You’ve heard the phrase “sitting is the new smoking” and are ready to ditch your chair for a standing desk. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to have a standing workstation – look no further. Here’s how to make your very own DIY Standing Desk!

A 2013 study found that people who stand burn, on average, 50 more calories an hour than those who sit, so whether you’re looking to improve your health by moving more or are tired of being slogged down by your chair, standing is a great option.

Building your own standing desk is seriously not that hard, all you need to get started is a LACK end table from IKEA ($9.99, 7 different colors),  a shelf (the EKBY LAIVA is a great deal at $2.99), brackets (EKBY STÖDIS are $0.50 each and in three colors) and 4 extra long 1.5” screws. While other standing desks can put you out $450+, this one is only $13.98 before shipping.

DIY standing desk IKEA

My standing desk in all its glory.

To measure the height for your shelf, put the LACK end table on the desk you will be using it with. The shelf (and where your keyboard and mouse will rest) should be where your forearms can rest parallel to the floor (usually about a 90˚ bend at the elbow). Mark on LACK’s legs where it’s going and then anchor the shelf! Your keyboard and mouse go on the shelf and your monitor or laptop go on the main part and you’re ready to go!

There is a downside to the $13 standing desk – once you’re standing, you’re up. Unlike some of the more expensive models that let you stand or sit, this one requires full commitment. But that’s not to say that you can’t just move your laptop to a different surface and sit down. IKEA also has some inexpensive bar stools that can allow you to sit with a more open hip angle without having to completely rearrange your desk.

How much should you stand? I try to stand for a few hours in the morning and usually end up sitting on the floor for the afternoon. Sitting on the floor at least allows you to stretch your hips in novel ways that a chair can’t do. Start small and gradually build your time up. You will be more tired at the beginning because standing does require effort (which is the whole reason we got up and out of the chair in the first place).

Give it a try and enjoy the many benefits of standing with your new DIY Standing desk!

 

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