My old room was seriously lacking. All this time, I’ve been sleeping on a cheap twin-sized bed for crying out loud. The metal bed frame was wobbly and utter junk. I’m pretty sure it was pilfered from a random alleyway dumpster… then given to me to use.

Instead of spending so much money elsewhere, I should have invested more in upgrading my room. Frankly speaking, I was never really motivated to do so because I didn’t feel connected with where I was living. The extent of my motivation was when I went to OfficeMax and bought a desk

Now that I was moving, I felt compelled to devote much needed attention to my room. I updated my bed to something a normal adult should sleep in: a full-size mattress on an Ikea Malm bed frame + nightstand with Ikea Sultan Laxeby slats. This bed frame combo was love at first sight. I loved the contemporary simplicity of its design and the low-slung profile. Best of all, in character with Ikea, it was affordable. Also, after using the same alarm clock since 1997, I finally bought myself a new one…

For my desk and “office”, I chose an Ikea Galant table with chrome A-legs and black wood top. I was sick of glass tops, they just don’t feel right. The desk lamp is a nickel plated Ikea Forsa. The chair is a Scandinavian Designs Ovata high back.

I made sure to deliberate on the ergonomics and dialed the desk to a leveled and appropriate height. Preferably, to set the desk height, you want to sit in the chair upright with your arms hanging naturally and your elbow at a 90 degree angle.

People like to knock Ikea, but for the best bang for the buck, they are hard to beat. I agree that many of their items are rubbish, you just have to know what you’re looking for and be wary of their low-end lines. My bed and desk are sturdy and well designed. I personally think my room’s arrangement is pimp and it didn’t break the bank. Ballin’ on a budget at its finest. I could just as easily go to a “name brand” furniture store and spend hundreds more, then end up with something that looks like it belongs in a retirement home. I’m a big fan of the Scandinavian style of modernism and functionalism.

I’m not quite done with my room yet. I still need a rug and file cabinet. Will likely be going to Ikea for those as well.

2 thoughts on “Room & Desk-ography

  1. Ikea’s pretty boss. Got one right here in Carson. Definitely got the simple designs but geez, those Swedish folks know what furniture steez is about. On top of that, the best part is building it!

  2. Word, installing your own furniture is pretty fun. If anything, it grants you that extra level of attachment with your stuff

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