I originally wrote about this DIY makeup vanity back in 2014. Crazy right? This setup has gone viral ever since. At this point in time, in 2024, some items for this vanity are not available but other options have come around. We’re going to go over all of the options and some alternatives too.
Before we do that, let’s go over some backstory….
In 2014, I was living in a 2-bedroom apartment with my boyfriend (now ex). Our second bedroom was used as our office and we were sharing a desk for everything. It was used for computer tasks, housing office supplies, applying makeup, crafting, photography, etc. As you can imagine, this didn’t work out so well. One desk cannot effectively do everything. I needed my own space to store my products and be able to work on things.
I wanted lots of drawers for storage and a good-sized surface to lay stuff out. The problem was that I had limited space to work with, so I had to be smart about it.
DIY Makeup Vanity using IKEA pieces
After browsing vanities everywhere, I found many that appealed to me visually, but weren’t functional enough. Most of them had only a few small drawers – nowhere near enough storage for the growing makeup collection of a beauty blogger. I didn’t have room to get a separate set of drawers in addition to a vanity and I actually liked the idea of having one unit for everything anyway. I turned to IKEA to create my own DIY makeup vanity setup.
I decided on putting together a couple of Alex drawer units with a big, glossy table top.
My IKEA vanity set up:
- 2 Alex drawer units
- Linnmon table top in high gloss/white, 59″ x 29 1/2″
The 2 alex drawer units were a no-brainer. They gave the perfect amount of drawer space. The table top was a little harder of a decision because IKEA offered different sizes and finishes. Ultimately, I liked the glossy finish the most and I thought the 59″ length provided plenty of room for leg space. The table top width did not match the depth of the Alex drawer units so there was quite a bit of overhang in the back. It didn’t bother me though. The table top stayed in place thanks to some rubber stoppers that came with the units. Overall, the whole thing made for a very sturdy setup.
I absolutely loved this setup. It gave me everything I needed and was pleasing to look at. I still even have all of the pieces, however, in my new house, I don’t have the room to set it all up. If I had the space, I would.
Options for this Vanity
IKEA still offers the Alex drawers and they’re so popular, I don’t ever see that changing. The difference is, they don’t offer the same tabletop as the one I got back then (the only available Linnmon tabletop comes in one size now, which is smaller). So this is where you can get creative. You can choose one of the other tabletops they offer or you can find a similar tabletop on Amazon.
Newer Options at IKEA
The good news is, IKEA now sells a desk combination that they didn’t have when I made my own setup. Essentially, instead of buying everything separately, they’ve put it in a bundle you can buy. There are different sizes too! These combinations use the Alex drawers and Lagkapten tabletops. Also, the tabletop comes with pre-drilled holes so you can easily attach it to the drawer units or legs. A warning though – some of the reviews of the desks do mention sagging with this tabletop, which has never happened with my Linnmon, no matter how much stuff I had on it. So that’s something to consider.
Alternative Options
If you’re not set on any of the options above, let’s look at some alternatives. All of these come from Amazon.
A white vanity desk with ample drawer space
Features:
- 7 drawers
- Large lighted mirror
- Stool
A vanity with many storage spaces.
Features:
- Lighted mirror
- Built-in-charging station
- 3 drawers
- Shelves
- Cabinet
- Stool
Simple and beautiful black vanity that takes up less space.
Features:
- Lighted round mirror
- 5 drawers
- Shelves
- Stool
A perfect farmhouse addition to your beauty space!
Features:
- Lighted mirror
- 2 drawers
- Stool
- Shelf
There are so many more options now than there ever were before. The whole reason I went with an IKEA setup in the first place was because there were so few vanities on the market that had enough storage for me. But now, you can find all kinds of vanities. The possibilities are endless. Just do your research and read reviews to make sure you’re getting good enough quality.
Hopefully I gave you some good ideas for your vanity, whether you’re going the DIY route or choosing a more finished piece with more bells and whistles.
Free Download!
Get my Makeup Shade Logs below in order to keep track of your favorite makeup products and best shades.
Discuss with us
Do you have a vanity? If not, what is your favorite option from this post?
Last updated on July 3, 2024
Contact: ashley@peekandponder.com
- How to Start a Garden from Seed: 10 Easy Tips for Beginners - May 28, 2025
- 20 Spring Activities for Adults - March 20, 2025
- Home Coffee Bar Essentials - March 9, 2025
Wich one is the glossy table top fir the vanity
Love this! I’m hoping to do pretty much the exact same thing. To echo a couple other questions already asked, is the tabletop attached to the drawers in some way? Thanks.
no, you stupid?
Clearly you are if you can’t fathom the idea of anchoring a tabletop
Did you anchor the table top to the drawers? I’m interested in doing this setup myself for a desk but I’m nervous about the table top sliding around and god forbid falling off.
Hi! I am wondering how you made the drawers and the table top stick together? Thanks
I cant find the glossy finish tabletop on ikea
Chill
Such a cool idea! Super creative ; ) Good Job!
Thank you!
Your makeup table is awesome. I’d like to order the exact same thing. Can you give me the Idea model name and number for the glossy table top that you used? (length?, model name and number)? Thanks
Here’s my set up:
2 Alex drawer units: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10192824/
Linnmon table top in high gloss/white 59″ x 29 1/2″: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20251139/