The Lying Down Desk (patent-pending GB2403067.8) is an innovative desk which allows you to use a computer while lying down, as well as sitting or standing. It is a height-adjustable desk with a monitor mount installed on the underside.
Currently we are selling the mounting kit (without a desk) and peripherals. The LDD Mounting Kit provides a straightforward out-of-the-box way to mount a monitor underneath a height-adjustable desk so as to create a Lying Down Desk.
Lying Down Desk Co is an early-stage e-commerce business run by two people
on the side of their usual lives. Website is currently in development — thanks for your patience while we finish it off!
Please be understanding that our response time will not be that of a company with
full-time employees and that it may take a week for us to ship our product.
The Story
The Lying Down Desk came from a simple idea: how can I use a computer lying down? I have had chronic back issues since I was a teenager, which needed surgery. After that I spent years dreaming of lying down while using a computer… Yet amazingly, there wasn’t an easy way to do this. The only options I could find were expensive and similar to a reclinable dentist chair, and DIY adaptations weren’t good enough. I toyed with using a projector onto the ceiling (not very practical) and then had the idea — not an original one — of having a monitor somehow above my face, like someone lying on their back to use a Nintendo. So, how to get a monitor above my head easily…
Eventually I thought of a simple way to do it that nobody seemed to have thought of before… to put a monitor under a table facing the floor. However, to not be too close to the eyes, the monitor has to be about 90cm from the floor, so a usual table doesn’t work. I designed two versions: the static 3-in-1, which has a table with a hole in it and some sort of ‘shelf’ on top holding the monitor (patent granted); and a height-adjustable desk with the monitor underneath (patent pending).
I was really excited to have solved my problem after the design breakthrough – less pain in my life, hooray! Then about ten minutes later I realised… this idea has legs. Not only would this likely be helpful for others, but it could even be a viable business. So then I started to get on with the slow process of sharing the idea and developing a business, which you can see here.
Who can benefit?
People with medical conditions affecting posture
For many people, medical issues mean that sitting and standing are not comfortable, and being able to lie down is a huge relief. This includes various back issues, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS).
People with musculoskeletal conditions affecting computer use or who care about ergonomics
We’re all becoming familiar with the postural issues such as lower back pain and ‘tech neck’ from using computers and phones. The prolonged hunching over and twisting of arms or wrist can cause various issues with the neck, shoulder, back, wrist or elbow. Lying supine on the floor allows for the spine, shoulders, neck and spine to be in a neutral position and minimise this strain.
People who want to relax sometimes
Many people will be very happy using a normal desk or standing desk most of the time (it’s much harder to be on a video call while lying down!), but will find it relaxing to sometimes use the computer lying down. enjoy sometimes lying down for some computer use. Reading something digitally, editing videos, or watching a video are all very comfortable lying down.
The Team
Alex is a legal philosopher, writer, cripple, parkour coach (on medical break)… and inventor and entrepreneur!
Rowan is an engineer, amateur photographer and athlete, joining his brother as business partner.