Use an L-shaped desk to carve out a dedicated space in your home for computer activities and other office tasks. The shape is friendly to corner positioning but can also be placed along a wall to create a new space in the room. L-shaped desks come in several colors, styles, and materials, so choosing the right one can be difficult.
L-shaped desks can help to define large open spaces and give you a more efficient footpath for getting work done. While it's certainly easy to drop one into a corner so you can look out the window, you can also face the rest of the room, letting you keep an eye on what's going on around you.
If you deal with a lot of paperwork, like having an old-school paper calendar on your desk, or need to store a lot of items, an L desk is also perfect. Many of them come with an assortment of drawers to store different items, and some even include a hutch. Just the desk space alone can ensure you never run out of room for sticky notes or essential paperwork.
L-shaped desks might all be the same basic shape, but there are also design aesthetics to consider when you start to shop for one. A pared-down option might be great for gamers, but leave you feeling like you don't have enough storage space. Meanwhile, a wooden option with a shelf on the side might not be the right fit for a home office. You want to find something that both fits your space and the way you've designed it. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to choose from!
The last major thing to consider when looking at an L-shaped desk is the size. Not all desks come in the same dimensions, and you'll want an option that fits your space without taking it over or shrinking into a corner. Make sure to measure both the space you are trying to fill and the desk itself, to ensure that you find the perfect pick.
Read on to check out a list of our favorite L-shaped desks.
Mr IRONSTONE L-shaped desk
No bars to hit knees on
Elevate your monitor or laptop on the included shelf.
Pros:
- Optimal leg space
- Built-in monitor shelf
- Adjustable foot pads
Cons:
- Difficult assembly
Support up to three monitors on this L-shaped desk from Mr IRONSTONE. The X-design at the ends of the tabletop provides additional stability not found in our other options and keeps you from knocking your knees into a bar underneath. There's also a built-in shelf that can handle another monitor, a laptop, or even a speaker.
Ameriwood Home Dakota L-shaped desk
Attached privacy cover
The Dakota desk is a good pick for placement on a wall instead of in a corner.
Pros:
- Bookshelf on end
- Multiple finishes
- Cable grommets
Cons:
- No extra hardware for setup
Support up to 100 pounds of computer equipment on the top of this L-shaped desk. One end of the desk is rounded and has open shelving for books or other office supplies. Take your pick from the multiple available finish options, including a very attractive dove gray color that is sure to draw attention.
Walker Edison Ellis contemporary L-shaped corner desk
Dedicated spots for computer elements
The Ellis desk has clear glass surfaces that open up any space.
Pros:
- Easy-to-clean surfaces
- Shelf for computer tower
- Sliding keyboard tray
Cons:
- Fingerprints show up easily on glass
If not for the metal frame, you'd hardly know this desk was there. The glass desktops are easy to see through and create the illusion of taking up less space in the room. To keep the surface as uncluttered as possible, there is a dedicated spot for your computer tower in the corner area, as well as your keyboard on the sliding tray.
SHW L-shaped corner desk
No frills option with super clean lines
This desk has a sturdy frame and cable ports to keep things tidy.
Pros:
- Sturdy construction
- Three colors
- Cable management
Cons:
- Packaging could use improvement
Many L-shaped desks offer elegant wire framing to support the tabletop. This option, however, really focuses on keeping things simple with big, blocky legs and framing. The only extra feature is cable management grommets, allowing you to keep the focus on the design elements you place on top of the desk.
VASAGLE L-shaped corner desk
Computer tower storage
The shelving on the desk's end can be adjusted for larger items.
Pros:
- Same length in both directions
- Farmhouse look
- Ample leg space
Cons:
- Surface may chip easily
Computer desks don't have to be as modern or high-tech-looking as the items you're placing on them. This desk from VASAGLE can add a bit of warmth to a room with both the rustic brown color, as well as a greige and black option. The open shelving on the end is easy to access from any angle and has enough space for books, paper, or storage bins.
Bush Furniture Cabot L-shaped computer desk
Offers the most storage
This desk provides two drawers and one cabinet to store office supplies.
Pros:
- Cabinet with glass door
- USB hub on desktop
- Lots of workspace
Cons:
- Hard to assemble
Plugging in extra USB devices can be a pain when you need to route the cable through or behind a desk. This Bush Furniture option has a USB hub with four ports built right into the tabletop for easy access. The enclosed storage allows you to keep private documents from prying eyes and free of dust.
Use an L-shaped desk to define your space
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The benefits of an L-shaped desk don't stop with its corner-hugging design. These options also make it easier to expand your workspace without making it hard to reach anything you need, like a book or a pad of paper. Our favorite is the Mr IRONSTONE L-shaped desk. The included monitor shelf can be used for almost any item you want to move off the desktop, and the feet can be adjusted for unlevel flooring. It also offers the best opportunity for comfortable leg positioning, since no bars interrupt the space under the desk.
We also really liked the SHW L-shaped corner desk. There is beauty in the simplicity of this option; it lacks extra shelves and the elaborate framing you'll find on some of the others. However, you still get cable management options, and the bulkier legs really lend to its sturdiness.
What to remember when picking out an L-shaped desk
- Size: You want an option that fits your space perfectly! Be sure to measure both your new intended furniture, and the space you want to fill!
- Storage: Picking a desk that has the right amount of storage for you is crucial. A desk with no drawers might be perfect for gamers, but lack what an office worker needs. Not all desks are built equal and its important to remember that.
- Materials: Glass topped desks might be aesthetically pleasing, but if you tend to attract dust it might not be the best bet. Likewise, a dark wood desk might look lovely in a corner office, but seem too dark and hulking in a bright office at home. Be sure to pick a desk that has the right materials for what you'll be using it for!
- Design: While all L-shaped desks are shaped the same, they don't all have the same aesthetic. Be sure to consider what your new desk will look like in the space it's occupying and that it won't overpower a room. The last thing you want is to redesign an entire space just because your new desk doesn't suit what is already there.
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