Small office layouts for 2 and 3 desks
A small office for two or three people works when every desk has room for its chair and there is one clear path to the door. Here are five layouts with dimensions you can copy, and simple ways to make a small room feel bigger.
Before you start: three numbers
- Desk size. A 60 x 30 in desk is the common standard. A 48 x 24 in desk saves space but leaves little room for a second screen.
- Chair zone. Leave about 36 in from the desk edge to a wall or another desk so the chair can roll back.
- Walkway. Keep at least 36 in clear on the main path to the door. That is the clear width of an accessible route in the ADA 2010 Standards (section 403.5.1), and it is wider than the OSHA minimum of 28 in for exit access (29 CFR 1910.36(g)(2)).
Small office layout for 2 desks
1. Face to face (room about 11 x 10 ft). Push two 60 x 30 in desks together front to front, with one short end against a wall. Each person gets a 36 in chair zone on either side (36 + 60 + 36 in = 11 ft), and the shared edge holds cables. Good for two people who work together closely.
2. Side by side on one wall (room about 12 x 9 ft). Two desks in a line along the longest wall, both facing the wall or a window. The rest of the room stays open for a cabinet or a small couch. Good for a narrow room.
3. Back to back (room about 10 x 11 ft). Desks on opposite walls, people facing away from each other: 30 in desk + 36 in chair zone, twice, is 11 ft between the walls. Best for privacy on calls, and each person has their own wall for shelves.
Small office layout for 3 desks
4. One wall and an L (room about 12 x 14 ft). Two desks side by side on one wall and an L-shaped desk in the opposite corner. The L-shaped desk gives the third person, often the manager, room for papers and a second screen.
5. Pod of three (room about 13 x 12 ft). Three desks in a T or a fan around a shared middle. It keeps a clear path along one wall to the door. Check that no chair backs into the door swing.
Small office layout with a couch
A couch needs about 72 x 32 in plus 18 in in front for legs. Put it against the wall farthest from the desks, facing them or facing a window. A couch by the door makes visitors feel welcome and keeps them away from screens.
How to make a small office look bigger
- Keep the floor clear. Wall shelves and tall cabinets hold more than many small units.
- Use light, matt wall colours and one floor finish across the whole room.
- Choose desks with slim legs and open fronts so you see more floor.
- Put a mirror opposite the window to bounce daylight.
- Light the walls and ceiling, not just the desks. See our office lighting guide.
Decorating a small office with no windows
- Use bright, even ceiling light plus a warm desk lamp for each person.
- Add plants that cope with low light, or good artificial plants.
- Hang large photos or prints of landscapes to give the eye a far point.
- Keep air moving with a fan or ventilation; a closed room gets stuffy quickly.
Draw your own room to scale with the free office layout planner. Each grid square is 1 ft, so you can check every chair zone and walkway.
Frequently asked questions
How do you arrange 2 desks in a small office?
Face to face with one end against a wall saves the most space; side by side on one wall works in a narrow room; back to back gives each person more privacy. Leave about 36 in behind each desk for the chair.
What size room do I need for 3 desks?
About 12 x 12 ft (144 sq ft) works for three 60 x 30 in desks with chair room and a clear path. A larger L-shaped desk needs a little more.
How much space should be between desks?
Leave about 36 in from the desk edge to the next desk or wall behind the chair. If people walk behind seated colleagues, allow 54 to 60 in.
How do I design a small office space?
Measure the room, mark the door and window, place the desks first with their chair zones, keep one clear path to the door, then fit storage on the walls.
Can an L-shaped desk fit in a small office?
Yes. A 60 x 60 in L-shaped desk fits well in the corner of a room about 10 x 10 ft or larger.
