From Bamboo to Laminate: What I Learned About the Jarvis Standing Desk by Fully

If you're looking at the Fully Jarvis standing desk, you're probably deep in the weeds trying to decide between bamboo and laminate. Or maybe you're trying to figure out which size won't make your office look like a cluttered mess. I get it. I've been through this more times than I can count.

In my role coordinating office furniture setups for corporate clients, I've ordered and installed over 200 Jarvis desks in the last three years. That includes the full range — bamboo, laminate, rectangular, L-shaped, you name it. And honestly, I've made enough mistakes to know exactly what you need to check before you hit that order button.

Here's a five-step checklist to get you from 'maybe this desk?' to 'this is definitely the right desk.'

Step 1: Pick Your Material — Bamboo vs. Laminate

This is the first fork in the road. And most people overthink it.

Bamboo: It's the flagship top for Jarvis for a reason. Bamboo is a hardwood alternative that looks great and is sustainably sourced (Fully is legit about this). But here's what vendors won't tell you: bamboo is softer than many hardwoods. It can dent if you really lean on it during assembly or if you're prone to dropping heavy equipment. I've seen it happen.

Laminate: It's more durable, comes in more colors (white, gray, dark wood tones), and is easier to clean. But it lacks that natural feel. It's laminate — it looks good, but it doesn't have the warmth of bamboo.

My rule of thumb: If your office aesthetic is modern, minimalist, and you want something that feels 'premium,' go bamboo. If you're in a high-traffic area or you're the type who spills coffee twice a week (I'm looking at you, developers), go laminate.

I once had a client who insisted on bamboo despite my recommendation for laminate, because he wanted the eco-friendly angle. Three months later, he called me: his chair arm had gouged a two-inch mark in the surface. He swapped the top for laminate within the week.

Step 2: Choose the Right Size (No, You Don't Need the Biggest)

The Jarvis comes in multiple widths: 30" deep by 48", 60", 72", or 80" wide. Most people default to the 72" because it's the 'standard.' Don't.

L-shaped desks in corner setups can be tricky. An L-shaped in a small room can make it feel cramped.

Here's a simple sizing test: Lay out a tape measure on your current desk. If you don't have enough space for your monitor(s), keyboard, and a notebook without feeling crowded, you need a bigger desk. If you have a lot of space, you can go smaller. The 48" is surprisingly functional for a single monitor setup. I've fit dual 24-inch monitors on a 60" with room for a laptop stand.

What I learned from a mistake: I ordered an 80" for a client who had a small office. It arrived and took up two-thirds of the floor space. They had to return it and swap for a 60". That return cost us $80 in shipping fees (which, honestly, felt excessive).

Step 3: Confirm Your Height Range (It's Not Just 'Desk Height')

Most people assume a standing desk is a one-size-fits-all thing. It isn't. The Jarvis has a standard height range of 26.5" to 50.6" (for the single-stage frame) or 25.5" to 50.6" (for the dual-stage).

But here's the thing: if you're 6'4" (like my brother), the standard range might not go high enough. If you're 5'0", the lowest setting might still feel too high.

Check before you buy: Ideally, your elbows should be at 90 degrees when you're standing. Use a tape measure: the desk surface should be about an inch below your bent elbow. For me (6'0"), 46" is perfect. For my 5'2" sister, 38" works. The standard range covers most people — but not everyone.

Pro tip from my own screw-up: I once ordered a single-stage frame for a client who was 6'2" because I was in a rush. It maxed out at 50.6", which was just barely enough. If he'd been an inch taller, he would have been hunched over. I now always ask for height before choosing the frame type.

Step 4: Don't Forget the Cable Management (Seriously)

This is the step most people skip. And it's the one that leads to the biggest disappointment.

A standing desk that's always moving means cables get tugged, pulled, and tangled. If you don't have a cable management solution, you'll end up with a mess of wires that looks like a failed science experiment.

Fully offers a cable management tray (a metal basket that mounts under the desk) that holds power strips and cable clips. It's not a 'must have' for every setup, but for 80% of people, it makes a huge difference.

What I learned the hard way: The first Jarvis I set up for myself, I skipped the tray. Within a week, my monitor cables were pulling the desk down, my mouse cable would get caught on the frame, and it looked terrible. I ended up buying the tray separately (which cost $45 and took an extra two days to ship).

Step 5: Set Up the Desk and Program the Height Memory

After you've chosen the material, size, and frame, and added cable management, it's time to set it up. But don't just plug it in and call it done.

Most Jarvis desks have a digital keypad with four memory presets. Here's what most people get wrong: they only program one height (their sitting height or standing height). The genius of this desk is being able to switch between them.

My standard setup routine: I program 1 for sitting height, 2 for standing height, 3 for a slightly higher sitting position (for tasks that need me to lean in), and 4 for a higher standing position (for reading documents). It takes 30 seconds to set, and it changes how you use the desk.

One thing to watch out for: The desk wobbles — slightly. Not enough to be dangerous, but enough that if you have a very heavy monitor on a single arm, it'll be a little shaky. I've seen this happen with a 34-inch ultrawide monitor. If you're doing precision work, consider a dual-stage frame for stability, or avoid putting all weight on one side.

Common Mistakes and Cautions

I've seen a lot of people mess these up. Here's what to avoid:

• Don't assemble the desk in the hallway. I did this once, and it blocked traffic for an hour. Just, no.
• Don't ignore the 'no door frame' trap. The desk frame comes in a long box that might not fit through a standard door. I've had to unbox a desk in a lobby because the box was too long for the door. (Which gave me a chance to properly measure.)
• Don't assume the 'free shipping' means fast. Standard ground shipping takes 3-5 business days (as of March 2025, at least). If you need it faster, pay for expedited — but expect to pay a premium. I've had clients pay $80 extra for next-day delivery on a desk frame.

Bottom line: The Jarvis standing desk is a great product, but like anything, you have to make choices. Use this checklist, and you'll avoid the mistakes I made. And if you're still on the fence — start with the 60-inch laminate. It's a safe bet.