$20 stand up desk

[NeighborGuy]

Here's how I converted my "desk" (which is actually just a sturdy folding table) to a stand-up desk for $20 worth of sturdy PVC.

I got the basic idea here: http://www.instructables.com/id/More-Handy-Tricks/step27/Elevate-Your-Folding-Table/

Measure the distance between where your keyboard is and where you'd need it to be for stand-up use. Then get four lengths of furniture-grade PVC in that measurement (end caps recommended, but not strictly needed). Then just stick 'em on the legs of your table, and boom--instant stand-up desk.

Since either sitting or standing all day every day is not recommended, you can use a drafting chair or bar stool to sit at your "new" desk periodically without having to lower it back down again.

Enjoy!

[dcheesi]

I just put my laptop on an office bookshelf which happened to be the right height. My boss made a platform out of 2x4s in his wood-shop.

If you're serious about the ergonomics, you'll want to find a way to elevate your monitor relative to your desk (top of the monitor should be at eye level). I'm just using old books for the moment, since we're moving (again) in six months and our new cubes are all supposed to have fancy motorized desks w/ monitor mounts.

[lauren_knows]

Mine was a little more than that, but I made a footstoop and I needed a way for my monitor to be raised.

http://imgur.com/a/RdjxI

[NeighborGuy]

Absolutely agreed on the monitor raising. I have both my monitors sitting on stacks of old textbooks. (And I had to add 4 or 5 inches to the stacks once I raised the desk...made me realize just how much I was slouching while sitting down.)

[dodojojo]

I only used it a few times because...I'm a lazy ass and prefer to sit on my sofa.  But my setup fee was $0.

I work from home and it's an apartment...to provide context.  Laptop on high kitchen counter.  Monster size Random House dictionary to lift laptop to almost eye level (yes I'm short).  Ironing board for wireless keyboard/mouse.  The ironing board of course is adjustable which allowed me to have the keyboard at proper height.  The only gripe is the board was a little too light and didn't feel solid.

[chops]

Great thread.  Stand up desks have made my old, well-worn back feel like I'm 16 again...

I try to stand up as long as possible every day (~6 hours), hadn't heard before that standing up all day is bad.  But I guess too much of anything is bad after all...

[senecando]

8 cinder blox at 1.50 or something!

And then I horde all the monitor stands I come across.

[Rural]

A couple of cardboard boxes* for the monitor (set on top of the existing desk return). One cardboard box and books stacked to get the ideal comfort level for the keyboard and mouse. A pretty throw over the whole thing, then add computer gear. Done, and everyone who walks into my office compliments it -- they have no idea it's a stack of boxes.


Since it's right on my return, I push the chair out of the way to stand and wheel it back over to sit.





* After about a day of wobbling I went back into the stack and stuck a couple of books inside each box to give the whole thing more stability.