How to build a desk with Ikea Trofast in the kids room - step by step

Ikea Trofast is a favorite in many kids rooms. It is not only a smart solution for keeping toys and crafts organized, but also a perfect foundation for creative projects. With a little imagination, you can transform Trofast into a practical and personal desk that makes children's play and homework even more fun.

A very popular ikea hack is to use the Ikea Trofast to build a desk. With a few simple adjustments, you can turn the Ikea Trofast into a practical and stylish workplace that suits both homework and creativity.

In this article, we share step-by-step instructions and inspiring examples of how you can create your own Trofast desk. We walk through different ways to use the system – from adding a table top to mounting it on the wall – so you can find the solution that works best for you and your home.

Photo: Emilia Larsson @emilialarss0n. Here, the frame is used as a desk and the drawers are decorated with decals from Piffa.

What is Ikea Trofast?

Trofast is one of Ikea's most beloved and flexible storage systems, especially popular in kids rooms. With its modular frames and practical boxes, it is perfect for keeping toys, craft materials, and other small items organized that would otherwise easily spread out.

Thanks to its smart design and durable materials, Trofast is a system that both children and parents appreciate. It is easy to adapt to the children's age and needs, and there are endless possibilities to make it part of the room's decor.

Trofast is also a fantastic starting point for creative solutions. With a little imagination, you can turn it into more than just storage - like a desk that both organizes and inspires children to play and learn.

To give Trofast even more personality, our decals are a perfect complement. With Piffa's decals, you can easily create a playful and unique style that fits your child's room.

Different ways to build a desk with Trofast

Trofast is not just a storage solution – it is a creative building block for creating a customized desk in the children's room. A big advantage of Trofast is that it can be easily adapted as the child grows. A desk that initially stands on the floor can later be raised by mounting it on the wall or by adding adjustable table legs. In this way, the same solution can follow the child through different ages and needs.

Trofast frames are available in two different finishes – light white-stained pine and white lacquered finish. The frame we refer to in this article is 93 cm wide, 50 cm high, and 44 cm deep.

Here are some simple and inspiring Trofast desk hacks:

1. Simple desk with a table top

One of the quickest and easiest ways to create a desk with Trofast is to place two frames on the floor, one on each side, and place a table top on top. It provides both plenty of storage and a practical workspace. For extra stability, you can secure the disc with double-sided tape or small angle brackets.

When choosing a table top, a hobby pine board or an MDF board are good options. Pine is suitable if you want a natural wood feel, while MDF is perfect for a smooth, painted surface. Keep in mind that the disc should not be deeper than 44 cm, so that it does not protrude too much from the Trofast frame. A common measurement of a desk surface for children is 100-120 cm in width.

If you want a simpler solution that takes up less space, you can use a single Trofast frame as support on one side and fasten the tabletop to the wall using two angle irons. This is perfect for smaller rooms or if you want to keep a more airy feeling in the children's room.

Angelica @angelicasandberg.se have put a table top on Trofast and attached it to the wall, painted in the same color as the bed in the room.

2. Desk with Trofast as frame

A Trofast frame can be used as the desk construction itself. By assembling the sides and the top board, but not assembling the bottom and any shelves in the middle, an open surface is created to use the frame as leg support. If you want a narrower work surface, you can also saw off the width of the frame to adapt it to the size or needs of the children's room. This solution is best suited for younger children, as the height will be the same as with the simple desk.

Here, a Trofast frame is used as a desk between two other frames.

3. Wall-mounted Trofast desk

You can also mount two Trofast units directly on the wall and place a table top on top. This creates a space-saving solution that leaves the floor free and allows the desk to be mounted at a higher height, which is more suitable for older children.

When mounting the frame to the wall, angle corners are a good option to ensure stability. Place the corners discreetly on the inside or underside of the frame so that they are not visible. Attach them to both the wall and frame, using plugs and screws suitable for the wall material to ensure a secure and neat installation.

Do you want to create a cozy and functional desk corner? Combine a wall-hung Trofast unit with a tabletop that is fixed to the wall with brackets. In this way, you can create a built-in, wall-mounted desk that both saves space and looks stylish. This solution works particularly well in corners where you can make maximum use of the room's surface. Be sure to use sturdy brackets and attach both Trofast and the tabletop securely to the wall for safety and durability.

Linnea @hemlikheter have built a wall-mounted desk with Trofast and a top painted in the same color as the wall behind it.

4. Adjustable desk with Trofast

Do you want to create a desk that can grow with the child? Combine Trofast units with adjustable table legs. In this way, the height of the desk can be easily adjusted and adjusted, making it especially useful for older children who need a higher work surface. This solution makes the desk both long-term and flexible.

More Trofast desk hacks

In addition to building the desk itself, there are several ways to make it both practical and personal. Here are some additional ideas:

Use wall storage above the desk

To maximize storage in the children's room, you can combine the desk with Trofast wall-mounted drawers above the work surface. Here, school materials, crafts and books can be stored in a way that is both easily accessible and keeps the desk clean. By using the same colors or decorations on the wall storage and the desk, you create a harmonious feeling in the room.

Emelie Ekman @34kvadrat has created a series of labels that fit, for example, the Trofast wall shelf in the collection 34kvadrat X Piffa.

Paint the Trofast frame to match the room

Painting the Trofast frame in a color that matches the child's room is an easy way to make the desk more personal. With the right color, you can create a whole that fits perfectly into the interior. A neutral tone gives a stylish impression, while a playful color can enhance the theme of the children's room.

If you instead want the desk to match the natural look of the Trofast frame, the white-stained pine variety, you can treat the tabletop to mimic the finish of the frame. White stain, white-pigmented oil or varnish are good alternatives to obtain uniform surfaces.

Here's how to paint the frame in one color:

Cleaning: Wash the surface with paint cleaner to remove dirt and grease.
Sanding: Use fine sandpaper to roughen the surface and improve the adhesion of the paint.
Priming: Apply a carpentry primer to create an even base.
Coving: Paint with a durable carpentry paint in the desired colour. Use a small roller for smooth surfaces and brush for edges.
Drying: Allow the paint to dry thoroughly between each coat for best results.

Customize with decals for a unique look

Decals are an easy and fun way to make your Trofast desk unique. With Piffa's stickers, you can choose from different colors and patterns that suit the child's personality and the style of the room. Whether you prefer playful patterns or soft, romantic tones, the decals can transform both frames and drawers into a part of the room's design.

Tove Stens @tove.stens has Trofast desks in two of the family's kids room, see more pictures in our article with Tove.

Choose the right seat for the desk

The seat is as important as the desk in creating a comfortable work environment. For the lower Trofast desks, a low stool or chair is suitable, making it easy for younger children to sit comfortably. If the desk is taller, or if it is used by an older child, an adjustable desk chair may be a better choice. Consider ergonomics, especially for older children who use the desk for long periods of time, and choose a chair that provides good back and posture support.

Charlotte Wahlgren @scandinaviangrey has painted a chair in a blue color that contrasts nicely with the soft colors in the room. See more pictures in our article with Charlotte.

Get started with your own Trofast desk hack

With Trofast as a base, the possibilities for creating a personal and functional desk are almost endless. Whether you choose a simple solution with a table top, a height-adjustable option or a wall-mounted version, you can adapt the desk to grow with your child and match both their needs and the style of the room.

Don't forget that the small details make a big difference. By using stickers, paint or wall storage, you can make the desk both practical and aesthetically pleasing. With the right planning and creativity, you can create an inspiring place for playing, reading homework and creating - completely adapted to your child's room.

If you are ready to get started, don't forget to check out our decals that help you give the Trofast desk a unique and personal touch.