Introduction: Portable Height Adjustable Table or Standing Desk

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About: Someone recently asked "So why have you never done a PhD?" My response - "I get bored easily" but that's not true. I fear boredom and so I make sure it never invades my world. Currently my …

This is one of my most useful projects.

Upcycle an old ironing board to make this workspace that functions equally well if you're sitting on the floor, lounging on the couch or as a standing desk for the laptop.

My original was made from an old ironing board from the op shop with an ancient pine shelf for the top.

This project is a gift for my daughter.

Step 1: Materials:

  • Ironing Board
    Note: An old ironing board will be more stable but much heavier than a modern board.
  • Timber panel 19mm thick. (Or you may be able to recycle an old coffee table top.)
    Panel length should not prevent the ironing board from standing on its feet when folded.
    Panel width should be no more than 5cm wider than the width of the feet.
  • 5 x 15mm Screws and Washers big enough to secure ironing board to timber panel (See photo)
  • Rubber chair leg tips to fit the legs of the ironing board.
    Rubber tips will be more stable than plastic.
  • Spray Paint, Timber stain and/or Varnish to decorate.

Step 2: Prepare the Base

Remove any covers from the board.

Remove any plastic or rubber feet.

You may want to make adjustments to the mechanism if you are needing the desk to be low to the ground - the mechanism on this board was extended so that it will sit at a height of 25 cm.

Step 3: Painting the Surfaces.

Lightly sand the legs before spray painting. Also spray the edge of the board.

Trim the timber panel or tabletop to size.

Sand, stain and oil or varnish the top of your table. Give the table surface a light sanding between additional coats of varnish.

Note: if you are using a new panel, make sure you seal both faces to prevent your table top from warping.

Step 4: Putting It Together

Replace the feet - rubber feet will make the table more stable than plastic feet.

Lay the table top upper face down on a solid surface and set the ironing board, upside down, in position.

Mark the positions for the screws and drill pilot holes into the timber panel taking care not to drill through to the table surface.

Screw timber panel to table top using washers to ensure the screw heads do not slip through the ironing board mesh.

Step 5: Finished Project...

A handy Height Adjustable Table that hides behind the door when not in use