Anyone using a butchers block countertop as a desk?

[Kobrakai]

I’m thinking of making a desk using a butchers block countertop on top of the Ikea Alex drawers. If I do this will I need to oil/seal it somehow? I know this is recommended for kitchen tops that are regularly coming into contact with water but is it needed for a desk?

I guess I just want it to be scratch resistant and be able to handle the occasional accidental drink spillage.

The site I’m planning to order from will apply Osmo top oil for an extra charge but I’ve read that oiling can leave them permanently sticky. Also I would also rather not change the colour of the wood, I know some furniture can go orange when oiled which I don’t want.

 

[Kobrakai]

I’m using a 3M solid black oak kitchen top which I’ve applied 3 coats of oil onto and it’s not at all “sticky”, nor has it really changed the colour..

*** Desk and Room Gallery***

Swapped my double stack monitors out for a Samsung G9 OLED, i've had it since launch and love it Did you put any rubber matting under the worktop to stop it slipping at all? We're looking at changing up our office at home and want one wall turning into two desks. Just worried going this way...

forums.overclockers.co.uk

#2971

Your desk setup looks really nice. Where did you get the black Alex drawers? I didn't think Ikea sold them in the UK.

 

[Kobrakai]

Osmo oil is great. It doesn't leave the surface sticky. I'd recommend applying osmo yourself though, because once the worktop arrives you might want to sand down the edges or corners a little more anyway. If there is one thing worth paying extra for, it's to get the worktop to get it professionally chamfered on the edges.

If doing the Osmo oil yourself, you can pick from the multiple Osmo oil types. There are clear matt/low satin ones, which don't stain or alter the colour but still provide a clean & smooth water resistant finish without being shiny.

I followed this guide:

An alternative to using the Ikea Alex drawers, if you don't need drawers and would prefer more legroom/PC space, is to buy some steel table legs from Amazon, make sure to get about 70cm high for a standard desk height. Then drill & bolt them into the underside of the worktop. But this is more complex so probably only tackle this if you feel confident in your DIY skills.

Thanks that's helpful. Does it last for a long time or do you have to redo it?