The Best Ikea Desks to Upgrade Your WFH Setup

Published on 3/14/2022 at 2:15 PM

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Whether you're in search of the perfect small desk to squeeze into your bedroom or a functional, spacious desk with storage for your new home office, the sheer amount of options is easily overwhelming. What's important to consider before buying a new desk is to ask yourself how you plan to use it most — the answer to which will guide the desk features that are nonnegotiable for you. Fortunately, some of the best desks from Ikea run the entire gamut of workstations, from tiny, space-saving desks to standing desks for a flexible work-from-home setup.

If you're an avid gamer who spends long nights streaming, you'll want a desk like Ikea's Fredde Gaming Desk, which boasts numerous features for storage, display, and comfort. If you're someone who occasionally works from home and wants a desk that's functional but feels like decor, the Ikea Vittsjö Laptop Table is a no-brainer. And, of course, the many variations of Ikea's Micke Desk fit myriad uses in between.

Ultimately, the best desk for you is one that's conducive to your lifestyle. Ahead, sift through the best Ikea desks we've selected to find the perfect fit.

Best Ikea Desk Overall: Micke Desk

Ikea's Micke Desk ($100) is like that friend who just gets along with anyone and everyone. A universal crowd-pleaser at 56 inches long, the Micke desk is minimal enough to fit with any design aesthetic or workspace, features two spaces drawers for storage, and offers a spacious tabletop for your computer and anything else you might need within reach.

What we love:

Micke's design is modern and minimal, allowing you to decorate how much or how little you want.
Tucked under the desk is a small nook to keep a power strip, so you can easily plug in your cords and chargers.

Who it's best for:

Micke works wonderfully for someone looking for an affordable yet spacious desk to add to their workspace, office, bedroom, etc.
It's a versatile pick for both someone who exclusively works from home or someone who needs the occasional workstation.

Who should avoid it:

Micke may not be the best Ikea desk for those working within a compact space or who need ample desk storage.

The details: Width: 55.9" | Height: 29.5" | Depth: 19.6" | Color Options: 2

Micke Desk

From

$100

Best Ikea Minimalist Desk: Påhl Desk

For a true minimalist vibe, Ikea's Påhl Desk ($70) is as no-frills as they come, working especially well in slightly smaller spaces. Perhaps the best feature of this desk, however, is its adjustable height.

What we love:

The Påhl Desk's legs feature adjustable slots, so you can raise or lower the desk to a height you can sit at comfortably.
This option, too, features a handy shelf between its legs that can hold a power strip to organize your cords.

Who it's best for:

This desk is excellent for someone in need of an easy, simple tabletop to work from.
Given its adjustable height, this is desk can easily grow with a younger child over the years.

Who should avoid it:

The Påhl Desk doesn't feature any built-in storage options, so if you prefer a workspace with drawers or shelving, this isn't the best option.

The details: Width: 37.75" | Height: 28.3" | Depth: 22.9" | Color Options: 1

Påhl Desk

From

$70

Best Ikea Small Desk: Micke Desk

When I moved to my first shoebox NYC apartment with zero room and not much money, Ikea's 29-inch Micke Desk ($60) was my savior. It squeezed into spaces I never thought it could, gave me enough space to work comfortably, and the drawer fits more than you think.

What we love:

This particular Micke Desk may be small in size, but the included drawer doesn't skimp on space.
The desk can even squeeze into closets or other alternative office spaces.

Who it's best for:

This is best for anyone in search of a compact desk that won't take up a ton of space.
It's particularly useful for anyone in search of a desk to comfortably fit in their bedroom.

Who should avoid it:

This desk isn't well-suited for anyone who works from home regularly and needs space for more than just a laptop.

The details: Width: 28.75" | Height: 29.5" | Depth: 19.6" | Color Options: 2

Micke Desk

From

$60

Best Ikea Standing Desk: Idåsen Sit/Stand Desk

Especially if you're working from home frequently, sitting for eight hours a day or more isn't always easy on your butt. The Idåsen Sit/Stand Desk ($650) offers an automatic, adjustable tabletop, allowing you to easily transform your workspace into a standing desk.

What we love:

Rather than a manual crank or lever, the Idåsen Desk moves with the press of a button.
You can also link this desk to an app and control its movement from your phone.

Who it's best for:

This desk is best for the long-term work-from-home employee who prefers to stand as they work.
All in all, it's also a solid option for anyone who doesn't require a ton of storage.

Who should avoid it:

As high-tech as Idåsen is, the price tag reflects it. Knowing this, if you're in search of a supremely affordable desk, this isn't the best pick.

