Ikea butcher block countertops are the best desk surface on a budget

I was super skeptical when my buddy told me to just grab a $40 Ikea butcher block countertop for my desk instead of some fancy gaming desk. Figured it would chip or warp or just look like a kitchen counter in an office space. But I went for it anyway, got the 74 inch Karlby, and slapped some furniture legs on it. That was 8 months ago and it still looks brand new, no stains, no scratches even after I spilled coffee on it twice. The wood feels solid and the finish is actually holding up way better than my old laminate desk did. Only catch is you gotta seal it yourself if you want it real waterproof, I used Danish oil for like $12. Has anyone else tried using kitchen countertops for their desk and got weird looks from family at first?

2 comments

2 Comments

mason.margaret4d ago

Karlby also makes a great keyboard tray if you cut it down.

faith_torres834d ago

Oh man, the Karlby is legit, I did the same thing about a year ago and my family definitely gave me the side eye when they saw a kitchen counter in my office. But once I stained it a darker walnut color and added some hairpin legs, it stopped looking like a kitchen counter and more like a custom desk. I sealed mine with polyurethane instead of Danish oil because I'm clumsy and spill water all the time, and it's held up through a whole mug of tea tipping over with zero damage. The wood grain hides dust and fingerprints way better than my old glossy white desk did too. Honestly for the price it's a no brainer compared to those "gaming desk" brands that cost three times as much and use particle board.