Standing Tall: Oakywood Adjustable Desk Doesn’t Sit Still

Why you can trust Luxe Digital? We entirely redesigned our WFH office for this article by ordering two Oakywood Standing Desks, together with Oakywood desk shelves and a couple of small accessories like trays and coasters. I’m writing this review at my Oakywood standing desk right now—if this isn’t first hand experience, I don’t know what is.

I’ve been geeking out about Oakywood desks for so long before writing this review that I’ve become an expert when it comes to their materials, design, and customizable options too.

To offer you an objective and unbiased review, I paid specific attention to both the bigger and smaller details. I assessed how easy it was to assemble, the various customization options, the technical specifications, and most importantly how well the adjustable desk functioned throughout my workday. 

For more on how we test products in general, see our  HAPPY philosophy for buying luxuries.

Oakywood Standing Desk review: My hands-on experience

Like us, Oakywood is taking a stand. Yep, quite literally, with its ergonomic standing desk. But also metaphorically, as it advocates for both sustainability and style.

Customization: This is where it really starts

My experience with Oakywood started well before receiving the desk. When ordering the standing desk on their website, I was greeted with a simple and intuitive customization page. This is where the fun really starts.

In my opinion, the multiple customization options are one of the best things about Oakywood’s adjustable standing desk.

I used the brand’s online customization tool to create exactly what I wanted for my home office. The tool is incredibly efficient and easy to use (yes, even for non-tech junkies.)

You can also scan a QR code to see a realistic rendering of the customizable desk in your own workspace, so you know exactly which design elements and dimensions to pick. I had fun playing around with this on my phone. 

So what customizable options are you deciding on exactly? There are four categories, with a few extras along the way:

1. Desk top design
2. Desk dimensions
3. Desk frame design
4. Optional grommets (shapes and placements)

First in the desk top design, you’ll pick the color and material that you want. You can choose from solid or veneer in oak or walnut wood. There’s also a varnished black oak wood alternative. I went with the natural solid oak wood version, and I love it!

Next, you can choose from four different shapes for the edges of your desk top: round or sharp and steep or straight. The pictures in the customization tool are very helpful to help you pick. I went with round straight, which really shows the expert craftsmanship of the brand.

Once you’re done with your desk top design, you can select the dimensions of your desk. This is really straightforward. The tabletop is available in three preset sizes, but you can fully customize them to suit your exact needs. Length options range from 120-200 cm (47.2 to 78.7 inches) and width from 60-100 cm  (23.6 to 39.4 inches).

I wanted a spacious desk, so I went for 180 x 90 cm dimensions. This means that I can stretch out both my arms and still not easily grab the desktop’s edges. It’s perfect for my WFH setup (being one monitor, laptop, keyboard, mouse, and two small speakers, plus a couple of other small desk accessories).

With the dimensions selected, you can then customize your desk frame by choosing the color (black or white), foot design (standard or slope), and to get casters or not. I went with the black legs and standard foot design without casters and I love the color contrast with the natural oak wood desk top.

Finally, you can choose if you want grommets on your desk top. This is optional but really useful to keep your cables and wires off your workspace. You can choose between round or oval grommets, and you can decide exactly where to place them on the desk.

That’s it. It actually took me more time to write this down than actually do it on Oakywood’s website. 😅

Oh, just one additional thing to be aware of when customizing your desk: because it will be made to order, the delivery will take between three to five weeks. It felt like forever to me, but it’s the price to pay for a custom made product carved by hand from solid wood.

Unboxing: Safe and sturdy

When ordering furniture online, it’s never a given that everything arrives intact (as past experience has taught me.) However, from the moment the Oakywood desk arrived on my doorstep, I could tell that the brand had gone the extra mile to ensure that everything was delivered undamaged.

The ergonomic desk arrived in a couple of different boxes: one for the tabletop, one for the frame, and one for the under-desk organizer (sold separately, BTW). I was also reassured by how heavy the packages were and how solid the wood was. You can tell that it’s high-quality and supremely durable.

Unboxing the desk top took a bit of time with all the screws and protection layers, but that’s to be expected. I strongly recommend getting an electric screwdriver if you don’t already have one.

Assembling: Easy, but you’ll need an extra pair of hands

Like many, my journey into the WFH lifestyle began with an IKEA standing desk—and progressed gradually from there. Now that you know the extent of my furniture assembling experience, you’ll be happy to hear that assembling Oakywood’s standing desk is no more challenging than assembling your usual IKEA furniture.

Fixing the desk frame to the desk top is easy as the table top comes with pre-drilled holes. All the necessary tools—such as screws and Allen wrenches—come in the box. Although, I did find it much easier to use my electric screwdriver again.

💡A couple of small notes: 

Some of the screws weren’t intuitively identifiable, as there were a couple of extra ones lying around. While confusing for a couple of seconds, I can see how this would be helpful if one makes a stealthy escape. 

The frame needed to be assembled upside down. Because it is extendable to accommodate different tabletop lengths, it takes a little time to align perfectly.

Finally, flipping the desk once assembled is better done with a second pair of hands — especially if you took a big desk top as I did. You can do everything else by yourself, though.

Materials & craftsmanship: You can feel the love

Quality, sustainable materials expertly worked on by multi-generation artisans, Oakywood office desks are unmistakably high-end with an all-over premium feel. 

Starting with the worktop: Handmade by certified craftsmen in the brand’s own workshop located in Ciche, Poland (at the foothills of the Tatra mountains, the worktop is inspired by the region’s intricate wooden houses—the hallmark of the Polish Highlands). Beautifully carved, you can sense the intense care and commitment that goes into every wooden desk.

All Oakywood office desks are made from FSC® certified sustainable solid wood and veneer. Personally, I opted for Polish Oak (which is 42mm thick), although the brand’s American Walnut is equally environmentally responsible. 

