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U-Shaped Desks

U-Shape Burdick Desk for Herman Miller with Floating Table
U-Shape Burdick Desk for Herman Miller with Floating Table

U-Shape Burdick Desk for Herman Miller with Floating Table

By Bruce Burdick, Herman Miller

Located in Pasadena, TX

A vintage U-shaped desk designed by Bruce Burdick for Herman Miller. This enormous desk has three

Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Onyx, Granite, Aluminum

Light cherry wood varnished desk. 1970s
Light cherry wood varnished desk. 1970s

Light cherry wood varnished desk. 1970s

$4,941

H 29.73 in W 71.26 in D 29.73 in

Light cherry wood varnished desk. 1970s

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Light cherry wood varnished desk. Inverted U-shaped legs with crossbar. Top made of a thick board

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cherry

Large Executive Desk with Return, Italy, 1960s
Large Executive Desk with Return, Italy, 1960s

Large Executive Desk with Return, Italy, 1960s

$14,464

H 29.53 in W 116.93 in D 77.17 in

Large Executive Desk with Return, Italy, 1960s

Located in Greding, DE

Large U-shaped executive desk with two returns and an extraordinary asymmetrical design. One

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Cast Stone, Metal

Recent Sales

Art Deco 20th Century U-Shaped Waterfall Desk Writing Table Three Drawer
Art Deco 20th Century U-Shaped Waterfall Desk Writing Table Three Drawer

Art Deco 20th Century U-Shaped Waterfall Desk Writing Table Three Drawer

Located in West Hartford, CT

Sleek and sexy curved 20th Century Art Deco desk featuring coveted waterfall U-shape. Features

Category

Late 20th Century Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Aviator Aluminum, Mahogany and Leather Writing Desk
Aviator Aluminum, Mahogany and Leather Writing Desk

Aviator Aluminum, Mahogany and Leather Writing Desk

Located in West Hartford, CT

Handsome aviator style u-shaped writing desk has an aluminum frame with mahogany supports. Desktop

Category

Late 20th Century Industrial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Boomerang Desk in Teak by Peter Løvig Nielsen, Denmark 1960s
Boomerang Desk in Teak by Peter Løvig Nielsen, Denmark 1960s

Boomerang Desk in Teak by Peter Løvig Nielsen, Denmark 1960s

By Peter Løvig Nielsen

Located in Hellouw, NL

-shaped design. The desk is in good condition with normal wear and tear due to its age. This desk is

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

20th Century Iron and Oak U-Shaped Desk, Two Drop Leaves
20th Century Iron and Oak U-Shaped Desk, Two Drop Leaves

20th Century Iron and Oak U-Shaped Desk, Two Drop Leaves

Located in Atlanta, GA

Mid-20th century iron and oak U-shaped desk, two drop leaves Measures: 63" W x 34.5" D x 28.25" T

Category

Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

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Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires

Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires

By Diego Mardegan

Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF

Beautiful chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires, this other version of the spider chandelier has longer arms on the sides giving the oval shape. The metal arms paint...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Brass

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö

$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off

H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö

By Örsjö Industri AB

Located in Glendale, CA

'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Textile

Pair of Italian Mid-Century-Modern Lounge Chairs in Ochre Boucle, 1970s Italy
Pair of Italian Mid-Century-Modern Lounge Chairs in Ochre Boucle, 1970s Italy

Pair of Italian Mid-Century-Modern Lounge Chairs in Ochre Boucle, 1970s Italy

Located in Zagreb, HR

Pair of Vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs or club chairs. Modules can be used as a modular sofa or modular seating set. Beautiful and unique shape. A 1970 design and p...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Loveseats

Materials

Bouclé, Foam, Wood

Arcate sideboard, in Canaletto walnut by Accardibuccheri Medulum for Medulum
Arcate sideboard, in Canaletto walnut by Accardibuccheri Medulum for Medulum

Arcate sideboard, in Canaletto walnut by Accardibuccheri Medulum for Medulum

By Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri

Located in Meolo, Venezia

Il settimanale Arcate fa parte di una collezione esclusiva che include comodini e comò, ideata dal rinomato studio milanese Accardi Buccheri per il brand MEDULUM. La scocca, realizza...

