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Standing desks for small spaces and apartments
Updated
For a small space, look at tops from 32 to 48 inches wide. The HUANUO 32 x 19 is the smallest desk on this site and suits a laptop or one small monitor. The ErGear 48 x 24 is the smallest we'd call a full desk. Small desks have the same height range as big ones, so check the range against your height first.
How much floor each size takes
| Desk | Top | Floor area of the top | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| HUANUO 32 x 19 | 32 x 19 in | 4.2 sq ft | Laptop or one small monitor |
| ErGear 48 x 24 | 47.2 x 23.6 in | 7.7 sq ft | One monitor, or two small ones |
| SHW 55 x 28 | 55 x 28 in | 10.7 sq ft | Two monitors plus a drawer |
Add the space you stand or sit in. You need about 3 feet behind the front edge for a chair to roll back.
What small tops cost you
- Screen distance. A 19 inch deep top puts any screen close to your eyes. A laptop is fine. A 27 inch monitor is not. A monitor arm clamped at the back edge wins back a few inches.
- Room for paper. On a 32 inch top, a keyboard and mouse use most of the width.
- Nothing on height. The HUANUO 32 x 19 bullets list 28.3 to 46.5 inches, about the same as full-size budget desks. The spec table on the same listing says 28 to 45 inches, so measure it on arrival.
Apartment checks before you order
- Measure the real top. A "48 x 24" desk can be 47.2 by 23.6 inches. In an alcove that half inch matters.
- Look up. The top rises straight up. Window sills, shelves and sloped ceilings can block it. Run the calculator to get your standing height, then check that the wall is clear to that height plus your monitor.
- Leave a gap to the wall and slack in every cable, so nothing snags or unplugs when the desk moves.
- Think about moving it. The HUANUO 32 x 19 feet have M8 threaded holes so you can add your own casters. Casters add height at both ends of the range, which is bad news if you are short. They also add sway.
- Carpet. Many apartments have it. See standing desks on carpet.
The picks, with caveats
- HUANUO 32 x 19. Owners say it suits small spaces and moves quietly. The caveat: some owners report plastic parts cracking, and the top is very shallow.
- ErGear 48 x 24. A normal desk that still fits most bedrooms, with 4 presets. The caveat: some tops arrive damaged in shipping, so check it before you build the frame.
If you already own a desk you like
A converter sits on top of your current desk and takes no extra floor at all. It has real limits, which we cover in converter vs full standing desk.
All seven desks, including the larger ones, are on the best standing desks page. Both small picks bottom out near 28 inches, which by the rule of thumb is a sitting height for someone about 6 ft 3 in. If you are shorter, plan on a higher chair and a footrest.