Oak is a hardwood, making it a popular choice for countertops and interiors. Its color ranges from light brown to a rich reddish–brown and it darkens with age. The desk is an IKEA kitchen countertop that measures 186×62 cm. I chose it because it is more durable and easier to clean than a typical desktop.

I used two legs to support the middle part of the table. Without it, the heavy countertop would bend like a banana. I think my desk setup with a KARLBY walnut veneer countertop is pretty standard, but it’s cool if you like it! I also wanted a desk with enough space for my two 32″ curved monitors and my D&D books. This way, I can have a space for work and for fun. I’ve always hated those desks that you screw together, and then they creak with even the slightest touch.I ended up getting two of the IKEA KARLBY countertops so I could create the corner desk. Measurements of each countertop before being cut I mainly needed more space and storage — and I think ALEX drawers are great for that. Credit: Phillakai I considered the ALEX drawers mainly because a friend of mine has the same kind and I fell in love with them. So, I decided to get some for my desk setup. I chose the ALEX drawers because their flat tops and bottoms make it easy to keep things level without needing to buy additional legs.

The Karlby countertop is a veneered unit. It is not solid wood, but is it better than a standard Ikea desk top? Yes. Standard Ikea table tops are not even MDF, they are cardboard inside, the Karlby is veneered chipboard, as shown below. Will this cause you any issues? It depends. If you are planning on loading your desk a monitor or two (and maybe a monitor stand), a monitor arm or camera clamp, or even just planning on putting any kind of weight on the desk, be very careful. Both videos below highlight sagging of Karlby counter top, despite the only weight being their peripherals! One of the reviewers below also noticed sagging even though he had installed a support beam (using the >2m top). Above: the cardboard inside a Linnmon top, similar to many of the other Ikea desk tops. Below: the chip board found inside the Karlby counter top. Initially, I had considered a floating desk design for my workspace, but I realised that I would lose a lot of storage space with a minimalist look. I also chose the ALEX drawers because they have plenty of room for both work and hobby items. Now, I can dedicate one side to work and the other to painting.The drawers on both sides are great for organizing items like notebooks, cables, and other things like tabletop miniatures or trading cards. I still have to apply some clear caulk between the walls and the counter – I just wanted to wait a few days and make sure I didn’t want to add the side splashes. Nope, I love it this way! I’ll keep you posted on how this IKEA KARLBY counter wears, although I suspect I’ll be able to go a long time without having to oil or refinish it. Especially because this bathroom is so pretty, guests are required to pee outside and wash their hands in the laundry room – I’M KIDDING!

ALEX units are good for the planet. The particle board for this product is made from sawmill leftovers and scrap wood, so IKEA makes use of whole trees and not just the trunks.The previous desk I had was fine, but it was not wide enough to accommodate my Sony PVM CRT monitor for retro games. My desk consists of IKEA LINNMON (200×60 cm) with IKEA ALEX drawers and IKEA BESTA units on the side (3×60×42 cm). I achieved this with the 2.5-meter walnut KARLBY countertop. The ALEX drawers are great for storing a lot of things within reach. They are deep and come in various sizes to fit everything. Here’s a list of all my specs and peripherals. The keyboard has HyperX Pudding keycaps and a Huanuo Dual Monitor Gas Spring Mount.” IKEA ALEX Two-Desk Setup

I did consider some of IKEA’s other countertop/desktop options, but none of them seemed to be made with the same quality in all white or had the right size I was looking for. As Ikea desks became more and more difficult to buy from March to May 2020, this idea seemed to gain in popularity. So, would we recommend it? Here are some factors to consider: The natural color and grain of wood adds warmth to your kitchen decor. Walnut gets lighter in color with age. It has a rich variation in color and a decorative, curved grain pattern.What I particularly love about this workspace is cosiness. A wireless and silent keyboard. A wireless and silent mouse. No cables onboard. The wooden elements, plants, and clean desk also contribute to a smooth work experience. A real benefit of this approach is how adaptable and flexible the whole premise is. You can swap the Alex Drawers for any other drawers, Ikea or otherwise. You can even use drawers on one side, and legs or a trestle (Ikea Finnvard) on the other. Don’t like the dark veneer? The Karlby walnut top could be swapped for a number of other counter tops that Ikea do, so you can get the right look for the office you are making. What’s more, as the ‘desk frame’ components are relatively inexpensive, and useful in their own right, changing things up in the future is always an option too; if you like to shuffle your furniture around a lot, this could be the answer for you.