Monday, April 25, 2011

Ikea Computer Desk - Hack

So, I have been motivated by several home-office solutions that have been floating around and I thought I'd give it a shot.  I used a simple Ikea Galant desk.  I start here with the final product...

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NEXT. The first one just below shows the constructed Galant with the pull out drawer and where I added three wire hangers. I also added two Rubbermade white dish supports and screwed them in upside down to hold items.  In the end, I removed both and connected one of them via plastic slip ties under a larger basket still to be used but shown in the second photo below.   Two Belkin electrical strips were later added and not shown here.  Within the lower one, you will see my modem and wireless devices.  I was not against using additional furniture on the side and corner back where I have multiple laptops plugged in...

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Left side of the desk.  Scanner, printer, iDevice and USB chargers moved away from user.  Paper shredder placed in front of hidden external hard drives, stereo bass and travel bag.

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Here's a partial of the underbelly.  Reflects 1 of 2 Belkin power strips secured.  No wires can be seen from the front of the desk unless on hands and knees...

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The next two shows the three external HD with relatively easy access in front of my knees when sitting.  Stereo woofer is hidden behind travel/computer bag.  Note, that I easily have space for additional items.  

RECENTLY ADDED: Three EXHD under the Desk
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Finally, I slapped on a new coat/color of paint and bolted the TV to the wall and moved an old TiVo under the laptops utilizing a IR/Radio converter. Second office phone installed after split created from wall.  Last photo is my liberation from clutter.  Next project: wife's desk.

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UPDATE: NEXT I CREATED A DESK FOR MY DAUGHTER BASED UPON WHAT I LEARNED ON MY DESK.  HERE IS THE END PRODUCT:


    USB hub supports keyboard, ext HD, iPhone, other devices to connect to the laptop when a "desktop" is desired.


    Secondary look at work space

    Under the desk.  Ikea wire supports and Rubbermade kitchen supports (~$3.50) upside down for device storage





      




    FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW....

    20 comments:

    1. Wow, this is pretty slick. I wish I can be so innovative.

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    2. That's totally rad and awesome. How long did it take.

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    3. Thanks. Easier asked than answered. The Ikea construction was relatively fast. So, too, was the underbelly. Moving the old desk with equipment out and then placing it back in, moving it around, refreshing the concept and moving wires about a second (or third) time, et al....perhaps 10 hours.

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    4. Clutter free! Great job! Can't wait to see the next project.

      http://roughnest.blogspot.com/

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    5. What did you use for the shelf for the iMac? Is it from Ikea too? A link would be awesome if you have one! I was looking for something like that too!

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    6. Very interesting set up; Good job with no clutter; mayb ejust for the pix LOL. I have been looking to get this desk as well. Have my shelves up 5ft left & 8ft right/front. Like to incorporate the TV/cable as well, if I can. VERY neat wires set up. That took long hard work bet. Te HUGE monitor shelf comes with the Gallant line? do not recall...

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    7. Thanks for the Qs/comments. The desk is about 98% as you all seem to recognize it is a WIP. I returned to Ikea a couple weeks back after the (unplanned) paint job and purchased the right file cabinet to replace the black. At the same time, I bought a "matching" shelf from the kitchen section to lift 4 inches above the desk and provide additional space. It is very useful in keeping some of the "necessary" clutter near but not oppressing the setup.

      To add a little fun to the somewhat serious look that developed (inevitably?), I just purchased a $15 lava lamp for a little color splash via Amazon. Should post in the next week or so.

      Yes, the wire work is simple concept, tough execution. I suggest anyone setting out to on a similar project to keep it simple but be prepared for changes so don't get too caught up in tying down wires, etc. until a week into what you thing is final.

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    8. Great work. -1 for the mighty mouse ;-) Would it be possible to post links to which items you purchased?

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    9. just curious as to my you would put an external HDD next to a speaker subwoofer??

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    10. um...um....um..lol. fair point. shielded HDD against subwoofer. haven't run into any problem (that I know of) thus far. I might move it a foot or so next time I buy a longer Firewire. thanks

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    11. nka said...
      Great work. -1 for the mighty mouse ;-) Would it be possible to post links to which items you purchased?

      Too funny. Never had any real problems with the MM. Wife hates hers.

      I kind of made it up as I went. Galant desk from Ikea was around $160, the file cabinet was the same. The top board above desk at Ikea was in the Kitchen section for $14 and the 4" metal legs from Ikea were $10 (total). I went to Osh and/or HomeDepot to the household org area and picked up the Rubbermaid items for $4 each. Oh yeah, the Ikea wire guides were around $7. If I can ever figure out how to provide the info on the blog by placing mouse (only MM, of course) over picture, will do so.

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    12. These days Ikea Computer Desk are gaining tremendous popularity.
      Thanks for Sharing information.
      Computer Desks

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    13. Fantastic! I love to have a cable and clutter-free desktop, too.

      Where did you source the "wire hangers"? They look like they're great for managing power cords. I searched the Ikea website and had no luck.

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    14. Thanks. The pics make it look a little sloppy but it did turn out real well. Just did a desk for my daughter which I'll post soon. Meantime, the white wire hangers are simply Rubbermade kitchen items purchased at Osh, Lowes and/or HomeDepot. They cost about $3.50ish or so. The actual wire holders/hangers for the electrical wires are $7 Ikea items.

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    15. Thank you for keeping us updated. I have found it to be very informative and I really enjoy it and find all of the information very useful. Keep up the good work.

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    16. Stu, thanks for coming up with this and sharing it.

      I just wanted enough under-desk space for a modem + router and I found this undershelf basket at Container Store:
      http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10008033

      It's painted silver, so it matches the Galant frame, and the medium size is 16" wide, which is the depth of my Galant frame, so it was super easy to attach it to the frame just with cable ties. I cut the hangers off, so it doesn't hang down so far, but I think it would work with the hangers left on too.

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    17. Thanks so much for this post! We're in the planning stages for a computer workbench along one wall of the dining area of our home. You've given me great ideas to work with!

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    18. This is how organized I would like to get! This is amazing, I mean all wires nicely and neatly organized. Usually they are hanging all over the place and you can never find a needed wire and you trip on them and pull something out and it's a disaster. Are you still going to do your wife's desk? Or you skipped it, because I would be scared to touch a place like that! Also cannot just ignore the fact that you have made this from IKEA stuff, that's another +100

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