6 DIY Standing Desk Projects to Keep You Healthy While You Work

By Chris Gardner | Updated Mar 9, 2021 9:39 AM

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It turns out that sitting is bad for you. Like really, really awful. It’s no surprise that a sedentary lifestyle isn’t healthy, but some are now arguing that sitting down is a harmful way to structure the body for extended periods of time.

The solution is simply to stop being so lazy and move around, right? Yeah, sure—if we had hours and hours of free time and non-stop amazing weather. The real solution might this: Get out of your chair by creating one of these great DIY standing desk projects.

 

DIY Standing Desk

Photo: Mint Design Blog

DIY Sawhorse Standing Desk

This super-simple and straightforward design is built with supplies you can find at the home improvement center. Since the structure depends on basic 2x4s and sawhorse brackets, the desk height can be adjusted to preference.

 

DIY Standing Desks - Table Height

Photo: I Am Not a Programmer

DIY IKEA Standing Desk

Colin Nederkoorn researched the ideal height for a standing desk, assuming a typical workday and variables such as monitor size. He then constructed his desk for less than $22 using miscellaneous parts from IKEA!

 

DIY Standing Desks - ManMade DIY

Photo: ManMade DIY

Nothing Fancy!

Here’s my own personal solution for a convertible standing desk: I simply place my laptop atop a sturdy box that otherwise serves as office supply storage. I bust it out at least three days a week, more when I remember (I should set an alert on my calendar).

 

DIY Standing Desks - OpenSoul

Photo: OpenSoul

DIY Shelf Bracket Standing Desk

In small spaces, consider the easy option of pairing a pre-made desk top (available at office furniture outlets) with simple shelving brackets. For a project of this kind, it’s essential to screw your brackets into the wall studs to get a sturdy result.

 

Photo: Offbeat Home

Repurpose a Bookcase

This modest bookcase hack from Offbeat Home cuts right to the chase. Converting a bookcase shelf into a home office work surface is a simple, no-cost solution. Perhaps best of it all, it takes up no more space than you’ve already allowed for your bookshelf.

 

Photo: Eric Wilhelm

DIY Treadmill Desk

If you really want to pull double duty while you work, build a treadmill desk!

 

DIY Standing Desks - Laptop/Treadmill - ManMade DIY

Photo: ManMade DIY

DIY Exercise Bike Desk

Or if you just want to keep moving while browsing the web or watching your new favorite series on Netflix, here’s a technique I came up with for mounting your laptop to an exercise bike: