DIY Standing Desk

Form two planks of 40-inch 2-by-4 lumber and two planks of 20-inch 2-by-4 lumber into a rectangle frame, the ends of the 20-inch planks on the inside of the 40-inch planks to make the corners. Secure together with two 2 5/8-inch screws through each joint.

Insert four planks of 20-inch 2-by-2 lumber across the frame and push them down so they are flush with the bottom edge of the frame. Secure these support planks to the long sides of the frame with two 2 5/8-inch screws through the outside of the frame into the ends of the planks.

Place a 24-by-48-inch desk top wrong-side-up on a work surface. Center the frame over the top, with the bottom edge flush with the underside of the desk top. Secure the frame to the desk top with four 2 5/8-inch screws through each of the support planks into the underside of the desk top.

Hold a sticky note in your hand. Sit down at your desk, back straight and arms extended over the desk as they would be at your keyboard. Freeze your arms in this position and stand up. Move to a wall and press the sticky note you are holding onto the wall. The sticky note height is the optimal height of your standing desk.

Cut four legs from 2-by-4 lumber to the sticky note height minus an inch to compensate for the thickness of the desk top.

Clamp each leg upside down to the side of the frame attached to the underside of the desk top. Secure the legs to the frame with four 2 5/8-inch lag bolts drilled through the legs into the side of the frame. Remove the clamps.

Turn the desk back over so that it is standing on its legs. Seal the desk in your chosen wood finish, then position it in your work area.