x 24″ return and a box/box/file pedestal you can mount under either one. The return can go on the left or the right, so the layout works no matter where your door and window are.

U-shaped desk

A U-shaped desk adds a third piece. Our Straight Front U-Shaped Desk Set pairs a 72″ x 30″ desk with a 48″ x 24″ bridge and a 72″ x 24″ credenza behind you. You sit inside the U, with work surface in front of you, beside you and behind you.

How much room do you need?

Footprint decides it for most people, so measure before you shop.

• L-shaped: a 6′ x 6′ set covers 72″ x 72″. Leave about 3 feet behind the desk so you can roll your chair back. A 10′ x 10′ office fits an L-shaped desk with space left for a guest chair or a bookcase.
• U-shaped: our straight front set measures 72″ x 102″ overall, about 6′ x 8.5′. The bridge leaves roughly 48″ between the desk and credenza for your chair. Add room in front for guest chairs and a walkway, and plan on an office of at least 10′ x 12′.

A quick tip: mark the footprint on the floor with painter’s tape before you order. It takes five minutes and shows you exactly how the room will feel.

Storage and work surface

An L-shaped desk gives you two work zones. Many people put their computer on the return and keep the main desk clear for paperwork or a laptop. Storage comes from drawer pedestals, and our Heartland L-Shaped Desk Set lets you pick anything from no drawers to two pedestals.

A U-shaped desk gives you three. The credenza behind you holds a printer, files or reference binders, so the front desk stays open for meetings. You can build up from there with a hutch, wall-mounted overhead bins or a lateral file, all available in our Classic Laminate Series.

What to expect on price

At the time of writing, L-shaped desk sets on our site run from about $430 for a Heartland set to about $2,900 for a larger set with overhead storage. U-shaped desk sets start around $890 and reach about $4,000 for height adjustable versions.

Shipping is free on orders over $2,500 anywhere in the lower 48, and a full U-shaped set with storage often gets you close to that line. If your building has no loading dock, add the $145 liftgate option at checkout.

Which one should you choose?

Choose an L-shaped desk if

• your office is smaller than about 10′ x 12′
• you want to tuck the desk into a corner
• you are furnishing a home office or a shared workspace
• you want the most work surface for the money

Choose a U-shaped desk if

• you run a private or executive office and meet with people at your desk
• you need storage for files, a printer or reference materials within reach
• you work across dual monitors and paperwork at the same time
• your room is 10′ x 12′ or larger

Still torn? A bow front desk, available in both styles, curves the front edge outward so guests get more knee room without adding a full U.

Can you get either one at standing height?

Yes. Our U-shaped lineup includes the Deluxe Height Adjustable U-Shaped Desk Set and a height adjustable straight front version, so you can switch between sitting and standing without giving up storage. If an L-shape fits your room better, browse our height adjustable desks and pair one with a matching return.

Left-hand or right-hand setup?

Picture yourself sitting at the desk. If the return on an L-shape, or the bridge on a U-shape, sits on your right, it is a right-hand setup. Most of our sets can be assembled either way, so you can decide when you see the room. As a rule of thumb, put the return on the side away from the door so you face visitors as they walk in.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an L-shaped and a U-shaped desk?

An L-shaped desk has two pieces, a main desk and a side return, and fits into corners. A U-shaped desk adds a bridge and a credenza behind you, giving you work surface on three sides and more storage. The U-shape needs more floor space.

How big of a room do I need for a U-shaped desk?

Plan on at least 10′ x 12′. A standard U-shaped set covers about 6′ x 8.5′, and you need room in front for guest chairs and a clear walkway.

Is an L-shaped desk good for a small office?

Yes. An L-shaped desk makes good use of a corner and gives you two work zones in about a 6′ x 6′ footprint, which fits comfortably in a 10′ x 10′ office.

Can I turn an L-shaped desk into a U-shaped desk later?

Often, yes. With a modular line like our Classic Laminate Series, the pieces share sizes and finishes, so you can add a bridge and credenza later. Contact us with your current setup and we will confirm the parts.

How fast do these desks ship?

Many of our L-shaped and U-shaped desk sets ship in 3 to 5 business days. We ship to the lower 48 states, and orders over $2,500 ship free.

Find the right desk for your office

Ready to compare? Browse our L-shaped desks and U-shaped desks, or request a quote and send us your room measurements. We will suggest a layout that fits. If you are near the Twin Cities, book a visit to our St. Louis Park showroom and see the finishes in person.

Picking out a chair to go with it? Our office chair buying guide walks through the adjustments that matter.