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A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack

August 1, 2023

Pale oak desk, Wishbone chair, white linen curtains and String Pocket shelving in a minimalist yet cosy home office with greige walls | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog

As a self-employed blogger and freelance creative based at home, I find having a calm, clutter-free work environment is vital for staying focused and inspired. I count myself very lucky that we have a small box room that I can use as an office, and over the years it’s gradually evolved to suit my needs. I’ve long been happy with the bones of it, including the neutral carpet and the beautiful greige paint colour (‘Matted Off’ from Crown Paints’ Elle Deco collection). But with multiple projects on the go at any one time – and a growing collection of books, fabric swatches and paint samples to house – I was beginning to find myself in desperate need of more storage and surface space. A revamp was in order!

There’s only really scope for adding furniture on one side of this room, as the other has a chimney breast and our boiler / linen cupboard. We also need to keep most of the floor clear to allow the doors to open, and because we often set up a camp bed in here when we need additional space for guests. So, it was time for a bit of creative thinking to fit as much as possible along one wall, without making everything look cramped or unbalanced.

Here’s what the room used to look like. Just read on to find out what changes I’ve made…

A minimalist home office with grey walls, a white desk and a navy blue Wishbone chair | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
A minimalist home office with grey walls and a white desk | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
A minimalist home office with grey walls and a white desk | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
A minimalist home office with warm grey walls, white linen curtains and a pale oak desk with integrated storage | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog

The IKEA CUSTOM desk

The obvious answer to my dilemma was to replace the simple white desk with something that provided more storage. The desk of my dreams would be a long custom-made design in pale oak – a bit like the this one in the home of US blogger Anne Sage. Sadly I didn’t have the budget for anything bespoke, so I decided to have a go at creating something similar using pieces from IKEA.

I already had a ‘BESTÅ’ cupboard in a white-stained oak effect, so that was the starting point for my design. Ideally I would have paired it with an identical one to form either end of the desk, but the cupboard is 120cm wide and I soon realised that the room isn’t big enough to accommodate two. At just 36cm wide and available in the same finish, an ‘ALEX’ drawer unit proved to be a good solution, but that in turn created another problem. I needed both pieces to be exactly the same height so that I could run a tabletop across them, but the drawers are 4cm lower than the cupboard with legs or 6cm higher than the cupboard without legs. I’d long ago replaced the wooden legs that come as standard on the ‘BESTÅ’ range with metal ones, but luckily I’d stored the originals away rather than getting rid of them entirely, meaning I could chop them down by 4cm with a saw and swap them back in.

The next issue I had to grapple with was the tabletop itself. IKEA’s ‘LAGKAPTEN’ range is designed to work with the ‘ALEX’ drawers, but the maximum length is 200cm. That would have left me with a gap of only 44cm to sit in, so I had to use two tops – one 140cm, the other 120cm – instead. I attached one end of the longer one to the ‘ALEX’ unit using the fixings provided, and secured the other end to the side of the ‘BESTÅ’ cupboard with furniture brackets. As the cupboard structure is made of hollow particleboard, I needed to add a narrow baton of solid wood inside it to give the brackets something to screw into, but that was easy enough to fix in place with wood glue. The shorter tabletop then slid into place over the cupboard. It’s worth noting that the tabletop is deeper than the cupboard, which means there’s a 16cm overhang at the back, but it’s not visible from the front and the void has actually come in handy for storage and hiding cables.

N.B. IKEA has an ‘ALEX’ cupboard to match the drawers, which would get rid of the issue with differing heights. This wasn’t available in the white-stained oak colourway when I undertook the project, however, and in any case I was keen to make use of my existing ‘BESTÅ’ unit. It provides more overall storage space, too.

A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog

The result is by no means perfect, as the tabletops come wrapped so it’s impossible to get two which have exactly the same grain pattern – and if I’m honest, I’d prefer sleeker drawers with the same push-to-open mechanism as the cupboard doors rather than the cut-out handles of the ‘ALEX’ unit. But I’m still really pleased with it, and I love the way one end looks like an elegant sideboard rather than anything overly functional or utilitarian.

Minimalist office setup with greige walls, beige Wishbone chair, white linen curtains and a pale oak IKEA Custom desk with integrated storage | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Pale oak desk and minimalist shelf styling in a calm greige interior | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Pale oak desk and minimalist shelf styling in a calm greige interior | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Minimalist greige office space with pale oak desk and integrated storage | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Minimalist office space with greige walls, pale oak desk and integrated storage | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Minimalist office decor with greige walls, beige Wishbone chair, white linen curtains and a pale oak desk with integrated storage | A home-office revamp with an IKEA customer desk | These Four Walls blog

The curtains

The other major change in my home office is a pair of semi-sheer white linen curtains to match those in our spare bedroom. Previously I only had a discreet roll-down blind in here, as I wanted to keep the space as airy and pared-back as possible. But with a larger, chunkier desk set-up, I felt it needed a few softer touches to offset all the angular lines. I also wanted greater control over the light, as a recent extension to the medical centre behind our house resulted in several trees being chopped down and we now get much stronger direct sunshine. We still have the blackout blind for guests who sleep in this room to use, but when I’m working I can draw the curtains against glare without having to choose between full light or total darkness.

