Personalize Your IKEA Desk with These 7 Ideas

Depending on your lifestyle, IKEA may trigger either good or bad reactions. Say what you want about the Swedish furniture phenomenon, but you can’t ignore their influence. IKEA not only made Scandi minimalist furniture staples more affordable and accessible than ever, but they did it with style. With clean lines and neutral colors, their furniture fits right into existing design schemes.

An IKEA desk can’t be beat if you’re working with a tight budget to design an office. However, just because you are starting with a simple piece doesn’t mean your interior design has to look as cookie-cutter as an IKEA catalog. You can add some personal upgrades and details to make your desk look and feel elevated. Here are a few creative ideas to make the most of an IKEA desk.

Desk Organizers

First things first: getting organized. While IKEA desks, such as the IKEA Idasen Desk, offer a solid starting point, they often fall short regarding storage options. There is no storage at all on this desk! Adding a desk organizer is necessary. Whether you choose a wire mesh, metal, or wood organizer, it’s important to have a space to keep your pens, papers, and other necessities arranged neatly.

Soothing Artwork 

After you’ve positioned your desk, liven up your workspace with inspiring artwork. We recommend choosing a work or series of works that make you feel relaxed and motivated rather than anything bold or distracting. For example, options like Empire Art Direct Full Moon Graphic Art or Out Of The Blue Framed Wall Art make beautiful and inspiring statements without distracting from the tasks at hand.

A Funky Lamp

Lighting is an essential part of any workspace. When illuminating a desk, you want to have at least two types of lighting available – one overhead and one on the desk. You can have some fun with your desk lamp by bringing in a color or unique silhouette. For example, you might choose a beautiful Victorian Style Petal Table Lamp, or one with a geometric base, like the CB2 Modern Table Lamp. The unexpected design of this important feature can stimulate your creativity while tying into the theme of your desk. Just because an item is functional doesn’t mean it needs to be boring!

IKEA desk against a colorful wall

Choose a Theme

If you have a theme running through the rest of your home or office, be sure to incorporate that in your office. Here are some common design themes for offices. 

  • Coastal: Bring the tranquil aesthetic of the sea into your workspace with a soft blue and sand color palette, sheer curtains, and woven wicker accents. 
  • Mid-Century Modern: Think Mad Men as you decorate your office with geometric patterns, earth tones, clean lines, and leather upholstery.
  • Organic: Keep your office’s vibe light and airy with light neutrals, wood accents, and houseplants. A natural fiber rug made from jute or sisal will ground the room while providing texture.
  • Earthy: A spin-off of the organic theme with richer, earthier hues like terracotta and coffee. It’s a fashionable take with rounded and oversized forms, creating a cocoon-like office space.

Desk Risers

If you’re tired of sitting at a desk 24/7, consider purchasing a sit/stand desk like the IKEA Trotten Sit/Stand Adjustable Desk. Or, you can add a desk riser to a standard IKEA desk. A desk riser will allow you to elevate your computer to standing level so that you can stretch your legs whenever you need. Risers enhance ergonomics by raising your monitor to eye level, promoting better posture and productivity. 

Decorative Knobs or Pulls

One of the quickest and most effective ways of transforming an IKEA desk is by adding fun decorative knobs or pulls. Like jewelry for cabinetry, these playful touches instantly make a desk look more stylish and expensive. Whether you choose vintage glass knobs or painted ceramic knobs, they add a touch of personal style that is instantly noticeable.

Seasonal Decorations

Finally, bring the spirit of each season to your IKEA desk. Just like with the rest of your home, your desk deserves a quarterly refresh. This might look like a pastel wreath in the spring, a vase of fresh or faux flowers in the summer, a few mini pumpkins in the fall, and a mini Christmas tree in the winter. You might even hang a string of twinkle lights to brighten up your desk around the holidays. 

Find the Perfect Pre-Owned Ikea Desk on Kaiyo

IKEA’s reputation for affordable furnishings is well-established, but snagging a pre-owned IKEA desk from sites like Kaiyo can be an even more budget-friendly move. This smart choice not only conserves your funds for items that may be part of your setup only temporarily, but it’s also an eco-friendly decision. Given that IKEA pieces are frequently bought for short-term living spaces like apartments and dorm rooms, they are often discarded prematurely. Choosing to buy a secondhand desk contributes to a greener lifestyle by prolonging the furniture’s life. You’ll benefit from a fantastic bargain and contribute to environmental sustainability. Browse through Kaiyo’s collection of IKEA desks and consider all the customization possibilities to make your office feel like an extension of your lifestyle.

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