Standing desks, also known as sit--stand or height adjustable desks, are popular in our homes and workplaces due to their benefits for our mental and physical health.
Unfortunately, the truth is that some standing desks can be less than attractive in your office or work environment.
In this article, we will share with you some tips to make your standing desk look better. From colours and lighting to shelves, storage solutions and desk accessories, we share our top tips to give your entire desk a much-needed upgrade!
However, before diving into the core of this article, we will like to share with you the best benefits of a sit stand desk:
The Benefits of a Standing Desk
- Increased energy levels: Standing rather than sitting is known to boost energy levels and improve focus.
- Improved posture and comfort: Standing at a desk encourages better posture and helps to reduce tension in the neck and shoulders, which can lead to improved comfort.
- Improved blood circulation: When you stand for long period, you increase blood flow throughout the body. This leads to increased alertness and productivity levels, and can help to lower your blood pressure.
- Reduced risk of chronic diseases: Regularly standing instead of sitting can help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, or cancer.
- Increased calorie burn: Standing at a desk will naturally burn more calories than sitting, leading to weight loss over time if combined with a healthy lifestyle.
- Reduces stress levels: Studies have shown that using a standing desk helps improve mood and overall well-being by reducing stress levels.
How to Make a Standing Desk Look Better
1. Pick the Right Colour Palette and Materials
If you work in an office, the choice of furniture and equipment may not be up to you. But, if you work from home, then you can easily change the look of your desk by making a few simple changes.
In terms of stand-up desk colours, it is important to choose a piece of office furniture where the colours match the interior paint. On this point, there are several recommendations to follow. You can create harmony by playing with complimentary colours. For example, if the walls of your living room are painted grey, you can choose a white desk with black metal legs.
Another option would be to opt for a blue worktop with a natural wood base. On the other hand, if you want to create contrast to obtain a sober and elegant office decoration, the ideal will be to associate opposite colours.
So, for walls painted in white, you can opt for a black wooden desk. Another alternative is to customize the old desk with the help of a design sticker paper imitating marble.
2. Choosing the Appropriate Size of Desk
The ideal size and depth of your standing desk will depend on your profession, its use and the material to be placed on it. If there is no shortage of space, it is better to have a larger desk to work, rather than one that is too small and uncomfortable as this is more likely to get cluttered.
Most experts recommend a 100cm x 60cm desk as standard, as this his size allows you to put your screen, documents, a keyboard and a small lamp on it.
3. Lighting
This point deserves special attention. Whether you sit in your office to work on a file, fill out administrative papers, or indulge in the joys of graphic design, good lighting is essential to improve the look, feel and function of your desk.
If you have a well-exposed window in the room and you work during the day, a simple accent lamp will suffice. However, if you are one of those who enjoy working at night, you will need to add the appropriate task lighting to avoid eyestrain.
You can also use a ceiling light to give your office an elegant look and ensure an even distribution of light. Go for LED lights because they are the most comfortable to the eyes and do not produce heat.
At Ergo Desks, we love the EnergyByLight Lamp by Bakker Elkhuizen. It adapts to your body's natural circadian rhythm and automatically provides the right colour temperature and brightness of light - all while looking sleek and stylish on your desk.
4. Add the Right Accessories
It is essential to have a well-organised standing desk, but more importantly, a well optimised office to ensure that you feel comfortable and are more productive. For that, you should use standing desk accessories. Here is our selection of the best standing desk accessories that will also enhance their look:
- Cable Management: Whether you choose an electric standing desk or manual sit-stand desk, you will always need a cable management solution for your electronic devices. Cable spines are ideal for locking wires in place, and adhesive cable clips or a cable tray is perfect for keeping them out of sight.
- Under-Desk Drawer: Unlike some more traditional desks, most sit-stand desks do not have a built-in desk drawer. To keep your files organised then, you will need to invest in a drawer or other storage.
