Standing Desks for Small Spaces

The problem this solves

Sitting still for hours is uncomfortable, and a standing desk is one way to change position during the day. In a small home, the question is whether one fits, and whether it is worth the money.

What the evidence says

A Cochrane review of workplace interventions found that people with sit-stand desks sat about 84 to 116 minutes less per working day than those with ordinary desks. It rated that evidence as very low quality. In other words, standing desks help people sit less, but research has not shown clear health benefits. The best reason to buy one is comfort and variety, not a health promise.

Try this before you buy anything

1. Stand at a kitchen worktop with your laptop raised for a few calls a day, for a week. If you never do it, a standing desk will not change that.
2. Set a reminder to stand up and move every half hour or so, whatever desk you have.
3. Check your sitting setup first. Our ergonomic desk setup guide covers chair and screen heights.

What to look for

• Height range that reaches your standing elbow height, and low enough for sitting.
• Stability at full height: small tops wobble more.
• Footprint: a converter needs a deep enough desk to sit on; a compact desk needs about 40 inches (1 metre) of wall.
• A socket nearby for an electric desk.

Our picks at a glance

The picks in detail

Keep your desk: a standing desk converter

It sits on your existing desk and lifts the screen and keyboard. It is the cheapest way to try standing, but it is bulky on a small desk. Our comparison of standing desk converters and full standing desks goes into detail.

Replace your desk: a compact electric standing desk

Stand comfortably: an anti-fatigue mat

Setting the height

1. Stand with your arms relaxed and elbows bent at about a right angle. The keyboard goes at that height.
2. Raise the screen so its top is at or slightly below eye level, at least 20 inches away.
3. Wear supportive shoes, or stand on a mat.
4. Change position often. Twenty or thirty minutes standing at a time is plenty to start.

Mistakes to avoid

• Standing all day. Alternate.
• Keyboard too high. Your wrists should be straight, not bent up.
• Screen left at sitting height. Raise it too, or you look down.
• Buying a desk too wide for the room. Measure the wall and the walkway.

How we chose

These are research-based recommendations: we compared published specifications, maker documentation and the features that matter in a small home. We have not tested them hands-on. Most picks are types of product rather than single models, so the buttons open the retailer's results; compare a few listings before you buy, in your own country's store.

Measure before you order

Measure the wall space, the room's skirting board depth, and the height of any window sill the desk will sit under. A desk that rises into a window ledge or radiator shelf stops short. Allow a little clearance either side so the frame can move without catching a curtain or cable. If you share the room, check the motor noise in reviews; some are noticeable during calls.

Cable management

A desk that moves needs cables that move with it. Use a tray under the desktop for the power strip, a single cable spine down one leg, and enough slack in every lead for full height. Plug the desk itself into the wall rather than a strip that is already busy.

The bottom line

A standing desk is worth having if you will actually stand at it. Try it at a worktop first, then choose a converter to test the habit or a compact electric desk if you know you will use it. For the rest of the room, see how to build a home office in a small bedroom.