What Shape Should My Office Desks & Workstations Be?

Selecting the right Desks & Workstations is one of the most important decisions when designing a productive workplace. The layout and style of your workstations directly influence collaboration, employee comfort, space efficiency, and the ability to adapt as your business grows.

Modern offices are no longer built around a single workstation design. Instead, successful workplaces combine a variety of Desks & Workstations to suit different work styles, job functions, and collaboration needs. From straight desks for agile teams to corner workstations for focused tasks and 120-degree layouts for greater privacy, each option offers unique advantages.

Whether you’re planning a new office fit-out or refreshing an existing workspace, understanding the strengths of each workstation style will help you create a flexible and efficient office environment.

Why Choosing the Right Desks & Workstations Matters

Your office furniture should do more than simply provide a place to work.

Well-designed Desks & Workstations improve employee productivity, encourage collaboration, maximise floor space, and support workplace wellbeing. Choosing the right configuration also makes it easier to accommodate future business growth without requiring costly renovations.

When selecting workstation layouts, consider:

• The type of work employees perform

• Collaboration requirements

• Available office space

• Privacy needs

• Technology integration

• Future flexibility

A thoughtful mix of workstation styles ensures employees have the right environment to perform at their best.

Rectangular Office Desks: A Space-Efficient Classic

Rectangular or straight desks remain one of the most versatile Desks & Workstations available today.

Their clean lines and simple design make them ideal for modern offices, particularly since flat-screen monitors require less desktop depth than older computer equipment.

Straight desks can be configured in rows, positioned opposite one another, or attached to shared storage systems, making them highly adaptable for a variety of office layouts.

Benefits of Rectangular Desks

Rectangular desks offer several advantages, including:

• Excellent space efficiency

• Easy circulation throughout the office

• Clean, contemporary appearance

• Ideal for touchdown workspaces

• Supports side-by-side collaboration

• Cost-effective for larger teams

Because they occupy less floor space than larger workstation configurations, they are particularly suitable for businesses looking to maximise employee capacity.

Things to Consider

Although rectangular desks provide excellent flexibility, they may offer less personal workspace than other workstation styles.

Employees handling large volumes of paperwork may benefit from additional return surfaces or integrated storage. Privacy screens can also be added where greater visual separation is required, particularly in open-plan offices.

Corner Workstations: More Space for Multi-Tasking

The L-shaped or 90-degree corner workstation is one of the most popular Desks & Workstations for employees who require multiple work zones.

Typically, the computer monitor is positioned in the corner, leaving generous work surfaces on both sides for paperwork, meetings, or additional equipment.

This layout naturally creates a defined personal workspace while maintaining efficient use of available floor space.

Benefits of Corner Workstations

Corner workstations provide:

• Larger working surfaces

• Better organisation for multiple tasks

• Greater employee privacy

• Efficient use of office corners

• Improved separation from walkways

• Comfortable workspace for paper-based tasks

Many professionals appreciate having separate areas for computer work, writing, and document review, making corner workstations particularly effective for administration, finance, and project management roles.

Things to Consider

While highly functional, corner workstations may reduce spontaneous collaboration compared to linear desk arrangements.

Businesses seeking a balance between teamwork and individual focus often combine corner workstations with collaborative meeting spaces elsewhere in the office.

120-Degree Workstations: Modern and Collaborative

The 120-degree workstation represents a contemporary evolution of traditional office layouts.

Designed around a centrally positioned monitor, this configuration provides work surfaces on either side while introducing greater visual variety to the office.

Unlike rigid grid layouts, 120-degree Desks & Workstations create more dynamic workplace environments that feel open and inviting.

Benefits of 120-Degree Workstations

These workstations offer:

• Increased personal privacy

• Large usable desk surfaces

• Contemporary office appearance

• Flexible team configurations

• Improved visual appeal

• Better separation between employees

The angled layout often creates a more comfortable working environment while reducing the repetitive appearance of long desk rows.

Things to Consider

Although visually attractive, 120-degree workstations generally require more floor space than rectangular or corner configurations.

With today’s slim monitors and wireless technology, the central corner space may also be used less frequently than when these workstations were first introduced.

Businesses should carefully evaluate available office space before selecting this layout.

Mix Different Desks & Workstations for Greater Flexibility

One of the biggest workplace design trends is moving away from a single workstation style.

Modern offices increasingly combine multiple Desks & Workstations to support different activities throughout the day.

For example:

• Straight desks for collaborative teams

• Corner workstations for focused work

• Height-adjustable desks for employee wellbeing

• Meeting tables for project work

• Quiet booths for private calls

• Touchdown desks for hybrid workers

Providing a variety of work settings allows employees to choose the environment that best supports their current task. This approach is especially valuable in Activity-Based Working (ABW) environments, where flexibility is a key part of workplace design.

Design for Future Growth

Business requirements rarely remain static. As organisations expand, restructure, or adopt hybrid working, office layouts need to evolve without requiring major refurbishment.

Modular Desks & Workstations allow businesses to:

• Reconfigure departments

• Add new employees

• Adjust seating arrangements

• Improve collaboration spaces

• Support changing technology

Selecting adaptable furniture today reduces future costs while ensuring your office remains functional for years to come.

There is no single workstation layout that suits every workplace. The most successful office designs combine different Desks & Workstations to create spaces that balance collaboration, concentration, flexibility, and employee wellbeing.

Whether you prefer space-saving rectangular desks, practical corner workstations, or contemporary 120-degree layouts, the right furniture should reflect how your team works both today and into the future.

At Interia, we specialise in designing productive workplaces with premium Desks & Workstations tailored to your business needs. From workplace planning and ergonomic furniture selection to complete office fit-outs, our experienced consultants help businesses across Perth create flexible, future-ready workspaces.

Visit our Perth showroom or contact Interia on  1300 784 814 to explore our extensive range of Desks & Workstations and discover the ideal solution for your workplace.