Accessories can make or break a height adjustable desk. Done right, they free knee space, protect ports, and keep motion quiet. Done wrong, they scrape crossbars, trigger anti-collision, or add wobble. This guide explains how to choose and place under-desk accessories—CPU holders, drawers, power and dock mounts—so your standing desk stays ergonomic, stable, and snag-free.

Principles before you bolt anything on

• Protect the lift path: Nothing should hang in front of the desk edge or dangle below the lowest travel. Leave a clean knee zone and a smooth vertical cable chain to the floor.

• Mount to the moving surface: Attach accessories to the desktop or frame rails so they rise and lower with the height adjustable desk. Static mounts create tension points.

• Balance and headroom: Distribute weight near lifting columns and operate at 60%–70% of rated dynamic capacity to keep motors cool and quiet.

• Plan cable management first: A rear cable tray with a surge-protected strip, brush grommets, and tied-down bricks is the backbone. Add the rest around this core.

CPU holders: keep towers safe and legroom clear

Why use them: A CPU holder lifts the tower off the floor, keeps dust away, and lets cables move with the desk. It also clears knee space and avoids tugs on ports when you stand.

• Type and range: Choose a sliding-and-swiveling CPU holder with adjustable width and height. It should support common mid-tower weights without flex.

• Mounting location: Under the desktop near a lifting column is ideal. Avoid areas directly over a crossbar or where a keyboard tray track needs space.

• Cable discipline: Route power and display leads into the rear tray; secure strain relief at the CPU holder. Label both ends of key lines.

• Safety checks: At full down, confirm the holder clears chair arms and knees. At full up, verify no cable goes taut. Run anti-collision tests after installation.

Drawers and trays: storage without knee bumps

Shallow drawers and trays are great for small items, but they can fight the frame if you pick the wrong size or spot.

• Drawer depth: Keep it shallow (about 2–3 inches internal) so knees clear at seated height. Full-depth drawers often collide with crossbars or legs on a standing desk frame.

• Track placement: Mount tracks parallel to the front edge and clear of crossbar bolts. Use short wood screws or threaded inserts—never over-penetrate the top.

• Keyboard trays: If you need one, pick a model with negative tilt and a 17–22 inch track. Mount where the track clears the crossbar and CPU holder. Keep the mouse on the same plane.

• Safety note: After fitting any drawer, sit and stand several times. Your thighs and chair arms should never clip the hardware.

Dock and power mounts: off the desktop, out of the way

A clean electronics plan eliminates most “mystery” noise and support tickets.

• Dock bracket: Mount the USB-C or Thunderbolt dock to the underside or inside the cable tray with a VESA or strap mount. This shortens cables and stops desk-edge clutter.

• Power strip: Fix a surge-protected strip inside the rear tray. Space outlets for large bricks and use right-angle plugs. No daisy chains.

• Charging hub: If you need front access, mount a small USB hub under the front lip within finger reach—but ensure knees still clear and cables drop into the tray via a brush grommet.

Headset, bag, and accessory hooks

Small touches reduce clutter and tripping risks.

• Headset hook: Install under the right or left edge away from knees and drawers. Keep cords short and route them into the tray.

• Bag hook: Place near a leg, not at center. Hanging heavy bags in the middle increases sway at standing height.

• Cable clips: Adhesive anchors along the crossbar guide motor leads to the control box. This prevents rubbing on lifting columns and false anti-collision triggers.

Monitor and mic arm interplay

Arms are technically above the desk, but their mounts often share space with under-desk gear.

• Clamp near a column: Reduces leverage and ripple. For thin tops, add a steel reinforcement plate under clamps to prevent imprinting and flex.

• Leave room below: Do not mount drawers or CPU holders directly under a clamp zone; screws and tracks there create crowded, flex-prone areas.

Where not to mount

• In front of the control box: Keep at least a few inches of clearance for ventilation and easy port access.

• Over the crossbar: Tracks or drawers mounted across a crossbar will rattle and can scrape during flex. Mount hardware to the tabletop, not the crossbar, unless it is designed for it.

• Across the knee zone: Anything that protrudes below the front edge will get kicked, tugged, or trigger anti-collision. Keep a clean line from front edge to floor.

A practical layout that works

• Rear: Metal cable tray spanning most of the width, surge-protected strip inside, AC on one side and low-voltage on the other.

• Left side (under top): CPU holder near the left lifting column, with strain relief to the tray.

• Center: Control box mounted near the tray; desk controller near the front edge, dominant-hand side.

• Right side (under top): Shallow drawer (or keyboard tray track if needed); headset hook at the far corner.

• Floor path: One vertical cable chain forming a smooth S-curve from tray to outlet; no loose tails.

Installation sequence

• Dry fit: Tape outlines for the cable tray, CPU holder, drawer, and any keyboard tray. Confirm no collisions with crossbar bolts or frame rails.

• Pilot first: For wood tops, drill shallow pilot holes. For repeat installs or serviceable builds, use threaded inserts (M6 or 1/4-20) to avoid stripping cores.

• Torque sensibly: Tighten fasteners snug—not crushing. Over-torqueing pulls threads and weakens joints.

• Cable test: Route all lines, leave service loops at motion points, and cycle bottom to top twice while listening for rattles or scrapes.

Ergonomic and safety checks

• Knee clearance: At seated height, no contact from thighs, chair arms, or drawers.

• Reach: Controller mounted near the front edge; dock ports reachable without crawling.

• Anti-collision: Foam block test under the edge (down) and padded-shelf test above (up). Adjust sensitivity only after fixing cable drag.

• Stability: Corner push test at standing height. If you feel ripple, retorque the crossbar and move heavy accessories closer to a lifting column.

Common pitfalls (and quick fixes)

• Drawer hits crossbar: Move the drawer forward slightly and shorten the track. Many frames require a gap right over the crossbar.

• CPU holder scrapes knees: Shift it 2–3 inches back and toward a leg; recheck seated posture.

• Random stops on the way down: A tight cable near a lifting column or a power brick tapping the tray is tripping anti-collision. Add slack loops and tie bricks tighter.

• Rattle on lift: Loose hardware or bricks. Retorque, add foam pads where cords meet metal, and verify the controller bracket is tight.

Procurement checklist for under-desk accessories

• CPU holder: Sliding/swiveling, weight-rated, adjustable width and height, with strap; mount near a lifting column

• Drawer or tray: Shallow height; clear of crossbars; smooth slides; screws or inserts sized to desktop thickness

• Dock mount: VESA or strap bracket; off-desktop placement inside the tray or under the top

• Power: Rear cable tray; surge-protected strip; right-angle plugs; reusable ties; brush grommets

• Cable management: Adhesive anchors, vertical cable chain, labeled cables; AC and data separated in the tray

• Documentation: Quick layout diagram; anti-collision test steps; reset procedure; torque guidance

Under-desk accessories unlock the full promise of a standing desk when they respect motion and ergonomics. Mount a CPU holder near a leg, pick a shallow drawer that clears knees, fix a surge strip inside a rear cable tray, and guide one clean power drop through a vertical cable chain. With balanced loads, tidy cable management, and a quick anti-collision test, your height adjustable desk will stay stable, quiet, and clutter-free—sitting or standing.

• Explore CPU holders, drawers, cable trays, vertical cable chains, and stable standing desk frames at Venace: https://www.vvenace.com

• Contact us: tech@venace.com