On average, all people spend approximately nine hours a day on their desks. Did you know that sitting all these hours is risky and unhealthy? You will be exposing yourself to risks like cancer, heart problems, and many more.
Your wellbeing, in a way, depends on how much you sit and stand. If your work involves more sitting, you have an option: an adjustable standing desk. This desk will enable you to sit or stand while working.
There are different ideas of DIY adjustable standing desks. Below are a few that you can consider if you want to make one.
1. Adjustable Standing Cardboard Desk
This desk’s main material is cardboard. You can adjust it to the height of your choice. The only setback is that cardboard is not durable. The cardboard is also not very sturdy.
You can also fold the desk hence making it portable.
You can also make small cardboard that you can place on top of your normal table. This raises your working area. And you can remove it and use your laptop at the top of the table if you want to sit.
2. Adjustable Standing Treadmill Desk
An adjustable treadmill desk is a unique standing desk. When you are tired of sitting and standing, you can decide to walk and exercise using a treadmill desk.
How about making it adjustable? Once you have your frame, you can adjust the working surface according to the height you wish. With your arms at the right angle and monitor just below your eyes, you will work comfortably.
The treadmill is at the bottom, and while standing on it, you can exercise while working.
3. Adjustable Standing Desk with Drawers
This desk has drawers. This means increased storage space. You can store your stuff, such as pens, keys, files, etc.
It is rectangular, and you can decide on the number of drawers you would like to install. The working surface is also wide enough and can hold several pieces of stuff.
The legs are steady and offer stability to your table and every other stuff you will place on top.
The bottom leg’s pipe is a bit wider than the pipe holding the tabletop. This makes it easier to insert the top to the bottom legs.
The legs have screw holes that you can insert screws while adjusting your table.
4. Mobile Workstation
Does your work involve moving around working stations? Then, this adjustable standing desk will be appropriate for you.
The base of the desk has wheeled legs on its four corners. It also has two working surfaces. You can either use the top surface or the immediate surface.
You can easily adjust the desk to the height of your choice using some screws.
5. Chair-Shaped Adjustable Standing Desk
This desk is effortless to use. The frame has several places you can fix your rectangular wood board. The upper board acts as your monitor holder, while the lower one can hold the keyboard and mouse.
This desk has the shape of a chair. The back wood supports your monitor from falling. You can choose to put it on top of a table to raise the height if you want to stand.
6. Single Standing Wood Adjustable Standing Desk
This desk has one long wood with supporting hardware at the bottom that extends backward. It also offers stability and prevents the desk from falling.
The long wood also has holes that you insert screws to hold the working surface boards in place.
You can adjust the working surface to different levels. You will insert the screws in different holes to make this adjustment.
7. Sit/Stand Adjustable Standing Desk
You can use this desk either indoors or even in an outside activity. It has a built-in seat that you can adjust to different heights. The seat is also removable; hence you can unscrew it and use the desk while standing.
You can also adjust the working surface to different heights. An extra small board is just beside the main working surface. You can use this side table to hold your mouse, a mug, or a notepad.
The base has wheels for portability.
8. Corner adjustable standing desk
This desk is a great idea if you place it in a corner. It provides a large working surface. You can store several pieces of stuff, including your keyboard, books, files, etc.
The legs are adjustable, and you can either choose to sit or stand while working.
9. Electric Adjustable Desk
This desk uses electricity to adjust its height. You only need to press the up or down button. This desk lowers without distracting your items on top, unlike manual desks.
It has a crossbar that connects the base with the middle bar. Hence, optimal support.
The dual motors enable the desk not to produce noise. Electric desks with single motors are noisier and have a limited weight.
An electric desk has an anti-collision feature. The feature enables the desk to sense anything on the way when it is moving. This can be a great deal for places with high traffic.
10. Stack Sit and Stand Adjustable Desk
Once you have your tabletop, you can adjust it to any height. You need to place the table on top of stack rectangular bases. This stack offers support to the tabletop. You can also remove any number of pieces from the stack to lower the height of your desk.
This desk is simple but offers spacious working space and space to keep your other stuff.
Features of Adjustable Standing Desks
Easy to fit in any environment
An adjustable standing desk can fit in most environments. You can use them in your home, at the office, and even in lecture halls. It would be better, though, if you use it in a wider space. Spacious places will enable you to maximize the benefits of this desk.
Adjustable width and height
Adjustable standing desks are excellent due to this feature. The height and width flexibility enables the user to sit or stand as they wish. Shorter and taller people will also enjoy the benefits of this desk. This also makes it adaptable to any environment.
Electronic adjustment feature
You can adjust this desk electronically by just pressing the top or down button. Though, not all these desks use power. Some need manual operation.
