File Cabinets & Storage Solutions For Standing Desks

When transitioning from a fixed-height desk to an adjustable-height sit-stand desk, most new users come face to face with a challenge they may not have considered before buying: the sudden lack of drawers.  This lack, however, is par for the course with almost all adjustable height desks.

The vast majority of manufacturers do not offer drawers on their standing desks for a number of reasons, including:

• Their highly-cantilevered weight would induce a lot of “side-loading stress” on the linear actuators, potentially leading to squeaking, straining or premature failure of expensive componentry.
• A lot of “interference” issues with other components typically found on the underside of the desktop, such as crossbars, top support arms, cables and handsets.
• Assembling drawers can be a total pain for the user, and can easily add an hour or more to the assembly of a standing desk.

That said, there are some desks with built-in drawers that are creatively slung underneath the desktop. These are going to be optional on some higher-performance desk models with sufficient excess lift capacity for the task.

But for today, the popular solution for most users is one of the mobile file pedestals we’ve reviewed here. Specifically short ones—generally under 22″—that won’t interfere with the free movement of the desk when it is lowered to sitting height. Being a standalone piece of furniture separate from the desk, these pedestals do not subtract from the weight lifting capacity of the desk itself. More importantly, they won’t induce life-shortening “side loading” on the lifting legs either.

For more information about some of the alternative storage options for adjustable desks, including standing desks with drawers and add-on drawers, check out our full roundup of standing desk storage options.