Yes, I bought the cheapest table that I can find in IKEA.
Let me know if you find something cheaper that what I found and would gladly update this post. I am all for finding good deals.
I was lucky enough to buy Tärendö while there’s still stock last month and had it delivered in five days.
For $35 I did expect that a lot of people will snag a good deal especially when many office workers are working at home. Finding the right desk consumed so much time more than when I bought a dining table on Wayfair.
Does Tärendö’s price comes with quality or prove the saying “You get what you paid for.”?
What Happened to My Old Desk Setup
I’ve been wanting to buy a bigger office desk for a long time.
So after settling to a new apartment, I decided to finally get rid of the second-hand study table and office chair.
I sent my desktop computer to my sibling through a balikbayan box. My desk setup now includes a monitor and my old laptop, keyboard, and mouse. No speakers
Later on I’ll transition to wireless keyboard and mouse.
My desk setup is now cleaner and minimalist. But it wasn’t that easy to come up with this setup.
Tärendö Isn’t What I Was Looking For
No. I don’t regret buying Tärendö’ but it isn’t what I am going for my desk setup.
I was surprised that it’s a dining table so that explain why I didn’t find it in the office table section.
Cheng from CKSPACE also uses Tärendö which I haven’t given much attention when I watched the video. Yet I bought the same table two weeks later after watching the video. Daniel Titchener has tips for neat cable management.
What I am really looking for is a floor desk.
Thoughtworthy Co recommended the Lisabo Coffee Table from IKEA.
I had to weigh the overwhelming downsides:
- Expensive for a coffee table
- Not big enough
- It’s not black
Nonetheless, I like that Lisabo is made of wood. It’s easier to saw. I was sold to the idea of doing extra work (sawing table legs) yet the size cannot accommodate my setup. Hilver is bigger but more expensive but I might get it later on.
What’s the upside of a floor desk you may ask.
Well it’s good for my back and I like sitting on the floor when I am working on my laptop or iPad.
Other videos and post about the benefits of floor sitting:
- Tony Riddle – Remove the Chair
- Feldenkrais – How to Sit on the Floor Comfortably
- Katy Bowman – Dynamic Work Spaces
- Upright Health – Effective Work from Home Setup
- How I Set Up a Japanese-Inspired Floor Desk
Right now, I am writing this post on my bed through my iPad. After moving to a new apartment, I write draft this way and use my laptop to edit post before publishing and use Adobe Photoshop for photo editing (cropping and color).
In spite of not being a first choice, I am keeping Tärendö but I’m not giving up in finding a floor desk (for now Hilver is my first choice) in the future. I might have luck on Etsy.
Nothing to Complain About
That sums up my thought about Tärendö. I can’t believe how cheap yet durable and stable it is.
It is made of wood and metal. All the tools and screws are included. The instruction is straightforward that I assembled it on my own.
Total Cost:
Tärendö – $35.00
Shipping – $19.99
GST – $2.75 (5% tax in Alberta)
Total – $57.74
By now I think I am used to assembling IKEA furniture.
Back to the dining table. I have to mention one thing that can be a deal breaker or not depending on how meticulous you are.
The table is easy to clean yet it can easily show smudge of sweat or oil (I like using coconut oil as a lotion).
The solution: Wipe the tabletop with damp cloth.
As an office table cleaning the tabletop is a quick chore but as a dining table, you’ll have to get use to frequent easy maintenance.
I’ll add the tips specified in the manual (download here) which I discarded in the recycle bin.
- For maximum quality, re-tighten the screws when necessary.
- For increased stability, re-tighten the screws about two weeks after assembly.
- Wipe clean with a cloth dampened in a mild cleaner.
- Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Tip: Keep the corrugated wrapper for later use.
When transporting the desk, I plan to disassemble it and put it in its original packaging for scratch protection.
Final Thoughts
Whether you plan to use Tärendö as an office or dining table, I recommend it.
It could have been my dining table but I am pleased that I didn’t regret getting a four-seater round dining table; the right size for watching Netflix while dining.
I don’t know how long will I keep my desk setup. Only one thing is for sure, I’ll always go for a minimalist approach and affordable furniture.
Can you describe your desk setup? Where did you buy the table and chair and knickknacks?
Share Your Thoughts