Height-adjustable table: how to make it yourself, types of tables and their repair

According to statistics, every third worker who spends most of his time at a desk is susceptible to diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Diseases are primarily caused by uncomfortable posture and incorrect table height. To avoid stagnation of lactic acid in the muscles, which causes pain, purchasing an adjustable desk model that allows an office employee, student or student to change position. In addition, the smart desk adapts to the user’s height and needs.

The editors of the Yanashla website bring to your attention an overview of the best height-adjustable tables for 2022 and tips on choosing this necessary piece of furniture.

Existing varieties

Fundamentally, all such tables are the same: base, legs with height adjustment function and tabletop. Nevertheless, there are quite a lot of differences, some quite significant.

Convenience is achieved primarily by matching the parameters of furniture to the characteristics of a person’s physique. An adjustable table helps achieve this.

There are a number of criteria by which you can determine the type of table:

Adjustment method. Mechanical or using an electric motor.
Table top material. Glass, plastic, wood.
Form. Rectangular, round, corner.
Purpose. Children's, writing, computer, office.
Options. Monitor mounts, cable management, remote control, sockets.

Additional Information! The simplest (and cheapest) is a table with manual height adjustment. The presence of an automatic lift will significantly increase the cost of the design, so you should carefully weigh everything before going to the store!

Externally, the transformer consists of an adjustable base and tabletops of various shapes, designs and colors.

Height-adjustable desk: advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of the structures under consideration include:

The ability to alternate body positions during long-term “sedentary” work.
Good adaptability. It is easy to choose the height for each individual.
A modern approach to workplace organization. In some cases this may be important.
Large lifting weight (more than 100 kg). For models with electric drive.
A wide range of. It will almost always be possible to select a model that best meets the requirements.

The mechanical mechanism is the most reliable due to its simplicity.
At the same time, there are also quite serious disadvantages:

Inconvenient mechanical adjustment method.
Cheap designs are characterized by a kind of “tremor” - when raised, the table surface can sway or tremble during operation.
Car lift models rely on electricity and require additional maintenance. For computer desks, it is not always possible to organize cable management using improvised means. The result is unexpected expenses.
High price.

Tabletops can also be adjustable and adjusted to specific angles.

How to choose

Before you go to the store, you should ask yourself, what kind of height-adjustable table do you actually need? First of all, you need to proceed from the tasks, the solution of which will justify the feasibility of such a purchase. The second important factor is size. Such tables are quite large in size, so it makes sense to take measurements in advance of the place where it should stand.

Such furniture adapts to a person’s height and ergonomics, which allows him or her not to slouch while working.

In general, it is recommended to pay attention to the following:

Structural diagram. Mechanical lifting or using electric drives.
Material. If a large load is expected (monitor, printer, system unit), it is better to choose models with a metal frame and a massive tabletop. Models for paper work may be simpler.
Number of supports. Again, it all depends on the load.
Maximum lift height.
Frequency of use. How often is the height supposed to be adjusted?

Note! In some tables with a mechanical lifting system, the adjustment process is carried out using a pin in the corresponding hole on the support. This means that you will have to remove all objects from the countertop that could fall during this procedure, which is extremely inconvenient if such an action must be performed constantly.

Adjustable furniture is an excellent prevention of various diseases of the spinal column.

DIY height adjustable table

For the most part, it is unlikely to be possible to make an adjustable table at the level of a store sample. However, most likely this will not be necessary. The need for adjustment can be useful in two cases: organizing a separate workplace with the ability to work while standing and the periodic need to adapt the height of the table. Sometimes such a solution makes sense as a trial experiment to understand whether purchasing an industrial version of a given design would be justified.

Tabletop adjustment can also be mechanical or electrical.

What you will need

Since the manufacture of the table is supposed to be made according to a simplified scheme (all complex components are purchased in advance), everything necessary for the work can be divided into two parts:

Materials.
- Tabletop. It is best to opt for MDF, but chipboard can also be used. The thickness is selected based on operating conditions, but not less than 22 mm.
Accessories. Cable box, brackets, sockets, plugs.

The system can have any shape and dimensions. It all depends on the parameters you need.

Tools. In most cases, a standard set will be sufficient: a jigsaw, a screwdriver, screwdrivers, a core drill, a drill with a set of drills, a tape measure, a ruler, a level, a pencil and hardware.

Tools that will be useful to you in making a table.

Brief assembly instructions

It is assumed that the product being manufactured is of a modular type. That is, all the key components are already available and you just need to assemble them. In general, the sequence of work may look like this:

Preparing the tabletop. If it has not been cut using special equipment, it will have to be cut from a sheet of the selected material, then sanded and the edges sealed. If the surface is not laminated, it will have to be painted. In this case, you will need a spray bottle, otherwise streaks from the brush will be noticeable.
Turn the tabletop over with the wrong side up and mark the locations for attaching the supports.
Secure the supports. Usually everything you need comes with them, but can be purchased separately.
Place the table in the working position and adjust the horizon according to the level.
Check the functionality of the lifting mechanism.

