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DIY IKEA Desk Hack

Home » DIY Projects » DIY IKEA Desk Hack

Published October 2, 2020 Last Updated May 12, 2021 / By Sarah 103 Comments

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IKEA Desk Hack - IKEA office ides
white and marble desk with cube shelf legs and modern chair
white and marble desk with cube shelf legs and modern chair

This IKEA hack desk is easy to make with a cheap IKEA desk top and two cube storage shelves. It’s perfect for a home office, virtual learning, or crafting. The storage makes this desk perfect for a small workspace! 

DIY desk made from two storage cube bookshelves and IKEA desk top with marble look

After we moved into our house, we needed a cheap desk as soon as possible, and this beautiful IKEA desk hack for under $60* was born. I shared this DIY desk tutorial on the blog almost seven years ago, and it has remained very popular. Recently, with the entire world all of a sudden working or learning from home, even more people have been making the desk! 

We love DIY projects and making old things new again. This particular desktop has had three lives; a craft desk, a headboard for our guest room, and now it’s my desk again but with a shiny, new look! 

*This post contains affiliate links.

gray desk top with white bookshelves for legs, modern chair and banner that says 'like a boss'

Above is what the desk looked like after I made it in 2013.

IKEA DESK HACK

Back story: after looking at all of the small IKEA desk options I had some ideas but didn’t feel that they were all worth the money, at the time. It’s funny because they weren’t expensive, but I felt I could do something cheaper with the same amount of elbow grease.

*The Desk UNDER $60 

What I ended up deciding was to get two cube storage shelves (these, which at the time were about $18 each) and an IKEA desktop. I never truly loved the gray LINNMON desktop, it just happened to be the one they had in stock and it cost less than $20 so I went with it.  

*UPDATE ON THE LINNMON DESKTOP: The desktop I used is 59″ x 29.5″ x 2″. IKEA may not currently sell the Linnmon in the size shown here. 

This desk can cost under $100, $60, or even under $50- if you find the right deals on the storage cubes and the desktop! However, prices tend to go up and down.

I re-created the desk in 2020. I found storage cube shelves that I thought looked better (which at the time were $30 each) from Target. Then I decided to use marble contact paper on the desktop which cost $11. The total cost of the new desk: about $90.  

two white cube bookshelves and gray IKEA desk top

I could have done this myself, it was that easy, but in full disclosure, my husband did help me. We like to do projects together. 

HOW TO MAKE THIS IKEA HACK DESK

1. Put the desktop face down on the floor
2. Measure where you want the bookshelves to be and make sure they are even.

Desk being assembled with bookshelves, desk top, and drill

Place the tops of the bookshelves on the bottom of the desktop. 

collage of measuring, drilling and assembling a desk

  1. Measure and mark four spots on the inside of the shelf where you will drill. 
  2. Center your shelves in the middle of the desktop; measure the sides of your desktop and your shelf to find the centers of each, and mark them. Then line the two centers up. 
  3. Drill pilot holes into the shelves.
  4. Use a screwdriver to screw the shelves into the desktop. 

Carefully flip the desk over.

white cube bookshelves with gray Linnmon IKEA desk top on a blue rug

If you want to, add marble contact paper to the desktop – follow directions on the package. 

White marble contact paper on a gray desk top and pink scissors

Style! Add a lamp, bins, books, and office storage items. You now have a great DIY desk with storage to work with! 

modern desk with storage cubes for legs, lamp and white chair

PRO TIPS

  • Choose heavy screws that will be long enough to go through the top of shelves but NOT all the way through the desktop. If you use the exact items we have used, then 2″ wood screws or similar will work. 
  • This desk is great and sturdy to work on. If you plan to move it, we recommend disassembling it. The desktop and shelves are not solid wood and screws can come loose from them. 

I’ve gotten a lot of questions since sharing this tutorial. Here are some of the most common questions and answers. 

How tall is this desk?

It depends on the height of the shelf you use. This desk is about 32″ tall after it is assembled. The bookshelves I used are 3o” tall and the IKEA desktop is 1 3/8″. 

SOURCES:

Cube Storage Shelves:

I have used both white shelves (#1 and #2) to do this desk. I also gathered up a few other colors that are available in this type of shelf. *These are affiliate links.

