DIY IKEA Desk Hack

This IKEA desk hack is an awesome, affordable, and easy DIY project! Perfect for teens or for adding to your work from home office for a little modern style. It’s low budget but pretty, simple, and has lots of storage.

I’ve been meaning to share the DIY we did on our studio desks forevvvvver ago and I finally got it together! We hacked these desks together from a few different IKEA parts for a total steal, and they’ve been one of our best ideas ever.

We each have one, and because they’re somewhat modular we can use them totally differently but they’re both incredibly functional. And best of all, they’re sleek and clean so they don’t take up a lot of bulk in a room — no eyesores here.

And how ’bout those sexy desk legs? Sometimes you have to hunt around but IKEA seriously has some lovely little hidden gems.

Psst — if you want more great ideas like this one, be sure to sign up below for my VIP group and I’ll send them straight to you!

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How Long Has This IKEA Desk Hack Lasted?

One of the most important factors in my mind when I’m creating a DIY or hacking furniture is longevity. Will the piece function, and how long will it actually last?

I’m happy to report that this is actually one of our longest-lasting DIYs, and we still use our IKEA desk hacks to this day. They’ve moved to two different homes and multiple rooms and are still holding strong.

We created this IKEA desk hack in 2012, and as of the current update (2021), they are holding up perfectly.

Here’s a more recent photo:

And another view, also more recent:

Why Hack an IKEA Desk?

IKEA is a great place to go not just for affordable furniture ideas, but for when you just can’t find exactly what you need or are looking for.

When we were putting these desks together, we had a few requirements and just couldn’t find a pre-fab desk that fit the bill. Some of the requirements we had:

• modular and easy to move or reconfigure
• simple and modern looking (but pretty)
• storage drawers
• low profile
• affordable

More IKEA Ideas

We love using IKEA for basics, and then hacking them to suit our needs or aesthetic. Be sure to check out these other IKEA ideas!

• DIY IKEA Kura Bed Hack
• DIY IKEA Hack Geometric Wall Sconces
• DIY Ikea Lack Table Upgrade
• DIY Ikea Chair Restyle

Great Ways To Use This Desk Hack

Our IKEA desk hack is such a workhorse, you could use it in any number of ways.

It would be ideal for a student on a budget, or who is looking for something small but highly functional to put in a dorm room or an apartment.

This hack is also totally ideal to put in a home office or a work from home space! It’s clean and pretty, doesn’t take much space, but is extremely comfortable and functional.

Finally, I could totally see this working in a teen’s room as a great little study or homework spot. Perfect!

How much Does It Cost?

One of the best things about this IKEA desk hack is that it’s insanely affordable. Whereas a modern, sleek, pretty desk might cost you a few hundred dollars from a regular retailer, this hacked version is a fraction of that.

Here’s the cost breakdown:

• Table legs: Two at $25 each ($50 total)
• Table top: $20
• Drawer unit: $60
• Velcro: $10

Total Cost for IKEA Desk Hack: $140

A total steal of a deal, especially considering that our desks have lasted nine years as of now (2021).

Materials You’ll Need

The list of supplies for the IKEA desk hack is super short, and right to the point! You don’t need much to put this together, and you can do it in an afternoon easily.

Materials

• 2 IKEA Hilver table legs
• IKEA Linnmon table top
• IKEA Micke drawer unit
• industrial strength velcro

How to Build The IKEA Desk Hack

Make Time: 2-3 Hours

1. Assemble your drawer unit according to the instructions. Do not install the casters to the bottom of the unit.
2. Attach the two table legs to the underside of one end of the table.
3. Apply a few strips of velcro to the top of the set of drawers. Keep both sides of the velcro together and remove one side’s cover so that the sticky portion is exposed. Place this face down on the drawers. Repeat with a few other strips.
4. Remove the cover of the top pieces of all velcro strips so that the top sticky portion is exposed.
5. Decide which end of the desk you’d like the drawers to be on. Arrange your table so that the legs are on the opposite side, and position the blank end of the table top over the drawers. Be sure that it’s aligned on the front and outer edges. Set the table top down and press firmly (I leaned on ours with all of my body weight for a couple of minutes!) to make sure the velcro adheres. Tip! It’s best to assemble the desk in the area where it will ultimately be placed and just shift it slightly, rather than assemble elsewhere and try to pick it up and move it.

Upkeep and Cleaning

That’s it! These desks have been total workhorses for us for the last nine years. They’re still in great shape, they clean super easily with some countertop spray and a rag, and they’re nice and sturdy.

It’s been the perfect size for me, and the drawers are so nice to have to hide all my junk. This would be a perfect DIY for a college student, or someone moving into a new office or studio space! Long live the IKEA hack!

If you try and love this DIY, be sure to rate it below. xoxo

P.S. Remember our striped midcentury shell chair? Also, another pretty little IKEA hack for your bedroom!

DIY IKEA Desk Hack

Yield: IKEA Desk Hack

Active Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Estimated Cost: $150

This IKEA desk hack is easy to create, low budget, and looks super modern + cool.

Print

Materials

• 2 IKEA Hilver table legs
• IKEA Linnmon table top
• IKEA Micke drawer unit
• Industrial strength velcro

Tools

• Allen wrench

Instructions

1. Assemble your drawer unit according to the instructions. Do not install the casters to the bottom of the unit.
2. Attach the two table legs to the underside of one end of the table.
3. Apply a few strips of velcro to the top of the set of drawers. Keep both sides of the velcro together and remove one side's cover so that the sticky portion is exposed. Place this face down on the drawers. Repeat with a few other strips.
4. Remove the cover of the top pieces of all velcro strips so that the top sticky portion is exposed.
5. Decide which end of the desk you'd like the drawers to be on. Arrange your table so that the legs are on the opposite side, and position the blank end of the table top over the drawers. Be sure that it's aligned on the front and outer edges. Set the table top down and press firmly (I leaned on ours with all of my body weight for a couple of minutes!) to make sure the velcro adheres. Tip! It's best to assemble the desk in the area where it will ultimately be placed and just shift it slightly, rather than assemble elsewhere and try to pick it up and move it.