A lot of ink has been spilled in recent years on the health benefits of working while standing instead of sitting. However, the best standing desk is going to be above many people’s budgets, which is why you may want to know how to make a standing desk of your own.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Use your existing desk as a base for your DIY standing desk.
- This method allows you to switch from standing to sitting with the same desk, saving you space and money.
- Using inexpensive parts from Ikea, the entire project should take you no more than an hour and cost under $25.
Though there are several popular inexpensive DIY methods, the easiest, cheapest, and most versatile method involves the use of the regular desk you already have in your home or office and a few inexpensive pieces from your local Ikea. If you’ve already got one, look into how to make a standing desk wobble less.
Insider Tip
For a person of average height (5’7”), a standing desk should be about 3′ to 4′ tall. Keep in mind that you want your eyes to fall naturally on the top 1/3 of the display if your head is straight.
How to Make a Standing Desk
This method involves building on top of your current desk. Almost any working desk or table of any material will be large and sturdy enough for this method, so you don’t really need any specific brand or model to make it work.
Keep in mind that any standing desk design will be safer for your laptop if it’s flush against the wall, but it’s not totally necessary. You also don’t have to use Ikea parts, you can switch them out for anything similar from another vendor, but they’re easily available and affordable even on a tight budget.
STEP 1
Put together a Lack side table per the included instructions (the tool will be included).
STEP 2
Lay the Lack side table on top of your current desk and lay your display or laptop on top of the Lack side table.
STEP 3
You may place a book beneath the display if you need it to be higher. For the proper view, your eyes should be in line with the top 1/3 of the screen if your head is straight.
STEP 4
Measure the needed distance for placing the brackets. As a guide, for someone 5’10” tall using a 29″-high table, the brackets should be placed touching the floor, flush with the legs of the table. For a person 6 feet tall using the same 29″ table, the brackets should be placed 2 inches above the floor. For the most precise setting, you could use twist ties stacked on top of a piece of paper, or place the shelf beneath the bracket to get the exact height.
STEP 5 Screw the brackets onto the table legs and place the shelf on top. If you want, you may also screw the shelf into the brackets, though it will be harder to switch back to a sitting desk this way.
Warning
For the safety of your laptop and/or monitor, consider placing your desk flush against a wall, if at all possible. Barring that, make sure the surface you use is as level as possible.
F.A.Q.S
Is it cheaper to make your own standing desk?
Generally speaking, it’s much cheaper. A good standing desk can cost upwards of $1000, whereas most DIY standing desk projects will cost you less than $40 in parts.
Are DIY standing desks ergonomic?
The main ergonomic issue and health risk with standard sitting desks are, in fact, the sitting. So yes, any desk at which you stand will be much more ergonomic than a sitting one, including any DIY standing desk.
How tall should a standing desk be?
The proper height of a standing desk should be not over 3 inches above eye level, with your eyes naturally falling on the top 1/3 of the display. Your elbows should rest at 90 degrees comfortably while working.
STAT: A Texas A&M study showed that people who use standing desks are 45% more productive than people who sit. (source)
REFERENCES:
- www.ncbi.gov Web: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5580641/
- https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~asrg/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Agarwal-2018-sit-stand-workstations-meta-analysis.pdf
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfPM3nxhhww&ab_channel=ProHomeCooksr
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk7b7XlJa4Y&ab_channel=JustVlad
