Assembling an IKEA desk (a complex job aid, part 1) – Dave’s Ensampler
(Part 1 of 2; here’s Part 2.)
With most of the job aids I’ve discussed on the Ensampler, I’ve focused on a main purpose–the job aid as primarily a reference or primarily a decision-guiding flowchart, for instance.
Here, I’m analyzing a familiar type of job aid: IKEA instructions. I’ve chosen the guide for IKEA’s Galant desk. The goal of this guide is to help someone attach legs to a metal frame, and then attach the frame to a desktop.
Many people think of IKEA instructions as mainly procedural (step-by-step guides). The Galant instructions are more complex—they cover forty pages, so a single guide can help a consumer assemble any of the thirty-two different Galant configurations, based on size, shape, optional extensions, and so on. (You buy the frame, top, extensions, and legs separately; the instructions come with the frame.)
Beyond number of pages, though, what’s significant is how the Galant instructions support several types of accomplishment. I’ve split the discussion into two similar-sized chunks:
Part 1 (this post)
- Background on the Galant desk
- The decision guide section of the instructions, to help you find steps for the specific configuration of Galant desk you have,
- The concise, detailed checklist that shows the quantity and type of each part needed for each combination of frame, top, extension, and legs
Part 2 (the next post)
- The detailed procedural steps for your specific assembly.
Galant: the Background
While IKEA’s Galant series of office furniture has been replaced by the similar Bekant series, I’m deeply familiar with the Galant; I had the corner desk in my office for years.
That’s my old desk in the photo. IKEA calls it a left-hand desktop: one piece whose main, rectangular form curves into a smaller section on the left.
I didn’t join any extensions to mine, but as you’ll see, all the tops were designed to match up with various extensions.
The tops and extensions attach to a metal frame whose components depend on the configuration. And two types of legs — angled or T-shape — attach to the frame. For a clearer picture of how things come together, here’s a short video of two Galants being assembled. Both of these include a rectangular extension, so each desk is larger than mine was.)
Decisions, decisions
For the desk you have, see the page indicated.
Page 3 of the instructions is a wordless decision guide: based on the configuration you’ve chosen, turn to page X.
This page shows thirty-two different combinations of desk elements. Like a good reference, though, it organizes and categorizes.
Each row set off by a line contains combinations that follow the same basic assembly steps. The third row down, for example, shows ten different combinations of desk that all follow the steps on page 10.
You could find many approaches to organizing this decision. It’s not hard to imagine an product-centric one that started with the part number for each size of frame. What IKEA has done well here is to focus on the customer’s goal: a particular desk.
The customer likely compared several configurations and so is likely to recognize the one he chose. What’s especially helpful here is that IKEA relies on generalization: each row is a set of distinct items (the configurations) that leads to the same response (steps for assembly).
Checklist: which, where, and how many
Page 4 of the Galant guide has this chart:
It’s a checklist, dressed up like a reference.
A checklist, because you choose the type of leg, frame, or extension you’re working with, and then read across to see how many parts of each type you need.
The focus of a checklist is coverage or completion: make sure you have all these parts.
Here too there’s an assumption that the consumer knows what’s going on. The last two rows of the page 4 chart are for different types of desk extensions. You wouldn’t have those if you didn’t have the main desk, and so IKEA is relying on you to chunk your part-identification:
- Parts for the type of leg your desk will have (the first two rows)
- Parts for the main portion of the frame you’re using (rows three through six)
- Parts for the extension
In addition, IKEA steps outside strict rules when it comes to parts for the T-leg. There’s a special size of hex wrench for these legs; it’s used to adjust their height. That size isn’t used for any other part in the Galant family, and so that specific wrench (100092) appears in the right-hand column, where you’d expect either a blank or a 1 (which would indicate you needed wrench 108490.
I’m not sure I would have designed this chart that way, but I think it’s effective.
Even if you hadn’t started assembling your desk, you’d be likely to say “I should have this particular wrench,” and it would have come in the package with the T-leg.
As I said, the parts chart is a checklist–but if you keep your IKEA instructions, as I do, it’s also a reference. Eight years after purchasing another piece of IKEA office furniture, I was able to get a replacement part because the original instructions told me what the part number was.
(This was Part 1 of 2; here’s Part 2.)
Galant Megadesk – IKEA Hackers
Materials: Galant tabletops, Galant frames, A legs, T legs, Capita legs, Signum wire management
Description: I made this desk quite some time ago, so I may forget to mention a few steps. I think this is a creative way of putting together a desk as large as you need/want with an elegant shelf. I have built or assisted with 4 similar desks of varying size. This one is (by far) the biggest.
The Setup
I had a formal living room that I wanted to turn into an office.
Instead of putting several desks next to eachother, I really wanted to make a Galant that would fill 3 walls of the room. That would give me plenty of room for several computers, a TV, and some room for studying, etc. I started watching craigslist and visiting the As-Is section regularly.
