IKEA Mikael Desk & add on unit Review

When I needed to set up my home office I knew 2 things: I didn't want to spend a lot, and I didn't have a lot of space. I started looking at used furniture, and then at discount and big-box stores, but I couldn't find anything that hit the right spot on my price/quality curve. Then I remembered that we finally got an IKEA, so I went down to check out the selection there. (cue heraldic trumpets) They got me set up "quick, fast, and in a hurry". I got the Mikael desk with add-on unit for a very reasonable price, and IKEA quality to boot. Am I going to dive under it when the tornado siren goes off? No! But it's sturdy enough for regular duty, and it's like the designers read my mind when they planned the add-on unit.

On the right, there is a magnetic/dry erase board, perfect for notes to myself and things I want to keep in view, with a little cubby/shelf at the bottom that is just the right size for storing the pencils, sticky notes, and nic nac of the week. The middle has 2 adjustable shelves, and on the left are some metal "racks" (I don't know what to call them). They are u-shaped metal brackets that angle up to hold files up in clear view when you're seated. I keep my active files here, so they are always close at hand without cluttering up my desk top. The top of the add-on is flat, with wire dividers to hold up books, magazines, etc.

Recommended change- It needs a keyboard tray. The edges of this desk are sharp corners and they will leave a crease in your fore arm

One caveat- It has a 66 pound max. load. If you are still rockin' the CRT monitor, you better not throw the Penderman file on there, to.

In short, the IKEA designers did another great job of getting logical design into an economy product, and I'm loving it.