31 Useful IKEA Desk Hacks On Any Budget for 2024
Are you wondering what the best IKEA desk hacks might be? Perhaps you want to know how to make an IKEA desk nicer? There are a variety of options you can choose from headed your way, so keep on reading!
The smart folks over at Cornell University state that you need to have a clean space to work in. If your desk is too cluttered, it could have negative effects on your brain functioning, leading to a drain in your energy and focus. Basically, a messy desk leads to distraction, so the organization of your space can really help. This is where IKEA comes in... With an IKEA desk, and a few IKEA desk hacks, you have so many options to sort out your work or study environment in a way that is calming and focus-ready.
If you're wondering “How do I organize my IKEA desk?”, you'll find helpful tips and IKEA hacks galore!
Jump to Section
- Best IKEA Desk Hacks
- IKEA Countertop Desk Hacks
- IKEA Desk Hacks for Small Spaces
- IKEA Desk Hacks With Drawers
- IKEA Desk Hacks for Gaming
- IKEA Built-in Desk Hack
Best IKEA Desk Hacks
1. Printer Storage
First and foremost, for these IKEA desk hacks, you'll need to measure your printer's height, depth and width. You can buy cabinets that have enough space within them to fit the printer, which will become the base of your desk, with a board across the top to form a desk. It makes it even easier to access the printer if you build a pull-out shelf in the bottom of the cabinet — just make sure that it can withstand the weight of your printer.
Simple screws along the bottom edge of the cabinet helps to attach glides (hardware attachments to allow the wood to slide in and out of the cabinet easily), though you might have to shave down one of the shelves from inside the cabinet to fit with the glides (use painter's tape to prevent the wood finish fraying). Longer screws help ensure that the shelf remains sturdy when snapped into place with the glides. For added cord management, you can create an opening in the back of the cabinet. It's advisable to add a front-mounting drawer handle.
2. Family Sized
Form a T-shaped desk to make workstations for everyone in the family to enjoy simultaneously. Two IKEA butcher block countertops are the starter pieces, which can be cut down the middle so that two long thin boards face the wall end-to-end and the other two can be joined to create a peninsula countertop. Bolting them together with steel plates will help keep them supported in the long term. For storage purposes, involve a set of drawers as the outside legs and choose legs that fit to support the center and the peninsula pieces of this set up. Low seating options can be stored beneath the desk, enough for each member of the family.
3. Budget-Friendly
If you're looking for IKEA desk hacks or DIY project desks because you're on a budget, you can easily build a quick and easy desk. Find two IKEA table legs, a tabletop, drawer units and some Velcro from a hardware store. With them items, you can make an adjustable countertop in case you want to change the positioning in the future. This design may be simple in design, but it can be quite durable. The two legs will support one short side of the countertop and the dresser or drawer unit will support the other side. The legs can be fully attached to the desk top, while the drawer unit should be attached with velcro. Lean on the side with the velcro for a few minutes to make sure it sticks!
4. Golden Options
Most of these IKEA desk hacks involve some kind of support system for the desk top. You may be wondering, "What is the best hack for my IKEA desk?" Gold legs with an accented angle are a lovely choice, or something similarly elegant.
5. Creative Countertop
Design the work desk of your dreams! Choose found objects or art that you appreciate to improve your DIY IKEA desk, such as salvaged wood protected by Plexiglas or a fresh coat of paint and themed drawer pulls. Use IKEA desk legs as your base, and your newfound wood for the top. This option is particularly great for creatives or if you're building a desk for your workshop.
6. Combined and Accessorized
Mix and match all the IKEA desk hacks ideas from this article, and then, accessorize! There are cable management trays, folding hooks, a variety of lamps, fake plants and organizational tools to make your desk feel more personal. If you're building a desk for a friend for their birthday, then these are also spectacular DIY gift ideas. Add personal flares with objects they love, or something as a reminder of your relationship like IKEA picture frames.
IKEA Countertop Desk Hacks
7. Modern Guise
You may be wondering “How can I make my IKEA desk look more expensive?” Giving your simple IKEA desk an elevated and elegant look is worth the time and effort! One option is to paint the base a copper color and use a marble table top (or paint and glaze the top board to appear like marble). You could also involve neutral colors and stainless steel for a clean and calming aesthetic. Not sure how to paint or which paints to use, take an online painting class where an expert will guide you on your desk decoration journey.