Collage of bookshelves with numbers 1-6

  1. White 2 Shelf Cube Storage
  2. White 3 Shelf Cube Organizer
  3. Weathered Gray 2 Shelf Cube Storage
  4. Pink 2 Shelf Cube Storage
  5. Espresso 2 Shelf Cube Storage
  6. Cherry 3 Shelf Cube Storage
  7. White 3 Shelf Organizer (Not Pictured)

Linnmon Desk Top, Accessories & Storage: 

  • IKEA Linnmon* 
  • Marble Look Contact Paper 
  • Globe
  • 13″ Fabric Storage Bin
  • Brass Lamp (Similar)

**UPDATE ON THE LINNMON DESKTOP: The desktop I used is 59″ x 29.5″ x 2″. IKEA may not currently sell the Linnmon in the size shown here. 

If you make this desk PLEASE share it with us! Leave a comment and positive review, and tag us on instagram @prettyprovidenceblog so we can see your work!! 

DIY desk made from two storage cube bookshelves and IKEA desk top with marble look

DIY IKEA Desk with Storage

This IKEA hack desk is easy to make with a cheap IKEA Linnmonn desktop and two small cube storage shelves. It's perfect for a home office, craft desk, or virtual learning!
4.5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Makes: 1 desk
Author: Pretty Providence
Cost: $60-$100

Video

Equipment

  • Drill
  • Drill Bit
  • Measuring Tape
  • Pencil

Materials

  • 8 2" Heavy Wood Screws *read notes about size below
  • 1 IKEA Linnmon Desk Top
  • 2 Storage Cubes / Shelves shelves between 30"-32" tall are ideal
  • 1 roll Marble Contact Paper optional

Instructions

  • Assemble the two storage cubes according to instructions.
  • Place desk top face down on the floor.
  • Measure the width (short side) of the desk and mark the center.
  • Measure the width of one side of cube shelf and mark the center.
  • Place cube shelf upside down on top of the desk top (which is also upside down) and line up the center markings.
  • Measure and mark four spots where you will screw the desk together on each cube shelf. Markings should be evenly spaced around the inside top of each cube shelf.
  • Drill pilot holes into each spot, being careful to only drill through the shelf and not the desk top.
  • Next, drill wood screws where the pilot holes are. The screw should be flush with the surface of the cube shelf.
  • Carefully flip the desk over.
  • Apply marble contact paper according to package directions if you have opted to do that.

Notes

Choose heavy screws that will be long enough to go through the top of shelves but NOT all the way through the desk top. If you use the exact items we have used, then 2" wood screws or similar will work. 
This desk is great and sturdy to work on. If you plan to move it, we recommend disassembling it. The desk top and shelves are not solid wood and screws can come loose from them. 
Did you make this?Mention @prettyprovidenceblog or tag #prettyprovidence!

Sarah

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Comments

  1. Bianca

    November 22, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    Love the desk. It’s very creative. I couldn’t find the exact bookshelf but I found one that I find to be quite similar. http://www.target.com/p/room-essentials-adjustable-3-shelf-stackable-organizer-white/-/A-15138375

    Reply
  2. Beth Murphy

    June 17, 2015 at 8:24 am

    OMG – LOVE IT! Totally going to steal this idea and set this up for my daughter when she is on vacation with her Dad this summer!!! She will LOVE IT!!!

    Reply
    • Jessica @ Pretty Providence

      June 17, 2015 at 9:50 am

      Ah what a fun surprise!! She will love it!!!

      Reply
  3. Luise

    May 29, 2015 at 1:38 am

    The Original is from Vitra

    Reply
  4. Heather

    May 08, 2015 at 11:26 am

    Love it! Thanks for the suggestions, I’m going to order these items. I hope you get a credit for me clicking on your link! xo

    Reply
  5. Ravneet

    April 17, 2015 at 11:01 am

    Can you share the Target shelves model name? I wanna see how high is this after building. The Martha Stewart cube organizers are way too high, and are good for a standing up counter height craft desk.

    Reply
  6. Robin

    April 08, 2015 at 10:40 am

    This is fantastic! I need a desk badly, and thought I might buy one secondhand, but none of them fit in my tiny car. So, I thought I might build one, but I have very few tools, and even fewer building skills. This is perfect! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Jessica @ Pretty Providence

      April 08, 2015 at 10:56 am

      Yay!! We’re so glad! You will love it!

