You've got yourself a standing desk – brilliant choice! Now here's the thing: just having the desk isn't enough to transform your working day. The real magic happens when you set your electric desk up properly, and I'm not talking about making it look good for social media photos.
I'm talking about creating a workspace that feels amazing to work at and actually helps your body.
The Must-Have Basics: Get These Right First
Let's sort out the things you absolutely cannot ignore.
Getting the Height Perfect 
This is the most important thing you'll do. Your desk height makes or breaks everything else, whether you're sitting or standing.
Your Arms: When you type, your elbows should be bent at 90 degrees with your wrists staying straight and relaxed. If your desk is too high, you'll be hunching your shoulders all day, which leads to neck pain fast. Too low, and you'll be slouching over like you're trying to read tiny print.
Your Screen: The top of your computer screen needs to be at eye level – no higher, no lower. This stops you from looking up or down all day, which is one of the biggest causes of neck strain. If you've got two screens, put them both right in front of you so you don't have to twist your body.
Sorting Out Your Screen Setup
Using a laptop on a standing desk is tricky because the keyboard and screen are stuck together. Get your screen at the right height, and your arms will be in a terrible position for typing.
Monitor Arm: This is a total game-changer that will transform how you work. It clamps to your desk and lets you move your screen in any direction – up, down, forward, backward. You get perfect positioning and loads more desk space too.
Laptop Stand: If you're sticking with a laptop, you need a separate keyboard and mouse – no way around it. Use a laptop stand to get your screen up to eye level, then use the external keyboard and mouse at the right height for your arms.
This setup will save your neck and wrists from daily pain.
Making It Amazing: Comfort and Focus
Once you've nailed the basics, it's time to focus on the things that will make you actually love working at your desk.
Cable Management: Keep It Clean and Simple
This is where most people's setups fall apart. As you move your desk up and down, cables get tangled, pulled, and become a complete nightmare. A messy desk makes you feel stressed and distracted, but fixing it is easier than you think.
Cable Trays: These stick under your desk and hide all your power strips and bulky cable parts. Everything stays neat and out of sight, which makes a huge difference to how your workspace feels.
Cable Clips and Sleeves: Use sticky clips or magnetic holders to run your cables neatly along the desk legs or back edge. A cable sleeve bundles multiple wires into one clean tube, making everything look much tidier.
Power Blocks: Get a power strip that clamps to your desk edge. This means only one cable runs to the wall, and you can plug everything in right there.
Lighting That Actually Helps
Bad lighting kills productivity and gives you headaches. Good lighting makes everything easier and more enjoyable.
Task Lamps: A decent desk lamp is essential, especially during those dark winter afternoons. Look for one with adjustable brightness and a movable arm so you can direct light exactly where you need it without creating glare on your screen.
Natural Light: Position your desk to the side of a window, not directly in front of it. This gives you natural light without the glare that makes you squint at your screen all day.
Don't Throw Away Your Chair!
Here's something important: standing desks aren't meant for standing all day. That would be just as bad for your body as sitting all day was! The whole point is switching between sitting and standing.
The Right Chair: Your chair should be fully adjustable with good lower back support that follows your spine's natural curve. The height, armrests, and backrest should all move so you can get a perfect fit. Don't go cheap on your chair – it's just as important as the desk itself.
Mix It Up: Stand for an hour, sit for an hour, or just switch whenever you feel restless. Listen to your body and break up those long periods of staying in one position.
Adding Your Personal Touch: Make It Yours
Once the technical stuff is sorted, it's time to make the space feel like it belongs to you. This isn't just about looks – it genuinely improves how you feel and focus while working.
Keep It Organised
A messy desk leads to a messy mind. Keeping your surface clear helps you feel more in control and focused on what you're doing.
Desk Organisers: Simple pen holders, trays, and file stands work wonders for keeping things tidy.
Drawer Units: If you have room, a small set of drawers is perfect for storing notebooks, documents, and other bits you don't need on the desk surface.
Keep It Simple: The less stuff on your actual desk, the easier it is to stay organised and the more space you have to work.
Add Some Life to Your Space
A little bit of nature makes a massive difference to how your workspace feels.
Plants: A small houseplant like a snake plant or spider plant brightens up your space and has been proven to improve mood and air quality. It adds life to what could otherwise feel like a sterile work area.
Personal Touches: Put up a photo of your family or a favourite place you've visited. Use a mug that makes you smile every time you drink from it. Add a small piece of art or anything that brings you joy.
These small details transform your workspace from just another desk into a place you actually enjoy spending time.
The Bottom Line
Setting up your standing desk right is about way more than buying the correct equipment. It's about creating a space that works with your body and helps your mind stay sharp and focused. Get the basics right, manage those cables, and add touches that make you smile.
Do this, and you'll have a workspace that helps you work better, feel better, and get more done every single day.
