I’ve worked remotely in my past two jobs, hunched over a laptop on the couch for hours, and let me tell you, it’s no way to live, friends. My hips and lower back ached from hours of sitting on the job—followed by more sitting during dinner and while watching TV. My neck pain became so intense from all of the angling to peer at the screen that I began seeing an insurance-cleared massage therapist to manage the burning stiffness behind my head. That treatment helped somewhat until I left my job and lost health coverage.
When my new position at SELF rolled around, and it became clear that because of the pandemic it would be a long time before I saw the inside of an office again, I decided it was finally time to invest in an , allowing me to position my screen at eye level and keep my circulation flowing, as physical therapists recommend.
I live in a one-bedroom apartment in New York City, so space is tight. I knew I wanted a standing desk in some form, but one that didn’t take over my bedroom, stick out design-wise in my home, or that would overshoot my budget. Finding my stylish, minimalist took more digging than expected.
Here’s the thing about traditional standing desks, based on my editorial research: Most of them hog space and are pricey, made of plastic or steel, and corporate-looking. For me, versatility and aesthetics were key. I wanted the ability to convert multiple spots in my home into work areas, as well as a design that doesn’t remind me strongly of fluorescent lighting and Staples. This led me to seek standing-desk converters, which are basically height-adjustable mini desks you can stick on top of any flat surface or table so you can you create a work setup that isn’t a full-on, space-swallowing desk. This is ideal for my apartment, as I can easily stow the converter if I want my surfaces back.
After hours of agonizing over converters, I ordered the , a lovely, light-wood, handcrafted converter that is a bestseller on Etsy. It’s custom designed for my height and laptop size (details you specify to the maker in your order), though there are also versions big enough to accommodate monitors. It’s also easy to assemble, comprising three sleek pieces of pale wood that intuitively slot together at various heights. And above all, this thing is genuinely stylish: I find that its unique wavy grain and smooth, exposed layers of walnut and birch remind me of a modern wafer cookie.
With the addition of a cushioned anti-fatigue standing mat for comfort and pressure relief, a Bluetooth speaker, string lights, and plants, my WFH space has really come together. And can I say? It is genuinely a joy to work at this desk, in the little space I’ve carved for myself among the madness. My morning ritual now consists of standing at my desk to check emails while sipping iced coffee and playing a podcast. I keep a stool nearby to occasionally lean on, and I do periodically fully sit, but because I mix in standing, my back and neck pain is significantly less than before. And in moments of stillness, I catch myself admiring the craftsmanship of the converter out of the corner of my eye.
I know it’s just another thing to own, another product for work, blah, but it’s been a real quality-of-life upgrade, one I’m proud to show off. A reviewer of the desk wrote that she’s used her converter for several years and still loves it, and I’m sure I will too.
Editor’s note: Due to overwhelming demand, this product is available for preorder and will ship within an estimated four weeks.
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