IKEA Desks Ranked By Reviews So You Can Find The Perfect Fit For Your Home
As working from home has become a bigger part of our lives, the need for a great desk feels more important than ever. And even if you don't work from home, a desk can still be necessary for executing everyday tasks and hobbies. Maybe you need a place to write in a journal, pay your bills, or get into some serious crafting projects. Whatever it may be, IKEA is likely to be a top of mind retailer to turn to when assessing your desk purchase, especially since IKEA can help turn an ordinary space into a stunningly functional home office.
However, finding a desk that meets your unique needs can already be a difficult task with so many options on the market. And sifting through IKEA's overwhelming catalog of desks might not make your decision as easy as you hoped. So that's why we did it for you. Using ratings and reviews, we ranked 10 of the best-rated IKEA desks according to actual customers. See if any of these selections could be your next home office hero!
10. The basic and lightweight LINNMON/ADILS
The LINNMON/ADILS combination looks exactly like the image you would conjure if someone told you to imagine a simple desk -– a tabletop with straight legs. The LINNMON top is available in white and brown, and the ADILS legs come in black and white. So, you can combine colors however you like to create the right look for your space. It's also incredibly lightweight, weighing only about 20 pounds total when constructed. Sitting at a very budget-friendly $55, this combo has a 4.3-star average from 594 ratings.
Admittedly, this piece is not going to be for everyone (especially those who need storage for desks overflowing with pens, papers, electronics, and more). But if you just need a straightforward surface to work on, reviewers mostly agree that the LINNMON/ADILS is a functional and affordable choice. Some buyers have noted issues with assembly, specifically noting that the pre-drilled screw holes are too small for the screws provided to attach the legs to the tabletop. But others have contested this feedback, or offered an easy fix for struggling customers by advising the use of an electric screwdriver during assembly. All in all, the LINNMON/ADILS seems to be a suitable option for the most basic desk needs.
9. The sweet and simple LISABO
The LISABO is a sweet little desk design that couldn't be easier to assemble. In fact, this IKEA piece won the 2016 Red Dot Design Award for its outstanding craftsmanship and smart design. The ash veneer finish is bright and neutral, which meshes nicely with a variety of décor styles. And, it has a small drawer so that you can keep desktop essentials well within reach. With a 4.5-star average rating over 82 reviews, it costs $230, which is a bit high compared to other desks on our list that are rated higher and have more storage. But the LISABO's simplicity and charm make it a great option for the right customer.
Reviewers confirm over and over again that the LISABO is simple to assemble -– which is part of its award-winning design. Customers also love the size of the desk and rave about how well it works in smaller bedrooms and guest bedrooms (the desktop measures just shy of 18" deep). That being said, those who require a more robust work setup may not find the LISABO as useful. Some feedback varies about the durability of the desk and how sturdy it feels, but overall ratings indicate that the LISABO shines in many customers' homes.
8. The functional, no-frills ALEX
The ALEX desk is a straightforward and functional piece, with an average rating of 4.5 stars from 342 reviews. Its $270 price point puts it as the 2nd-most expensive desk on our list. The ALEX boasts two built-in drawers that each span half the length of the desktop to keep your workspace tidy. And it comes in a few different colors including white, black-brown, and a unique gray-turquoise color. It is worth noting, though, that the latter shades will run you an additional $20.
For shoppers, ALEX's unique back compartment feature is the thing that makes it stand out most from IKEA's other desks. Multiple reviews profess their love of this covered section, positioned at the back of the desk, which acts as built-in cord management for your desktop. This is perfect for keeping lamp cables and laptop chargers out of sight. If you are looking for a way to hide your desk's tangled cord clutter, you and the ALEX may be a perfect pair.
7. The storage-forward MALM
The MALM desk is a top-rated IKEA selection –- with a 4.5-star average calculated from 544 unique reviews –- that boasts storage in the form of a drawer and sizable cabinet beneath. The white version costs $270, and the black-brown colorway will cost you a bit more at $300, but either choice will be versatile enough to style with different interior aesthetics. In addition to a large desktop almost 26 inches deep, the MALM has a shelf along the back where you can conveniently rest cables for clutter control in your workspace.
Five-star reviews of the MALM desk report over and over again that it is strong, solid, and sturdy. One review mentioned using it to host both a sewing machine and computer simultaneously, with no issues. Another person said that it was well-built enough to manage their laser cutter. And customers love the depth of the storage zones for keeping office supplies both nearby and organized. Some MALM buyers have noted that the assembly process is not especially easy, so it might be a good idea to have another set of hands to help put it together. But the overall consensus is clear -– the MALM desk is a reliable workhorse.
6. The budget-friendly MICKE
The MICKE desk is a beloved IKEA staple, as evidenced by its 2,032 reviews and 4.5-star average rating. At just $100 for the 41" size, this desk is an excellent value when compared to other options in this roundup. Outfitted with two drawers and a cabinet — which can be built on either side of the desk, to your preference — the MICKE has ample storage that can accommodate your specific workspace. Like some of the other IKEA desks, the MICKE also has a built-in cord-management solution, in the form of an open hold at the back of the tabletop.
