Materials: Vika Amon, Vika Curry, Ekby Stodis
Description: Two relevant facts:
- I wanted a standing desk, all the articles about how sitting for hours will kill you were starting to bother me.
- I am CHEAP. And lazy.
So, I got my standing desk this way:
2 Vika Amon table tops - 24"x40" ($5.99 each)
4 Vika Curry legs - ($3.50 each)
4 Ekby Stodis brackets ($0.50 each)
Total - $27.98 plus tax
The regular table I already had assembled, but wasn't using for anything. I purchased the second table top and brackets, screwed in the brackets, and set it on top of the table. Done.
If I were less cheap, I would have used the nice Capita legs (7") instead of the Ekby brackets, but that would have been $10 more. I was lucky that the brackets are 7" tall, which are perfect for me.
The brackets are surprisingly strong, but a warning -- the table top is only solid in the place where the predrilled holes are, everywhere else is filled with paper. So, the copper-colored screw in the pic is in solid wood, the silver-colored one is basically screwed into nothing. If I were less lazy, I would have used a thin sheet of plywood under the table top top to strengthen and stabilize the second screw. As it is, I think it's strong enough for my purposes. I've put a hidden stack of wood and an old IKEA drawer unit (which I didn't buy, btw, it was a gift) under it in case the thing collapses. The rest of the space will be used as storage.
This would actually look really nice with some cord management and some white Apple products. Then again, if I could spend $$$ on Apple products, I would probably get a real standing desk.
So far, despite my laziness, I'm liking standing (mostly on the wobble board you see there). No more legs falling asleep, and less feeling guilty about sitting all day. Some day I may invest in a bar stool -- somebody let me know when IKEA has one on sale for less than $10. :-)
~ Anna, Cincinnati, OH
You have great vision!! "if I was less lazy" is hilarious!! Thanks for the hack idea!! :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha, love the attitude :D
ReplyDeleteThe desk is nice too.
Great idea, I like the flexibility of being able to lift the top off and on. I also came up with an IKEA $30 standing desk which fixes to the wall. See http://www.heightadjustabledeskadvice.com/is-standing-to-work-in-the-office-for-you/
ReplyDeletehmm... very nice post. this is making me seriously consider a standing desk. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteHa.. love the ML4500 printer, a tough printer in all its parallel glory..
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, I was in IKEA outside Boston yesterday and the Franklin bar stool in silver/white is on clearance for $9 or $9.99 (under $10). http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90126057 Just wanted to let you know!
ReplyDeleteDang it! I knew I shouldn't have left Boston for Cincinnati. After I left in 2002, they 1) won the Super Bowl, 2) got an IKEA, 3) won the World Series, and 4) had the Franklin stool for $9.99!
ReplyDeleteIt's not on sale here yet, Eileen, but your comment gives me hope, thanks...
Good eye, Mr. Anonymous, my ML4500 was acquired in Boston ($%&#*) in the 1990's and WILL NOT DIE. Believe me, I've tried to kill it with multiple thesis drafts and cat hair, but it lives on.
What sort of screws did you use to mount the brackets and legs?
ReplyDeleteBeen looking for an affordable standing desk option.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this! I ended up building a slight variant. I used the next size larger black Vika Amon tabletops ($19.99 each) and the 8" Capita legs ($14), and added a Lack shelf with Ekby table-mount brackets (total about $15) to bring my monitor to eye height. The finished work surface is 38" and perfect for me to stand and type/mouse (I'm 5'5"). I also bought a set of 5" bed risers ($8.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond) because I didn't think the desk would be high enough. I was mistaken, but that might still be a good idea for somebody taller.
ReplyDeleteNote on the Ekby brackets, screws are NOT included, which really surprised me for an IKEA product. Fortunately, I was able to find some in the junk drawer, so it IS good for something, after all!
Just had this for about a week now and I already feel much less guilty about playing computer solitaire all day.
I totally forgot that we have a shelf taking up space in a closet; wow...all I have to do is buy 4 legs at Idea, and I got myself a table; wow, I love this blogsite, and thank you very much Anna of Ohio, and how can you call yourself 'lazy,' when you share such a great idea with others?? Fylan
ReplyDeleteThank you for the simple (and funny) inspiration! I'm thinking of building my husband a standing desk, and this one looks easy and reversible, which is just what I'm looking for.
ReplyDeleteThey don't have the Vika Curry legs on the IKEA site anymore. Any alternatives you would recommend?
ReplyDelete