home office desk, any opinions?

[oxnop]

I looked for ages for something that was a specific size. Long enough so that I could have my standing desk available plus space for the Mrs when she fells like she loves me enough to work next to me…. Couldn’t find anything so I built this. I’m not very DIY so it took me a weekend, in total prob cost £250. I had some ply off cuts so I replaced the ‘orrible black laminated MDF that my standing desk came with, with some ply to match.







Doing this also meant we actually had a use for a 40yr old conservatory that was used since we moved in 2 years ago as a dumping ground.

[jason61c]

I'm not after a standing desk, given my office is in the apex of the roof, its just not practical. Also, when I need a stretch I'll walk the dog!

Thanks for the suggestions though.

[taxboy]

yellowtang said:

Cedar

Those desks look excellent. Can I ask please for a low skilled DIYer like me how much work was required to get the tops into that condition from what you started with ?
Additionally there are a number of leg suppliers I've found online. It would be much appreciated if you could share where yours came from as they are clearly up to the job of holding a fair weight

[yellowtang]

taxboy said:

Those desks look excellent. Can I ask please for a low skilled DIYer like me how much work was required to get the tops into that condition from what you started with ?
Additionally there are a number of leg suppliers I've found online. It would be much appreciated if you could share where yours came from as they are clearly up to the job of holding a fair weight

Thanks!

I bought from a sawmill, they checked the moisture content but that was all. Some places might be able to run them through a thicknesser which will plane both sides but mine were just a bandsaw finish which I then planed by hand. I wanted a traditional hand plane finish but frankly most people would be happy to sand them - far easier!

The legs came from eBay (designer legs) and they are really good quality, I was amazed really given the very low price.

[Ryyy]

I'd be scrolling through ebay,gumtree and marketplace for a nice old solid wood desk. Extra 10 points for one with a leather top. It may not fit your style but youd get a lot more bang for your buck

[MadCaptainJack]

Ikea Bekant sit/stand height adjustable desk.

Also, this:

garyhun said:

It’s the chair that’s important imo.

If you spend a significant amount of time sat at your desk, get a good chair - something like a Herman Miller Aeron. It'll hurt your wallet but your back will thank you.

[taxboy]

yellowtang said:

Thanks!

I bought from a sawmill, they checked the moisture content but that was all. Some places might be able to run them through a thicknesser which will plane both sides but mine were just a bandsaw finish which I then planed by hand. I wanted a traditional hand plane finish but frankly most people would be happy to sand them - far easier!

The legs came from eBay (designer legs) and they are really good quality, I was amazed really given the very low price.

Thanks for that looking for a desk for my study with non standard dimensions but didn't want the top to look like a kitchen worktop (I know it's probably the best vfm). Made a few enquiries locally and for a finished top only was coming in at £600

[Doofus]

taxboy said:

Thanks for that looking for a desk for my study with non standard dimensions but didn't want the top to look like a kitchen worktop (I know it's probably the best vfm). Made a few enquiries locally and for a finished top only was coming in at £600

My 'kitchen worktop' is a solid wood breakfast bar. 90cm x 2.25m, and 4.5cm thick. It looks very impressive.

[yellowtang]

taxboy said:

Thanks for that looking for a desk for my study with non standard dimensions but didn't want the top to look like a kitchen worktop (I know it's probably the best vfm). Made a few enquiries locally and for a finished top only was coming in at £600

You don’t live in the West Country by any chance?

[samdale]

3m of oak worktop for me too.

Radius on the front edge using router. Hole saw for cable holes in back corners, again with a radius on them. Sanded then oiled

Apologies for the messy desk, this is in the process of getting everything plonked in place and cables ran.

[h0b0]

I didn’t go IKEA because there is no memory on the standing desk. It sounds minor, but having to hold the button down seemed like it would becoming annoying quickly. The frame is from Amazon and cost about $200. It has 3 memory settings, one I have sacrificed to the kids, and goes high/low enough for me at over 6 foot tall.

The top is a maple butchers block that is 72” wide. I bought it from my local diy store and drove it home stuck out the back of my car. I added cable management and plug sockets to finish it off. Moving from lowest to highest position takes a couple of seconds. It’s surprisingly quick considering the weight.

For scale, the monitors are 34” ultra wide and the pc is a big case which is also on top. Total budget is way under yours and if I had bought built would be $1500+

[taxboy]

yellowtang said:

You don’t live in the West Country by any chance?

East Anglia

[jason61c]

I’ve a narrow, steep staircase, I’d like something I can just ‘buy’ this time.

[jason61c]

I did think about something like this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234108676410

[theaxe]

Just over budget but I got a Jarvis standing desk. I might change the top at some point but I'm really pleased with it.

[jason61c]

theaxe said:

Just over budget but I got a Jarvis standing desk. I might change the top at some point but I'm really pleased with it.

Thanks for the link.

I might go for one of these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jarvis-Standing-Desk-Bamb...

I like the bamboo top and the slight curve.

[BryanC]

Budget solution :
A pair of IKEA adjustable trestle legs and a standard flush door from B+Q as a top.

Can be tilted when doing watercolours or flat when used with my laptop.

[anxious_ant]

Got a cantilever office desk from Office Hippo on Amazon for around £150.
Cheap and sturdy, although not as posh as some on this thread.

You might want longer desk for x3 32” monitors though.
I have a 34” ultra wide and 22” and it’s snug for 160cm.

Edited by anxious_ant on Sunday 1st August 17:47

[yellowtang]

taxboy said:

yellowtang said:

You don’t live in the West Country by any chance?

East Anglia

http://www.mjelliott.co.uk/

These guys look like they could have air dried slab timber.

[Ryyy]

BryanC said:

Budget solution :
A pair of IKEA adjustable trestle legs and a standard flush door from B+Q as a top.

Can be tilted when doing watercolours or flat when used with my laptop.

It's not for a chop saw on site