A corner desk gives you more surface area without pushing further into the room. Because it wraps around two walls, you can keep a monitor on one side and have a clear writing or reading space on the other — two zones, one footprint.

Measure the length of both walls from the corner outwards. Most L-shaped desks have two wings of different lengths — check which wing goes on which wall and make sure each wall is long enough to accommodate its side comfortably.

Many L-shaped desks use a reversible design, so the side panel can usually be moved to the opposite end. Check the product page for the model you are considering before you buy. This can help if you rearrange the room or move to a new home with a different layout.

Yes. L-shaped desks are freestanding and require no wall fixings. They use bolt-and-cam-lock assembly that can be taken apart and reassembled. Because the desk sits in the corner, it often leaves more floor space free than a straight desk placed against a single wall.

Square or nearly square rooms tend to suit corner desks best, as both walls of the corner are usually long enough. Rectangular rooms can also work well if the desk is placed in a corner near the shorter wall. Avoid corners that are interrupted by radiators, doors that swing inward, or windows that reach down to desk height.