perfect standing desk

Ways To Convert Any Desk Into A Standing Desk

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    There is no denying that being able to work from the cosiness of your couch has its advantages, but it is not exactly good for your posture. The perfect desk for someone who works from home should allow for both sitting and standing, in addition to providing the most versatility for changes of position to accommodate a variety of body types and postures. If you don't want to buy an entirely new desk, and even though we've written about a lot of ergonomic office furniture, including the best laptop stands, office chairs, and standing desk modifications, then a standing desk converter is definitely something you should consider.

    An adjustable standing desk of the highest quality can cost as much as $6,000, making them a significant financial commitment. Even if you consider everything that goes into switching from your traditional desk, there is no guarantee that you will enjoy standing, especially if you do it all the time. Even if you consider everything that goes into switching from your traditional desk.

    It has been our experience that standing up while gaming offers a number of advantages over sitting down for the duration of the activity, and as a result, we do it whenever possible. And while studies comparing standing to sit are still in their early stages, conventional wisdom maintains that you shouldn't spend the entire day sitting or standing; rather, you should switch between the two. However, adjustable desks that can be used in either a sitting or standing position can be quite pricey. When you could just as easily use that money to buy a new graphics card or monitor, it's difficult to rationalise spending that much money on this.

    The good news is that there are a few ways to avoid having to make that financial commitment. It is not necessary that you spend a lot of money to modify your desk so that you can stand while you work and play, for instance. The following are some suggestions that we have for putting together a functional sit-stand desk that can be used for both work and gaming on a variety of different budgets. Let's begin with our top choice, which is the one that doesn't involve any additional expenses.

    Imagine that you are unable or unwilling to spend thousands of dollars on a desk that can be adjusted to suit your needs. In that case, you might want to think about the possibility of converting your regular desk into a stand-up workspace on an interim basis.

    Standing Desk: Convertible Workstations That Allow You to Stand While Working

    standing desk workplace

    Often referred to as a "topper" or "desktop riser," standing desk converters are height-adjustable accessories that sit atop your current desk. Convertible tables can also be referred to as toppers or standing workstations. Without buying a new desk or moving your current one, they let you work while standing. Typically, they feature a desktop and a pull-out keyboard tray.

    They can be found in a number of different dimensions, styles, and price points. Since standing desk converters are often the cheapest and most hassle-free way to transition from sitting to standing, they come strongly advisable from our end.

    Your height, the type of computing equipment you use, the amount of space you have available, and your budget are all factors that should be considered when shopping for a standing desk converter. There are many wonderful options available that improve on older designs, and the prices for these options are lower than they have ever been before.

    Why You Need a Converter

    The benefits of standing alone in your health are not enough to convince someone to switch to a standing desk, but there are plenty of other reasons to consider investing in a standing desk converter. The most important gains from utilizing a converter are as follows:

    • If money is tight, a standing desk convertible may be the most economical method to make the switch to standing rather than sitting while you work. The cost of the unit is often lower than that of a freestanding desk, and you also save money by not having to pay to have your old desk hauled away or donated. It's also possible to save money on shipping. Thanks to their manageable size, they may be sent directly to your door via regular parcel delivery services.
    • Because most people don't enjoy putting together furniture, a standing desk converter may be the perfect alternative if you don't want to waste time constructing your desk. Almost all of them may be used right away after being unpacked, with only a few simple modifications (like attaching the keyboard tray) being necessary. Most converters can be assembled with common household items.
    • Using an existing desk or other furniture is one of the most common justifications for purchasing a standing desk converter. Getting rid of a standing desk that you enjoy using and that has plenty of room for supplies might not be feasible. Putting a converter inside an already existing desk is a brilliant idea.
    • One perk of investing in a standing desk conversion is the mobility it provides. Although not quite featherweight, converters may be easily relocated to a separate workstation, the kitchen island, or the dining room table.