      Reply
  7. Nicolette

    March 28, 2015 at 8:05 pm

    hey! I love this desk, such a unique creation! I decided to use this idea except with a black top. But i absolutely love it! However, i have a question. Whered you get that banner? I love it and want it saying something else. Thank you!!

    Reply
  8. Angela

    March 21, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    Very inspiring! I will definitely keep this mind for my future home office. :)

    Reply
  9. Ariana Reed

    February 24, 2015 at 10:20 am

    It looks fantastical!

    Reply
  10. Nika

    February 02, 2015 at 6:39 am

    hi! what chair is that? thank you :)

    Reply
  11. sally

    December 01, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    do you know the model number of the desktop? or the name, cant seem to find anything like that on ikea!

    Reply
  12. Ashley

    September 14, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    i love your desk! I see you got the bookshelves at target. How tall should the bookshelves be to make the desk work well?

    Reply
  13. Ashley H

    September 07, 2014 at 11:32 pm

    Your desk looks really great. I’m so happy I came across your post. I was thinking of making a similar desk with 2 6 cube storage shelves for my crafts. I was wondering what to use as the desk surface. The Ikea desk top would work perfectly, and Its a great price.

    Reply
  14. Lauren Grace

    August 26, 2014 at 9:39 am

    What are the dimensions of the desk top??

    Reply
    • BluePotion

      February 27, 2015 at 5:30 am

      She used the LINNMON Top: 39 3/8×23 5/8

      Reply
      • Priscilla Rey

        August 30, 2015 at 1:27 pm

        Can I ask you how high the white little tables are ??

      • Sarah @ Pretty Providence

        September 25, 2015 at 8:58 am

        They are 31″ high!

  15. Maria

    August 14, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    This is a great idea!! All of the desks that I find online are much too expensive! I was thinking I would make this desk as well, but I was just wondering what kind of shelves you used? The dimensions or the link would work great! Thanks! :)

    Reply
  16. Sarah @ Pretty Providence

    August 11, 2014 at 8:33 am

    I don’t have any pictures (sorry!) but we didn’t use any hardware, just 1/2 inch wood screws and used a drill to put them in place!

    Reply
  17. Shalene

    August 10, 2014 at 1:55 pm

    Sarah — I love this idea and am planning to copy you! Can you tell me exactly how you secured the Ikea top to the Target shelves? Before I go out and buy the product, my hubby wants to know how he secures it all together. Thanks. Shalene.

    Reply
    • Sarah @ Pretty Providence

      August 11, 2014 at 8:32 am

      Hey Shalene! Yay – I’m excited that you are going to do it. We put the desk top face down on the floor, measured where we wanted the bookshelves to be and made sure they were even, placed the tops of those on the bottom of the desk top (so the desk is essentially put together but upside down) and screwed them in place with a drill. My husband said he used 1/2 inch wood screws!

      Reply
  18. garbche

    August 07, 2014 at 11:28 am

    Could you show the screws and hardware you used to put this together? I don’t want to mess mine up!!

    Reply
  19. DIYer

    June 25, 2014 at 4:41 am

    Would like to duplicate, what was the exact name of this “butcher block”, the IKEA site comes up with a dozen pages when I search that. Thank-you!

    Reply
    • Sarah @ Pretty Providence

      June 28, 2014 at 12:53 pm

      I don’t know the actual name of the butcher block since that’s not what I ended up using. The desk top I used is called the LINNMON!

      Reply
  20. Vbear

    June 20, 2014 at 4:46 pm

    I. Love. This! I’ve been looking for an idea for a new desk and this is perfect! I’ll be adding this to my apartment this weekend. I also stopped by Home Depot and they have sheets of clear acrylic that they will cut to size for me (as a topper) to protect the desktop and I can put something decorative under the acrylic.

    Reply
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Hey! We're Sarah and Jessica. We're BFF's and have known each other since we were 5 years old. This blog is our place to share all of our best recipes, tips, crafts and DIY projects.

You can read more about us on our about page and find us on instagram! We love making new friends.

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