Children’s desks from furniture stores rarely fit in all three dimensions at the same time: height, width, appearance. One is too bulky, the next doesn’t have enough storage space, and after two years the child has outgrown it. A Trofast desk solves exactly this problem – you combine two sturdy shelves with a table top and get a workstation that adapts to your child in height, width and color. And it grows with you instead of becoming obsolete after a short time.
The best thing: you don’t need any professional tools or experience. A cordless screwdriver, a tape measure and a quiet hour are enough. These instructions guide you through the construction in six steps, show the corner variant and focus on what counts for children: secure, tip-proof support.
In short
- Basic principle – Two TROFAST shelves support a table top, screwed together from below for stability.
- table top – At least 25 mm thick so that nothing bends; LAGKAPTEN, KARLBY or a solid glued wood panel.
- Growing with you – You can adjust the height from preschool children to teenagers using step shelves, ledges or cabinet legs.
- Corner variant – Two panels at right angles or a recessed panel turn the hack into a corner desk.
- Security – Screw together from below and also fix tall structures to the wall.
Why the Trofast desk is so popular
TROFAST is actually a storage system – open shelf frames with slide-in boxes. It is precisely this simple, stable design that makes the shelves the ideal base for a desk. You get two pieces of furniture in one: work surface on top, storage space underneath.
The big advantage over a finished children’s desk is the freedom. You determine the width via the distance between the shelves, the height via the shelf variant and the color via the plate and boxes. This creates furniture that fits the room and the child – not the other way around. And because the system is modular, it can be expanded or converted later if the painting space becomes a homework table.
Then there is the price. Two shelves plus a top usually cost less than a branded children’s desk with comparable storage space – and you’re not paying for features that your child never uses. A Trofast hack for the loft bed can be implemented in a similarly clever way once you understand the principle.
This is what you need: Material & tools
The materials list is short. Essentially there are three things: two shelves, a plate, a few screws.
The shelves. You can choose between several TROFAST variants – the low, rectangular frame, the step shelf (diagonally stepped, for more height) or a combination of both. For a symmetrical desk, take two equal shelves; for a deliberately asymmetrical solution, mix.
The table top. The IKEA boards LAGKAPTEN and KARLBY have proven themselves. The thickness is more important than the name: it should be at least 25 mm, otherwise the plate will bend over the legroom. If you want a more valuable and more sustainable solution, you can choose a solid glued wood panel made of beech or spruce – more durable, more robust and with a beautiful wood look.
The tool. You don’t need much:
- Cordless screwdriver with matching bits
- Screws of the correct length (no longer than the plate plus the top edge of the shelf, otherwise they will come through at the top)
- Folding rule or tape measure
- Spirit level to straighten the plate
- When cutting: saw or the cutting service at the hardware store
This list of tools is not mandatory equipment from the shelf, but rather what turns out to be useful in practice. Nothing more is necessary.
Step by step: How to build the Trofast desk
The actual construction goes faster than many people think. Six steps and the table is there.
1. Set up shelves at the desired distance
Place the two shelves where the desk will later stand and determine the distance between them. This distance determines how much legroom your child has – it’s better to have a little more room than too little.
2. Measure the outside distance
Measure from the left outside edge of one shelf to the right outside edge of the other. This measurement is the length of your table top.
3. Measure width and cut panel to size
Measure the depth of the shelves and transfer them to the board. A tip from the editors: Feel free to cut the plate a few centimeters wider than the depth of the shelves. This creates a small overhang at the front and your knees don’t constantly hit the shelf.
4. Put on the plate
Place the plate in the middle of both shelves and align it with the spirit level. Check whether there is the same amount of protruding all around.
5. Screw from below
Now the most important step: screw the plate from below through the top of the shelf. This prevents the construction from slipping when the child props itself up or plays around. Never go through the plate from above – the screw heads would pose a risk of injury.
6. Sort boxes
Finally, insert the TROFAST boxes and set up the workstation. When it comes to tiered shelves, children like to choose the middle tier as an open shelf for books or tablets.
Build a corner desk with Trofast
If there is a corner in your children’s room that is unused, Trofast can turn it into a corner desk – ideal for making full use of the space. Two paths lead to the goal.
Variant 1: one plate. You use a large plate and cut out the inner corner at a right angle or bevel it. This results in a continuous, seamless work surface.
Variant 2: two plates. You screw two plates together at right angles. This is easier to transport and cut, but has a visible edge.
Important for both variants: The plate must rest several centimeters on both shelves so that it is secure. The corner itself often lacks a shelf to provide support – a wall bracket at the appropriate height or a single table leg helps here. And: Long, self-supporting sides tend to bend. Additionally, fix it to the wall or support it in the middle.
Which height for which age?
A desk is only comfortable if the height is right. The charm of the Trofast hack: you adapt them to your age – and change them again later.
- Toddlers and preschool children: The low, rectangular shelf creates a child-friendly painting height. Short legs reach well to the ground.
- School and youth age: The step shelf is higher and brings the top to a size that reaches a youth or adult table.
- Intermediate heights: Two narrow, upright shelves plus side strips at the desired height – place the plate on top, screw it together, and you’re done.
- Subsequent increase: Install cabinet legs under the shelves as the child grows.
This means that a single structure accompanies your child for years instead of having to be replaced every few years. If the finished table no longer fits into the concept, hiding the desk in the cupboard can also be done with modular furniture.
Storage space & customization
The biggest everyday advantage is under the plate. The TROFAST boxes are available in different colors and depths – and this mix makes the difference. Shallow boxes hold pens, brushes and painting pads, deep boxes hold toys, craft materials or folders. Sort by handle height: What the child often needs comes forward and down.
The following applies to the color: A uniform tone appears calm, a conscious color mix makes you want to tidy up. On the wall behind the work area, a SKÅDIS perforated board creates additional space for notes, drawings and small utensils – leaving the table surface free. If you like the principle of organization, you will find further suggestions on how Kallax can be used as a storage space wonder in the children’s room.
Pro tips
- Screw from below: This means that the plate remains securely fixed even when playing around and there are no sharp screw heads at the top.
- Secure wall: Secure tall or long structures to the wall using a furniture bracket to prevent anything from tipping over.
- Smooth edges: Deburr the cut edges of the table top with fine sandpaper before the child sits on it.
- Countersunk screws: Sink in a child-safe manner and do not choose drill holes that are too large so that the connection remains tight.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Trofast desk grow with my child?
In principle over the entire school period. You start with the low shelf for the preschool child and later increase it using a step shelf, ledges or cupboard legs. Because only the height changes and the basic structure remains, you don’t have to buy anything completely new.
Which IKEA table top suits Trofast best?
LAGKAPTEN and KARLBY are proven classics for this hack. A minimum thickness of 25 mm to prevent bending is crucial. If you like something particularly stable and high-quality, choose a solid glued wood panel made of beech or spruce instead of chipboard.
Is a homemade Trofast desk safe and tip-proof?
Yes, if you pay attention to two things: Always screw the plate to both shelves from below, and also secure tall or long structures to the wall with a furniture bracket. This means that the table is stable, even when the child supports himself.
Can I also build a Trofast desk as a corner desk?
Yes. Either screw two panels together at right angles or leave out a large panel in the corner. Since there is usually no supporting shelf in the corner, support this point with a wall bracket or table leg and fix long sides to the wall.