While Oakywood only uses sustainable wood for its desks and accessories, the eco-conscious brand also recognizes its broader impact on the environment caused by the use of natural resources. To combat this, Oakywood plants one tree for every product sold.

You can read more about Oakywood’s social and environmental actions here.

Once carved, the surface of each desk is coated with a protective layer of colorless wax oil (in a matte finish) which gives the wood a smooth feel without clogging its pores.

And then the frame: Heavy and sturdy, it’s engineered to support the dense, durable solid oak worktop. Weighing 31.5 kg (69 lbs) for the frame and legs alone, the desk is amongst the most stable and sturdy of desks I have tried. Even at its tallest setting, it doesn’t wobble at all. 

Weight aside, the steel frame is coated in a powder that is resistant to corrosion, chemical or mechanical damage, as well as high temperatures.

Moving onto cable management: Personally, I feel like an under desk organizer is quintessential to premium work desks. Not only does it tame the unsightly cables and cords, but it neutralizes the danger of tripping (been there). 

With Oakywood, the under-desk organizer is sold separately in white or black. I highly recommend the additional purchase, especially if your standing desk is not facing the walls (like mine).

Aesthetic & design: Minimalism in its purest form

Oakywood’s distinctive design nods to the so-called Japandi style—fusing the clean-lined modernism of Scandinavian elements with Japanese minimalism. There is no apparent branding on the desk which makes for the ultimate simple, sophisticated aesthetic. 

Contemporary and elegant, the Oakywood desk fits into (and elevates) any work environment. I love the aesthetic of real, solid wood. It instantly transforms a workspace with a serene, natural touch.

Plus, as I’ve mentioned before, you can customize the ergonomic desk to suit your individual space and tastes. Basically, you don’t have to compromise on anything. It’s an interior decorator’s dream.

Colors & variants: Just the right amount

Oakywood gives you just the right amount of colors and variations, in my opinion. More would be too cumbersome. The online customization tools make it easy to review all the options, too.

The wooden desk frame comes in Walnut (a rich chocolate hue), Oak (a warm beige), and Black. I chose the Oak (solid wood) and love how it gives a warm, minimalist feel to my WFH office space. Because the desk is crafted from natural wood, you should expect some variation in color and grain pattern—an aspect that I actually appreciate, as it adds a feeling of originality and encapsulates the soul of natural materials.

The desk frame comes in black or white with round steep edges by default, but if you opt for a customized desk, you can choose between four different edge shapes.

Sit-to-stand functionality: Taking work to a new level

The sit to stand function takes work to a new level (sorry, I had to.) 

As elegant as it is ergonomic, the desk rises and falls smoothly and silently (those on the Zoom call will never hear it.) The motor has a twin-engine drive that makes lowering and raising the tabletop much faster and more silent than my old IKEA desk. The maximum noise the motor will make during movement is 45 dB, which is pretty quiet compared to other standing desks in the market.

When assembling the desk, you’ll fix the height adjustment controller to the right-hand side of the desk. There’s a discreet LED display on the controller’s left and seven physical buttons on the right. The LED display turns off when you’re not adjusting the height of the desk and only turns on to show the height when being raised or lowered.

Overall, it’s an effective and discreet height adjustment controller that does it’s job, but considering the premium quality of the rest of the desk, I would I have liked to see a better finishing on it. The controller is made of plastic and the buttons don’t live up to the rest of the desk.

You can adjust the height of the desk by pressing the up/down buttons. Even better: I love that you can set up four custom presets to save your unique height preferences so that you can automatically move to your ideal height with a single press. This feature can also come in handy for office desks shared by several people.

The anti-collision sensor means that if the desk is lowering and hits something, it stops immediately and retreats.

The steel desk frame keeps the desk sturdy—even with a long table top—and has a maximum load capacity of 70kg (154 lbs).

Care & maintenance: Wax on, wax off

Oakywood will thoroughly treat the wood before sending your desk, but you can also purchase a maintenance kit from the brand to protect and treat the wood every once in a while.

The kit comes with a colorless, ecological oil wax that protects the natural wood from damage and stains. It comes with 150 and 240-grit sandpaper to file, mattify, and smoothen your desk before oiling. And it comes with Easy Pads to even distribute the oil and polish without scratching. 

From there, the process is pretty simple. First clean, then file, and finally apply the oil wax using your pads. Leave for 8-10 hours to dry before adding a second layer of oil wax. 

The maintenance kit comes with detailed instructions if you’re unsure.

Price: Not cheap but fair

All in all, my configuration desk costs USD $2,000, including the additional under-desk organizer. The Oakywood Standing Desk is covered by a 5-year limited warranty (although I see mine lasting much longer). 

Considering the quality and durability of materials, the impeccable craftsmanship, the ergonomic design, and the modern minimalist aesthetic, I was actually pleasantly surprised by the relatively accessible price tag. It’s not a cheap desk, but it’s fairly priced considering everything that goes into crafting this beautiful wooden desk.

Who is it best for

If, like me, you’re upgrading your WFH space, the Oakywood desk is unrivaled. It’s especially great if you enjoy changing positions throughout your work day and love modern, minimalist designs. 

Oakywood customizable standing desk is a great option for those looking for a premium option made from solid natural wood with premium materials and plenty of personalization potential.

That said, the wooden standing desk’s adjustability also makes it an excellent choice for office spaces, as it accommodates many different dimensions.

Where to buy an Oakywood desk?

Oakywood desks are sold exclusively on the brand’s official website. The brand ships internationally. All purchases come with a 30-day full-money-back guarantee and a limited 5-year warranty. However, I can’t see any reason why anyone would ever want to part with this high-quality standing desk.

Frequently asked questions about standing desks