8. Hover Desk
One of the most simple and practical standing IKEA desk hacks involves attaching a shelf to the wall with brackets. If you're lacking storage space then this will make for a nifty DIY home decor hack and is easy to put together. Drill a hook on the wall above and another on the underside of the desk and then you can fold it back up when it's not in use.
9. Minimalist
The least complicated and elegant IKEA desk hacks involve interesting a simple wooden countertop on any IKEA (or non-IKEA) legs. Just remember to measure the height of the legs to make sure they fit your height and the height of your chair.
10. Classic Standing
The countertop can be a basic standing desk with matching legs, as long as it is the right height for you. Not to mention that you can use the space underneath your standing desk for storage! There will be ample room for your craft supplies or paperwork filing below the desk, so the room won't feel so cluttered or cramped.
There are various standing desks to choose from at IKEA, like a locked standing desk, a manual winding standing desk (using a crank to adjust the height) and an electronic standing desk. What you get will most likely depend on your budget. You can even purchase the IKEA standing desk frame (the legs and mechanism) and adjust the countertop to your liking — one of the secret IKEA desk hacks that you'll only find here.
11. Butcher's Block
A nice and thick, heavy duty butcher's block makes for a superb standing desk countertop. And there are plenty of options to choose from at IKEA. Place dressers underneath each side to support the countertop and you'll have more storage than you'll know what to do with. The design will also give your office a comfortable and clean streamlined feeling.
IKEA Desk Hacks for Small Spaces
12. Portable
Having a lightweight desk on wheels makes it a portable option so it's easy to work in any room of the house. This way you can work in different rooms if your family decides to take over your work space like during breakfast — one of many practical office breakfast ideas. Don't forget to put the work away at least some of the time, though! Luckily you can just wheel away your work. Out of sight, out of mind.
13. Kitty Corner
No, this is not about your fluffy furball, although having your companion at work is a whole other hack. With this tip, you get a second countertop and an extra drawer unit and connect the two desk components in a corner shape. You may have to spend a little more money on these IKEA desk hacks, but it'll be worth it. This would be great for smaller spaces like a bedroom or keeping a smaller living room. You'll also have more leg room between the supporting sets of drawers.
14. Headboard
IKEA desk hacks are all about creativity and repurposing items to fit your needs. While headboards are usually used for nightstands beside the bed, they work just as well for a home office desk. Secure the IKEA Mandal headboard (or any other one that you like) to Stolmen posts (the clothes hanger frame), and secure the posts to the ceiling or the wall. Then attach a long shelf or multiple small shelves to the headboard in place of a regular desk and pull up a chair — or use it as a standing desk.
15. Cubed
IKEA desk hacks wouldn't be complete without a simple, efficient and beautiful idea like using a Plexiglas-style block as a desk. While many may consider this better for a living room piece, it's a sturdy piece of furniture for your home office and it's stylish to boot! The BESTÅ top panel could be placed on top of your desk, for example, if you don't want to ruin the wood with coffee stains.
16. Tidy Legs
Keep your small amount of space organized with hairpin legs on your desk. There are other legs available that will fit in your small space, of course, but these are neat and keep the desk drawers off the ground but still sturdy enough to carry the weight of your computers and books. These are just a few of many home office ideas from IKEA that are also super practical.
IKEA Desk Hacks With Drawers
17. Double Duty
After creating your classic desk shape add the additional Kallax shelving units for one of the space-saving IKEA desk hacks. Stack said shelves on top of the desk to form more storage areas. Make sure to leave room on top of the desk so that you can work, though you could mount some shelves on the wall above your workspace for a cozy feeling of being surrounded by your organizational units — like a cubby or nook.
18. Old Public Library Look
Upside-down cast-metal cup handles make your new desk drawers look like they were rescued from a dilapidated public library. They can look beautiful and rustic, reminding you of your childhood when you looked up at the physical card catalogs. Even if you didn't go to the library as a kid, there is a sense of nostalgia with this addition. IKEA desk hacks have never been so supremely fulfilling for people who are passionate about library paraphernalia.
19. Countryside Chic
Hollow core doors are incredibly helpful for crafting IKEA desk hacks. They're lightweight because they're hollow and they're typically made from cardboard or plastic. The thin wood or fiberboard layer on top gives it a nice clean finish. Finish off your rustic look with the IKEA Rast three-drawer dresser to store your items. It can be purchased ready for a coat of paint and any other customization you choose.
20. Glossy
Combine two shelving units or cabinets with a glossy white or nearly translucent finish as the base and include a laminated countertop for a sleek and modern aesthetic that even Martha Stewart might envy.
