Desk Ideas for new apartment

[callmemike20]

I know there is a desk picture thread already, but I am looking at only a few desks and was wondering if anyone currently uses them and what their setup looks like. I will be needing space for a macbook pro, some books (which I could also put in a tower cabinet if the desk has one), a printer, external hard drive, and Logitech x530 speakers. Because I am a student, I also want to have as much room as possible to study and use my computer. Here are the desks I am looking at ($200 and below is my budget).

OfficeMax Bush Vantage Student Desk: $159.00 (my favorite one, but it had some bad reviews because the drawers don't always look straight).
http://www.officemax.com/catalog/images/397x353/21058089i_02.jpg

OfficeMax Tyler Collection: $179.00
http://www.officemax.com/catalog/images/397x353/27791p_01.jpg

OfficeMax Techni Mobili Glass and Wood Computer Desk: $239.00 (a stretch)
http://www.officemax.com/catalog/images/397x353/21728114i_01.jpg


If any of you are using one of these desks, could you please post a picture so I can see the setup. Also, could you post your experiences with the overall quality of the product. Thanks.

[blackfox]

Though probably not what you are looking for - it is amazing what you can do with a couple closet doors and a little ingenuity.

Obviously an old photo (eg Pismo) - but you get the idea.

[kymac]

dang! those are pricey.. i would never spend that much for fake wood and cheap plastic. those desks also look very tiny. so they might not be the best for your needs

[mousouchop]

My mom has the first one and it is cheap as all get out. I don't know if it is just because her idiot bf put it together (He is a lawyer that thinks he can do everything right... -_-), but the door is falling off, the drawers don't glide right and I am sure the keyboard tray will go sooner or later. I would just say, stay away from the first.

[bc008]

Some very nice desks from my favorite store :)

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40079218
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10103682
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40111124
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/workspaces/11716/

[iMacBook]

I'd go for a glass top desk from IKEA.


I wish I could furnish my room with IKEA goodness. So much nice stuff from that place.

[messedkid]

I am quite fond of the Mikael product line from iKea (;)).
I went for the Corner Workstation, and am thinking of getting a regular Mikael table to extend the left side for more workspace. The corner desk is nice, but with an old Dimension 3000, macbook and a netbook on there, space for writing, open textbooks and maybe some food/drink is very limited.

Mikael Corner Workstation $169.99
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00079215

Mikael Desk (for more workspace) $49.99
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40079218

Also picking up the KNÖS curved deskpad. $29.99
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50129963

[smwatson]

Does IKEA have like a really good reputation in the US?

I know its considered the cheap mass produced option here really.

[bc008]

Does IKEA have like a really good reputation in the US?

I know its considered the cheap mass produced option here really.

IKEA is definately still considered "low end" furniture in the U.S., but it is still a very "considerable" furniture option. Very modern for very cheap. I would say with Wal Mart being a 1 in the Furniture world, and Pottery Barn/Ethan Allen etc. being a 10, IKEA would be a 3-4. (IMHO the desks the OP chose look 1)

[callmemike20]

Thanks for all the replies. I know the desks aren't great quality, but you get what you pay for. As a kid, I've had desks from OfficeMax (or places like it) and they were good for what I needed them for. No need to go out and spend $1000 on a desk from a real furniture store until I am out of school and not changing apartments every year.

I am looking at the Ikea desks mentioned. Are they really sturdy?

[bc008]

Thanks for all the replies. I know the desks aren't great quality, but you get what you pay for. As a kid, I've had desks from OfficeMax (or places like it) and they were good for what I needed them for. No need to go out and spend $1000 on a desk from a real furniture store until I am out of school and not changing apartments every year.

I am looking at the Ikea desks mentioned. Are they really sturdy?

I was just at IKEA, and the best for your money would either be FREDRIK or GALANT desk systems. They both seemed very sturdy, as in not even moving sturdy. The others are also some of the better ones I have seen.

[callmemike20]

I was just at IKEA, and the best for your money would either be FREDRIK or GALANT desk systems. They both seemed very sturdy, as in not even moving sturdy. The others are also some of the better ones I have seen.

Thanks for the input. I'll look at the GALANT system more, but right now I'm leaning more towards the 2nd desk I posted. In the store, it looks pretty nice.

I just want to make sure I have a place for my books and all my computer stuff. And I like how the officemax one has a few drawers. But, I guess the GALANT system has a lot of space. This is a tough decision. My last apartment was small and I didn't have a desk. So, I guess anything is better than that.

Does anyone know the ikea return policy?

[bc008]

Thanks for the input. I'll look at the GALANT system more, but right now I'm leaning more towards the 2nd desk I posted. In the store, it looks pretty nice.

I just want to make sure I have a place for my books and all my computer stuff. And I like how the officemax one has a few drawers. But, I guess the GALANT system has a lot of space. This is a tough decision. My last apartment was small and I didn't have a desk. So, I guess anything is better than that.

Does anyone know the ikea return policy?

90 days I believe. I also like the 2nd desk the best out of the ones you selected.

[SchneiderMan]

I would only buy desks from Ikea, great designs, great prices and great quality! galant desk is highly recommended

[Moshiiii]

big fan of Ikea desks

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/Moshiiii/RiseandFall3-1.jpg

Since that picture I have gotten an extension for it and it is completely massive. I'm a big fan of a large understated wood desk, it says "Hey I get work done here"".

[Applepi]

Another vote for Ikea; rather easy to assemble and sturdy as can be.

[Whorehay]

I just got a used Mikael Corner Workstation for my new apartment, along with a regular Mikael desk on the side :)

[dlegend]

my vote is for an ikea desk/table like mentioned above. Get a cheap bookshelf from target/walmart to put next to it and get some of those cheap boxes to store stuff in on the bookshelf from ikea.

[The3nd]

Im with them on Ikea

[callmemike20]

Well guys, you almost have me convinced. Going to the ikea store today to browse around and look at the desks mentioned. I'll tell you what I've decided when I get back.

[andymodem]

I am quite fond of the Mikael product line from iKea (;)).
I went for the Corner Workstation, and am thinking of getting a regular Mikael table to extend the left side for more workspace. The corner desk is nice, but with an old Dimension 3000, macbook and a netbook on there, space for writing, open textbooks and maybe some food/drink is very limited.



I am a fan of them as well. Have the Mikael corner workstation myself. Got that one for my house after using my dad's Mikael corner desk. :D

[Xfujinon]

Search garage sales, estate sales, and/or auctions for old solid wood doors or paneling. Used oak or maple doors mounted on government surplus filing cabinets have served as my desks for many years.

Currently, I am using the top of a pharmaceutical lab table I bought surplus for 10 bucks, atop two old filing cabinets I got free from my grad school. This sucker supports my weight standing on top of it, holding a CRT, plus all the other crap I have piled on it. It doesn't even flex a millimeter. I highly recommend that.

Even old pool table slates, covered by some laminate or some plastic, look pretty good if done right. Frankly I find the homebrew solutions more interesting anyway. Building one is pretty easy, and can be made sturdy enough to withstand the apocalypse.

Good luck!

[callmemike20]

So, I think I'm going to get 2 Mikael desks, and 1 hutch. Does anyone know how sturdy the hutch is? Would it hold quite a few college books? Is it really necessary to attach it to the wall?