A Simple Guide to the Main Types of Office Desks

Choosing the right desk can feel overwhelming, especially with so many shapes, sizes and configurations available. If you’re exploring second-hand office furniture or used office desks, understanding the main desk types will help you pick something that suits your space, working style and layout.

Below is a straightforward guide to the four most common desk styles and what each one means in practice.

Left or Right-Handed Desks: What’s the Difference?

One of the top questions customers ask is: “Do I need a left-hand or right-hand desk?”

To understand this, we need to go back a bit. Traditional rectangular desks were the norm until typewriters arrived. These bulky machines needed their own small surface, known as a return, which stuck out at a 90-degree angle. If the return sat on the left, it was a left-hand return; if on the right, a right-hand return.

Today, you’ll still see this terminology used on L-shaped desks and radial desks. As a general rule, the “handed” side is the part that sticks out from the main desktop, and for radial or L-shaped desks, this is usually where the drawer unit (pedestal) sits.

What Is a Pedestal?

A pedestal—often shortened to “ped”—is simply a set of drawers that sits under or next to your desk. No one is quite sure why it’s called a pedestal, but in modern used office desks, it’s your go-to storage solution for files, stationery and everyday essentials.

Radial Desks / Workstations

Also known as radial desks, crescent desks, or L-shaped desks, these workstations are among the most popular styles in modern offices. They give you generous surface space without using up unnecessary floor area.

Why radial desks work so well

They maximise your working area by using space that can’t realistically be used as walkways.
They’re ideal for multitaskers who like room to spread out.
They work perfectly with pedestals, giving you integrated storage.

Typical sizes

The most common configuration is 1600 x 1200mm:

• Main desk width: 1600mm

• Return: 1200mm

• Overall footprint (including drawers): roughly 1600 x 1600mm

Depths usually follow:

• Main desk: 800mm

• Return: 600mm

Some models feature 800mm depths on both sides.

Wave Desks

Wave desks offer a hybrid between a straight rectangular desk and a radial workstation. They became popular with the arrival of flat-screen monitors, offering extra depth for keyboards and screens without overwhelming the room.

How to tell if it’s left or right-handed

If the deeper “bubble” end is on the left, it’s a left-hand wave desk.
If it’s on the right, it’s a right-hand desk.

Typical measurements

• Shallow end: 800mm

• Deep end: 900–1000mm

Wave desks strike a great balance: more room where you need it, less where you don’t.

Rectangular Desks

The classic rectangular desk is making a strong return, especially in compact or minimalist office layouts. With more workplaces going paper-free, many people no longer need large surface areas.

Why choose a rectangular desk?

They’re space-efficient and simple.
They work well in rows, private offices or hot-desking setups.
They’re often available at excellent value when buying second-hand office desks.

Typical sizes

• Depth: 800mm

• Widths: 1600mm, 1800mm, and smaller sizes depending on stock.

Bench desk variations

Rectangular desks are sometimes sold as bench desks, where multiple desktops share a central leg frame. These are commonly configured in pods of 2–6 desks and work brilliantly in collaborative offices.

120-Degree Workstations

120-degree desks are a more modern workstation option, designed to curve around the user for easy access to the full surface.

Best layout for 120-degree desks

They work especially well in pods of three, creating a circular layout ideal for teamwork.
They suit long, narrow rooms when arranged in rows of multiple pods.
Although they can be purchased individually, they work best in shared office environments.

Because measurements can be tricky (they’re measured from the centre point of the pod), it’s best to contact us for a clear layout plan if you’re considering them.

Need Help Choosing the Right Desk?

At Recycled Business Furniture, we stock a wide range of quality second-hand office desks, from radial workstations to 120-degree pods, rectangular desks and bench systems. If you’re unsure which size or layout will work in your office, our team can provide plans, measurements and advice.