Customers rave about how easy the MICKE is to assemble, and how perfect it is for small spaces –- in kids' rooms and home offices alike. They also agree that the desk is a great value for its quality and love how much storage it has, given its modest size. Some reviews note dissatisfaction with the fact that the cabinet does not have a closed backing, despite this feature being described on the IKEA website. However, it's something to keep in mind when purchasing, especially if you have kids who may be stuffing it to the brim. But all in all, a significant number of shoppers rate and review the MICKE well in almost all categories.
5. The tiny but mighty TORALD
The TORALD is a small desk with a big impact. With 94 reviews and a 4.6-star rating, this is one of IKEA's least expensive desks, at a mere $30. It's also one of the brand's best-rated desks. It has a truly slim profile, measuring just under 26 inches wide and 16 inches deep, and the shelf offers an extra bit of storage for any equipment or accessories you want to keep close by. This is an item made to work in tight quarters, from studio apartments to children's rooms.
The TORALD is first and foremost a simple, thus versatile, design, and that's why customers love it so much. Buyers also comment that its simplicity translates to a quick and easy assembly. It probably goes without saying that the TORALD won't cut it for those with elaborate work setups and multiple monitors. But if you just need a place to set up your laptop, that maybe also doubles as a bedside table, the TORALD is a truly unbeatable deal.
4. The sleek and streamlined BESTÅ BURS
The BESTÅ BURS is a slick and modern choice from IKEA's inventory of desks. It touts two wide drawers beneath the tabletop, all with a white, high-gloss finish. It also has a finished back, so if you have the space to set it up in the middle of a room, it would look like it belongs there. The BESTÅ BURS lands on the high end of our ranking, with 127 reviews with a 4.6-star average.
The $250 price point of the BESTÅ BURS makes it another one of the most expensive choices in this roundup, but according to buyer insights, the cost is worth it for the quality. Reviewers remark that they love the sleek style and height of the desk, which can accommodate additional drawers beneath it if you want to add more storage. They also report using it for everything from a craft table and makeup vanity to printer desk and computer workspace. One reviewer even shares that they have had two of these desks for over four years, and they continue to hold up through frequent use. If you enjoy a streamlined look and pragmatic design, you may want to try out the BESTÅ BURS.
3. The stylish and compact LILLÅSEN
The LILLÅSEN desk flaunts a bamboo tabletop containing three discreet drawers for storage of small items. The white epoxy-coated legs are angled, which gives the desk a mid-century modern flair, but its look is definitely versatile enough to fit into other design schemes. This desk has 147 reviews with a 4.6-star average rating, and in terms of size and price, it's a goldilocks: mid-range pricing at $200, not too big, not too small -– just right.
We don't mean to be shallow, but reviewers agree — the LILLÅSEN's biggest selling point is its good looks. With a 4.8-star subrating for appearance, customers appreciate the desk's thoughtful, attractive design. One review calls the desk "compact and pretty," with others remarking on the beautiful finish and chic construction. This is not to discredit the LILLÅSEN's other great qualities, such as being both sturdy and easy to assemble. But if you're looking for a desk that is a looker as much as it is functional, the LILLÅSEN may be your best bet.
2. The practical and tidy LAGKAPTEN/ALEX combination
The LAGKAPTEN desk and ALEX drawer combination is tagged on IKEA's website as a top seller. The 55"-inch wide version of this desk has a 4.6-star average rating across 304 reviews and costs $240 in white. Versions of this combination with the black-brown or gray-turquoise components will be more costly at $280, but it is still a great value when you consider the amount of space provided by the two sets of ALEX drawers. Between the ample storage and broad surface area, we're not surprised at this desk's popularity amongst IKEA customers. And if you're concerned that the tabletop may slide around on the ALEX drawers, there's a hack that will solve that problem.
Reviewers of the LAGKAPTEN/ALEX love how sturdy the desk is and say they use it for everything from their home office desk to a sewing table to a vanity. There are mixed reviews about the assembly — with some buyers calling it easy and others calling it a time-suck of hours and hours. But the throughline of customer feedback seems to be that this top-rated desk is practical, functional, and solidly built.
1. The spacious and sturdy TROTTEN
The TROTTEN desk lands in the top spot of our ranking, with its 4.8-star average rating from 69 customer reviews. And at $150, it lands in the low- to mid-tier price range of all of IKEA's best-selling desks. This desk has the deepest tabletop dimension of our entire lineup, at 27.5 inches, so it's really no sweat if your work-from-home setup requires two or more screens. And with four different colorways to choose from, this simply designed powerhouse can work with a breadth of interior styles.
If there's something customers love most about the TROTTEN, it is the quality. One review praised the desk for how strong it held in the face of two large monitors, a laptop, and other workspace equipment. Another buyer said it was easy to put together and had a "strong rigid construction" once assembled. And while the TROTTEN doesn't have any built-in storage, the leg shape allows for plenty of room to add drawers beneath if desired. There is even a compatible TROTTEN drawer unit sold by IKEA, if you want to maintain a consistent design. Otherwise, you could easily add a small set of tabletop drawers to its sprawling surface area.