4
Ask DN: What desk do you have?
over 8 years ago from Robin Raszka, www.pttrns.com
I'm looking for a new desk and so far no luck... boring and ugly. It's been already 2 weeks. I'd love to hear some tips.
22 comments
Scott Ogle, over 8 years ago (edited over 8 years ago )
Plywood on adjustable sawhorses.
Seriously, this is the best desk I've ever owned. Some things I like about it:
- Totally adjustable. I find myself switching from sitting to standing and back every few months depending on my work habits at the time.
- Easily reconfigurable surface. Since 3/4" plywood is cheap (~$45 for a 4'x8' sheet) I have modified the working area several times to fit what I need to do. Also, since the surface is just sitting on the sawhorses, it means you can flip it over and utilize each side differently--ie, whiteboard or chalkboard paint on one side and black on the other if you wanted.
- Easy to move. Much easier than other desks to move since the whole thing easily collapses down flat.
- Cheap. The whole thing was <$100.
- Simple. It's the most minimal desk I've ever personally owned and looks surprisingly good.
I'm fairly certain this is the sawhorse I use.
c kizer, over 8 years ago
Similar to desks I've built using a door and sawhorses. Beautiful surface, and you can customize it :-)
Jack Callister, over 8 years ago
Agreed this is the way to go!
Giulio Michelon, over 8 years ago
I'm using the same structure provided from Ikea: http://www.ikea.com/it/it/catalog/products/S59933179/
I had narrow desks. I've since upgraded to a nice custom desk. However if you need a wide desk and are on a budget I recommend buying a $10 door at Home Depot, and two small filing cabinets or cinderblock on either side. Nice huge surface, and you can customize the top anyway you like.
Spencer Hamm, over 8 years ago
I put together a desk using this base and this tabletop (or something close to that, I don't recall exactly which one).
All in all it was about $550, but considering most adjustable desks were much smaller in length and also much uglier (for a few hundred dollars more), it's really not a bad price. The base in practically indestructible, and could easily last a lifetime. Plus, you could change your top ever few years if you get bored!
Joseph Barrientos, over 8 years ago
this is an awesome idea, did you have any issues getting that top to fit on the base?
Nope! Not at all. It only took about 5 minutes to put the top on after the base was put together. I just made sure to measure out everything and then it was just a matter of screwing the base to it (it has about a dozen places to do so). It actually only took about 30 minutes to put together, by myself.
I was actually looking at this top originally, but it was sold out and I didn't want to wait two more weeks for it to be in stock again. But just about any top would work (as long as it is thick enough to put a screw in).
I just measured my tabletop, and it's 63x31.5, so it's a bit larger than most. The desk also adjusts to 47", which was crucial for me, since I'm 6'3".
Here is another option (non-adjustable), that I was looking into putting together. It is a bit cheaper, but is non-adjustable.
Dustin Kemper, over 8 years ago
+1 for MultiTable
I've got one of these at the office with a reclaimed wood tabletop and love it.
Morley Zhi, over 8 years ago
At home, I have a Parsons desk: http://www.westelm.com/products/parsons-desk-with-drawers-f099/
It's only okay. I wish it were deeper and it had more under clearance. The drawers are also pretty shallow, so they don't fit a lot.
At work, I used to have this desk with a frosted glass top, which was gorgeous: http://www.roomandboard.com/catalog/office/desks/pratt-desks
Ray Brigleb, over 8 years ago
It's not cheap but the EDU is a thing of beauty and a joy forever.
Sol Ray, over 8 years ago (edited over 8 years ago )
Commercial Stainless Steel Kitchen Table —
http://www.stainless-steel-tables.com/images/kitchen_work_tables.jpg
Paul Jarvis, over 8 years ago
Herman Miller Envelope desk. Brilliant and it slides in/out (but not up/down).
Updula Lee, over 8 years ago
The perfect desk consists of two items from IKEA:
2x MELLTORP + 2x HELMER
Total price = $189.98
Good luck beating that...
Matthew R. Miller, over 8 years ago
You can get a 6' slab of countertop from IKEA, which is $60. Add on four table legs from IKEA, bringing the total price to ~$100. You lose storage space, but save a few bucks.
Ryan Hicks, over 8 years ago Not yet, but soon. Backed this on kickstarter not long ago. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2036834894/the-most-affordable-automatic-sit-to-stand-desk
Can't wait for it to arrive.
Dylan Opet, over 8 years ago
I bought the GeekDesk frame and cut my own 7x4 wood to stain/polish for $1100 total and it has been the BEST decision of my life to date. I love my sit-stand desk and it loves me.
Philip Lester, over 8 years ago (edited over 8 years ago )
Another Galant desk owner here.
Chip Freeney, over 8 years ago (edited over 8 years ago )
Ikea Linnmon 78" long tabletop http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/S49001965/
with Ikea GERTON 42" (adjustable) legs http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/60261626/
Great standing desk for <$200. Can't raise/lower it on command like some of the fancy ones, but I could adjust the legs manually if I ever move or want to repurpose the table.
TJ Taylor, over 8 years ago
I made a standing desk out of found wood and pipes from home depot, it cost around $250 for the whole project.
http://instagram.com/p/fWVV_ox1eM/?modal=true
It's been pretty awesome but I think for my next one I will do something more simple.
Marc Bodmer, over 8 years ago
My current desk was donated to me, but I used to have the Ikea Galant desk. It's a pretty standard desk in the home office world.
This is the IKEA desk I'm in the middle of recreating. They no longer make it, but I'm building a better version. This thing had awesome lift up drawers under the monitor in the picture:
Login to Comment
You'll need to log in before you can leave a comment.
LoginRegister Today
New accounts can leave comments immediately, and gain full permissions after one week.
Register now