Corner Desk vs Straight Desk: Which Fits Your Workspace Best?

Modern office with multiple workstations featuring corner desk vs straight desk layouts, showing different workspace styles.

In planning your workspace, choosing whether to have a corner desk or a straight desk may determine the look of your office and your productivity. While looks come into play, practical considerations like storage, where the monitors will go, cable management, and the room's flow should dictate your decision, not necessarily custom.

Here, we break down each kind's unique strengths and limitations to allow you to choose the best desk for your room, activities, and work process.

Corner Desks: Clever for Storage and Screen Real Estate

A corner desk, like the Novah Corner Desk, can take full advantage of wasted corner areas, leaving you with a wide work surface for several screens, reference materials, or tools.

Strengths:

  • Maximises space: Utilises an often underused area and provides extra space for spreading work out.
  • Multitasking potential: Excellent for establishing distinct areas for computer activity, writing, or reading papers.
  • Storage-friendly: It often has built-in drawers or shelves to store essential things easily.
  • Ergonomic setup: Monitor arms, like the C Me Double Monitor Arm, can be positioned for a natural viewing angle on both sides of the workspace.

Disadvantages:

  • Bigger footprint: Needs a suitable corner and more space than a straight desk.
  • Restricted mobility: You're usually fixed to one spot, which may limit movement.
  • Clutter potential: Extra surface space can invite piles of paperwork if organisation slips.
  • Less social: Facing a wall or corner can reduce face-to-face interaction in open offices.

Straight Desks: Clean, Flexible Footprint

If simplicity, adaptability, and a slim look are your priority, a straight desk like the Sonic Straight Desk may be the winner.

Advantages:

  • Very versatile: Suitable for walls or in open floor plans.
  • Affordability: Often less costly compared to its corner version.
  • Skeletonised style: Ideal for small spaces or an uncluttered, clean appearance.
  • Simplest ergonomics: A straight edge can simplify positioning a monitor, keyboard, and chair for comfort.

Disadvantages:

  • Less surface area: Less room for spreading out compared to a corner setup.
  • Not created for multitasking: Can feel cramped when simultaneously working with several devices or pieces of paper.
  • Less storage built-in: Typically necessitates adding add-ons like the Modesty Panel or under-desk drawers.

Cable & Power Routing Considerations

Cable handling can differ significantly between desk types:

  • Corner desks are likely to hide cables behind the L-shape, which is useful for concealing cords but may limit power outlet access.
  • Straight desks have more open cable routing possibilities along the back edge, but cords are more exposed without screens or modesty panels.

Let Room Shape & Circulation Flow Decide

Your office configuration significantly influences the best choice between a corner desk and a straight desk:

  • Irregular or narrow spaces might benefit from a straight desk to maximise walking space.
  • Large or square rooms can accommodate a corner desk without disrupting traffic flow.

Consider how you move around the room and whether your desk location maximises collaboration, privacy, or both.

For more ideas on creating functional and organised workspaces, see our guides:

FAQ: Corner Desk vs Straight Desk

Is a Corner Desk Better Than a Regular Desk?

It depends on your needs. Corner desks work well with space maximisation and provide extra surface area, but standard (straight) desks are easier to fit into various arrangements.

Is a Curve or Straight Desk Better?

A curved or L-shaped desk will be more ergonomic for some arrangements and better for multitasking, but straight desks are tidier, easier to fit into a tight space, and less expensive overall.

What's the Best Shape of Desk?

The best shape depends on your room size, work style, and storage needs. A corner desk might be the champion if you need extra room for equipment or multitasking. If you need a sleek, flexible footprint, go for a straight desk.

Your Next Desk, Sorted

Whichever corner or straight design you opt for, pairing it with the right accessories can be a game-changer for productivity and comfort. Explore our entire range to discover your ideal workspace and style.