Ikea KARLBY worktop, 186x3.8 cm, oak/veneer

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I considered buying a standing desk at first, but they were too expensive. I wasn’t sure if I would actually use the standing feature. I also do some remote work, and it was nice having the option to get the ALEX drawers with the file cabinet drawer at the bottom. The first desk is 74 cm high, and the second one is 70 cm high. The reason for the height difference is that the higher one contains an ALEX as one of the supports, while the other has ALEX as an extension to provide more desk space. Credit: Lil_Brimstone

I also considered getting a stand-up desk, but I wanted something sturdy enough to hold my 34″ & 27″ monitors. 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. Another advantage with this production technique is that you can use the whole tree; the stem as surface, and scrap bits – curvy, bent branches and small twigs – for the particleboard on the inside. The end result is a worktop that is every bit as genuine as solid wood, only more stable and more resistant to humidity. ALEX drawers are space-saving. With their simple, thoughtful design and generous depth of 58 cm (23 in), the drawers provide ample storage and simplify cable management. I ended up getting two of the IKEA KARLBY countertops so I could create the corner desk. Measurements of each countertop before being cutThe desk itself cost around €195 ( LINNMON: €45, ALEX drawers: €80, VIKA: €30, ALEX add-on: €40).” Triple Screen Home Workspace with ALEX Drawers, Shelves and Plants Winter holidays Furniture Storage & organization Beds & mattresses Kitchen & appliances Home textiles Lighting Baby & kids Home décor Kitchenware & tableware Rugs, mats & flooring Bathroom Outdoor Plants & planters Home electronics Pet accessories Home improvement Laundry & cleaning Smart home IKEA Food & Swedish restaurant Home Accessories

Storage & organisation Furniture Textiles Kitchenware & tableware Kitchens Lighting Decoration Rugs, mats & flooring Beds & mattresses Baby & children Smart home Bathroom products Laundry & cleaning Plants & plant pots Home electronics Home improvement Outdoor living Food & beverages Christmas Shop Shop by room Later I added an ALEX monitor stand, as my original monitors weren’t height adjustable, and also a few additional drawers to the desk setup. The Alex drawers are 70cm high, the same height as pretty much all Ikea desks. Their sit/stand desks often go down to 70cm. Is this ideal? Remember the Karlby 3.8cm deep, so that means your keyboard will be resting at about 74cm heigh. Ergonomically, for the average female height in the UK, you might want to be considering a desk that goes down to 60-65cm. Does this mean the Karlby & Alex set up is not for you? Not necessarily, other draw units from Ikea and other furniture retailers could have a draw unit the perfect size for you.The height of my desk comes out to 30,5″ (it would have been 29″ without the metal legs). Credit: DanLillibridge The same reason applied to the desk size. I couldn’t have anything larger or it wouldn’t fit, but I also wanted some depth to keep the monitor not too close.