Gettin [a] low low low low low low low low....desk

September 21, 2023 4:00 PM

I prefer to sit on my couch and work, and I would like my screens to be lower than eye level. I'm having trouble finding a desk that goes lower than 2.5 feet or so. More description of what I'm looking for inside.

So I used to use this desk when I only had the laptop to work on. I would have preferred it go about 6 inches lower.

Now I have two monitors, and a keyboard and mouse. As I recently moved apartments, I've been working in a short campling chair with the monitors on the floor, and I really really like this angle. They sit maybe 20-30 degrees below my normal sightline and it feels very comfortable.

So, I would like to find a very short sitting desk, with wheels, but I am having trouble finding anything shorter than about 3 feet. Even the desk linked above, which says only 65cm/25in was closer to 30 inches in actual height.

I thought something like this would be good (where I can turn it around and put the monitors on the low part), but its still too tall and havent found one short enough for my purpose.

posted by LizBoBiz to Computers & Internet (17 answers total)

Does it matter if it looks like a desk or only if it functions as a flat surface for your monitors, keyboard and mouse? I'm wondering if a flat furniture dolly or even just a piece of plywood with wheels attached would meet your requirements? Or maybe a few camping tables might meet your functional needs while looking a little better that my other suggestions?
posted by shesbookish at 4:10 PM on September 21, 2023

A very small keyboard, such as an Apple Magic Keyboard, can be used on any side table. My table was marketed as a laptop stand. Can you switch to a trackpad from a mouse? A keyboard and trackpad are easier to use in a small space. You could then use the keyboard and mouse on one table, and have the monitor/laptop rig elsewhere. I like the idea of putting it on wheels, another alternative is to wall mount with a swinging arm.
posted by shock muppet at 4:19 PM on September 21, 2023

Given how specific and unusual your needs are, finding something ready-made to fulfill them will be challenging. if the Ekkio desk you linked would work except it's not low enough, you could take it to a fabrication shop and get them to modify it to be as low as you like. They could easily lower that by 50% without impacting any of the functionality otherwise.
posted by dg at 4:20 PM on September 21, 2023 [1 favorite]

I use a Jarvis bamboo standing desk and the minimum height is 23 inches. I am very short and at the time I bought it, it was the only desk that worked for my height.
posted by twelve cent archie at 4:47 PM on September 21, 2023

This sit stand desk can go as low as 24.4".

This kid's desk has three heights: 20⅞", 24⅜" or 28⅜".

This desk adjusts from 22" to 33.5"

You might also consider whether adding a keyboard tray or monitor arms could help you get things in a suitable position.

What about a lap desk for keyboard + mouse with monitors resting on a coffee table?
posted by oceano at 4:48 PM on September 21, 2023

Perhaps this offering from Uppeal Design? There are several variations, including an L-shaped desk, but all designed for what Uppeal calls "floor sitting." They are height adjustable. They are all greater than $1,000 USD.
posted by bz at 5:00 PM on September 21, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks for the responses. I should emphasize that wheels are required, I work in front of my tv but then move it out of the way when I'm not working.

The keyboard and mouse are the least of the concerns, its the desk height that is the main issue.

Kid's desks seem like a good place to start, thanks for those ideas. The furniture dolly would also be good, if it was a little taller, I'm looking for something where the monitors would be between 1-2 feet off the ground. But these two have given me something to look into. Thanks!

(Apologies for not mentioning, but I live in Australia, so US & Canada only doesnt work for me).
posted by LizBoBiz at 5:40 PM on September 21, 2023 [1 favorite]

What about coffee tables or side tables? Ones on wheels do exist. (For instance, the IKEA TINGBY. Looking at the measurements, it's a little more than a foot off the ground if you count the castors...)
posted by sailoreagle at 6:09 PM on September 21, 2023 [3 favorites]

I use a music stand to hold my laptop when I use it to watch streaming media.
posted by theora55 at 6:31 PM on September 21, 2023

You could just get a low bench and screw casters onto the legs.

This also seems like the kind of thing that would be pretty easy to bodge together from IKEA parts--a desk top, some of the 14" Sektion legs, and some casters.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 6:46 PM on September 21, 2023 [1 favorite]

Perhaps a rolling TV stand? Like this for example.
posted by guessthis at 1:45 AM on September 22, 2023

I agree that building something would be best and/or adding furniture casters to the base. It’s tough because most things are now made for sit/stand and with median heights based on median male height.
posted by amanda at 9:47 AM on September 22, 2023 [1 favorite]

The magic search term seems to be "overbed table" or "overbed desk." This seems like it might be an OK option, although you might want a clamp-on monitor stand to free up space on the surface.

Years ago, I had a desk that was built from a modular rail system—basically a giant erector set. I haven't seen anything quite like it since, but that might be an option for you, perhaps using T-slot or strut-channel rails.
posted by adamrice at 10:04 AM on September 22, 2023

Wheels can be tricky on desks since they add height. Is your floor suitable for sliders?

Otherwise, printer carts, filing cabinets, short utility shelving, and (vintage) trunks may also be at a suitable height. Moreover, these types of furniture often already come with wheels.
posted by oceano at 12:17 PM on September 22, 2023

If you're a lil' handy-- maybe roll your own with EMT pipe fittings, would be able to get it to perfectly what you want. There's a cool lil' company called MakerPipe-- you locally supply the conduit (the stuff electricians use) and they supply the fittings to customize it, including with wheels.
Essentially a cheaper version of using 8020 extrusions and fittings to custom build things.
posted by Static Vagabond at 1:22 PM on September 22, 2023

Response by poster: Ok now yall have inspired me to get creative. thanks for all the ideas!
posted by LizBoBiz at 5:22 PM on September 24, 2023

This supposedly can go as low as 34cm from the floor.

This doesn't seem to go as low, but you can mount your monitor on it (so you subtract the height of your monitor stand).

[have not tried them. have been eyeing them...love to hear if you try one of them!]
posted by mirileh at 4:02 AM on September 25, 2023