Q: Help me keep my desk in place on ALEX drawer units

Over at our IH FB Group, Ritu asks “People who have done this, how do you keep the wood plank from moving on the ALEX drawer units?

Mine keeps moving with the slightest pull/push.” (Photo below not my own, just to illustrate the setup.)

Credit: A piece of rainbow

Teresa says, “The tops of the ALEX units should have silicone/ rubber circles that should keep the desktop from shifting. When you say it moves, is it the tabletop that moves or the ALEX units, or both? The tabletop shouldn’t move.”

Teresa was referring to the rubber bumpers in Step 21 of the assembly instruction.

Turns out Ritu’s ALEX units were from the marketplace and did not have them.

What are her alternatives?

ALEX drawer unit anti-slip alternatives

First things first is to try to get replacement ones from IKEA Customer Service. Failing which let’s move on to alternatives.

#1 Bumpers

Similar bumpers are readily available at most hardware store or online like these on Amazon.

Buy Scotch Bumpers on Amazon

#2 Anti-slip mat

Secondly, she can try other non-slip items as suggested by Marianne — the STOPP anti-slip underlay.

STOPP anti slip underlay | IKEA.com

Charshy cut the STOPP mat into squares and placed them on top of the ALEX units before laying the desk top above.

#3 Velcro strips

Michelle says Velcro strips are the method used at IKEA stores. With removable Velcro mounting strips it would be easy to remove, without damage to the surfaces.

Velcro removable strips

#4 Screws

A more permanent solution would be to use screws. Kenny suggested to screw from inside the top drawer up into the table and “it won’t budge ever again until you remove the screw.”

Cabinet screws 2.5″

Do measure and add up the thickness of the ALEX drawer unit top panel and the table top. Get screws that are slightly shorter than the total height.

All great suggestions.

For Ritu, the bumpers are probably the easiest place to start.

Hope it works out.

Happy hacking,

Jules

Hacking may compromise the structural integrity of the item, so please be aware of the risks involved before modifying or altering any IKEA product. Alterations and modifications will also void any warranties or return policies you may have received from IKEA. IKEAhackers.net is not liable for any product failure, injury or damage resulting from the application of suggestions, ideas and hacks featured on this site.

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