DIY Hack to Make IKEA Alex Desk Taller (Raise the Height)

IKEA's Alex cabinets have become a staple in many homes due to their versatility and storage capabilities. These cabinets are not only perfect for organizing your space but also serve as an excellent foundation for creating a dream home office or crafting work space. The challenge lies in the fact that many individuals purchase a Linnmon table top without realizing that when they place it directly on the IKEA Alex cabinets, the resulting desk height is too low for comfort.

We'll provide you with a simple yet effective solution that involves using trim, 2x4s, and furniture risers to raise the cabinet's height, ensuring you have the perfect workspace setup. As a remote worker, I absolutely need this space to be comfortable, and I'm going to show you how to do this with a better desk height setup.

Overview

Versatile IKEA Alex Cabinets

IKEA's Alex cabinets hold a special appeal for crafters, remote workers, and those looking to craft their ideal home office setup. These cabinets are known for their sleek design and functionality, making them ideal for various purposes, such as a home office, crafting area, or computer desk.

Here are the popular IKEA Alex drawers and cabinets that are generally used to make home office desk or crafting tabletops:

Five-Drawer Unit (Height: 27.5 inches)

This option provides an abundance of compartments, making it perfect for meticulously organizing your office supplies and crafting materials.

Alex Drawer Unit with File Storage (Height: 27.5 inches)

Tailored for those with extensive paperwork needs, this unit excels at keeping your documents neatly organized in your home office.

Alex Storage Unit (Height: 27.5 inches)

Designed for versatility, this unit offers spacious storage for larger items that you might want to tuck away from sight in your home office, accommodating everything from a small printer to a desktop CPU. I don't have this one, but it's on my list of Alex pieces to get next due to the awkward size of some of my crafting tools and content creator equipment.

The Tabletop Dilemma

While these Alex cabinets provide excellent storage solutions, if you use them as a base causes a dilemma especially for those that are taller or need more room for their legs. Placing a table top directly on them often results in a desk height that is not at the ideal height. To cater to various heights and preferences, it's essential to address this problem and find a better solution that ensures an ergonomic workspace.

Desk Height: Finding the Perfect Fit

Determining the right desk height is crucial for comfort and productivity in your home office or work space. The ideal desk height for individuals ranging from 5 feet to 5 feet 10 inches tall is generally around 28 inches, which is considered a standard desk height. However, personal preferences vary, and some might find this height less than ideal. In this tutorial, we will focus on increasing the space underneath your desk, aiming for a desk height of approximately 30 to 31 inches, which many find to be the right height for their needs.

Even if you're not particularly tall, you may encounter issues with the height of the desk when using Alex cabinets as a base for your DIY desk. For instance, if you're 5 feet 1 inch tall or have larger thighs, your knees might hit the underside of the desk, leading to discomfort during extended periods of work or crafting. Thankfully, our DIY solution involving putting together trim with 2x4s will help create the ideal desk height for your office space.

The DIY Solution: Raising the Cabinet's Height

To address the issue of the 27.5-inch height of IKEA's Alex cabinet and achieve the perfect desk height for your home office, we'll provide a straightforward DIY solution. By creating a platform using trim, 2x4s, and furniture risers, you can elevate the cabinets, providing more room underneath your desk. The best part is that you won't need to paint the platform, thanks to the use of wood nails and the white trim. This quick project can be completed in under two hours, allowing you to enjoy your improved workspace without delay.

Materials Needed:

• IKEA Alex Cabinets
• Trim (preferably white)
• 2x4s (sufficient length for the cabinets)
• Wood nails
• Screwdriver or drill
• Measuring tape
• Level
• Carpentry pencil
• Furniture risers (to fine-tune desk height)

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Measure and Plan

• Determine the desired desk height increase for your home office (e.g., raising from 27.5 inches to 31 inches).
• Measure and cut the 2x4s to the appropriate length for the cabinet's width.

2. Create the Platform

• Lay out the 2x4s on the floor, evenly spaced to match the cabinet's dimensions.
• Place trim pieces on top of the 2x4s, forming a level surface.
• Secure the trim to the 2x4s using wood nails.

3. Prepare the Cabinets

• Empty the cabinets and remove the drawers.
• Position the cabinets where you want them in your office space.

4. Attach the Cabinets

• Carefully lift the cabinets and place them on top of the newly created platform.
• Ensure that the cabinets are level.
• Securely fasten to the platform using screws.

5. Reassemble and Adjust

• Reinsert the drawers into the cabinets.
• Check the desk height and make any necessary adjustments using furniture risers or different-sized table legs to achieve the perfect height for your office space.

Final Thoughts

Raising the height of your IKEA Alex cabinets to create a more comfortable home office or craft room is a simple yet effective DIY project. By using trim, 2x4s, and furniture risers, you can customize your desk height to meet your unique needs. I hope this gives you some inspiration or ideas on how to create these desk risers.

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