Ikea desk (Alex drawers + Karlby worktop)

[Scam]

I'm thinking of putting together a simple Ikea desk from a 246cm Karlby walnut worktop and Alex drawers/storage. Like this;

We need the extra drawers because my other half will be sitting against the opposite wall on a smaller girly desk with no storage

Question; most people seem to suggest you need a support when using the longer Karlby to stop it sagging. Either a leg, or bar across the back. However with the extra storage underneath, the gap is only 138cm. Do you think I still need it?

I'm not keen on how the TV looks on it, but it's a small house, that's my old Panasonic 42" plasma and it's the only room where it could feasibly go. At least I can use it as a second monitor and for gaming.

 

[Ninco!]

I never bothered and this was taken in 2022.

49" ultrawide and arm - quite a bit of weight and the worktop hasn't bowed. Same setup as above; apart from the gap is 130cm.

Smaller screen now, widescreen boxed away for that wishful day I set up a racing rig.

 

[Janesy B]

That will be fine easily.

 

[Dano]

As above, you'll have no issues unless you put something silly heavy on it.

 

[Semple]

An average monitor with keyboard and mouse will be less than 5Kgs I reckon, that would barely put any strain on the wood.

 

[Deleted User 298457]

Isn't that IKEA worktop some contiboard thing? Get something solid from worktop express.

 

[Janesy B]

Isn't that IKEA worktop some contiboard thing? Get something solid from worktop express.

 

[sx_turbo]

I screwed a batten to my wall just to make sure.

The worktop does sag, hence why I had to screw batten to the wall.

I've a very similar setup to yours

Edit: in typical fashion when I done mine 2 years ago they didn't offer half as many options as they do now, and I modified my units to make what they've now released.

I've got the wide set of drawers and modified the bottom 3 for drop file storage.

The cupboard I made my own by modifying the single drawer unit

 

[jpaul]

yes I didn't know karlby wasn't noble materials it's always discussed with such reverence (like people discuss pax)

veneered plywood would be my budget choice from earlier thread discussions .. but currently use a full metal jacket heavy weight pine table, 90cm+ deep, so you can lean on it,
and essentially keep your cup of coffee at keyboards distance.

 

[Dano]

Isn't that IKEA worktop some contiboard thing? Get something solid from worktop express.

No, that's the cheaper stuff and what I have as my current desktop, it's fine.

 

[Scam]

Cheers. So, mixed messages just like my research

I don’t think Karlby is discussed with reverence particularly. It’s just easier if you’re getting the drawers and everything else from Ikea anyway. We looked at it in person and it is spot on for the look I was after. Whereas ordering online anywhere else is a bit of a punt in the dark.

Any ideas for cable tidies? I won’t actually have anywhere to put my Sky mini box, WiFi repeater and switch. I guess they could all gonnn a drawer… maybe a minor riser would give me room underneath to hide them. But I like my monitor low. Hmm.

 

[sharpygsxr]

I have an ikea karlby and Alex drawer setup with the little leg risers to make it more comfortable to sit at.

For cable tidying i use dline trunking stuck on the underside. Think the worktop i got was the 6ft version altho pretty sure theres one bigger than that.

Love the setupmyself, got myself a monitor arm which holds my 34 and 27+ monitors upp off the desk which give more room

 

[d_brennen]

Mount the router and switch etc under the desk

 

[Scam]

have an ikea karlby and Alex drawer setup with the little leg risers to make it more comfortable to sit at.

For cable tidying i use dline trunking stuck on the underside. Think the worktop i got was the 6ft version altho pretty sure theres one bigger than that.

Yeah that’s nice. Yours is the shorter Karlby at 186cm (I’m looking at the 246cm I think it is). Did you attach the worktop to the drawers or just let it sit on them? I reckon the bigger worktop will be heavy enough to not bother attaching…

Mount the router and switch etc under the desk

Yeah. I’ll probably get some leg board things like the Skadis for the wall. I’ve seen pics where people have mounted their routers to those all visible- which doesn’t look as untidy as you’d think. But yeah, mounting them out of the way would be neater. I really want to minimise the amount of stuff on the desk because it’s a small room and will feel a little cramped with a big desk (the length of the wall) with stuff all over it.

Edit: This is something to aim for - and talks about using a hidden angle iron to stop sagging https://www.reddit.com/r/battlestat...w_setup_instructions_for_sag_proof_98_karlby/

 

[d_brennen]

I got a cable tray basket (Ikea I think) and mounted a power strip at the back underside of my desk. Two cables in (power/ethernet) and no dangling cables underneath

 

[sharpygsxr]

Yeah that’s nice. Yours is the shorter Karlby at 186cm (I’m looking at the 246cm I think it is). Did you attach the worktop to the drawers or just let it sit on them? I reckon the bigger worktop will be heavy enough to not bother attaching…

Yep it sjust sitting ontop of the risers which are secured to the top of the units, i put a wee bit of felt pad on the top of the risers but it seems stable enough doesnt have any sag in the middle which you may get with the bigger one

 

[LuckyBenski]

Edit: This is something to aim for - and talks about using a hidden angle iron to stop sagging https://www.reddit.com/r/battlestat...w_setup_instructions_for_sag_proof_98_karlby/

"Hidden" - but your knees will soon find it if you're not short/cross your legs. I have a sit/stand desk at work and when lowered I keep it 5-10cm higher than the "standard" desk height of the other desks, else I bang my knees painfully on the frame. That may be because I am a terrible fidget and cross my legs a lot though!

 

[Zefan]

I have an ikea karlby and Alex drawer setup with the little leg risers to make it more comfortable to sit at.

For cable tidying i use dline trunking stuck on the underside. Think the worktop i got was the 6ft version altho pretty sure theres one bigger than that.

Love the setupmyself, got myself a monitor arm which holds my 34 and 27+ monitors upp off the desk which give more room

I know it's not exactly a unique setup but this is sexy, thanks for the inspo. (also u @Ninco! ) My desk is big but weirdly boring, mirin dem aesthetics.

 

[d_brennen]

"Hidden" - but your knees will soon find it if you're not short/cross your legs. I have a sit/stand desk at work and when lowered I keep it 5-10cm higher than the "standard" desk height of the other desks, else I bang my knees painfully on the frame. That may be because I am a terrible fidget and cross my legs a lot though!

Looks like the worst way to brace a desk tbh!

 

[Scam]

Hidden" - but your knees will soon find it if you're not short/cross your legs.

But the Karlby is what, 63cm deep. You mount the thing at the back (where you’d have a cable tidy) so it should be out of range of your knees no?