Manufacturing materials
These desks have the highest standards of materials. They should have harmless materials that will not cause danger to the surrounding. This is because most people use them in many different environments.
Ergonomics
Adjustable standing desks offer the best ergonomics. You can either sit or stand. You can either use it inside or outside, and any person of any height can conveniently adjust it to fit their needs.
Factors to Consider When Building an Adjustable Standing Desk
There are some things you need to consider before building this desk. These include, but not limited to;
Height range
You may not be the one to use the desk. Or different people might need to use the desk. Thus, consider the height of the people that will be using the desk.
The average height that BIFMA suggests is between 22.6 inches to 48.7 inches. Your range should be higher depending on the number of people sharing the desk.
Ease of movement
There are both manually and electronically moved desks. If you want to use less force to raise or lower your desk, the electric movement will be the best. Also, electric adjustable desks will move quietly compared to manual desks.
Weight
Please consider how much weight your desk will carry. This will help you know the type of material to use and how sturdy your desk should be.
Working surface
You may need to place several pieces of stuff on your working desk. If the surface is small, you may not benefit much from your desk. Hence, take good and enough measurements so that your desk may serve you fully.
Power
If you choose to build an adjustable desk that uses electricity, ensure you have access to power. If you do not have the power, you can decide on building a manually operated adjustable desk. By this, you will avoid inconveniences.
How to Build A DIY Adjustable Desk
Tools
- Tape measure
- Trigger clamps
- T-square
- Wood planer
- Miter saw
- Wrench
- ¾ inch pipe clamps (3 or 4)
- Sandpaper (80 and 240 grit)
- Circular saw
- Paint roller
Materials
- Lumber
- Screws
- Frame
- Woodworking glue
- 4 Pieces of wood scrap
Instructions
Build the frame
The frame should be the first thing you should think about. Starting with the frame will help get the correct measurements for your desk. You need first to know where you will place the frame. It can be at your home or office.
Take both the length and width of the tabletop. The measurements should be according to your need. If you need more space for more items, then make it a bit larger. But if you do not need to place lots of stuff on your desk, take smaller measurements.
Choose your lumber
Before choosing the type of wood to use, you will need to know how you plan to finish your tabletop. Either painting or staining can be options for you. If you plan to stain, you can try pine. Poplar is the best if you decide to paint.
Walnut and poplar are great woods and can give the best tabletop, but they are quite expensive. So, since we are trying to cut down on cost, we can go for pine.
When choosing your plumber, ensure it does not have bends, twists, or cupping.
Glue
When gluing, use large pipes. The pipes will help;
- Level the boards,
- Provide clamping force,
- And keep the wood from touching the ground.
First, layout your wood. Let it dry, then clamp together. This process will enable you to notice if there is any other area that needs further clamping.
Try the gluing process minus the glue several times. Move around each piece at 90 degrees. Apply glue, then rotate back the pieces before clamping everything. Let the glue dry. It can take up to a day.
Cutting the tabletop
Use your sharp circular saw to cut your tabletop to length. Remember to use tape to avoid making tears.
Make your cuts from the underside of the table. This ensures the blade spins through the finished surface.
Plane level
After gluing, you will see some inconsistencies and edges on your lumber. Your level will expose any ridges or raised points.
Smoothen your table using a planer working at 45 degrees angles alternatingly.
Sand
Now you can start the finishing process. Start sanding using the 80-grit sandpaper if the wood is very rough. Refine using a 240 grit.
Staining
Free your table from any dust and dirt. If you decided to use pine, you would have to use a wood conditioner first before staining. But if you chose any other wood, be keen to understand its process of finishing.
Tabletop installation
You can have someone assist you in lifting the tabletop into place. Lower your standing desk so that you may put the tabletop on the frame easily. Raise your desk. Ensure that your tabletop is perfectly aligned.
Clamp the tabletop to the bracket. Clamping will prevent the table from moving while screwing. Ensure the measurements of your table’s thickness and screws match.
You can stack more washers if you are not sure about the screws’ length. If your piece is wooden, it would be better if you will use wooden screws.
Control unit installation.
While installing control units, use small trigger clamps. Hence, you will not experience any difficulty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, DIY adjustable standing desk is good and simple to make. It has many advantages ranging from health benefits to increased productivity.
With this desk, you can be sure of convenience. You can sit or stand at any time you wish at the workplace. And if you are using the electric one, no trouble but only to press the button and you are good to go.
You can choose to reduce those body aches with this ergonomic desk. Your whole being will be at its best. This is because your monitor will correctly face you and your hands at the right angle. Hence, an adjustable standing desk should be every worker’s take-home DIY hack.