Minimalist desk setup with Wishbone chair, white linen curtains and String Pocket shelving | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
A minimalist yet cosy home office with greige walls, white linen curtains and a pale oak desk with integrated storage | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Minimalist office decor with warm grey walls, beige Wishbone chair, white linen curtains and a pale oak desk with integrated storage | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog

The finishing touches

Another addition comes in the from of a large beige woollen rug. Not only does it add another element of softness, it grounds the space as a whole and stops the desk from looking lost in an otherwise empty room. I couldn’t find a rug long yet narrow enough to run the whole length of my IKEA desk hack, but I quite like the asymmetrical look of having it stop two thirds of the way along, and the flat-weave design means it doesn’t make one end of the desk noticeably higher than the other.

Most of the other pieces – the ‘String Pocket’ shelving unit, the artwork, the smaller accessories – have stayed the same, though I’ve rearranged things to suit the new layout. I’ve also swapped around my two Carl Hansen & Søn CH24 ‘Wishbone’ chairs so that the beige-coloured ‘Barley’ one sits in here and the blue-lacquered 70th anniversary edition is now downstairs.

Minimalist desk setup, white linen curtains, black table lamp, String shelving and Wishbone chair in a calm greige home office | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Minimalist sideboard styling with books and abstract art | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Hand-written art | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Minimalist sideboard styling with books, abstract art, foliage and paper lantern | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Minimalist shelf styling with plants, ceramics, vases and postcards | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Minimalist desk styling with candle and storage pots | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Minimalist desk styling with candle, black table tamp and beige ceramic storage pots | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Abstract postcard display on a grey wall | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Minimalist desk setup with black table lamp, String shelving and abstract art in a calm, cosy home office | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog

So there you have it: my revamped home office. The additional storage and desk space has proven so useful, keeping clutter at bay and giving me more scope to style or work as needed. What’s more, the pale oak effect adds a gentle warmth, offsetting the greige walls perfectly and making the room feel much more inviting. The overall effect is minimalist yet cosy, and I genuinely look forward to spending time in here every day – and with the whole makeover coming in at less than £500 (including the rug and curtains), you can’t get a better result than that!

Minimalist office decor with pale oak desk, white linen curtains, black table lamp, String shelving, Wishbone chair and black and white cat | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Minimalist greige interior with abstract art and white built-in storage cupboard | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Minimalist oak sideboard with books and abstract art in a calming grey interior | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Black and white cat, white linen curtains and Wishbone chair in a calming grey interior | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Minimalist abstract art on a grey wall | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog
Minimalist desk setup, white linen curtains, black table lamp, String shelving and Wishbone chair in a calm greige home office | A home-office revamp with an IKEA desk hack | These Four Walls blog

All photography by Abi Dare

Related

34 Comments · Interiors

Comments

  1. Christine says

    August 2, 2023 at 12:15 pm

    Beautifully done

    Reply
    • Abi says

      August 2, 2023 at 12:54 pm

      Thank you! It’s made such a difference.

      Reply
  2. Heather Giltrap says

    August 24, 2023 at 8:40 am

    Really lovely ideas Abi. I’ve just had a small art studio built over the garage. I’ve ordered the IKEA large desk with storage, but definitely need more storage (I have far too much art stuff), plus the room is pretty small. Any suggestions greatly received. I will use the sheer curtains to soften blinds in the window. Thank you

    Reply
    • Abi says

      August 24, 2023 at 6:10 pm

      Thanks Heather! The BESTA unit is great for storage, as you can position the shelves inside at any height you want – really helpful if you have tall things. There are various sizes, colours and configurations too. There’s quite a compact wall-mounted one that could work brilliantly in a small room as it doesn’t take up any floorspace and you can hang it over another piece of furniture.

      Reply
  3. Amanda says

    August 24, 2023 at 11:30 am

    This is such a great idea Abi… love how calm and soft the room looks and additional storage is always a bonus. So good!

    Reply
    • Abi says

      August 24, 2023 at 6:08 pm

      Thanks Amanda! It really has made such a difference to the room – and how I feel when I’m working in it!

      Reply
  4. Lilly says

    September 5, 2023 at 5:46 pm

    This is so dreamy Abi! Very inspiring.

    Best, Lilly

    Reply
    • Abi says

      September 6, 2023 at 10:10 am

      Thanks so much Lilly! Really glad you like it.

      Reply
  5. Jennifer Locklear says

    October 30, 2023 at 2:29 pm

    Whoa… this looks great!

    How’s the table top holding up? Have you noticed any sagging?

    Reply
    • Abi says

      October 30, 2023 at 6:42 pm

      Thank you! And no, not at all – it feels very sturdy

      Reply
  6. Hind says

    November 8, 2023 at 9:15 pm

    So pretty! However the 16cm gap behind Besta means it cannot be anchored to the wall right? I have a toddler that likes to climb on things hehe Thanks!

