While rectangular office desks are certainly still in demand as office furniture they in no way are as popular as they once were. The steel and rubber office desk of the 1950s and 1960s is now replaced with plastic and particle board construction topped by durable photo finish laminate. Another major change in office furniture that has taken place over the last decade is the increased use of modular design. Every office especially those used for the executive suite is unique today. As a result of this each worker whether they are management or otherwise requires office desks and chairs that are specifically suited to their tasks. Hence a modern office created using modular components is likely to have a round ended or oval executive desk with an extension attached.
In years past only secretarial types would have used such a configuration. Modular design also allows for matching meeting tables and horizontal filing cabinets which double as printer stands. Even though the average worker spends far more time seated at their work station they still need desktops that allow them to rise quickly and confer with other stations. Because of this the square cornered rectangular desk is quickly becoming a thing of the past.