Materials: Vika Leif trestle, 1 Nexus cabinet door from As-Is section, Stefan chair and some IKEA fabric
Description: On my most recent trip to IKEA, I wanted to get a frugally-priced laptop/writing desk and chair for my bedroom.
The one I was thinking about getting was the Laiva, which was only $20. It matched my existing furniture and was small enough to fit in the space I wanted to put it. Well, unfortunately it looked like it only cost $20.
My next try was the Micke at $49. I wasn't completely sold on it, as it looked a bit juvenile for an adult bedroom, but I went ahead and put it in my basket.
Whenever I make my IKEA pilgrimages, I always check out the As-Is section. You can find a lot of bits and pieces to get creative with as well as some decent furniture with just a few nicks and scratches. I found a Nexus cabinet door, which sells new for $38.00 (15x39), for only $1.99! Yeah, you read that right - one dollar and ninety-nine cents! It was the exact color of my existing furniture and the perfect size for the space in my bedroom.
So I put the Micke back on the shelf and headed upstairs to the showroom to look at leg options to create my own desk. I found the absolutely perfect Vika Leif table base for just $30.00. All I needed to do was to use five 2" wood screws to attach the Vika Leif to my Nexus cabinet door and, voila, a laptop/writing desk is born!
Of course, I needed a inexpensive chair to go with my inexpensive desk. I found the economically priced Stefan ($19.99) which fit the scale of my desk perfectly. Of course, I can't leave well enough alone, though. Back down in the Marketplace, I found some lovely black and white print fabric and decided I would cushion and cover Stefan's seat.
On the way out, I picked up the Hemma lamp base with a Klavsta shade in black and white to complement the fabric for the chair seat. The lamp and shade only set me back $17.99.
In total, my desk/chair/lamp combo only cost $59 (including fabric and cushion).
See more of Laura's bedroom desk and chair hack.
~ Laura, Virginia
