Custom Smart Standing Desk in 4 Steps. (Minimal DIY skills Required)
How We Built Our Smart Standing Desk (with IKEA + DIY)
Suddenly working from home? Or just want to level up your home office setup?
Here’s how we created a solid-wood-topped, smart standing desk that’s minimal DIY, high on functionality—and looks great too.
We Wanted: A Standing Desk That Was…
- Sit/stand capable
- Large enough for two people (occasionally)
- Suited to our home style: light, bright & natural materials
The Problem: COVID-Era Desk Shortages
Finding a desk—any desk—during the home office rush was a challenge. We’d had our eyes on two IKEA options: the BEKANT and the IDASEN.
After a little research, we chose the IDASEN due to reports the BEKANT was a bit wobbly when standing.
IKEA IDASEN Desk – Source: IKEA
At IKEA? It was chaos. Desks were gone. Displays were empty. Staff gave us the dreaded “there’s nothing left.”
We decided to check the stock aisles anyway—and lucked out. There were IDASEN bases, just no tabletops.
The Solution: A Custom Smart Desk
Ranita (my wife) spotted a solid wood top—GERTON (now discontinued)—that was the right size. Being solid wood, it was a bit heavier but easy to secure to the base. Current similar options:
How to Build a Custom Sit/Stand Smart Desk
What You’ll Need:
- Desk Base: IKEA IDASEN sit/stand base
- Desk Top: GERTON, ANFALLARE or LAGKAPTEN
- 8 x 20mm wood screws + washers
- Drill + pilot bit (narrower than screws)
- Cable management (e.g. conduit saddles or ties)
What Makes It Smart?
- App-controlled electric sit/stand function
- Save preferred height presets
- Track sit/stand time and daily goals
Step 1 – Build the IDASEN Base
Follow IKEA’s included instructions.
Step 2 – Align the Base with the Top
Lay the desktop upside down on a soft surface. Centre the base on top. Mark the position with a pencil.
Step 3 – Drill Pilot Holes & Attach
The IDASEN base holes don’t line up with GERTON’s pre-drills, so use the base as a guide to drill your own.
Be careful not to drill all the way through.
Place a washer on each screw and secure. Repeat 8 times.
Step 4 – Attach the Height Switch
Get help to flip the desk upright—it's heavy.
Choose where to mount the control switch. Drill two pilot holes and screw in.
Step 5 – Optional: Cable Management
Totally optional but highly recommended.
We used conduit saddles and only screwed in one side for easier access.
Your Smart Standing Desk: Complete
There you have it—a fully functional, good-looking smart desk, custom-made with IKEA parts and light DIY.
Want to go further? Here’s what else we’ve added to our smart office setup:
- Smart Lighting for better focus
- Smart Audio to get in the zone
- Smart AC control to stay comfy
Got questions? Hit me up on socials or browse my full smart home blog for more tips.