KIDO Desk Accessories Guide

Set up your workspace while protecting the natural wood

Here are some tips on choosing accessories that get the most out of your KIDO Desk. Rather than recommending specific products, this guide focuses on what to look for and how to attach accessories without damaging the natural wood tabletop.

Monitor Arms

A monitor arm lets you position your screen freely and frees up space on the tabletop. However, attaching it incorrectly can damage the natural wood tabletop.

Mounting Types Compared

Attaching a Clamp Mount (Protecting the Tabletop)

If you use a clamp-mounted monitor arm, we recommend using a protective plate (backing plate).

• Placing a plate (plywood, acrylic, etc., at least 5 mm (0.2 in) thick) between the clamp and the tabletop prevents scratches and dents in the tabletop surface
• Tightening the clamp without a protective plate may leave dents or pressure marks in the tabletop surface (especially with an oil finish)
• Position the clamp as far in from the front edge of the tabletop as possible (clamping right at the edge may chip the tabletop)

Monitor Arm Checklist

• Does the supported monitor size and weight match your monitor?
• Does the clamp opening fit the thickness of the tabletop?
• Can cables be routed through the arm (for tidier wiring)?
• Is the range of motion sufficient? (On a height-adjustable desk the vertical position changes, so a wider range of motion is better)

Watch the load balance: If the weight of the monitor arm and monitor is concentrated on one side of a tabletop, collision detection (PIEZO) may trigger falsely while the desk is moving. Distribute the load across the whole tabletop as much as possible (load capacity per tabletop: 80 kg (176 lb)).

Desk Mats

Recommended If You

• Do a lot of handwriting
• Want to use it as a mouse pad as well
• Often put drinks on the desk (oil-finished tabletops in particular are prone to water stains)

Materials Compared

Note on PVC mats: If left in place for a long time, moisture can build up between the mat and the tabletop and cause discoloration. Remove the mat regularly to let the surface air out.

Tips

• Do not cover the entire tabletop — place the mat only where you need it, so you can still enjoy the texture of the natural wood
• Choose a mat with a non-slip backing (so it does not shift from vibration when the desk moves)
• Dust and debris collect under the mat, so remove it regularly to clean

Desk Lamps

Types Compared

• For a clamp-mounted lamp, as with monitor arms, using a protective plate prevents scratches on the tabletop
• Leave some slack in the cable (so it is not pulled when the desk moves)

Anti-Fatigue Mats

An anti-fatigue mat greatly reduces foot fatigue when working standing up. We strongly recommend using one with a height-adjustable desk.

How to Choose

• Thickness: about 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) — too thick is unstable, too thin is less effective
• Size: at least 50 × 80 cm (20 × 31 in) — large enough to shift your feet a little while standing
• Choose one with a non-slip surface
• Choose one with rounded corners and tapered edges — to prevent tripping

How to Use

• Place it at your feet when working standing up
• When switching to sitting, move it under or beside the desk (chair casters rolling over it will wear it out)

For more tips on standing, see the Ergonomics Guide.

Cable Management Accessories

This section supplements the Cable Management Guide.

Useful Items

Cable Management Tips for Height-Adjustable Desks

• Do not fasten cables tightly with cable ties (zip ties) — cables can break when pulled as the desk moves. Hook-and-loop straps are recommended
• Do not stick adhesive clips to the top surface of the tabletop (removing them can damage the finish). Stick them to the underside of the tabletop or to the frame

Other Accessories

Footrest

• Use one if your feet no longer reach the floor after raising your chair
• Resting one foot on it while standing reduces strain on your lower back

Non-Slip Mat (for the Shelf)

• Prevents a PC or other devices on the storage shelf from shifting due to vibration when the desk moves
• A thin rubber sheet or silicone mat works well

Coasters

• We recommend using coasters when placing drinks on the natural wood tabletop
• Oil-finished tabletops in particular absorb moisture easily, so coasters give you peace of mind

Attaching Items to the Natural Wood Tabletop — General Precautions

The KIDO Desk tabletops are carefully selected solid slabs of natural wood. Please follow these guidelines to take good care of your tabletop.

• Drilling and screwing are not recommended — they reduce the value of a solid natural wood slab, so we do not recommend drilling holes or driving screws
• Use a protective plate with clamp-mounted items — without one, the tabletop surface may be scratched or dented
• Test height adjustment after attaching anything — always check that accessories do not interfere with the desk’s movement
• Do not concentrate the load on one tabletop — each tabletop can hold 80 kg (176 lb), but an uneven load affects the sensitivity of collision detection (PIEZO) and may cause the desk to stop or reverse unexpectedly

The contents of this guide are subject to change without notice for product improvement. Please check the official website for the latest version.