How to Make an IKEA LINNMON Desk a Standing Desk With Two Wood Crates
Years ago, I used wood crates to make a standing craft table from an IKEA LINNMON Desk. It worked well but over time, I wanted something new and fresh. Well, here it is and I am so stinking excited. I absolutely loved how this turned out. You can use it as either a standing desk or a standing craft table. It could even be an awesome buffet bar. I hope you enjoy this IKEA Hack idea. I tell you, the table top and the legs were in such rough shape... it is truly amazing what a little paint can do...
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I started with an IKEA desk similar to this one. Mine is the extended table top version.
I also used two crates.
The top of my desk was in poor condition so I painted it. You can see this table has been well used. I really wasn't sure at this point how it was going to look in the end. It was in rough shape.
But first I decided to do all the prep work of making it a standing desk. I knew it would be be flipped this way and that and the paint would likely be scratched. Trust me it was so hard not to paint it first.
I removed the legs.
I placed a crate and the legs into position and confirmed that this should work.
I attached the crate to the desk top with heavy duty adhesive.
I wanted to clamp it while it dried but my clamps wouldn’t open wide enough. I used a weight at first but later used just a couple wood screws to hold it in place while it dried.
I added a couple of pieces of scrap wood to attach the legs to the crate. I used the same heavy duty adhesive used in the previous step.
My legs looked their age, so I gave them a fresh coat of gold spray paint.
I painted the scrap wood so it would be less noticeable.
I let the adhesive dry overnight and attached the legs.
Finally, I flipped it over and painted the top. I used a chalk paint and I did sand the top lightly first. It took many coats to cover this black. I probably should have used a primer first.
Next, I put some peel n stick wallpaper on foam core board to make the crates pretty.
So pretty!
I attached it with small nails but you could use command strips.
I absolutely loved how it turned out. I was really nervous about the wallpaper choice. I was afraid it would be too much and I stressed over which pattern and I love it now.
Because my table is so long, I added a fifth leg in the back for support.
I could not be happier!
It really adds something special to my dining room office. It is perfect and it ended up being so much more than I was expecting.
I love being able to stand and work on my laptop or stand and create crafts comfortably. This is such an easy project, I hope that you will give it a try and I would love to know how it turns out for you.
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would it not have been cheaper just to buy a shelf, legs and the boxes? i build stuff so that would be my way. but good for you looks good
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This is a good idea. Love the idea of using the wallpaper.
Frequently asked questions
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I'm curious about why you didn't put the opening of the crates on the inside for easy storage.
Love how this turned out, it looks great in your space but I am wondering how you open the shutters? Perhaps you never want them open? I would want to be able to let in all that light but that's just me.
Nice idea, a bit curious though. How did you paint without any drop cloth or something to protect the floors. I'd be afraid of dripping or spilling, on the beautiful wood floors.