What clearance is needed at the side of a desk?

A minimum of 18" of clearance is required at the side of a desk where a pedestal or return runs against a wall. For a workable side zone where someone will pull out a drawer or pivot their chair, 24" is better. Primary user egress from behind the desk requires 36" clear path — this is the most critical clearance dimension. At OfficeFurniture2go.com, we verify all side clearances when reviewing customer floor plans — call 1-800-460-0858.