    Reply
    • Abi says

      November 9, 2023 at 9:46 am

      Thank you! The top above the Besta unit sits flush against the wall, so that could be anchored to it. And as that is fixed to the unit below, the whole thing would be held in place.

      Reply
  7. Katie says

    December 27, 2023 at 5:25 am

    I have been so uninspired for so long on what I wanted my new office space to look like. I’m in love with this and would love to replicate. Do you mind sharing the finished dimensions?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Abi says

      January 3, 2024 at 5:25 pm

      So glad you like it!

      The total length of the whole thing is 260cm, of which 140cm is the desk area and 120cm the cupboard bit. it’s 60cm deep and 74cm high.

      Reply
  8. Hannah Taylor says

    December 28, 2023 at 2:56 pm

    Gorgeous! what colour are the walls please? Such a calming colour.

    Reply
    • Abi says

      January 2, 2024 at 9:34 am

      Thank you so much! The walls are painted in ‘Matted Off’ by Crown.

      Reply
  9. Jelle says

    January 6, 2024 at 3:43 pm

    You are very talented.

    Reply
    • Abi says

      January 8, 2024 at 10:52 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  10. Nicole Chapman says

    February 20, 2024 at 12:49 am

    Hi! Looks amazing. Does the Besta timber match the Alex and Lagkapten range?

    Reply
    • Abi says

      February 20, 2024 at 12:17 pm

      Thank you! Yes it does – the white oak finishes on all those ranges are the same.

      Reply
  11. Carolina says

    February 25, 2024 at 8:09 am

    Hey! This makeover looks absolutely stunning. I can’t get my eyes of the table lamp. Where did you get this?

    Reply
    • Abi says

      February 27, 2024 at 12:16 pm

      Thanks Carolina! It’s the Daphine table lamp by Luminara.

      Reply
  12. emilie says

    April 14, 2024 at 10:13 pm

    Hi! I would love to make this at home, but the besta is 42 cm wide and the lagkapten top is 60 cm wide… how did you manage the gap in between these two items? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Abi says

      April 22, 2024 at 10:50 am

      Hi! As I’ve said in the text above, the differing depths mean I do have a void beneath the worktop at the back of the BESTA. I find it useful though – I use it as storage, and it’s really handy for running cables for my computer and lamp through. The gap can’t be seen at all from the front.

      Reply
  13. Tasha says

    July 8, 2024 at 6:00 am

    This is stunning! Well done. I am doing something similar with a 286cm wide space and this is an excellent demo of the dimensions I am working with. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Abi says

      July 11, 2024 at 2:41 pm

      My pleasure – very glad to have been of help!

      Reply
  14. Chris says

    October 20, 2024 at 9:17 am

    Looks great! What are the floating shelves? Are they also IKEA?

    Reply
    • Abi says

      October 30, 2024 at 5:24 pm

      Thanks! The shelves are the String Pocket unit.

      Reply
  15. Emilia says

    November 11, 2024 at 3:35 pm

    i love it! thanks for sharing!
    where can I buy the white pendant light?
    thanks!

    Reply
    • Abi says

      November 12, 2024 at 9:40 am

      Thank you! It’s the Lantern pendant from New Works.

      Reply
  16. Marie says

    January 14, 2025 at 4:17 am

    It’s 2025 and I just came across this beautifully done office! Exactly the inspiration and details need! Thank you so much for sharing it.

    Reply
    • Abi says

      January 14, 2025 at 12:52 pm

      My pleasure! So glad it’s useful.

      Reply
  17. Alastair says

    January 22, 2025 at 1:56 pm

    I’ve just come across this BEAUTIFUL Desk – thank you so much for sharing it. It’s exactly the inspiration I was looking for and the description of how you did it is so helpful. I’m hoping to create something similar and have a question. Did you attach the 120cm desktop to the Besta unit? If so, how? if not, would you have any suggestions on how to do it?

    Reply
    • Abi says

      January 24, 2025 at 9:48 am

      My pleasure – glad you like it! I didn’t attach the 120cm top to the BESTA unit as it feels sturdy enough for the way I use it as it is, but if you wanted to then you could use a furniture bracket at the back, where the overhang is. It wouldn’t be visible there at all.

      Reply

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HELLO

Abi Dare | These Four Walls blog

I’m Abi Dare – a stylist, photographer and writer based in Bristol (UK). I set up this blog to share interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration for simple, relaxed living at home and beyond. You’ll find home tours, advice and tips, interviews, reviews, postcards from places I love and more – always with a focus on soft minimalism, muted colours and timeless, considered design.

‘Top 10 UK interior design blogs’ 2025, 2024, 2023 & 2022, Vuelio

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Winner of the ‘Blogger’ category in the Sweetpea & Willow Home Influencer Awards 2023

‘Best Design & Architecture Blog’, UK Blog Awards 2019

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