My Take On The Ikea Alex Drawer + Countertop Hack (Build Guide Too)
Using Ikea BESTÅ as a desk hutch?
Putting Micke add-on unit (hutch) on top of Linnmon/Alex table?
Micke Desk Add-On Hack
Videos
I had seen a number of general guides out there relating to building desks from Alex Drawers + Any Countertop.
Start with the end result first:
During the build process, I tried to reuse what I could from what came in the boxes from Ikea.
List if Items used:
Two Ikea Alex Drawers
One Ikea Countertop (98" length)
One 1"x1"x1/8" (thick) Aluminum Angle
~Ten #8 Round Head Wood Screws 3/4" in length
Unfortunately, due to supply issues, this isn't the exact colour combo I wanted ... but it'll definitely make due until i really feel like something needs to change.
Step 1
Build the Alex drawers as per the guide with a few changes:
Put the top piece on the bottom. It's going on carpet, so that's fine by me.
Don't put the top drawer in for ease of assembly later.
Use the "bottom" piece later on.
Step 2
Get a general feel for where you want the drawers to sit under the Countertop.
The aluminum angle is for general support along the back and can be used to back onto the Alex pieces as shown below.
This example has them about 12" in from the end of the Countertop, but I ended up putting them at the very far ends.
1 foot in from the endsStep 3
Once the Alex tops are exactly where you want them, then you can use some of the existing/leftover screws to mount them to the Countertop.
They'll go far enough in to secure them without disrupting the Countertop itself.
Depth of the existing screwsThey will need a pilot hold the size of the body of the screw, allowing the threads to sink in nicely.
I basically put the pieces in place, and stood on the Alex board on top of the Countertop and used my weight to keep everything in place. The front of the Alex drawer piece is flush with the front of the Countertop.
Alex piece screwed into place.Step 4
Install the support angle piece. This is intended to mitigate sagging in the centre/back where weight will be. I may end up getting a 1/2" angle later on to go between the two Alex drawers later, but for now this will do.
Ensure your hole in the aluminum allows the screw to go 99% through (or drop in) and that the head holds nicely.
There are roughly 8-10 along the back.Once the aluminum is drilled, do a tiny pilot hole in the Countertop for the screw itself (half the thickness or less) just to guide direction and reduce the chance of cracking the Countertop. Once it's all said and done, just ensure that the aluminum is flush to the Countertop.
Nice and Tight (but not too tight)Step 5
Probably the most awkward part is to actually put the top on the bottom.
It definitely takes 2 people, and you can only estimate so much.
There is enough leeway that you can put it on top of both incorrectly that the drawers can take the weight.
Then left one end only, adjust and install.
Repeat for the other side.
Tighten the fasteners for the Alex "tops" and install the top drawer.
And that's about it.
Assembled before loading up with everything.