My Desk Setup Upgrade to a Standing Desk

Upgrading My Desk Setup: A Simple Standing Desk DIY

When I first built my desk back in 2020, it was meant to be a temporary solution for what I thought would be a short stint of working from home—only about four months. Thankfully, the desk was built well enough to last and served as a reliable workspace during that time. Fast forward to 2023, I started a new job that has me working hybrid three days a week, and that old desk came back into regular use. I finally decided it was time to make a proper upgrade to a standing desk, adding a bit of flexibility and comfort to my workday.

Materials and Tools Used

Step-by-Step Guide to Attaching the Desk Top

  1. Clear and Evaluate Your Workspace: Start by clearing everything off your old desk. Take this opportunity to evaluate what you need to keep and remove unnecessary clutter. Once the desk is clear, detach the desktop from the old hairpin legs and prepare your area for the new setup. Make sure you have enough room to build the standing desk legs and set up your new workspace.
  2. Build the Standing Desk Legs: Assemble your standing desk legs according to the instructions. Instead of flipping your desktop upside down, keep the legs upright. This way, you can better visualize how the setup will look and make adjustments more easily.
  3. Position the Desk Top on the Legs: Once the legs are fully built, carefully place your desktop on top of them. Check that the legs are aligned correctly and measure the distances from the edges to ensure they are evenly spaced. Most standing desks are adjustable, so expand or adjust the legs to perfectly match your desktop size. This quick check ensures that everything fits without overlap.
  4. Mark and Drill the Screw Holes: Use a pencil or marker to mark where the screws will go. This helps line up everything before drilling. Since you’re working with the legs upright, drill from underneath the desktop up into the wood. This method keeps the top secure without needing to flip it over.
  5. Attach the Desk Top to the Legs: With the screw holes marked, use your drill to drive the screws through the legs into the desktop. Tighten each screw until the legs are firmly attached. This ensures a solid and secure connection.
  6. Check Stability and Adjust: With the desk upright, give it a gentle shake to test for stability. This approach allows you to make immediate adjustments to the positioning of the legs if needed. Set the height presets on your standing desk to your preferred sitting and standing positions. The process might take a few adjustments, but it’s straightforward and easy to fine-tune.
  7. Manage Cables and Reattach Accessories: Finally, reattach all your cables and organize them neatly. I used a wide power strip and some server track to hide my wires as much as possible. While not perfect, it keeps the cables hidden and the workspace tidy. Good cable management helps maintain a clean look and keeps things organized. I added all of my essentials back onto my desktop.

Final Thoughts

Switching to a standing desk has given me the flexibility to stay locked in throughout my workday. Sitting and standing at intervals helps me shift my mindset quickly, keeping me focused and engaged no matter what task I’m tackling. I highly recommend anyone working from home to consider a standing desk—it’s a small change that makes a big difference.

You don’t need to build your own top like I did; there are plenty of options online that come as a complete set. Just be sure to check the weight capacity and structure of the desk, especially if you have multiple monitors or heavier equipment. A desk that can support your setup and doesn’t wobble is crucial—it keeps everything stable, especially when typing or moving between sitting and standing.

Upgrading my setup was one of the best decisions I made for my home office. If you’re on the fence, I’d say go for it. A standing desk could be just the upgrade your workspace needs

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