D.I.Y.

DIY Desk Riser: Stylish Solutions for Your Walking Pad Workspace

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DIY Desk Riser - two of them. One with a laptop and computer monitor on top and one with a keyboard on top. They are sitting on top of a desk.

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W

orking from home often means sitting for hours, but integrating a walking pad into your routine is a game-changer. The challenge? For far too long, I was on the hunt for a desk riser that had function and aesthetic, didn't feel like an eyesore, and didn't weigh ten thousand pounds (it does need to be easy to move, after all). After endless searches turned up bulky, metal options, I decided to take matters into my own hands and make a wooden desk riser—two! One for my monitor and another for my keyboard. Here’s how I did it.

DIY Desk Riser - two of them. One with a laptop and computer monitor on top and one with a keyboard on top. They are sitting on top of a desk.

Why Build Your Own Desk Riser

The market offerings for desk risers didn’t meet my needs. They were either too large, too industrial, or not my style. I wanted a sleek, natural aesthetic—like acrylic or wood. Since that’s apparently not something that exists, I created one. Bonus: now it’s exactly my style, and using something you’ve made yourself is a lot more satisfying.
Desk riser up close on a desk with curved legs

Materials for the Desk Riser 

  • Wood Board: 2″ thick x 12″ wide x 8′ long for the tops
  • Legs: Two sizes—four 16″ legs and four 10″ legs (I used these exact ones)
  • Jigsaw: For creating a wavy design on the tops
  • Wood Screws: Long enough to hold the legs securely but not pierce through the top
  • Wood Stain: Varathane Early American and Behr Espresso, layered (or any shades you love!)
  • Matte Top Coat: For durability and a polished finish
  • Drill or Screwdriver: For attaching the legs
  • Sander and Sandpaper: To smooth out the top
Building a desk riser with a piece of wood - making a squiggly top with a jigsaw
the top of the desk riser cut out
the desk riser's almost complete - upside down and unstained

How to Build the Desk Riser 

  1. Draw the outline of your two risers with a pencil; I did a rough wavy shape and made sure my monitor riser was 44″ wide, and my keyboard riser was 24″ wide.
  2. Using a jigsaw, cut your wood board over the lines you drew. 
  3. Sand the riser tops down for a smooth finish.
  4. Flip the riser tops so the bottom is facing up and place your furniture legs on top to ensure you’re happy with the placement. Attached the legs using screws – make sure the screw won’t go through the top of the riser
  5. Stain your desk riser. I layered my stain – don’t forget, you can choose any colour you want. Given these are susceptible to more dings, I also finished with a matte top coat and let it cure for a few days before using the risers.
Desk risers on the floor when not in use

The Perfect Addition to my Office  

Now my workspace is functional and beautiful. The monitor riser and keyboard riser work perfectly with my walking pad, keeping me active while working. When I’m not using them, they stack neatly in the corner as decorative nesting “stools.” It’s a win-win—practicality meets style.

I promise anyone can tackle this DIY. Given the legs are purchased it’s SO easy. Remember, you can also customize the shape, size, and stain to fit your style. Then you also get to enjoy the satisfaction of having something that’s both beautiful and functional.

So, what do you think? Ready to grab your tools and make a desk riser of your own?

In case you’re curious, this is my home office without the desk riser!

risers on top of a desk

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