The details: Width: 47.25" | Height: 24.75"-50" | Depth: 27.5" | Color Options: 2

Idåsen Sit/Stand Desk

From

$650

Best Ikea Desk With Storage: Lagkapten / Alex Desk

Although it's technically two Ikea items, the Lagkapten / Alex Desk ($215) is a no-brainer when it comes to ample storage. Combining the Lagkapten tabletop with two Alex drawer units, this desk setup is easily customizable and will keep all your supplies organized and within reach.

What we love:

The color combination of your desk setup is completely customizable with this Ikea combo.
A total of 10 drawers between the two Alex units leaves an extremely helpful amount of storage that many other desks don't offer.

Who it's best for:

This is a versatile pick for anyone, best especially those who run a small business from home and need to keep track of numerous supplies.

Who should avoid it

If your desk space is super compact, this large option isn't the ideal desk.

The details: Width: 55.1" | Height: 28.75" | Depth: 23.6" | Color Options: 11

Lagkapten / Alex Desk

From

$215

Best Ikea L-Shaped Desk and Dual-Monitor Desk: Malm Desk With Pull-Out Panel

There's a lot to love about the Ikea Malm Desk With Pull-Out Panel ($160). It's sleek, can easily fit two large computer monitors, and it features a hidden pull-out panel, turning it into an L-shaped desk or simply offering an occasional additional tabletop for more room to work.

What we love:

This desk's pull-out panel is on wheels, easily pulling out to give you room to work and hiding away when it's not in use.
Much like other Ikea desks, there's a shelf under the desk to hold cords and power strips — especially useful if you're housing a lot of tech.

Who it's best for:

This desk is best for people who work in tech, design, or other industries where a dual-monitor setup is necessary or helpful.
This is also best for anyone generally in search of a desk with ample surface area.

Who should avoid it

This desk isn't best for extremely compact spaces, although the pull-out panel is a space-saver.

The details: Width: 59.5" | Height: 28.75" | Depth: 25.6" | Depth with Pull-Out Panel: 33.1"-53.1" | Color Options: 2

Malm Desk With Pull-Out Panel

From

$160

Best Ikea Corner Desk: Micke Corner Workstation

With its included hutch, the Micke Corner Workstation ($170) strikes a perfect balance between a compact desk and one that still offers a decent amount of storage.

What we love:

The Micke Corner Desk's hutch utilizes vertical space to offer storage and shelving in a way that doesn't compromise surface area.
It can house more supplies and workspace items than the average small-space desk.

Who it's best for

This desk is suitable for any room in a living space, but it's especially perfect to tuck in the corner of a bedroom for mixed sleeping and work space.
Given its design, this desk is ideal for anyone looking for a small-space option that makes use of vertical storage space.

Who should avoid it:

This desk may not be the best fit for anyone who prefers a larger work station to spread out or an open desk that doesn't feel crowded.

The details: Width: 39.3" | Height: 55.5" | Depth: 39.3" | Color Options: 2

Micke Corner Workstation

From

$170

Best Ikea Glass Desk: Vittsjö Laptop Table

Not every desk needs to be all work and no play. The Ikea Vittsjö Laptop Table ($50) is the perfect example of a multipurpose desk that's as useful as it is aesthetic. Open your laptop to get all your stuff done, and when work is done, use it as a gorgeous dressing table.

What we love:

This desk is a small, space-saving piece that can serve multiple purposes, depending on your specific setup.
At just $50, this option is particularly affordable, but still looks luxe.

Who is it best for

The Vittsjö Laptop Table is best if you're in search of a minimalist table that doesn't disrupt your space's aesthetic.
It's also perfect for the shopper who prefers a dressing table that can be used as a workspace when necessary.

Who should avoid it

Given this table's small size and design, it's great for laptop users, but it might not be the best option for those who need a multimonitor setup.

The details: Width: 39.3" | Height: 29.1" | Depth: 14.1" | Color Options: 2

Vittsjö Laptop Table

From

$50

Best Ikea Gaming Desk: Fredde Gaming Desk

Complete with vertical shelving and undertable storage, the Ikea Fredde Gaming Desk ($300) is a sturdy, functional pick for long nights spent gaming or streaming with friends or working on intense projects. The desk is also packed with other features that allow you to turn it into a workspace you'll never want to leave.

What we love:

In addition to the upper and lower shelving, the Fredde Gaming Desk also features two upper platforms for speakers.
The tabletop of the desk also features multiple cupholders, keeping your drinks secured and your desk free of watery condensation.

Who it's best for:

This desk is best for gamers, streamers, or anyone else who spends a great deal of time at their workstation.
Even for nongamers, the Fredde Gaming Desk is excellent for those who love ample storage and display options.

Who should avoid it

Given the amount of shelving and platforms, this desk could feel crowded quickly, so it may not be best for a minimalist vibe.

The details: Width: 55.1"-72.9" | Height: 57.5" | Depth: 29.1" | Color Options: 2

Fredde Gaming Desk

From

$300