    Why You Don't Want To Buy A Standing Desk

    As a substitute for a full-fledged standing desk unit, purchasing a standing desk converter can confer a number of significant benefits to the user over time. However, there are a few drawbacks to standing desk converters, including the following:

    • Elevated desk converters may make it difficult to reach goods you use quite often. Even though converters have a floating desktop, it may not be large enough to hold all of your files. Many modern converters offer a much wider desktop footprint than their predecessors. Consider investing in a model that's at least 36 inches long if you think this could be an issue for your work.Some customers avoid purchasing a standing desk converter because of its unattractive appearance. The converter is an unattractive but highly practical piece of machinery. This is, of course, unit specific. More minimalist designs are appearing on store shelves because some companies are offering alternatives to the standard black desktop and keyboard tray finishes, such as grey,  white, and even wood.In some cases, a standing desk converter is not only impractical, but also more expensive than just buying a regular standing desk. There has been a general decline in the cost of full-standing desks, and now you can get a good electric standing desk for under $500. There are converters that may cost as much as this, making you wonder if it's even worth it to buy one right now. As such, we advise you to invest no more than $299 in a converter so that you can enjoy all the advantages it offers without risking a loss.

      Standing desk converters that must be operated manually may not be the best option for you if you are used to working with a desktop-based configuration with many hefty monitors. The amount of weight supported by the gas strut mechanism or the coil spring of a manual standing desk converter determines how easily the desk raises and lowers. There's a new option available in the form of an electric standing desk converter that you might want to think about. Before making a purchase, you should definitely check the weight restriction of the product you're thinking of buying and see if it fits with your own setup.

    homeoffice standing desk

    Ways To Convert

    The IKEA hack

    Converting traditional desks into standing desks can be accomplished by purchasing a few inexpensive extras from IKEA and piecing them together. This method is very popular and affordable.

    The Standesk 2200 is a conversion that was developed by Colin Nederkoorn and is notable for being both one of the earliest and one of the most reasonably priced conversions.

    The desk is made up of three pieces from IKEA: the Lack side table, the Viktor shelf, and the Ekby Valter bracket. These three pieces cost approximately $22 before tax when purchased together. First, assemble the table, then use the wall bracket to attach the shelf to the table's legs, and finally, place the table on top of your existing desk.

    The Coffee Table Method

    Raising the height of your workspace to convert it into a standing desk is an alternative method that can be used. This method does not involve lifting your computer, but rather raising the height of the desk itself. People on the internet have offered some solutions that are extremely risky, such as elevating the height of a sitting desk by merely resting each leg of the desk on a car jack. However, given that a single kick to any one of the jacks has the potential to bring down the entire deck, this is not the most prudent way to go about handling things.

    What you can do, however, is place the entire desk on top of a coffee table that has dimensions that are roughly comparable to those of your desk. This could raise the height of your desk by anywhere from one to two feet; however, you will still need to raise the height of the monitor slightly. But at least it makes the difficult part, which is raising the working surface, easier for you.

    Plus, if it doesn't work out or you decide to upgrade to an actual standing desk at some point in the future, you will have a brand new coffee table for your living space, even if it does have some minor scratches on it.

    An Adjustable Lap Desk

    Utilising an adjustable lap desk is yet another method that can be used to raise your laptop to a standing height. It will function in a manner very similar to the IKEA hack method; however, you will have the ability to rapidly adjust the height and angle of your workstation. In addition to that, it folds up very quickly.

    The fact that there is no good way to raise your keyboard and mouse without resorting to using textbooks or purchasing an additional stand for your keyboard and mouse or trackpad is one of the disadvantages of using this method.

    standing desk for home office

    Get Creative and Use Your Existing Desk to Build a Standing Workstation

    If you're curious about the pros of utilising a standing desk, building your own is a good first step. Despite appearances, it's really as easy and cheap as you preferred it to be. It's even feasible to pull it off without spending a dime if you're either extremely resourceful or desperately in need of it.

    A standing convertible desk made for PC gaming should have three main features: keyboard, mouse, and display height adjustment (s). Providing you can still access all of the cords, while everything else remain where they are. Therefore, if you can look for resources around the household and position them underneath those objects to lift them to your individual standing height, then you will have successfully created your own standing desk.

    This approach is short, simple, and incredibly versatile. It's up to you to decide whether you want to build it out of stones, timber, a set of nested tables, or books, which offer the greatest degree of flexibility. It's possible you'll have to shuffle things about a bit to get them to the right height. The entire building process can be finished in under 30 minutes if you already have the required books on hand.

