7 IKEA Desk Hacks for Your Workspace
Updated: Jan. 27, 2024
Make your workspace more stylish and functional with these innovative ideas!
IKEA Confession
Ready to hear my truth? I love IKEA. Is the furniture annoying to assemble? Yes. Does the quality leave something to be desired? Sometimes. But you can’t beat the prices or the versatility of some of the pieces.
And if you’re a DIYer like me, IKEA can be a playground of affordable basics that can be customized (i.e. hacked) into something amazing. I won’t claim to be as talented or creative as the people that made these desk hacks, though!
Click through to see how they hacked an IKEA desk to make it more functional, more beautiful or both.
Built-In Beauty
When I saw this gorgeous built-in desk from @stephaniecameroninteriors, I couldn’t believe the pieces were from IKEA.
She started by covering an empty nook with shiplap, then added Billy bookcases on either side. For a more elevated look, she used a marble-effect kitchen countertop instead of a desktop. Trim work and an all-over paint job (Boothbay Gray by Benjamin Moore) makes everything look like a custom built-in, for a fraction of the price!
More Storage
IKEA has many desk drawer units to choose from, but consider venturing outside the office furniture section to find something more affordable with more storage space.
As seen here, @thisfamilylife_ opted to use two three-drawer dressers as the base for her desk. The roomy drawers offer plenty of space for all her work-from-home needs.
Cane Details
@prettylittleterrace made this beautiful desk with two IKEA Besta cabinets as the base and a long piece of wood as the desktop, custom cut to extend across the whole wall.
She cut pieces of cane webbing to fit the doors, glued them on and covered the rough edges with narrow wood trim. Then she painted the desk, support leg and cabinet units Card Room Green by Farrow & Ball to match the stunning accent wall.
Dress Up the Drawers
Here’s an eclectic workspace that no one would guess featured IKEA components.
To make it, @diytracy started with the Alex drawer units, then added thin plywood and champagne gold hardware to the drawer faces. The modification gives the drawers a more elegant style. A melamine countertop serves as the desktop, and custom legs bring the desk up to a comfortable height.
@our_bears_home IKEA DESK HACK 🚨 #ikeatok #ikeahacks #billybookcase #ikeadesk #ikeahacksdiy #builtindesk #myhome #homestyle #homeoffice #workingfromhome #ekbyalex ♬ Dope – Demeter
Multifunctional
Watch as @our_bears_home builds a built-in bench, desk and bookshelf as one connected unit in about 20 seconds (if only that was real time!). Everything fits snugly along one wall, making the multifunctional space efficient and attractive.
The neutral color creates a calming effect, and I love how the bookcase provides a pop of black for contrast.
@dawson.diy Would you try this? #diy #ikeahack #ikea #furnitureflip #upcycling #facebookmarketplace #upcyclingfurniture #woodworking #PrimeDayDealsDance ♬ Spongebob Tomfoolery – Dante9k Remix – David Snell
Affordable Wood Top
How’s this for unconventional material: Paint sticks!
Follow along as @dawson.diy transforms a plain white IKEA desk by covering the top with paint sticks. The resulting herringbone-pattern desktop and black painted legs make the piece look high-end. Though the shape of the desk stayed the same, the improved aesthetic would elevate any home office.
@mrstiffanyclaire Making a desk & storage out of Pine & Trofast *Save this for later*What you’ll need:- X2 TROFAST from IKEA- X2 Pine Panel 1800mmx 450mm x 18mm (bunnings) – X8 Timber screws (30mm)- Wood glue (ensure its clear drying)- Circular saw- Electric drill & Countersink bit #kidsplayroom #playroomideas #playroominspo #playroomgoals #ikeatrofast #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #waldorftoys #waldorfkids #ikeahack #trofasthack #playmat #playroomorganisation #playroomorganization ♬ Just a Cloud Away – Pharrell Williams
Playroom Desk
Kid-size desks are often too small to be functional, but you can create more space for crafting and play with this hack from @mrstiffanyclaire.
She started with two Trofast toy storage units and added a long piece of wood for the desktop. Two small stools finish the piece. What a beautiful and easy way to make a playroom desk and toy storage unit all-in-one!
Originally Published: October 20, 2023