Category

2010s Italian Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Executive Terni Desk Ico Parisi for MIM, Italy
Executive Terni Desk Ico Parisi for MIM, Italy

Executive Terni Desk Ico Parisi for MIM, Italy

$10,245

H 73 in W 210 in D 150 in

Executive Terni Desk Ico Parisi for MIM, Italy

By Ico Parisi

Located in Schellebelle, BE

Terni desk in aluminium and Indian rosewood, Ico Parisi for MIM great Italian design very nice color and powerful patina marked MIM.

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry
Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry

Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry

$79,658 / item

H 95 in W 54 in D 25 in

Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry

By Amuneal

Located in New York, NY

Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry, part of our metal Kitchen Collection, is designed as a feature element for any space. The three doors on the upper cabinets are fabricated with a kn...

Category

2010s American Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom L-Shaped Office Desk by George Nelson
Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom L-Shaped Office Desk by George Nelson

Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom L-Shaped Office Desk by George Nelson

$14,000Sale Price|60% Off

H 79.5 in W 84 in D 108.5 in

Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom L-Shaped Office Desk by George Nelson

By George Nelson, Herman Miller

Located in Lafayette, IN

This remarkable piece is a one-off desk/wardrobe/bar/bookcase/storage cabinet custom-designed by George Nelson in 1949 to match his Basic Cabinet Series (BCS) for Herman Miller. The ...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Aluminum

Pristine Paul Evans Cityscape Burl Walnut Executive Desk.
Pristine Paul Evans Cityscape Burl Walnut Executive Desk.

Pristine Paul Evans Cityscape Burl Walnut Executive Desk.

By Paul Evans

Located in South Charleston, WV

Expertly restored with painstaking detail. Signed Paul Evans cityscape desk with ideal dimensions of 72" x 32" and 28.5" tall (though feet adjust it 1" higher if need be). Patchwork...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Chrome

Carlo Scarpa Orseolo Dining Table for Cassina, Lacquered Aluminum
Carlo Scarpa Orseolo Dining Table for Cassina, Lacquered Aluminum

Carlo Scarpa Orseolo Dining Table for Cassina, Lacquered Aluminum

$3,950 / item

H 28.75 in W 94.89 in D 30.32 in

Carlo Scarpa Orseolo Dining Table for Cassina, Lacquered Aluminum

By Cassina, Carlo Scarpa

Located in Berlin, DE

Price is dependent on the chosen material and size. Available sizes: 241x77 240x92 280x92 FASTENERS: Cast satin finish aluminum. FRAME TOP: MDF boards covered with a coat of mirr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Aluminum

American Mid-Century Maple Executive Desk with Stainless Steel Legs
American Mid-Century Maple Executive Desk with Stainless Steel Legs

American Mid-Century Maple Executive Desk with Stainless Steel Legs

Located in Queens, NY

Mid-Century rosewood large executive desk with pull out shelves on top resting on 2 drawer units over a Pair of aluminum pedestal bases (HERBERT HIRCHE-Christian Holzäpfel KG) Germa...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Wood

Dark Walnut Executive Desk by Monteverdi Young
Dark Walnut Executive Desk by Monteverdi Young

Dark Walnut Executive Desk by Monteverdi Young

$15,000

H 28.25 in W 84 in D 84 in

Dark Walnut Executive Desk by Monteverdi Young

By Monteverdi-Young

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Spectacular 1970’s Dark walnut with black lacquer outline executive desk by Monteverdi-Young. Custom ordered by renowned interior designer Gary Jon In beautiful vintage condition. ...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Müller Bar Cabinet in Metal
Müller Bar Cabinet in Metal

Müller Bar Cabinet in Metal

$4,301 / item

H 40.56 in W 20.48 in D 16.54 in

Müller Bar Cabinet in Metal

By Müller Möbelfabrikation

Located in Tilburg, NL

Müller Bar Cabinet in Metal. Germany. Design 1998, current production. Available in every RAL-color. A highlight for your office or your home: The cleverly designed bar cabinet KB 3...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Metal

Vintage Midcentury Table Desk by Harvey Probber
Vintage Midcentury Table Desk by Harvey Probber

Vintage Midcentury Table Desk by Harvey Probber

$7,920Sale Price|20% Off

H 29 in W 72 in D 36 in

Vintage Midcentury Table Desk by Harvey Probber

By Harvey Probber

Located in Pasadena, TX

Harvey Probber His pieces displayed the same combination of high style and popular appeal: his were no sterile creations in tubular steel; Probber's work shares more in common with ...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Aluminum

Guido Faleschini for Mariani Cabinets in Red Brown Leather
Guido Faleschini for Mariani Cabinets in Red Brown Leather

