Work desks have continuously evolved through the years. During the Renaissance era, they were mainly used to hold paint palettes, brushes, and paper. Chisels, books, and writing tools were also a few other things that adorned work desks. As time went, work desks evolved from just holding artsy materials to mechanical machines that paved the way for the Industrial Revolution. From there, we could see that it gradually changed to electronic devices and modern workplace items (e.g. computers, laptops, mobile phones, business papers). There are many different versions of work desks (e.g. computer desks, lap desks, standing desks) and the one that will be discussed here is the DIY standing desk.
Why Invest in a Standing Desk?
Let’s face it: standing desks can be unreasonably expensive. The amount of work that is put into making one using mechanical machineries and trolleys adds to the hefty price of standing desks. People in that business have to consider a lot of different factors such as the ergonomics, adjustment of table height, the kinds of materials used in making, and the aesthetic they want to go for (having to create different kinds of standing desks for variety purposes).
These are a few reasons why people opt to save up and invest in standing work desks. As mentioned earlier, the ergonomics is a colossal factor as to why standing desks are usually purchased. People in this business have spent a lot of time dedicated to just research on human factors and ergonomics. It is crucial for people to learn about human factors and ergonomics because these concepts refer to the improvement of efficiency in people’s day-to-day interactions. Since work life is such a big aspect in people’s lives, it’s only right that people invest in the ergonomics of their work equipment to optimize their work efficiency and productivity.
Another factor is the adjustment of table height. Although we are investing in a standing desk, we need to know the optimal table height for us. We all stand at different heights and being able to reach up or down is a dilemma that we must all take into consideration. It is also not ideal that you stand around all day because your feet will eventually kill you. Therefore, it is advisable to get a standing desk that can adjust its table height freely (either by a crank or an automated button).
The kinds of materials used in making standing desks varies to a great extent. People in this business have to cater to different aesthetics that their consumers want in their homes and offices. For example, wood desk frames are for people who want a more rustic charm in their workplace. Desk frames that utilize concrete and metal, on the other hand, are for more industrial looks. They also have to consider the cost-effectivity and durability of the materials they’re using to create those standing desks.
All in all, people in this business have dedicated a lot of time, effort, and research to create these desks for their consumers and for exceptionally good reasons.
Building a DIY standing desk, on the other hand, will grant you a few different things:
1)Choosing own materials
It’s beneficial to create your own standing desk because it allows you to choose your own materials for it. Most homeowners already have the basic tools in doing handyman work around their houses (e.g. hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches). Should you have some furniture just lying around (and you’re thinking of dismantling that to create a standing desk), then by all means repurpose those into your desk.
Other than just using up old furniture lying around the house, you can also opt to buy your own materials and make them into your own standing desk. Materials like wood for the table and metal for the table legs are a couple of examples for materials that you can use for your standing desk.
2)Incorporating a personal touch
Because of your ability to choose your own materials for your DIY standing desk piece, you may also incorporate your personal touch to it. Should you want a more rustic look, opt for materials like stone and wood. Should you want it to look more industrial (and having that functionality feel), opt for concrete and metal.
3)Saves money
Because you are choosing your own materials and deciding on what goes on your DIY standing desk converter, this will ultimately save you a lot of money. Repurposing old furniture into a standing desk of your own cuts back on the money spent on the machinery used to create standing desks you see in office hardware stores.
How To Make A Standing Desk
Below are a few DIY standing desk ideas that will greatly help you to save money:
1)Repurpose old furniture into a standing desk.
As stated above, you can repurpose old furniture into a standing desk. Should you already have a work desk, you can modify it however you like. You may get taller table legs and switch them out on that old desk of yours. You can get creative with this fact as well. If you have old dressers and cabinets, you may use those as your base and work on that.
2)Buy a DIY standing desk frame and work on that.
You can also choose to buy an existing desk frame and add some necessary table part attachments to it. Doing so will cut down on some costs that you may have to pay when buying in-store standing desks.
3)Go on a canvas trip through IKEA and see what works for you.
IKEA offers a wide array of desks (e.g. work desks, writing desks, computer desks.) to its consumers and a lot of these adhere to the DIY standing desk category. Going through IKEA and canvassing through its physical store will give you a feel on what you want for a DIY standing desk converter. DIY standing desk IKEA furniture usually has instructions in their boxes to help you assemble their furniture when you get home (and that goes for their standing desks as well).
Top 10 DIY Standing Desks in 2022-2023
1)NewHeights Elegante XT
This DIY desk is of high-end quality and the reason being that the columns used for its structure is of extruded aluminum (higher quality aluminum). In terms of durability and stability, the NewHeights Elegante XT is way up there. This table costs approximately $1,400.
2)Fully Jarvis
Fully Jarvis is recommended for those users that are taller. Because of its adjustable height of 24.5” to 50”, this will cater to users that are above the 6-feet range. As tested by a lot of people, once standing desks get to higher heights, they tend to get wobbly. Because of that, not a lot of standing desks cater to people of taller heights. The Fully Jarvis Standing Desk does wonders in this department. In terms of pricing, this costs around $500.
3)Uplift v2 Commercial
In contrast with the Fully Jarvis Standing desk, the Uplift v2 Commercial is more suitable for people who are of average and shorter heights. Ranging between a height of 21.6” to 47.7”, this table will surely adhere to the comfortable heights that people of shorter heights would need. This costs around $550.
4)IKEA Idasen
The Ikea Idasen is a great, locally-sourced standing desk and the reason being that it can be easily purchased through IKEA. They are usually always in stock and have proven themselves to be sturdy, stable, and durable work desks. Do keep in mind that, when it comes to holding a significant amount of weight, the IKEA Idasen may not be able to hold so much compared to the others. This DIY desk may cost you approximately $450-$650.
5)VertDesk v3 Plus
Compared to the IKEA Idasen, the VertDesk v3 Plus is on the heavy-duty side (amounting to 450 lbs worth of items). It accommodates a lot of different users (both short and tall). The materials used in creating this standing desk are made for high durability in order to cater to the significant amount of weight this desk can hold. This costs around $650 and above.
6)IKEA Converter
Now, the IKEA converter shows a bit more creativity on your end. Together with an IKEA shelf and side table, you can create your own makeshift standing desk. This setup may not have the adjustability that you may need to sit down but this will certainly help with your costs and keeps you standing while working.
7)Buying a desk frame yourself
As stated above, you can opt to buy a desk frame yourself and source out an adjustable table height base to save on money. This way, you can still have a standing desk of your own without the extra costs of paying other people to assemble it for you (just like in in-store standing desks).
8)Wall-mounted Standing Desk
This could very well be one of the most cost-effective ways to get a standing desk of your own. Mounting a wooden plank can serve as a makeshift standing desk. This is a great space saver and can be utilized to how you want to customize the contents of your workspace.
9)Portable standing desk
Portable standing desks can be a great way to use normal tables at home as your base. Plop the portable standing desk on your table and arrange your work content around it. From there, you get to have an elevated work space but also have a lot of room to arrange your work belongings.
10)Dresser
Dressers are widely known to have tall heights to add a lot of space into its drawers. You can choose to set up your home office equipment on top of it. This way, this can serve as both a storage space for your clothes as well as give you room to do some work on.
DIY Standing Desk: The Sum-up
Ultimately, at the end of the day, you decide on what you want to add to your DIY standing desk unit. Building a standing desk does not have to be costly. Making your own at home will greatly save you a lot of money and, through that, you may also add your own personal touch to it. This will make the desk more sentimental to you because you added your own flair to it. Take into consideration the steps on how to build a standing desk of your own and adjust it to how you want it to cater to your work needs.
