Hack for a Simple, Inexpensive Standing Desk — Hacks #17

Consideration

Have you contemplated using a standing desk?

The lauded benefits include: burning more calories, alleviating back, neck, and shoulder strain, and increasing energy and work performance. Standing desks have become increasingly popular during the past twenty years.

Reasons I’ve Not Bought One

I investigated them but never bit the bullet to purchase one for three reasons.

First, the ones I considered were expensive. The movable, height-adjustable models ran thousands of USD. Smaller ones can now be found for under $1,000. Second, I wasn’t committed entirely to a full-time standing workspace. Most experts recommend standing part of the time, but not during your entire work day. Third, at least several years ago, the aesthetics and design were neither appealing nor functional for me working in offices and seeing clients.

Cost

I’m not suggesting the hefty investment might not be prudent for health reasons for people who spend countless hours weekly at their desks.

Nevertheless, coughing up several hundred dollars remains beyond the financial reach of many. Life’s priorities —rent or a mortgage, food, utilities, gasoline, insurance, and essentials —often devour available resources. And, the prospect of taking a vacation might tickle your fancy more than investing extra shekels in expensive furniture.

Ergonomics

Ergonomically, a standing desk should be adjustable to maintain it at the correct height.

It must also allow for the proper computer monitor placement. When looking at your monitor, the top of the screen should be at or slightly below your natural eye level. Experts claim you ought to be looking down at the screen.¹

Ingenious Hack

Somewhere while surfing recently, I accidentally stumbled upon a hack that was brilliant, at least for me.

Find any appropriate-sized box and place it on your desk. Plop your laptop, keyboard, or mouse atop the box, and voila, you have an instant standing desk! How easy is that?

I had a 10.5-inch (26-cm) box from an online shipment, and lo and behold, it turned out to be the proper height. Because I work on a large-screen All-in-One computer monitor, I simply tilted the monitor upright a tad. I was in business, standing at my desk table and type-typing away with ease…in less than five minutes!

Then, when I was ready to plop my derriere back down, with one finger, I nudged the monitor back down and tossed the box in the corner. I now probably spend approximately 50–50% of my computer time between sitting and standing.

Granted, my brown cardboard box with printed content information on its exterior isn’t in the least attractive. In fact, as my nephew would proclaim, “It’s butt ugly!” But guess what? I don’t care.

My office is no longer a comfy, multi-hundred-square-foot dedicated room furnished with a massive desk, credenza, bookshelves, side chairs, lamps, and tables. It’s a modest table in a corner of one room. Aesthetics are less vital to me, with no requirement to impress clients or partners. I’m elated for this functional, inexpensive alternative to continuous sitting.

On a future shopping junket, I plan to purchase a replacement, similar-sized plastic container to serve a dual purpose as storage space for office supplies.

Jazz It Up

Or enliven your creative juices. Grab the glue gun and wrap a box with frivolous fabric or a pattern to coordinate with your decor. Or paint a wooden box with inspirational designs or affirmations.

Don’t have any empty cardboard boxes lying around? No worries…stop by early in the morning to snag one at your local supermarket, pharmacy, big box, or convenience store. Shelves are usually restocked late at night or in the wee hours.

You’ll determine what size works, whether using a laptop, tablet, or desktop. Your height, arm length, and desk height will impact the best-sized box for you.

Health Tip

If you stand for long periods, health experts recommend purchasing a standing mat, also known as an anti-fatigue mat (used by cashiers, pharmacists, hair stylists, barbers, and others who spend their careers standing).

Comprised of a shock-absorbent material, the mat alleviates pressure on the feet, legs, and lower back.² They’re readily available (at least in the States) at stores such as Staples, Office Max, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Costco.

Other Suggestions

✅ A Canadian ergonomics expert uses an ironing board as her standing desk hack— the infrequently used, quaint staple that may grace a space somewhere in the homes of readers of a certain age.

She places the ironing board on her desk, adjusting its height higher as a standing desk or lowered to elbow height for seated work on her laptop.³ Clever, eh? And, if you’ve not used your ironing board (“table” or “stand” in some countries) in the last two decades, dust off the cobwebs and drag it out.

✅️ This clever budget-friendly $39 multi-level cardboard box desk converter⁴ is easy to assemble and not unattractive. Its availability outside the United States, however, may be limited.

✅ Another tip from an innovative fellow — an IKEA-like creation. Although it requires the purchase of more items, it’s functional and far less costly than a Herman Miller or other popular standing desk brand. This link⁵ is a how-to primer with easy-to-follow steps for DIYers. It looks like a fun project.

References:

1. https://www.cmd-ltd.com/advice-centre/ergonomics/using-a-laptop-at-a-standing-desk/#:~:text=The%20desk%20should%20be%20adjustable,looking%20down%20at%20the%20screen.

2. https://ergodesks.co.uk

3. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/careers/article-the-ironing-board-desk-and-other-work-from-home-hacks-from-an/

4. https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-cheap-standing-desk-accessory-oristand.html

5. https://www.joshmedeski.com/posts/how-to-make-an-ikea-hack-standing-desk/

Your time is valuable. I’m honored you chose to spend some of it here. Victoria🙏😎

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