    This approach does have a few drawbacks to consider. You can go from standing to sitting in this way, but it's not as easy as pressing a button, so you definitely shouldn't do it every day. If you don't have books or other materials of the correct height, your multi-monitor arrangement could not be perfectly level.

    This is not the most aesthetically pleasing solution. However, it does not cost much, and virtually anyone is capable of doing it. It is a good place to begin if you are unsure about whether or not you will enjoy the experience of working at a standing desk before investing in one of the more costly solutions that will be discussed further down. There are a plethora of instructional videos available on YouTube for you to select from in the event that you decide to construct an entire desk from the ground up.

    Invest in a Frame-Only Variant of a Standing Desk

    Repurposing your current desk might be a better option for you if you're not interested in transforming it into a piece of furniture that lets you alternate between sitting and standing while you work. You can save a lot of money if you still have a decently sized desk and just buy a frame-only variant of a standing desk and attach your existing workstation to it. Huge stacks of Harry Potter books would pale in comparison.

    While this option is still technically a sit-stand desk, the pricey top is sold separately. Therefore, cost savings are to be anticipated. There are sit-stand desk frames that are manually operated with prices beginning around $180, as well as electric options that are significantly more expensive

    Generally speaking, the less sturdy and thinner frames of the more affordable alternatives can only be raised to a certain height. In order to raise and lower the table, you will need to exert some effort on the built-in handle, as these desks are often operated manually.

    On the other hand, the more expensive models will feature a memory module and electric motors in the legs that will let you revert to your desired height with the push start, providing additional support for people of varying heights.

    You can save money by going with a different material, but building the desk itself won't change much. First, you'll need to assemble the frame, and then you may attach your existing desktop to it using the screws that are provided. Before going this path, check to see if your current desk has detachable legs and is not made of a single, welded-together piece. The legs can then be bolted into the redesigned sit-stand platform. Although a flat, hardwood tabletop is preferable, any sturdy surface will do.

    Whether you go with one of these pre-packaged solutions or one of the alternatives that are more affordable, having a sit-stand desk can help alleviate some of the most frustrating and negative aspects of being stationary for long periods of time, whether you're working or playing. This is true whether you're working or playing.

    Conclusion

    Someone who works from home should have a workstation that may be used in either a sitting or standing position. The most premium quality adjustable standing desks might set you back as much as $6,000. You don't have to make any adjustments to your desk if you like to sit while working or playing. Standing desks are adjustable desks that let you stand up while you work. Standing desk converters, sometimes known as a "topper" or "desktop riser," are height-adjustable attachments that sit atop your current desk.

    They permit standing while working without the need for a separate standing desk or the relocation of your existing desk. To make the transition on a budget, a standing desk converter may be the best option. The vast majority of converters are DIYable using standard household goods and can be delivered right to your front door. The item usually costs less than a standalone desk and delivery costs are eliminated. Because of its unappealing design, a standing desk converter is avoided by several potential buyers.

    Costing less than $500, a nice electric standing desk is within reach. Please check the product's weight limit to ensure it is compatible with your setup before making a purchase. If you like to work while standing up, you can modify your current desk by raising the height. Some online users have proposed highly unsafe solutions, such as supporting a sitting desk's legs using vehicle jacks. If you're especially creative or urgently in need of it, you can probably manage it without spending any money at all.

    Keyboard and mouse height adjustment, as well as monitor height adjustment, are the three most important elements of a standing desk designed for PC gaming. You can construct it with stones, wood, a series of stacked tables, or even a library. If you have all the necessary instructions on hand, you can finish the entire structure in under 30 minutes. Frames for sit-stand desks, which can be adjusted manually, can be purchased for as little as $180. A memory module and motorised leg motors will be included in the more expensive variants. If you change the material, you can save money, but the actual desk construction won't change.

