Take Your IKEA Desk To An Ergonomic Height With A Clever Leg Hack

Tired of finishing your remote work day only to discover that you've developed some neck pains or muscle aches from sitting at your desk for eight hours? The solution could be closely tied to the arrangement of your workstation. Raising the top panel of the desk just a few inches is a great place to start when it comes to improving both your posture and your productivity. This can be a tricky process if you have a more traditional desk, but if you build a customized desk instead using some straightforward IKEA furnishings, then it might not be too much of a hassle. A pair of ALEX Drawer Units can function as both the table legs and storage. The KARLBY Countertop can sit above the drawer units and should make for a solid desk table top. But the key step to making this arrangement more ergonomically-friendly is to fit a few sets of CAPITA Table Legs between the drawers and the desk.

@micksmaintenanceanddiy on YouTube showcases precisely how easy it is to DIY this clever IKEA desk design. In the video, the DIY enthusiast pre-drills holes into the top of the drawers to attach furniture legs and screws them into place by hand. Then, he simply balances the main countertop panel on top of the risers as the desk's surface. The end result is a home office centerpiece that's definitely one of the most stylish and durable DIY desks that anyone can build.

To begin, pick up one of the KARLBY countertops in a size that best matches your preferred desk length. Then, purchase two packs of CAPITA furniture legs so that you have eight of them in total. You'll also need two ALEX drawer units. If you already have a pair of matching drawers, then this project might be one of the most creative ways to repurpose your old furniture. Next, mark and measure where you're going to affix the furniture legs on the top of the drawers. The legs should be evenly spaced and situated near the corners. However, you should avoid putting them in spots where their screws will puncture the side panels of the drawer frame. Then, drill pilot holes in the marked positions. You can use an easy drill bit sizing hack to ensure that the holes are the correct size.

To assemble the desk, simply screw the furniture legs into place with a screwdriver and then place the countertop panel on top of them. Looking for an alternative way to build this desk that prioritizes stability? Begin by attaching the legs to the bottom of the drawers instead. Then, place the countertop directly onto your ALEX units and install shelf brackets to link together the inside-facing side panels of the drawers with the bottom of the desk. Also, consider installing a single IKEA OLOV Leg along the back of the desk in the middle so that it doesn't sag over time.

While raising your desk a few inches is sure to make your home office more comfortable when you're working long hours, there are plenty of other ways to make your workstation even more ergonomic. The height and location of your monitor, for example, can have a major impact on your posture. According to Mayo Clinic, the top of the screen should be level with your eyes and between 20 and 40 inches away from your body. Including an EVOOMI Monitor Stand Riser is an easy and inexpensive way to ensure that this central fixture of your desk is set up in an optimal place. Your office chair can also play an important role in making your desk more ergonomic. Ideally, you should sit with your knees and hips at the same height and your arms resting on your desk at a 90-degree angle.

Though your ALEX drawers have plenty of storage space, constantly having to bend sideways and down to access them can quickly get uncomfortable. Plus, keeping your most frequently used desk items within close reach is an underrated yet essential part of office ergonomics. To do this, you can simply slot paper trays or flat storage containers into the space created by your table legs, between the desk and the drawers. A pair of AZFUNN Letter-Size Tray Organizers is a solid choice here because they're stackable for compact use in other locations.