The Desk
I started with 2 large rectangular Galant desks (63 x 31.5 inches) and one small extension (23 5/8 x 31.5 inches). I arranged them as a corner desk, making an L shape, with the extension on one end. I didn’t use a corner piece here because I wanted the desk on both of these walls to be 31.5 inches deep, not the 23 5/8 inches that a corner piece would have forced me into on one wall. The trick was using the right frame pieces to make it one solid desk. I used frames from a Galant corner desk and the 47 1/4 x 31.5 inch rectangular Galant, along with 2 bars from a large extension frame kit to join them together. Those frames covered the 2 large Galant desks, and I used the regular extension frame for the extension desk piece.
If I used the frame as designed, it would have been too far to the back of one of the desks. I drilled my own holes in the corner frame where the two pieces of the frame bolt together. With my own holes, I had to use a nut at then end of 2 of the bolts. I also had to drill my own holes for the spots where the frame attaches to the table top, but only on one of the tables. I used T legs for the ends, and put A legs in the back of the desk where possible. If you prefer the look of the rounded corner, just put a Knos curved desk pad in the corner. It looks good and is strong enough to be used.
About a year later, I had finally acquired enough pieces to finish the rest of the desk. I used 2 corner Galant desks to complete the desk. I used one of them as a corner and I cut the other down to a 63 x 23 5/8 inch rectangle. I joined them using another set of extension bars, then joined that to my previous desk with yet another set of extension bars. I used 3 more T legs on this part of the desk.
Due to the size of my room, I had to insert a 5 1/4 inch piece of scrap so the desk covered the whole wall.
The Shelf
So far I’ve described the actual desk. The part that really makes this hack-worthy is the shelf on top of the desk. I decided to use Galant desk pieces for the shelf since they look great with the desk, and I find the Lack shelves to be somewhat cheap. I used two corner Galant desk pieces and one small extension to create a shelf about 15 5/8 inches deep that covers the entire desk, except where the desk is only 23 5/8 inches deep. I think the diagram will show this much better and faster than I can write it. Simply take a Galant corner desk and cut where I have the red lines. Use Capita legs to elevate the shelf to whatever height you want, and put it on top of the desk.
I chose to have my shelf 6 inches above the desk, but the Capita legs are also available in 4 and 8 inch heights. I used 21 Capita legs due to the size of the shelf.
When installing the Capita legs, use them to join multiple pieces of shelf/desk together at the joints (two screws into each piece of wood). Also make sure you place them far enough back in places where you plan on using the Knos desk pads. I have 2 corner Knos and 3 straight Knos on my desk. With the 6 inch Capita legs, I now have room under the shelf for some Kassett DVD boxes, and Kassett CD boxes.
I used 7 Signum wire managers on the underside of the desk with surge protectors zip tied to the bottom for very effective cable management.
~ Joshua, Virginia
IKEA GALANT manual (2006) Desk
Need a manual for your IKEA GALANT (2006) Desk? Below you can view and download the PDF manual for free. In addition, FAQs, product ratings, and user reviews are included to help you get the best out of your product. If this is not the guide you were looking for, please contact us.
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Manual
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Download Russian manual (PDF, 2.01 MB)
(Remember to protect the environment and only print this manual if absolutely necessary)
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Rating
Let us know what you think about the IKEA GALANT (2006) Desk by leaving a product rating. Would you like to share your impressions of this product or ask a question? You can leave a comment at the bottom of the page. Are you satisfied with this IKEA product?
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83%
17%
70 votes
FAQ
Our support team searches for useful product information and answers frequently asked questions. If you notice an inaccuracy in our FAQs, please let us know using our contact form.
What is the best way to disassemble IKEA furniture?
Tested
IKEA recommends disassembling furniture using the assembly instructions in reverse order.
This was helpful (17128) share
My IKEA furniture is missing a screw/plug/nail.
Where can I find a replacement?
Tested
Every IKEA store has a section where you can borrow screws, plugs and other consumables for free.
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Can’t remove dowel from IKEA product. What to do?
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It’s best to use pliers and try not to squeeze the dowel too tightly, otherwise it won’t sit as tight.
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What is the ideal office chair height compared to a desk?
Tested
To achieve an optimal sitting position, the chair should be at such a height that your feet are on the floor and your upper and lower legs are at an angle of 90 degrees. In this position, touch the collarbone and let the arm hang down along the body. Your elbow height is the ideal height for your desk.
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Manual IKEA GALANT Desk
Need a manual for your IKEA GALANT Desk? Below you can view and download the PDF manual for free. In addition, FAQs, product ratings, and user reviews are included to help you get the best out of your product.
If this is not the guide you were looking for, please contact us.
Is your device malfunctioning and there is no solution in the manual? Go to Repair Café for free repair services.
Manual
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Download Russian manual (PDF, 0.94 MB)
(Remember to protect the environment and only print this manual if absolutely necessary)
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Rating
Let us know what you think about the IKEA GALANT Desk by leaving a product rating. Would you like to share your impressions of this product or ask a question? You can leave a comment at the bottom of the page. Are you satisfied with this IKEA product?
Yes No
82%
18%
22 votes
FAQ
Our support team searches for useful product information and answers frequently asked questions. If you notice an inaccuracy in our FAQs, please let us know using our contact form.
What is the best way to disassemble IKEA furniture?
Tested
IKEA recommends disassembling furniture using the assembly instructions in reverse order.