I get a ton of questions on our school room, and so I thought I would do an update on our Ikea setup.
So to answer your questions…
- YES, we still love our desks!
- YES, they’re still white! (They clean very easily with some water, Windex, or for certain marker spots I used Clorox Cleaner)
- YES, my kids have survived the swivel chairs!
I also get a LOT of questions on how our desks are set up so I thought I’d show you more detailed pictures of the setup. I moved the drawers out to the ends this year so there was room for the chairs to push all the way in. In order to do that, I had to get a piece of board to help make the desk tops more steady.
I found a piece of 4×8 peg board at my local home depot ($8) and had the nice man there cut it in half for me. (I’ll show you what I did with the rest of it later ;o)
I put the board on top of the drawer units to help stabilize the desk tops. I think it would work better if I’d had one that was 5’x’ 5’ but you work with what you have.
EDITED: To prevent slipping, I have since purchased a set of 4 flat metal brackets. I used them to screw the two desktops together so they don’t move apart. I also added a rubber rug mat (the kind to keep small area rugs from sliding around) in between the peg board and the desktops. Works like a charm!
My school room is about 11′ x 14′, the total size of the desk is about 5′x5′.
What are the specifics?
- 4 – Vika Alex Drawer units
- 2 – Vika Amon Table Tops (I purchased two 2.5′ x 5′ table tops and put them together for a 5×5 table, I’ve updated this link the table tops are now called “Linnmon” but they’re the same as mine.)
- 1 Expedit Wall Shelf (I have a 5×5 Expedit/Kallax shelving unit)
- 4 Jules Jr. Swivel Chairs (Update: Swivel chairs are working well, they’ve gotten over the spinning, so it’s all good now.)
- 5 DRÖNA Storage boxes
Here’s a close-up of the drawers and chairs for you. I turned them all in a pin-wheel pattern so that one set of drawers is facing each student. I’m strongly considering getting a glass top cut for this to protect all my whiteness, but that’ll have to come later as budget allows. I am also thinking of securing the desk tops to the drawer units with screws just to prevent slipping.
EDITED: I also added a rubber rug mat (the kind to keep small area rugs from sliding around) in between the peg board and the desktops. Works like a charm!
Here is the completed unit, the openings are now wide enough for the chair to slide all the way in.
And here it is completely put together:
Do you think it is possible to create this 5×5 table using only two drawer units and two legs?
Yes, for sure!
But I wouldn’t be able to use the peg board, correct? As it wouldn’t reach to the table legs. Do you feel the peg board is important – have you found it beneficial? I am heading to IKEA tomorrow (first time!) and want to be sure I get the correct stuff. Also, the swivel chairs will be used on hardwood floors. I don’t know what kind of floor you have, but should I be concerned about scratching?
Thanks so much!
Oh correct, if you’re using table legs you don’t need the peg board. I just used it because the middle of my desks were sagging a bit. If you have table legs on the ends you should be fine without the pegboard. I have hardwood flooring as well and they’re fine on it, no scratches so far.
Did you buy your ikea items online/have them shipped to you or do you have an ikea store near by? Trying to order items online is insanely stupid and not productive at all. And I can’t travel 3 hours one way to pick items up T_T I wish there was a store more near us.
No, we have an IKEA store near us 🙂 I’ve also had them ship before as well though.
What do you store in the drawer units? That having 4 is better than doing 2. I have 3 kids so far.
Hi Marilyn, our daily work goes in them, you can see them here: http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/category/workboxes
Hi! I LOVE this! Quick question: what is the width of the opening where the chairs go? (I apologize if this has been asked before)
I’m copying you lol
I don’t have a room so I’m converting my living room
The last two items are not available at ikea anymore
Yay! Hope it turns out as a great space for you!
how much ang table?
Hello. Just placed order from ikea. I love your little table! Did you use brackets at all before deciding on the peg table? Brackets to connect tables?
Yes, we used brackets to connect the two tables together and it worked fairly well.
What about that supply lazy Susan on the desks? Where can I find that?
Michael’s 🙂
Is the link for the table tops the exact size table tops that you used?
Yes