21. Matching Set
A matching set of shelves and drawers (Alex or BESTA) with a finished plywood countertop that matches your other home decorations brings the room together. You'll love the compliments you receive on your completed home office and you'll feel more productive in such a well-organized space.
IKEA Desk Hacks for Gaming
22. Expanded
Starting with something simple and then adding on to it, as you would a house, is an enticing way to beef up your gaming desk area. You could begin with the IKEA Secretary desk and add an IVAR shelf, as well as increase the height of the original desk cabinet to fit a larger monitor and adding a flip-out board for a small secondary monitor.
One easy way to adjust the vertical space is to change the front-facing panel of the top of the cabinet to one on a hinge, as long as you add an arm to hold it open while you're working. Determine whether the current shelf height is correct for your ergonomic situation. Make space for wires and add a sound system for improved audio quality.
23. Basically Supported
A basic desk, such as the Linnmon set up with Adils legs, might seem practical, but you will need added support for the thin boards of the Linnmon. The budget is friendly, of course, even when you buy IKEA Adils supports to improve your desk so that your equipment doesn't crush the material the desk is made from. IKEA desk hacks are best when you make sure your gaming hardware is properly supported and safe.
24. Tricked-Out
Form a basic gaming desk involving IKEA Alex drawers and a standard countertop and make space for cables — gaming equipment includes many wires, so you'll want plenty of room for them. If you really want a spectacular view while you're playing games online, you can add colorful lights to your gaming station like the MITTLED, VATTENSTEN strips or VISSVASS fairy lights.
25. Adjustable
IKEA has a variety of countertop and table leg options. As long as they are compatible, any legs should hold your desk well, though some take up more space than others. Adjustable legs allow your desk to go up or down as needed. That means you could use it to sit down for breakfast and then stand while you game.
26. Side By Side
Wouldn't it be fun to work or play games alongside your loved one or roommate? This newly popular style of IKEA desk hacks involves a single long countertop (or perhaps two boards attached together to make one long board), at least three sets of drawers for supports, and room for two chairs and two monitors with keyboards. Your best friend can come over and you can play League of Legends next to each other like your favorite Esports superstar.
IKEA Built-in Desk Hack
27. Between the Billy Bookcases
IKEA's Billy bookcases are an excellent addition to your longer built-in desk. Instead of placing your Billy bookshelf on the floor, take a worktop and balance it on two SMÅSTAD cabinets. Then place the bookshelves on top of the cabinets to get some great storage space. If you don't want to hack it, there's even a Billy desk extender that attaches to the bookshelf.
28. Rolling Secretary
IKEA desk hacks can involve turning one piece of furniture into another — like we said, it's all about repurposing! For instance, you can turn an IKEA Hemnes Bureau, into a desk with a little creativity. Because the cover folds down and not out, you can use it as a desk and then flip it back up when you're done. What could be more convenient at the end of a work day to put all your troubles out of sight?
29. Hide-A-Desk
If you want your home office to be invisible when you're not using it, this is possibly one of the best IKEA desk hacks. Some IVAR cabinets can blend in with your interior design and also fit a solid pull-out shelf under the lid and behind the doors in the middle section. With a lid on hinges, you can easily close it over your desk so that it blends in with the scenery. Don't forget to decorate your gorgeous cabinet! If you want another DIY project, you could paint or varnish it.
30. Simple Storage
When you're using a built-in shelving unit but don't want to display anything on it, a cleaner look could be to use a few fabric or plastic containers like the GJÄTTA, KUGGIS or KVARNVIK. It all depends on your style. Place any cables, notebooks or stationary in the containers.
31. Nest and Roll
Another fun IKEA built-in desk hack is to add a rolling desk that tucks underneath your regular home office desk or kitchen countertop. You can pull it out when necessary or put it away for a tidy office. Simple and efficient, this is also gentle on your wallet as you only need simple desk building parts and wheels to add to your shorter table that will nest underneath part of your regular desk.
After all these ideas for innovating your home office space, you'll want to take a trip to your nearest IKEA to check out the available options for your IKEA desk hacks. Don't forget to take measurements of the room you're about to feng shui before heading to the store and try to preorder as some of the items could be out of stock and need to be ordered in.
Maybe you'll even come up with a few new ideas of your own for customizing your home — and some of these concepts can work well for a kitchen island, as well as a desk!
For even more fun DIY gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
