Posted By sylvia Curved ('L' shape) desks were developed as a result of computer screens being CRT (the big TV style) and the need to have enough depth to have the monitor far enough away from the user, and give space on the desk for keyboard, mouse and to rest arms. As LCD flat panel monitors have now arrived (even in my office!), these can be accomodated on a standard straight desk with plenty of space in front. Therefore the technology is again dictating the furniture design. However, as these become larger, there may still be a case for keeping a decent distance between user and screen. Advantage for longer legged people - more leg room too. The L desks are bigger obviously, so the main advantage of straight desks is reduced office footprint, although if staff have got used to them they can be hard to wean away. The LH detente (short bit of the L) suits right-handers, as the larger portion is the side they would naturally veer to for writing and other tasks. As office planners tend to group desks in fours, with 50% of each type, some people can end up on an unsuitable desk, and develop arm or shoulder problems as a result; they clutter themselves up on the dominant hand side. Problems - people can twist around rather than move the chair. Sometimes the curve is too "tight" leaving a gap between user and worktop (there are devices to fill in the gap). No real safety reason either way these days.

Posted By Coshh Assessor I've found that people just don't get on with curved desks, they don't sit at them as intended causing posture problems.

Posted By Bob Howden The general work environment and style of working may also influence your decision. I work in an office that promotes a clear desk policy, provides hot desks for laptop users and flat screens mounted on adjustable brackets. For this we have traditional rectangular bench style desks and wave desks. From past experience it often seemed that the bigger the desk you provided the more clutter people seemed to accumulate.