21 Genius IKEA Desk Hacks to Increase Storage
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No matter what kind of desk you’re working with, you could always use more storage. It’s like a law of the universe! The more organization, the better. These IKEA desk hacks will help!
With so many people working from home nowadays, a great desk setup is key. If you’re taking some time to put your office in order, then you’re in the right place!
Read on as I review twenty-one IKEA desk hacks to increase your storage.

1. The IKEA Alex Drawer
Source: paintingbythepenny.com
The IKEA Alex drawers are a well-known staple when it comes to desk organization. Classic and functional, they fit in almost any home office.
On top of that, they’re super easy to customize! Simply add some new fixtures like these gold bars to bring them to life. This IKEA desk hack is a classic!
2. Simple DIY IKEA Desk
Source: @theorganisingplatform
Speaking of the Alex drawers, here’s a clever way to make a desk with just two drawer sets and a plank of good wood. All you need to do is balance the wood across the two drawer sets.
No nails, bolts, or construction needed. You’ll have a brand new desk in 10 minutes!
3. The IKEA Trofast Desk
Source: @amamastale
Double up your child’s toy storage as the base for your desk with the clever IKEA Trofast desk.
This is a great way to create a multi-functional space, especially if you share your office with your kid’s toy room.
4. Cube Storage Desk
Source: @prettyprovidenceblog
Start with a cheap IKEA desk top and two cube storage shelves. Space them an even width apart then drop the IKEA desk top on top to create a brand new desk!
This is a super simple DIY you can use to create a desk of any size. Simply shift the cubes closer or further apart to account for the width you want.
5. Vattenkar IKEA Shelf
Source: @leksa.writes
Add some extra storage to your desk space with a simple Vattenkran IKEA shelf mounted onto the wall behind your desk. This is super simple and gives you a spot for your notebooks.
Want to add some personality to the shelf? Try turning it vintage with some blue chalk paint like this and a little bit of gold leaf!
6. Hanging Crayon Storage
Source: @miss_howlett__
Rather than using this hanging storage to plant herbs, use this clever S-hook storage rod from IKEA to give your crayons and pencils the perfect spot.
Spruce up the buckets to suit your unique office style. This is also a great hack for kids’ rooms! Check out these other DIY desk organizer ideas!
7. Pull-Out Laptop Table
Source: ikeahackers.net
Let’s face it, we don’t always have as much space as we’d like to include a desk. If you’re working with minimal space but want a place to work from home, try a pull-out drawer!
This functions like a hidden table, effectively giving you a ready-to-go table whenever you want it.
8. IKEA Locker Desks
Source: @megmonde
Looking for a way to create a home office for two? Create an extra-long desk with an IKEA desk section and two lockers on either end to function as the legs.
Pick out locker colors to complement your home office’s existing color scheme for a touch of personality.
9. The Malm Desk
Source: ikeahackers.net
Malm drawers have a ton of storage in them as-is. Pair a couple of them with an IKEA door – yeah that’s right, a door! – and you’ve got the desk of your dreams.
This desk uses a door as the top for some extra length. Try swapping out the fixtures on the Malm drawers with these for an extra touch of class.
10. IKEA L-Shaped Desk
Source: bykelseysmith.com
Just like the other hacks on this list, you’ll be able to build this L-shaped desk with only a couple of screws. The only difference is, this one is much larger and more dynamic!
This is a great way to create some different zones on your desk, such as a place to get ready and a spot to work on your computer.
11. Library Desk
Source: @thegoodmanhouse
Create a beautiful desk to work from home with some bounded library shelves to create a dedicated working zone! The secret to making this all come together? Paint!
Make sure to choose a paint color that easily transitions across all these different pieces, as that will make them feel as if they’re all one piece. I recommend a neutral like this color.
12. Drawers on Drawers on Drawers
Source: missjessicanicole.com
When in doubt, add more drawers! This IKEA desk hack uses the classic Alex drawers liberally, ensuring you have plenty of space to keep your stationery and other items.
The secret is to create two different desks, but to dedicate the space beneath one to another drawer unit.
13. DIY Standing Desk
Source: papernstitchblog.com
Standing desks have become all the range recently, and it’s no wonder why! We’re all sitting down so much more these days, so it helps to have something that encourages standing while working.
This uses the IKEA Ivar shelves to create a standing-level desk. Finish it off with a high stool like this for when you need to take a seat.
14. Family Home Office
Source: freyahomeinteriors.com
Give everyone a space to get their work done, the kids included! You can easily set up a T-shaped desk to give everyone the space they need with plenty to spare.
At the top of the T-desk sit two Alex drawer units for additional storage. Consider adding more wall storage to complete the effect.
15. Home Office Built-Ins
Source: honeybuilthome.com
One incredible way to add some storage to a limited home office space is to build shelves into the wall behind your desk.
I highly recommend this approach if you don’t have a full office to dedicate to your storage, such as if your desk is in your living room or if you share a room with your partner.
16. A Simple Standing Desk
Source: vividandbrave.com
In some homes, there simply aren’t a lot of places to build a full desk with a chair. In that case, a standing desk is called for! This is one easy to put together with the GERTON adjustable legs.
These are fairly short, so if you need a taller desk, it might suit you to find a cabinet to use as a base instead.
This DIY desk organizer would be a great addition to your office!
17. DIY Wall-Mounted Desk
Source: thecraftedlife.com
Give yourself plenty of desk space without adding any table legs to your floor with this simple wall-mounted desk hack. This suite comes replete with plenty of wall storage, too!
Sturdy and simple, this is a midcentury classic you can customize with your favorite color of spray paint.
18. The STUVA Printer Cart
Source: iheartorganizing.com
If you’re anything like me, then you get really frustrated with dealing with appliances that aren’t plugged into their proper places. Printers especially!
The STUVA printer cart hack is the perfect thing to organize your printer, the paper, and any excess ink so you can pull it out from under your desk with ease.
19. The Hidden IVAR Desk
Source: ikeahackers.net
I am a huge fan of hidden furniture, and this desk is no exception. This is a great way to hide your work-from-home setup, transforming it into an IVAR cabinet.
To complete the effect, grab a sliding rail for your keyboard shelf like this one.
20. No-Paint Colorful Drawers
Source: lovelyindeed.com
If you love the idea of colorful drawers but you don’t want to get messy with any paint, this is the best choice for you. Instead of paint, you can use adhesive vinyl on your drawer fronts!
What a great way to transform some IKEA drawers! This DIY desk organizer would be a cute addition as well!
21. IKEA Hidden Standing Desk
Source: kellianderson.com
As they say, our tools shape us, and a desk that’s too low will eventually shape us into a hunch. That’s why standing desks are so important! They help us train our posture back into shape.
This IKEA standing desk is a great way to trick out your home office, transitioning between a standard desk and a standing one with ease.
Now that you’ve got a more functional desk check out these brilliant desk organization hacks next!