Guido Faleschini for Mariani Cabinets in Red Brown Leather

$4,250 / item

H 70.28 in W 23.82 in D 23.43 in

Guido Faleschini for Mariani Cabinets in Red Brown Leather

By Guido Faleschini, i4 Mariani

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani, cabinets from the 'Pace Collection', leather, fabric, chrome-plated steel, aluminum, mahogany, Italy, circa 1975 This captivating set of four cabin...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Cabinets

Materials

Chrome, Aluminum, Steel

Bruce Burdick for Herman Miller Mid Century Executive Desk
Bruce Burdick for Herman Miller Mid Century Executive Desk

Bruce Burdick for Herman Miller Mid Century Executive Desk

By Herman Miller, Bruce Burdick

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Bruce Burdick for Herman Miller Mid Century Executive Desk This desk measures: 135 wide x 87 deep x 31 high, with a two chair clearances of 25.75 and 28.75 inches All pieces of fur...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal

Large executive desk, design Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
Large executive desk, design Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s

Large executive desk, design Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s

$10,245

H 30.71 in W 70.87 in D 35.04 in

Large executive desk, design Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s

By Vittorio Dassi

Located in Napoli, IT

This is a large executive desk that is featured in several furniture magazines.

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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U-Shaped Desks For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of u-shaped desks available for sale. Each of these unique u-shaped desks was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and mahogany. There are 127 antique and vintage u-shaped desks for sale at 1stDibs, while we also have 3 modern editions to choose from as well. U-shaped desks have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Mid-Century Modern, Victorian and Louis XVI u-shaped desks are consistently popular styles. Many u-shaped desks are appealing in their simplicity, but George Nelson, Herman Miller and Arne Vodder produced popular u-shaped desks that are worth a look.

How Much are U-Shaped Desks?

Prices for u-shaped desks start at $700 and top out at $118,327 with the average selling for $4,656.

Finding the Right Desks And Writing Tables for You

Choosing the perfect writing desk or writing table is a profoundly personal journey, one that people have been embarking upon for centuries.

Queen Atossa of Persia, from her writing table circa 500 B.C., is said to have been the originator of the art of handwritten letters. Hers was reportedly the first in a long and colorful history of penned correspondence that grew in popularity alongside literacy. The demand for suitable writing desks, which would serve the composer of the letters as well as ensure the comfort of the recipient naturally followed, and the design of these necessary furnishings has evolved throughout history.

Once people began to seek freedom from the outwardly ornate styles of the walnut and rosewood writing desks and drafting tables introduced in the name of Queen Victoria and King Louis XV, radical shifts occurred, such as those that materialized during the Art Nouveau period, when designers longed to produce furniture inspired by the natural world’s beauty. A prime example is the work of the famous late-19th-century Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí — his rolltop desk featured deep side drawers and was adorned with carved motifs that paid tribute to nature. Gaudí regularly combined structural precision with decorative elements, creating beautiful pieces of furniture in wood and metal.

Soon afterward, preferences for sleek, geometric, stylized forms in furniture that saw an emphasis on natural wood grains and traditional craftsmanship took hold. Today, Art Deco desks are still favored by designers who seek to infuse interiors with an air of luxury. One of the most prominent figures of the Art Deco movement was French decorator and furniture designer Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. With his use of neoclassical motifs as well as expensive and exotic materials such as imported dark woods and inlays of precious metals for his writing desks, Ruhlmann came to symbolize good taste and modernity.

The rise in appreciation for Scandinavian modernism continues to influence the design of contemporary writing desks. It employs the “no fuss” or “less is more” approach to creating a tasteful, sophisticated space. Sweden’s master cabinetmaker Bruno Mathsson created gallery-worthy designs that are as functional as they are beautiful. Finnish architect Alvar Aalto never viewed himself as an artist, but, like Mathsson, his furniture designs reflected a fondness for organic materials and a humanistic approach. Danish designers such as Hans Wegner introduced elegant shapes and lines to mid-century desks and writing tables, often working in oak and solid teak.

From vintage desks to contemporary styles, 1stDibs offers a broad spectrum of choices for conducting all personal and business writing and reading activities.

Questions About U-Shaped Desks
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    The best L-shaped desk depends on how well it will fit into your office. Factors such as office aesthetic, the space required, the material of the desk, the size, the computer type and other pieces of equipment should be prioritized. Ergonomics, storage and durability need to be considered, too. Find a collection of antique and vintage desks on 1stDibs today.