We needed some extra office space and I’m always up for another project. We decided to convert our guest room into some much needed office space. We found some inspiration from the ether for building a desk that used IKEA Hemnes dressers. Maybe it was all the previous oil staining projects, but when Nichole asked if I could make a custom wood desk top, I said sure. Turns out an 11-foot wooden desk top and carefully attaching it is a fun and rewarding project.
IKEA Hemnes Dresser/Desk with Custom Wood Slab
The actual length of the desk ended up being 107 inches long (lost a few inches because of a mishap with a planer). I think it turned out awesome with the wood top and I had a lot of fun gluing that large of a project together.
Project Design Consideration
The following are design considerations I poured over before settling on the design and build.
#01: Desk opening width – I chose 30 inches. I researched. I sat at my current desk and thought more would be nice. I measured our various chairs and more. All of these were contributing factors as I worked out how wide of an opening for the desk. Ultimately the factors were 1) the dressers are 39.5 in. wide without their tops, 2) our wall space was limited as we wanted to maintain a functional space between the end and the closet, and 3) we didn’t mind a slight encroachment under the window. Thus, 109 inches became the biggest glue project of my life (so far). Here and here are some other options for dressers if you don’t have an Ikea nearby.
#02: Determine desk width. After researching desk openings, time to figure out the width. It seemed like there was no standard and the range was from 18 to 36 inches. I picked 38 inches. This would fit a pad of paper with a laptop comfortably (a keyboard and monitor would work as well).
#03: Determine desk style. I wanted a solid slab-esk look and not a butcher block. I also wanted a thinner profile desk at 3/4 in. thick compared to a 1.5 in. because the dressers, even though cut down, still result in a fairly tall desk height.
Part and Cut List
- 4 @ 1 in. x 8 in. x 12 feet
- 1 @ 1 in. x 4 in. x 12 feet
- 6 drawer pulls
- Figure 8 connectors and screws (I use these ones and another option here)
- Washers
- 2 IKEA Hemnes dressers, and here and here are others you can work with
Construction and Assembly
Step #01: Build your desk top. For details on how to build the desktop, see How to Glue Your Wood Together. I used this desktop as my demonstration project.
Step #02: Modify Hemnes Dresser Ends. Carefully lay out the ends of the dresser and determine what are the bottoms. It might help to slightly assemble one of the ends so you can see where the cross braces will go. Mark the bottom of the face boards as you’re going to cut the sides flush with those boards.
Step #03: Assemble Hemnes Dresser. As you likely know, IKEA dressers don’t take a lot of force. I get impatient and use my drill, but be very careful as you assemble. Also, you can buy a hex drill bit set or cut the allen key and fit into your drill (if it has a chuck). Don’t insert drawers yet.
Step #04: Attach Desk Top. Move your dressers into place and square them up using a large level. A straight piece of wood and a smaller level works as well. You want to make sure they are parallel and the gap between the desk are the same at the front and back. Reaching through the drawer gaps you can connect your figure 8 connectors to the dresser and desk.
TIP: Add 2 to 3 washers to the screw that goes into the desk top for the figure 8 connectors so you don’t mess up that beautiful wood. If you do, get the putty!
Tools for the Job
- Miter saw
- Table saw
- Wood Glue
- Quick clamps, self-standing clamps, and F-clamps (never enough clamps)
- Try-Square
- Basics: pencil, blue tape, tape measure
- Orbital Sander and sandpaper options (80, 120, 240, 320 grit – or thereabouts). This pack of sanding discs was great for my 5-inch orbital sander.
- Large Planer, Small Planer, or Hand Planer (potentially reduce the sanding time or deal with warped boards
- Cordless Drill
- Stain applicator and foam brushes
- Eye, ear, and hand protection
We’d love to hear from you on hacks you’ve made!
Nicole
March 2021Hi! Where did you get the drawer pulls? We are doing the same ikea hack desk but in a corner format. Its been difficult finding drawer pulls that wide.
Thanks!
Ryan
September 2022Hi Nicole. Sorry for the delay but here is the link: drawer pull.
Thanks!
Kallie
November 2022What is the shiny finish on the wood desk top? The link to build it doesn’t work.
Ryan
November 2022The finish is multiple coats of high gloss poly (LINK).
MARY C
May 2023What type of wood did you use for the top and where did you find it? Thank you.
Ryan
August 2023Hi Mary,
We used hemlock that we bought at Dunn Lumber. You could also use maple or similar hardwood, but hemlock has a better price point in our market. The thickness is 1″ (about 0.85″ after sanding and planing). The board lengths were 12-foot but you could do shorter boards and glue it up (we only glued the width).
Thanks
Mary
May 2023Can you provide info for the slab of wood on top (Type of Wood, Length, Depth, Thickness, where you bought it…)?
Thank you,