    Content Summary

    • Sure, it's convenient to be able to get work done without leaving the comfort of your couch. But slouching all day probably isn't the best for your back.
    • One of the most important features of a home office desk is the ability to adjust the height, angle, and depth to suit the needs of people of different heights, widths, and weights, as well as their prefered working posture.
    • We've covered a lot of ergonomic office furniture, such as the best laptop stands, office chairs, and standing desk adaptations, so if you're not ready to invest in a whole new desk, a standing desk converter is a great option to explore.
    • The most high-end models of adjustable standing desks might set you back as much as $6,000.
    • There is no assurance that you will like standing, especially if you do it all the time, even if you think through all the factors involved in transferring from your usual desk.
    • When you factor in how much effort it takes to move away from a regular workstation, it still might not be worth it.
    • While sitting down for long periods of time is more comfortable, we've found that standing up while gaming has a variety of benefits, so we do it whenever we can.
    • Desks that can be adjusted to accommodate either a seated or standing user are available, although they can be fairly costly.
    • The good news is that there are several options available to you which will allow you to avoid making such a big commitment.
    • Modifying your desk so that you may stand while you work and play, for example, does not have to cost a lot of money.
    • The following are some recommendations we have for assembling a sit-stand desk suitable for both work and gaming on a wide range of budgets.
    • Let's say you want a height-adjustable desk, but you don't have the thousands of dollars it would cost.
    • In that situation, you should consider the feasibility of temporarily replacing your seated desk with a standing one.
    • Standing desks are adjustable desks that let you work standing up.
    • Standing desk converters, sometimes known as a "topper" or "desktop riser," are height-adjustable attachments that sit atop your current desk.
    • Standing desks are another name for convertible tables.
    • They permit standing while working without the need for a separate standing desk or the relocation of your existing desk.
    • We highly recommend standing desk converters as the simplest and least expensive option to go from sitting to standing at your workplace.
    • Buying a standing desk converter requires taking into account your height, the nature of your computing devices, the size of your workspace, and your financial constraints.
    • Even if the health benefits of standing alone aren't enough to sway you to make the switch, there are many more good reasons to consider buying a standing desk converter.
    • The most cost-effective way to go from sitting to standing at your workplace, if funds are limited, maybe to purchase a standing desk converter.
    • You can save money by not paying to have your old desk carted away or donated, and the unit is typically less expensive than a freestanding workstation.
    • Shipping costs can be reduced as well.
    • If you don't want to waste time assembling your desk—and because most people don't appreciate doing so—a standing desk converter may be the way to go.
    • Most converters can be built from off-the-shelf components.
    • One of the most typical arguments for buying a standing desk conversion is to use an already existing desk or other furniture.
    • It may not be possible to get rid of a standing desk because you like using it and it has lots of storage space.
    • The notion of installing a converter within a preexisting desk is ingenious.
    • The ability to move your workstation around is a great feature of a standing desk conversion.
    • It is possible to get many of the same long-term benefits from using a standing desk converter as one would from a traditional standing desk.
    • While there are many benefits to using a standing desk converter, there are also some cons.
    • With some elevated desk converters, it might be a challenge to get to frequently used items.
    • If you think this would be a problem for your job, you should get a model that's at least 36 inches long.
    • Because of its unappealing design, a standing desk converter is avoided by several potential buyers.
    • The converter is an unsightly but useful piece of equipment.
    • A standing desk converter may not only be impracticable, but also costlier than just purchasing a standard standing desk.
    • Full-size workstations are now more affordable than ever, with quality electric models available for well under $500.
    • Consequently, we suggest you spend no more than $299 on a converter to get all the benefits it provides without taking any unnecessary financial risks.
    • If you typically utilise a desktop setup with several large displays, a standing desk converter that requires manual adjustment may not be the ideal choice for you.
    • The gas strut mechanism or coil spring of a manual standing desk converter has a limited capacity, thus the ease with which the desk rises and falls is proportional to the user's weight.
    • Alternatively, you might choose a fresh option in the form of an electric standing desk converter.
    • Investing in a few low-priced additions from IKEA and putting them together can transform regular workstations into standing desks.
    • This desk is constructed out of three separate IKEA products: a Lack side table, a Viktor shelf, and an Ekby Valter bracket.
