A Tiny Studio Apartment Has the Chicest Standing Desk (for Under $50!)

Hear me out: Living in just over 200 square feet requires imagination and not necessarily compromise. Content creator Joseph Carano understands this better than most as he lives in a 220-square-foot studio apartment. For instance, a Japanese Tatami mat replaced a typical bed frame, and two Amazon shelves created a unique standing desk unlike anything I’ve ever seen. 

Joseph loves hosting guests, and while he has a full-size mahogany desk, he found himself having to put his computer on the floor when using it as a table, which wasn’t ideal. He needed a solution. “Incorporating a standing desk allowed me to free up my main desk for dining and entertaining while not having to worry about kicking over my computer,” he explains. 

There are standing desks you can purchase, or you can cleverly use another furniture item, but I’ve never seen anyone take two shelves and make a standing desk. Joseph’s apartment is over 100 years old, so it was important for him to find shelves that matched the existing details, like the crown molding above the radiator. He landed on a set of two Axeman shelves from Amazon.

The shelves come in five sizes, ranging from 24 to 72 inches, and in two colors (white and black). What attracted Joseph to these shelves is the timeless crown molding look, which doesn’t stand out from the rest of the room’s details. “Finding a set on Amazon that aligned so closely with those proportions felt like a dream come true,” he shares.

Another bonus? The shelves are deep enough to fit his laptop, keyboard, and mouse. Plus, the brand boasts that they can hold up to 40 pounds, so he doesn’t have to worry about his computer falling. Now, he can stand while he works, host friends at his main desk without moving his setup, or use the shelves for extra  storage. A win-win! 

“The shelves introduced flexibility. I now have a dedicated area for focused work while keeping my primary surface open for hosting,” Joseph says. “In a small space, that kind of adaptability makes the entire apartment feel more functional, and ultimately, more livable.” 

This isn’t the only small space trick Joseph has in his home. To see more, visit the full House Tour.