Choosing the Right Tabletop for Your Desk Frame

So you’ve chosen a standing desk frame to make working in your office a more active experience. But now you’re faced with another big decision… What kind of tabletop do you choose?

In this blog post, we’ll go over everything you need to consider when choosing a top for your desk frame. We’ll cover compatibility, office aesthetic, and whether you should buy a pre-assembled desktop or design and build your own.

 

 

Fitting the Frame

When deciding on the perfect tabletop, the first thing to consider is compatibility with your purchased frame. The easiest way to check this is by looking at the desk frame listing or manual to see if that information is provided by the seller. If it’s nowhere to be seen, then you’ll be having some fun with the tape measure. Simply find the length and width of the frame, and record those measurements.

The tabletop dimensions will need to be 1-20 inches greater than the length and width of the frame, otherwise you could run into issues during installation. For example, if your adjustable desk frame measures 40” to 68” in length and 23” in width, then your tabletop length should be 41” to 88” with a width of 24” to 43”.

Keep in mind that tabletop thickness is also important to consider. If you own a monitor desk mount, or wish to purchase one, then you’ll want the tabletop thickness to be compatible with the desk mount specifications. The average compatible desk thickness for mounts is 0.75”.

 

 

Fitting the Space

Once you place your desk frame in the desired location, it will give you a good idea of how large you want your tabletop. And of course you want it to blend well in your space! Look around your office and take note of the colors and materials you see. Do you want your tabletop to be an accent color? Do you have a running theme in your office? Do you wish to color coordinate with other office furniture? Noting the aesthetics of your space and coordinating with your tabletop will make your new setup look sharp and well planned.

If you’re interested in a wooden desktop, then this next section is for you! We will discuss possible options for a wooden tabletop that range from fun DIY projects to inexpensive pre-assembled products.

 

Photo Credit: Trusty Joe

Build your Own

Designing and creating your own tabletop will require some supplies. The first main supply is...you guessed it, the wood! Before making a trip to the store, you’ll want to decide on the type of wood that best fits your space. There are many different types and colors of wood, such as light, dark, oak, walnut, and more.


Tip: Try not to get hung up on the shade of the wood, because you can apply different stains and finishes to get your desired color. The Family Handyman gives a detailed step by step on how to achieve a great finish.

 

 

Pre-assembled

If you decide to purchase a tabletop, you’ll want to shop around different stores to see what works best for you. VIVO offers a 62.5” x 31.5” simple, black tabletop that includes a built-in cable management system. We also have a 59” x 27.6” white, dry-erase tabletop that allows you to write out your ideas, daily tasks, and more right on the surface! Check out our tabletops here!

Our other suggestion is IKEA--the world’s largest furniture retailer. They have several options when it comes to tabletops, which is why we also recommend doing your research and decide what style and color you like before shopping. Purchasing a pre-assembled tabletop opens the door to even more possibilities! You have the material options of wood, bamboo, laminate, concrete, and so much more while staying cost effective. The majority of IKEA’s tabletops come with different sizing options as well, so you’re able to fit your frame and office space with little hassle. Some pre-assembled tabletop options include:

Overall Process

  • Measure your frame and decide how large you want the tabletop to be in comparison.
  • Look at your given space and make sure the setup will fit the space and coordinate with the aesthetics.
  • Do your research and decide what style and color of tabletop you want.

Once these factors have been considered, you’re ready to go shopping for materials or the tabletop itself! With either process, let your creative juices flow so that you can attain the setup that fits your taste perfectly.



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