My motto is "Free the Knees." All of these desk configurations are useful, but in my experience, having room to kick my legs around is extremely important. Free the Knees---give lots of room for your knees, consider that you may want to put a tiny heater or fan underneath your desk space, and a wide angled platform to elevate your feet. Those little foot rests are not practical, unless you want to sit with your knees stuck together. Air flow for your computer system is more important than anything.

My "desk" is a 50" square dining table, and I love it. No drawers, but I have shelves and book cases, and a rolling cart for the small bits.

If I were buying new---I go for the U-shape since it has a lot of room underneath.

I need a solution for a one bedroom apartment. My wife has a desk in the kitchen, but I end up using my notebook in the Living room. I tried the kitchen table but I would like a dedicated space that doesn't take up much room and would allow me to work with my widescreen monitor that has been collecting dust in my closet.

Finding the right desk is surprisingly difficult in a world where home computers are prolific. Office stores seem to think everybody uses a laptop. I'm a desktop person, for ergonomic reasons. I ended up settling on IKEA's Mikael workstation, which they no longer make, because it had a keyboard tray (I'm 5'4" - they don't seem to make desk heights for women), a place to put the box and subwoofer, and a small footprint. I'll second the "free the knees" rule. I'd like something a bit bigger but couldn't find anything else that fit my requirements.

Yup I agree with the legs guy. I think the chair is probably the most important feature. Before I sorted my chair I was getting really bad RSI, but ditching the arms sorted the problem.

I also use an Ikea desk, like astraldream above - I use the Ikea Galant because I like the large area, and the adjustable legs.

If you wanna see my office set up, check out the article on my office on my website, which also has photos, including my awesome desk and (less) awesome chair.

What about a compact desk?

Comment about one of the photos. The straight along the wall desk has your knees against the radiator and your computer sitting right over it. Depending on the heating system in question, that could be a big issue.

I have a slightly modified Mikael table in my living room. Because of the excess noise of a midrange gaming system, the computer case is in my kitchen. This setup has worked very well. It's both comfortable and discreet. The plastic box is not just for cables, but also something to put my feet on.

When I get a new TV I plan on silencing the computer, spraypainting the holder (which is from from a church charity store) and moving both next to the table so that all cables can be attached to the TV.

My first desk was a dining table with a hutch added. My current desk is a dirt cheap VIKA desk from IKEA. I like having a wide, deep desk, and I despise keyboard trays, so the simpler the better. I keep meaning to go back and buy the "legs" with storage, so I can put my CPU inside (and away from a kitten that loves to get behind there).

@astraldream...I'm a six-foot female who always whines about knocking my knees on things and stooping to work surfaces. Not all women are fun-sized. Maybe the true beef here is that most things are built to one-size-fits-no-one standards.

That said, you may have better luck with antique desks (people were smaller) or, much as it may pain you, children's furniture. I say throw pride under the bus if it means a comfortable desk fit.

I currently only have a laptop, so it resides on one of those handy rolling laptop trays, right now tucked next to the television. It works great, since I primarily use my home computer for entertainment purposes - I can roll it into the living room and stream a movie on my TV, or roll it to my overstuffed chair in my bedroom for a more private venue.

At the office, I'm at an L-shaped desk. I have the option to move to a corner, but I'd rather not. I end up leaning in to my monitor too much. This way, I'm tucked in front of the computer, there's plenty of space, and I can put my feet up on the desk and still type!

My apartment is small but I had to have an L-shaped desk to have two separate areas. One for computer use and one for writing, grading etc. Now I can finally have a place for everything.

Just because you have a corner desk, or any other desk for that matter, doesn't mean it has to be in the corner.
Also, you can find uses for that space behind the monitor. If you have a desktop, put your CPU there for easier access when you're having problems. Or put a lamp back there or use it to store lesser used supplies or paper.

I had a Mikael desk, and hated it with a passion. I always need room to spread out with my keyboard, Waycom tablet, color fan deck, and at least a book or two at all times. The Mikael afforded none of that. I've got a corner desk now, but find that the wasted space behind my computer monitor very frustrating.

While a one-piece L-shaped desk may force you to angle your monitor, I've got a configuration in my dorm that doesn't waste any space. It's just a foot-wide shelf along one wall, with one end of my regulation desk pushed against it. I file all my papers in magazine holders on the shelf, right next to my computer.

I have a big desk that I use for writing and grading, and a small one that holds my monitor. The big one has lots of storage: drawers and two rolling carts underneath, but it's not ideal for the computer because the drawers underneath the desk prevent me from sitting at the right height for typing.

So in my new flat I have built myself a computer desk, because I couldn't find anything that fit my needs, budget and floor space. The computer desk had to go into a small nook between the regular desk (80 cm deep) and a narrow bookshelf (15 cm deep), without protruding too much next to the shelf, which would have been THE spot to run into and have constant bruises on my legs.

Apart from that, I wanted the desk to be deep enough so I could sit at a reasonable distance from my 19" monitor - 70 cm they recommend.

What I did in the end was taking a rectangular sheet of plywood, cut it in half so I had two triangles, put one away, painted the other one according to my needs, and attached legs.

Now I have a nice transition from the 80 cm to the 15 cm, no space wasted, the right distance from the screen, space underneath for the CPU and even for another small table that holds my printer.
Ideal!

So I can just say: if you don't find what you need, build it!

(It was just painting and attaching the legs with a screwdriver - no big deal!)

what is the source of the corner desk example?? I love it!

Another suggestion would be to use an old fashioned Bureau. Grant it, it'd have to be for a lap top but they were designed to be an office in one peice of furniture. I haven't come across any modern version.

They came in all shapes and sizes, I'm suprised I don't see more of them around.

I'm really surprised that the discussion hasn't already included alternatives to traditional desks like tables and sawhorses. I went to Ikea to look for a desk and ended up with a small dining table. It was cheaper, more attractive, and the dimensions are perfect for my needs.

What about secretaries, computer armoires and office cabinets?

Hmm... it seems the desk I have has been removed, but I have a Mikael desk (the full-sized, nearly-two-metre one, not the little workstation). It's set in the corner with a 2x4 Expedit on the other short end, which gives me some storage. I have a laptop and it's plenty of room for me, but when I had a PC, it did get a bit crowded (I had my monitor on a low shelf made of an old Lack shelf and two small boxes, and could fit my keyboard under that - the issue was fitting my weirdly-shaped PC under the desk along with the Mikael drawer unit. No room for my knees!)

Now, my printer-scanner lives underneath the desk and serves as an occasional foot rest.

At the moment, I'm overseas and on exchange, and my 'desk' is a small table. Just enough space for my laptop, a lamp, and some paper/pencils/pens (for drawing). It's NOT an idea set-up, but hey, I'll only have it for another three months.