Hey everyone! I'm considering building my own standing desk because I'm tired of paying a fortune for low-quality MDF and composite surfaces that just don't hold up. My previous desk was bowing pretty badly, so I want something that can support a heavier load over time. I've found a poplar workbench top for $460, and it turned out better than I expected. Now I'm at a crossroads—should I stick with the DIY route and find a sturdy frame for my desk, or should I just buy a pre-made standing desk that's already set up? I'd love to hear about your experiences—did you go the DIY route, or did you buy one, and was it worth it?
8 Answers
I did something similar! I spent about $700 on a setup that wasn't even solid wood. I ended up finding a good acacia wooden countertop at Home Depot for $170 and bought some legs off Amazon. Just threw some Osmo finish on it, and it turned out great! The stand mechanism might be the priciest part, but you'll definitely get the style and stability you're after with a DIY desk.
I built a desk for my wife by using a motorized frame I found online and paired it with a stained butcher block countertop from Home Depot. It's been working perfectly! You just need to make sure you get a solid frame to support whatever top you choose.
I tried to save some cash by buying a second-hand frame, but it started leaning after just three months. Definitely didn't hold up like I hoped!
If your top is bowing, consider adding aprons to provide extra support. You can use 1x4 or 1x6 boards glued to the underside of your desk top to significantly increase its rigidity. Trust me, a simple glue or screw method can make a huge difference in the strength.
I've had standing desks at work, and honestly, I was disappointed. Paid over $1,000 for something that was basically fancy particle board. If I had to do it again, I would totally go DIY—get the legs, and make a solid top yourself! Those butcher-block countertops at Home Depot are way better than the shipped ones.
I have a motorized frame with white melamine countertops from IKEA. It cost me about $80 for the top, and I've had zero issues ever since. Really been a great setup without breaking the bank!
I found a $150 butcher block top that I slapped on an $89 electric standing frame—no problems at all! It's a solid setup without hitting my wallet hard.
Do you need it adjustable or fixed? For adjustable desks, Home Depot has some solid manual crank workbenches. If you want a powerful electric frame, Uplift has some good options starting from around $470, which hold up to 350 lbs. You might also find custom height steel desk legs on Etsy for unique styles!
That's exactly what I want to avoid!