Such products fit perfectly into modern home and office interiors.

Shape and materials

The countertop is most often made of wood or its substitutes:

Chipboard. The most budget-friendly material. Disadvantage: a little fragile, which reduces its service life.
Fiberboard. A more reliable, expensive material compared to chipboard. Advantages: high resistance to damage, good moisture resistance.
Solid wood. The most expensive, but also the strongest and most durable raw material for the production of adjustable tables.

Sometimes metal is used to make adjustable tables. This is a heavy and reliable material with high resistance to damage, but is used exclusively for furniture that will be used for industrial purposes. The table is made of strong and durable steel, which significantly increases the cost of the product, or of aluminum, a soft and less wear-resistant, but cheaper alternative. Legs are rarely made of wood, but solely for decorative purposes (as a covering); they will still be based on hard iron.

The ergonomics of the product largely depends on the shape of the tabletop. Corner models will help save space in a small apartment and use space efficiently: the furniture is simply moved to the corner of the room. This is the optimal solution for those who work at a computer. The second option is a standard rectangular table. It is universal for any specific activity, great for narrow spaces, and also allows you to organize a comfortable work area in the office. In addition, there are round design options - with their help you can beautifully arrange a work area in the living room or bedroom. Such a table often provides a comfortable recess for a seated person.

Where to put an adjustable table

As for installation, such a table is suitable for both an office and a room in an apartment or country house. The only thing that needs to be taken into account is the dimensions, both in length and height.

The most significant advantage that attracts modern business people is the ability to work in standing and sitting positions.

For tables with an automatic lift, it is advisable to provide convenient access to power outlets. The best option is to be located near the wall, but not close. At the same time, there should be no paintings, lamps or other accessories on the walls that could be touched by the tabletop during lifting.

Don’t forget about proper care of the mechanism, and your table will last a long time, bringing only benefits and positive emotions.

Important! It should be kept in mind that the total height required for work will increase by the height of the largest object located on the table (usually a monitor).

Briefly about the main thing

A rising desk is an excellent solution for those people who are tired of spending time working in a sitting position. Before you make a purchase, you need to decide on the most suitable type of drive - mechanical, pneumatic or electric. If electrical furniture is purchased, the user receives the advantage of a memory of preset user settings. At the same time, after installation it is necessary to ensure that the cables are masked, as they can be damaged or injure a person if they touch.

Table repair

Typically, in such structures, the lifting mechanism most often fails. However, breakdowns of a different nature also occur.

When choosing a control mechanism, think about how often you will need to use it.

The most common malfunctions of adjustable tables:

Failure of the lifting system (for structures equipped with electric motors). In this case, both the electric motor and the control panel may break. Sometimes the telescopic lift gets jammed. Most such breakdowns are resolved by replacing the faulty part.
Backlash. Such problems are typical for tables with manual lifting. For example, a desk with adjustable height, in which the fixation is carried out using a pin. This can be solved by selecting a fixing pin of a larger diameter.
Tabletop defects. For tables with one support, constant loads tilted to one side can lead to surface deformation. In addition, mechanical damage such as scratches, chips and cracks is possible during operation. In most cases, the countertop will need to be replaced.

If you just need to adjust a certain height of the kitchen table, then you can choose a mechanical mechanism.
Of course, it cannot be said that such a table will be an ideal option for everyone. Although, of course, there are certain benefits from such a solution. “Definite” because a height-adjustable table requires a review of the operating mode, constant alternation of body position and, in the end, doing it regularly, which not everyone can do. On the other hand, if it is possible to avoid diseases and not look like a question mark with age, then the answer is obvious.

When buying furniture for a child, you should not give preference to bright models, as this significantly distracts children from the thought process.

Criterias of choice

Tips on what to look for when purchasing:

Additional options. If you plan to make the most of your purchase and comfortably, then take a closer look at options with a remote control function, LED lighting, built-in sockets, a drawer for things, etc. The cost, of course, will be higher, but the comfort will also be maximum.
The best manufacturers. Products from a foreign manufacturer and a domestic one may differ in functionality, cost, and materials used. When choosing a brand, remember that the price of the products will be more expensive, but the quality will also be high. Therefore, choose which company is better to purchase based on your desires and capabilities.
Where can I buy. You can purchase the product either in a furniture store or order it online in an online store. Decide which option is better to buy after browsing several sites (stores) and see how much the same model costs on different resources. After analyzing competitors, select the model that suits you based on price and characteristics.