How to Build a Stand Up Desk With a Computer

Stand up to do your computer work.

Too much sitting isn't healthy for you. According to the American Journal of Epidemiology, no matter how active you are, the amount of time you spend sitting independently relates to your "total mortality." But many of us sit to work, then sit on the drive home, and then sit in front of the TV or computer for more hours at night. One solution is to build a stand-up desk, allowing you to stand while working. Or, you can even adapt your treadmill into a desk, allowing you to walk slowly while working.

Things You'll Need

• Yardstick
• Drill with Phillips head screw bit
• Metal stacking shelf unit
• 24 metal shelf brackets
• Melamine shelves
• Circular saw
• Screws
• Non-skid shelving paper
• Stud finder

Instructions

Add a Stand

1. Measure the proper height for your keyboard. Stand up. Holding your hand and forearm straight with your elbows at a 90- to 120-degree angle in front of you, measure the height of your hand off the floor using a yardstick.

2. Measure the height of your current desk. Subtract the current desk height from the desired standing keyboard height. This is the height you want to build your keyboard stand.

3. Obtain a metal stacking shelf. The shelf's height adjusts in 1-inch increments by moving the locking mechanism on each leg to a higher or lower groove. Get a stacking shelf wide enough to fit your keyboard and mouse comfortably and deep enough to fit your monitor.

4. Place the metal shelving unit on your desk. Put the computer monitor, keyboard, mouse pad and mouse on the shelving unit.

5. Place a melamine shelf on top of the metal shelving unit if your monitor is not in a comfortable position. You can then add another small, metal shelving unit on top of the board or otherwise elevate the monitor.

Use Wall Shelves

1. Clear the area around the location for your new desk. Obtain melamine shelving deep enough to accommodate your monitor and keyboard.

2. Find the wall studs using a stud finder, an electronic device that emits sound waves that will bounce off the studs inside the wall. Screw the metal shelving brackets into studs on the wall using the drill. The tops of the brackets should be 2 inches lower than your optimum keyboard height.

3. Attach the melamine shelving to the brackets by screwing up from the bottom with the drill. Place the keyboard, monitor and mouse on the standing wall desk.

Tips & Warnings

• For added functionality, install a second shelf below the computer shelf.

• Add non-skid shelving paper, or rug backing, under the metal stacking shelf to prevent it from moving.

• Some monitors can be mounted on the wall. Consider this as an alternative way to adjust the monitor's height.

• Use screws that will not come through the top of the melamine board.

• Always tie back your hair and secure loose clothing when using a drill.

References

• Gigaom: How I Made a Standing Workstation For $19.99
• Oxford Journals: Leisure Time Spent Sitting in Relation to Total Mortality in a Prospective Cohort of US Adults
• OSHA: Good Working Positions
• Fit Buff: I Can Stand My Stand Up Desk

Resources

• OSHA: Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations