Space. The final frontier. Those famous words from the beginning of Star Trek still echo in my head after years of watching Kirk battle cheesy-looking aliens. And for my little beach shack, space really is the final frontier–and that space is at a premium!
I moved into the Big Blue Beach Bungalow nearly 1-1/2 years ago, and at long last (and with thanks to IKEA), I’m nearly finished furnishing the place. My main living area is a long, narrow room that serves a dual purpose. It’s my primary lounging about area, with all my media, the flat-screen, blu-ray player, Xbox, etc. But it’s also a workspace, with my computer and all the accoutraments.
For a long time, I put up with a cheap $19 ready-to-assemble desk from Walmart. This humble little desk wasn’t much to look at, but sufficed as a short term solution while I completed my vision for the room.
My vision? 12 linear feet of IKEA BESTA storage in black-brown finish. Three units side-by-side, with each unit progressively taller. When I originally moved in, I already had one of the three units (my flatscreen sat atop it). And this month, the collection was completed.
The Problem
There was, however, one small problem. My original vision called for replacing the cheap desk and putting my Mac Mini in the BESTA unit, and my keyboard and mouse (both wireless) on an INREDA pull-out frame with the shelf insert option. The INREDA pull-out frame could be fitted with one of three available options: a compartmentalized tray; a hanging file system; or a shelf insert. The shelf insert works perfectly for a laptop or small keyboard and mouse.
Unfortunately, IKEA discontinued the shelf insert in 2010.
Bummer.
I tried a couple stores for stock to no avail. I checked Craigslist, again with no luck. I even tried the IKEAfans Forum, again with no success. “Screw it,” I thought. I’m fairly handy. I’ll build my own.
My Solution: The Do-It-Yourself INREDA Shelf Insert
The first step was assembling and installing the INREDA pull-out frame. This is easy enough for anyone with a screwdriver and the ability to follow directions.
Next, I carefully measured the opening for the insert. As it turns out, 1/2″ thick plywood is the perfect height for the insert, with dimensions of 19-3/8″ x 13-7/8″. First stop, Lowe’s. I found a 2′ x 2′ x 1/2″ sheet of sanded pine plywood, which the staff at Lowe’s were happy to cut to size for me.
Now all I needed to do was cover it. The original IKEA part was available in either white or black faux leather, and I wanted to do something similar in either black or very dark brown. The friendly people at the neighborhood Denault’s Hardware sent me down the road to Foam n’ Fabrics, where the owner gave me–for free–a remnant of black vinyl that fit perfectly.
I borrowed my neighbor’s staple gun, wrapped the vinyl around the plywood and stapled it to the underside.
It fits snugly in the pull-out frame opening, and looks perfect. Total cost? About $6 bucks (and a little bit of elbow grease).
Jeff, I could appreciate how much thought you put into this. I also looked to do something similar with my work space, and haven’t yet thought out completely how to do it.
Yours looks rather sleek. I love your results.
Things changed since “Room Five”, eh?
Thanks Xerraire. I very pleased with how it’s turned out.
And Room Five is still kicking… it’s just gone virtual.
Jeff, Love your design and look. Did you have to cut the back board for wire management?
Thanks JC. Yes, I cut a hole in the back board to bring in surge protector. The big square “basket” on the bottom shelf under the keyboard is my ad hoc cable management system. I have enough slack in the cables that I can pull the basket out to rewire things when necessary, and the rest of the time they stay neat and tidy.
Genius! This is exactly what I’m looking for. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks ninnanyc! I was surprised by just how easy it was. I wasn’t sure until I assembled the frame, but it works really well. The only advice (after using it for a while now) is just remember you can really lean hard on it like a “real” desk or it could pop out of the tracks. It hasn’t happened to me, but there is a little “give” that reminds me I can’t just prop myself up on it.
Brilliant
Neri
LOVE this idea. I’m looking to build a hack for my iMac so that I can use it both as a media centre and desktop. This is a good starting place!
This may be a silly question, but do you know how to take out the pull-out shelf to change the frame from letter sized to A4 so I can convert to using it as a shelf? Thanks!