Ikea’s Hackable, Clutter-Fighting Classic Now Looks Better Than Ever

The key component of the internet’s favorite DIY home office setup now has two appealing new looks, at least for a limited time.

Blue and yellow IKEA store exterior with orange double doors and green bushes.

Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Ben Bowers

Published November 15, 2025

·

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Ikea’s hall of fame roster of affordable furniture icons is well established.

But a special subset of pieces, from the endlessly reimagined Billy bookcase or the Kallax shelving unit, to the Malm dresser and Ivar storage system, have long inspired DIY enthusiasts and designers to “hack” new uses and implementations – in some cases far afield from Ikea’s original design script.

Debates over the most versatile piece in this cadre will rage on across Pinterest boards, Reddit threads, and TikTok hot-takes as long as the company exists.

Corner home office with a light wood desk, dark blue drawers, gray swivel chair, white shelves, and a window with a plant. — On some product pages, Ikea listed the new black-blue color as a “limited edition”, but it’s unclear what that designation ultimately means for the unique colors long-term availability.

But in the narrow realm of home office, one item clearly stands above others: the Alex drawer set—a simple, modular marvel valued for its clean lines, abundant storage, and status as the go-to foundation for custom(ish) workstations.

Now, after years of steady line expansion and hit-or-miss color additions, the Swedish furniture giant has introduced two new modern colors that make this already popular hack even more appealing.

Blue and grey with envy

Open dark blue drawer with a silver stapler, black pen, and stacked notebooks inside. — While the Alex drawer has been released in unique colors over the years, this darker shade might be the best release yet

The Alex drawer unit, along with other pieces in the now extensive Alex furniture line, is now available in a rich-looking, limited edition black-blue color. A non-limited dark grey option is also a new addition.

Both color choices offer a more premium, or at least of-the-moment, aesthetic that distances the Alex from the typical Ikea monotone and faux wood aesthetic.

The internet’s favorite desk hack

Gray fabric swivel office chair in front of a dark wood desk with gray drawers and a metal grid wall organizer. — Ikea has also added a new dark grey color to the lineup.

The Alex drawer’s popularity as a desk foundation isn’t accidental. At 27.5 inches tall, these units slot perfectly under most tabletops to create a desk height that works for the majority of users.

The five drawers offer substantial storage for office supplies, craft materials, or makeup, making them equally valuable whether you’re setting up a home office or a hobby station.

The back panel is also finished, allowing owners to place units anywhere in a room without worrying about ugly particleboard showing.

Two dark blue mobile drawer units with multiple drawers on caster wheels in a minimalist office space. — The black-blue color is featured across most – if not all – of Ikea’s expanded Alex lineup, including the Alex desk and filing cabinet versions of the drawers.

This is why many online home office and computing setup communities praise pairing two Alex units with a tabletop — whether it’s Ikea’s affordable Linnmon or the more upscale Karlby countertop — as one of the best desk setups available under $200.

This hack has become so ubiquitous that you’ll find countless examples across Reddit’s r/battlestations and r/ikeahacks communities, TikTok DIY channels, and design blogs like Ikea Hackers.

Dark blue desk with two drawers and matching mobile pedestal, black desk lamp, open book, and amber vase with greenery, paired with gray upholstered swivel chair on wheels. — The modern color options cost $15 more than their black and white standard counterparts.

The appeal has also extended beyond just desks. Creative users have even transformed Alex drawers into vanities with pull-out trays and glass tops, as well as custom closet systems.

This movement also explains why, over the years, Ikea has steadily added new variations of the traditional five-drawer setup, including options with casters and versions with filing drawers, and eventually, even a dedicated Alex desk.

Pricing and availability

Both new colors are now available online and in store at Ikea. While the classic white version of the Alex retails for around $90, the limited-edition dark blue and new grey colorways come in at $110 — a modest $15 premium for what many will consider a worthy style upgrade. A similar price bump seems to apply to other entries in the Alex lineup as well.

Tall dark gray storage cabinet with five drawers and recessed handles.

About the Author: Ben Bowers is the Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer of Gear Patrol. Throughout his tenure in media, Ben has written and reported on everything from consumer tech to whiskey, watches, cars, camping, and personal style. These days, he gets to write less than he’d like to.

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.