- Ergonomic Armrest: An armrest effectively supports your arms in order to reduce muscle tension in the neck and shoulders. Thanks to a large and comfortable surface, you can work for several hours in a row without risk of pain or discomfort.
- CPU Support: Compatible with the vast majority standing desk models and brands, a CPU holder is perfect for taking your computer off the ground or out of the way of your desk top.
- Ergonomic Laptop Support: The curvature of your back will be more or less important depending on the positioning of the keyboard on your laptop or PC. A laptop stand allows the screen to be raised or lowered to achieve the right viewing height and distance for you, keeping your back straight and reducing muscle fatigue. Want to learn more? Read our eight reasons why you should invest in a laptop stand.
- Ergonomic Mouse: An ergonomic mouse can be adjusted into different positions, which encourages good posture since you won't have to overextend yourself with awkward gripping motions when typing or clicking.
- Charging Station: Having a charging station integrated into the standing desk is an excellent way to store your electronics devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops while also keeping them charged up during the day.
- Desk Mat: A desk mat provides a stylish and practical way to keep your desk organised. Our desk mats provide a stationery rest to keep stationary organised, a magnetic cable holder to keep cables out of your workspace, and a convenient document hideaway to keep notes and documents close-by but out of sight.
5. Declutter
Organising your desk can also improve the look of it. Take the time to declutter your standing desk by removing unnecessary items and keeping only the essentials within reach.
To do this, get rid of all the supplies that no longer serve a purpose and all the sheets of paper piled up on your desk without use. In addition, invest in storage solutions such as drawers, shelves, or desktop organizers to keep your workspace tidy and clutter-free. All files should be organized in a well-defined order so that they can be easily found.
6. Add Plants
Bring the outdoors inside by incorporating natural elements into your workspace design. Place a small potted plant or succulent on your standing desk, or you can place tall plants next to your standing desk for privacy and air purification if you are in an easier-to-access spot without too many wires or cables nearby.
7. Place the Monitor on an Adjustable Mount/Monitor Arm
In addition to creating more space, a monitor arm will allow adjusting the height depending on whether you are sitting or standing during different tasks throughout the day. This will also prevent long-term health issues like neck and back strain from poor posture when using a laptop at arm's length. You can choose from a dual or single monitor arm, depending on how many screens you require.
8. Add Art or Decorative Wall Hangings
Inject personality and character into your workspace by incorporating artwork or decorative wall hangings above your standing desk. Choose pieces that inspire creativity and motivation, such as abstract paintings, motivational quotes, or framed photographs. The artwork you choose should complement the overall aesthetic of your workspace while adding visual interest and depth to the area surrounding your standing desk.
9. Select a Stylish and Ergonomic Chair
While the focus may be on your standing desk, don't overlook the importance of choosing the right chair to complement your workspace. Choose a chair that combines both style and ergonomic comfort to create a cohesive and visually appealing workspace. Look for chairs with sleek designs, high-quality materials, and adjustable features that promote proper posture and provide adequate support during extended periods of sitting down.
Conclusion
As you can see, with a few simple tips and tricks, you can make your standing desk look great without sacrificing any of its benefits. By combining creative accessories, an organized workspace, and a few functional items to give it a sense of style, you can easily transform your standing desk into an attractive work surface that fits in with the rest of your home or office décor.
With a little bit of creativity and some effort, your workspace can reflect your style while also enhancing your productivity.
Looking for a standing desk or accessories for your home, office or workspace? Check out our full collection of standing desks and accessories, available for next working day delivery if ordered by 3pm.
Our desks come with a 7 year warranty, 30 day risk free return, as well as access to a UK-based customer service team to answer any questions that you might have. Otherwise, our blog provides more useful tips on using a standing desk for a more balanced lifestyle.
Feel free to contact us with any questions, with the handy live chat feature on our site, or vie email at info@ergodesks.co.uk.
Date Published: March 02, 2023
Last Updated: February 27, 2024