    • One possibility is to transform your regular desk into a standing desk by increasing its height.
    • Instead of lifting your computer, you can simply adjust the height of your desk to make working easier.
    • However, a coffee table with dimensions somewhat similar to those of your workstation can be used to support the complete desk.
    • This could add an extra foot or two to the height of your desk; however, you will still need to adjust the height of your display.
    • A movable laptop desk
    • Another option for getting your laptop to standing height is to utilise a lap desk.
    • The system will operate in a way not unlike to the IKEA hack, but with the added benefit of allowing you to quickly modify your desk's height and angle.
    • One drawback of this strategy is that you can't easily elevate your keyboard and mouse without using books or buying a separate stand for your keyboard, mouse, or trackpad.
    • Make a standing desk out of your existing desk by getting resourceful.
    • You can learn a lot about the benefits of using a standing desk by constructing your own.
    • Keyboard, mouse, and monitor height adjustments are the three most important elements of a standing convertible desk designed for PC gaming (s).
    • The best way to make a standing desk is to choose products that are already at a comfortable height for you to work while standing and then use whatever materials you have lying about the house to place under the object to raise it to that level.
    • This method is brief, easy, and highly adaptable.
    • You can use stones, timber, a nest of tables, or books, which provide the most adaptability, to construct it.
    • If you have all the necessary instructions on hand, you can finish the entire structure in under 30 minutes.
    • It is possible to transition from standing to sitting in this manner, but doing so is not as simple as hitting a button and should not be done frequently.
    • It's possible that your multi-monitor setup won't be perfectly even if you don't have books or other items of the appropriate height.
    • If you are not sure if you would like to work at a standing desk, this is an excellent option to try before committing to one of the more expensive alternatives that will be covered below.
    • If you want to build a desk from the ground up, there are a tonne of videos on YouTube to help you out.
    • Purchase a Standing Desk that is Just the Frame
    • If you aren't interested in converting your current desk into a standing desk, you might always find another use for it.
    • If you already have a large enough desk, you may save a lot of money by purchasing a standing desk frame and then attaching your current workstation to it.
    • Massive collections of Harry Potter novels wouldn't hold a candle to this.
    • This is a sit-stand desk alternative, however, the top is sold separately for a steep price.
    • That's why we can expect savings.
    • Manual sit-stand desk frames can be found for roughly $180, while electric options are substantially more expensive.
    • The cheaper options typically have less durable and thinner frames, limiting the maximum height that they can be lifted to.
    • In most cases, these workstations require the user to physically raise and lower the table by pulling on a built-in handle.
    • While the cheaper models may not be able to accommodate people of varied heights, the more expensive models will come equipped with a memory module and electric motors in the legs to allow you to revert to your selected height with the push start.
    • If you change the material, you can save money, but the actual desk construction won't change.
    • After putting together the framework, you may use the included screws to secure your current work surface to it.
    • Verify that your current desk's legs are removable and that it is not a solid piece of furniture before proceeding.
    • When the sit-stand platform is redone, the legs can be bolted into the frame.
    • However, any solid surface will do; however, a level oak tabletop is ideal.
    • If you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk for work or leisure, a sit-stand desk can help ease some of the worst effects of inactivity.
    • Whether you're at work or at play, this is true.

    FAQs About Standing Desk

    Summary of the proper way to use a standing desk

    1. Always adjust your standing desk to your elbows' height.
    2. Keep your neck tall, and your shoulders relaxed.
    3. Don't lock your knees while standing.
    4. Keep your screen at eye level.
    5. Keep your wrists straight and parallel to the desk surface.

    A standing desk converter is a device that rests on top of your desk and raises your workstation up and down so you can sit or stand at work. They are smaller and generally less expensive than full standing desks.

    It takes the average person around two weeks to become confident and standing hours on end. So don't be discouraged if you're noticing early fatigue. No pain, no gain.

    When you start using your new standing desk, you might experience physical fatigue – a negative factor that outweighs the multiple benefits of a standing desk. Luckily, there are quick and simple ways to combat fatigue and enjoy improved posture, increased productivity, and more burned calories.

    While the scientific community is still playing catch-up, the research that has already been conducted strongly suggests that standing desks are not worth the investment for any number of reasons.

    However, sit-stand desks show some promise, which ultimately distracts from the underlying point: the real problem is structural and not related to your desk.

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