Several different types of desks are available to enhance your office space. From small, collaborative writing desks to ergonomic standing desks, choosing the right options can boost productivity and collaboration. Learn more about each type of desk to select the ideal style for your team.
1. Executive Office Desks
Executive desks are large options with plenty of storage space. They’re perfect for management and leadership teams and offer the following advantages:
- Professional appearance: Executive office desks enhance a space’s professional appearance with their high-quality construction, stand-alone rectangular or L-shaped design, accent pieces and premium finishes.
- Substantial workspace: An executive desk is often larger than alternative styles. It provides ample workspace for hardworking company leaders or front-office receptionists.
- Secure storage: Individuals can store company valuables or sensitive information in secure storage features such as hidden shelving, deep drawers and locked cabinets.
2. Corner Desks
Corner desks feature an L-shape design and offer the following benefits:
- Space efficiency: You can maximize office space by placing corner desks in spots that often go unutilized.
- Abundant workspace: An L-shaped desk’s additional surface provides plenty of workspace for employees to multitask or collaborate with co-workers. Corner desks are especially beneficial if staff members use multiple monitors or need to separate multiple tasks.
- Ergonomic shape: Corner desks enable employees to place keyboards and monitors at ergonomic angles, helping them reduce repetitive strain and work comfortably.
- Versatile configurations: You can arrange corner desks in various layouts to create collaborative centers or personalized workspaces. For example, you can create the standard L-shape by placing the corner of the desk where two walls meet, or you can create a U-shape by placing one section parallel and the other section perpendicular to the wall. Placing multiple corner desks together can further expand a workspace or support collaboration between employees.
- Enhanced privacy and productivity: A corner desk can increase an employee’s sense of privacy and help them avoid distractions for greater productivity.
- Organized appearance: Corner desks help create clean lines in a space, making your office appear more organized and aesthetically pleasing.
3. Standing Desks
Standing desks are height adjustable. They enable employees to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day. Standing desks are fantastic options for the following reasons:
- Greater health and productivity: Standing desks can help improve health by reducing shoulder and neck pain, and they help employees increase productivity.
- Increased comfort and employee morale: Enabling staff to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day helps them maintain comfort, boosting employee morale and retention.
4. Computer Desks
Computer desks typically have a rectangular shape and offer the following benefits:
- Flexible arrangement: Computer desks make it easy to customize a layout that meets your office’s needs. You can group multiple computer desks together, arrange them in organized rows or place them in cubicles. While they typically feature less surface area than corner or executive desks, they provide adequate workspace to fit a monitor, keyboard and office supplies.
- Space efficiency: Computer desks can help you create more employee workspaces in your office. They can be placed anywhere in the room, enabling you to utilize wall space and space in the center of the office. They are exceptional options for small offices or ones with atypical layouts.
5. Writing Desks
Writing desks are compact work surfaces ideal for light work such as notetaking, filling out paperwork and document signing. You can use writing desks to create the following types of work areas:
- Temporary workstations: Writing desks make excellent temporary workstations for employee onboarding, employee training and completing quick paperwork.
- Meeting spaces: Writing desks are perfect for collaboration or meeting spaces because they provide space to take notes and share ideas. You can arrange them in various configurations based on meeting sizes and group needs.
- Small offices: Writing desks are also beneficial for small offices. They may be the best option if you need to fit several employees into a small space.
Importance of Choosing the Right Types of Desks
The right types of office desks can:
- Boost efficiency and productivity: Desk types can affect staff productivity, collaboration, focus, health and comfort. Providing your employees with an optimal workspace can help them complete high-quality work in less time, boosting efficiency and profits.
- Enhance safety: Desk sizes and layouts impact safety. Staff need enough room to walk around, and they must be able to evacuate the office quickly and easily in an emergency.
- Improve aesthetics: Choosing the right desks also affects your office’s aesthetics. Beautiful, high-quality desks create a professional aesthetic that enhances how your staff, stakeholders and clients view your overall brand.
How to Choose the Right Desks
The following factors can help you choose the right desks for your office needs.
Square Footage and Number of Employees
How many employees do you need to accommodate in your office? This determines the number of desks you will need and the appropriate sizes for the space.
Divide the room’s total square footage by your number of employees to determine how much square footage you can allocate to each individual. The desk should only take up part of an employee’s allocated space so that they have room to sit and move freely. Remember to account for the following factors:
- Walking space
- Desk chairs
- Additional furnishings, such as a front desk or waiting area
- Appliances like printers or water coolers
Office Layout
Consider your office layout. Do you want each desk to be in a cubicle, or do you want an open layout that encourages collaboration? Can you place desks in the corners of the office and along the walls, or will they primarily be in the center of the room? Your office arrangement affects the size and number of desks you can fit in the room. Consulting with an office planning expert can help you create an optimal layout.
Employee Needs and Preferences
Talk to your employees or conduct a survey to understand their needs and preferences. Your staff may require large L-shaped desks if they need multiple monitors and significant space to work efficiently. However, height-adjustable desks are a fantastic option if your staff feels more productive and comfortable standing while they work.
Enhance Your Office With Desks From COE Office
High-quality, stylish desks can significantly enhance your office space, boost productivity and increase employee morale. COE Office carries a wide selection of office desks to upgrade your existing space or create a new work environment for your staff.
Our space planning services and state-of-the-art technology help you visualize new furniture in your office space, providing you with a clear picture of how different desks maximize functionality and beauty. We can help you choose the ideal options for your office and customize desk sizes to meet your needs. Contact us or schedule an appointment to learn more about our beautiful office furniture and design consultations.

