The IKEA Karlby and the IKEA Saljan serve a similar purpose but are fundamentally different products: the Karlby is a versatile worktop that requires legs to become a desk, while the Saljan is a smaller, complete, ready-to-use table. The Karlby offers a large, customizable surface with a premium wood-effect laminate, perfect for DIY projects, whereas the Saljan is a convenient, all-in-one solution for compact spaces.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right option from IKEA for your workspace or home project.
IKEA Karlby Worktop
The Karlby has become a modern classic for DIY home office builds, praised for its generous size and convincing wood-grain laminate finish. It is just a countertop, meaning it doesn't come with legs, but this allows for complete customization of your desk setup. Its durable surface and substantial feel give it a high-end look without the high-end price tag of a solid wood top.
- What it is: A particleboard worktop with a thick, high-quality laminate surface, commonly used for custom desks, kitchen counters, and crafting tables.
- Key features: Durable laminate that is resistant to scratches and moisture, available in various lengths (74" is the most popular), can be cut to a custom size.
- Price: Around $70 for the standard 74-inch length (legs and supports sold separately).
- Dimensions: Most commonly 74" L x 25 5/8" D x 1 1/2" H. Shorter lengths are also available.
- Materials/Construction: Particleboard core with a thick laminate finish that mimics the grain and texture of real wood.
- Style: Warm and classic, with a wood-grain appearance that works well in a wide range of styles, from modern to rustic or Scandinavian. It offers a more established, premium look.
- Pros: Large surface area perfect for multiple monitors, fully customizable size and leg choice, durable and easy-to-clean surface, premium wood look for a low price, very versatile for different home projects.
- Cons: Requires a separate purchase of legs or supports, total cost is higher than an all-in-one table, the particleboard core can be damaged by prolonged moisture exposure on cut edges, heavy and can require two people to move.
The Karlby is for the person who needs a large, personalized workspace and enjoys a small DIY project to create a custom desk that looks more expensive than it is.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/karlby-worktop-walnut-veneer-50335208/
IKEA Saljan Table
The IKEA Saljan table is a straightforward, budget-friendly, and compact furniture piece. It's a complete package, including both a tabletop and legs, designed for quick assembly and immediate use. Perfect for small apartments, dorm rooms, or as a simple secondary workspace, the Saljan focuses on function, convenience, and space-saving design without any fuss.
- What it is: A small, simple, and complete table that includes a top and four screw-in legs, ready for immediate assembly and use.
- Key features: Simple screw-in legs for assembly in minutes, compact size for small spaces, lightweight and easy to move, all-in-one package.
- Price: Around $70 for the complete table.
- Dimensions: 47 1/4" L x 23 5/8" D x 29 1/8" H.
- Materials/Construction: Engineered wood top with a smooth laminate finish, typically with steel legs.
- Style: Minimalist and modern Scandinavian. Its simple, clean-lined design is meant to be functional and blend into any decor without making a big statement.
- Pros: Extremely affordable since legs are included, very easy and fast to assemble, compact footprint is ideal for small rooms, lightweight design makes it easy to reposition.
- Cons: Fixed, non-customizable size, work surface is too small for large setups, laminate finish is plainer and less premium-looking than Karlby, not as sturdy as a custom Karlby build.
The Saljan is designed for those who prioritize convenience, a very low budget, and have limited space, needing a functional table ready to go immediately.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/saljan-table-black-79521360/
Karlby vs. Saljan Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The most significant difference between the two is size. The standard Karlby worktop is a massive 74 inches long, offering ample space for multiple large monitors, gaming peripherals, and other equipment. Its depth of over 25 inches provides a comfortable working distance from screens. The Karlby is a statement piece that commands a decent-sized room or home office space.
In contrast, the Saljan table measures just over 47 inches long, making it about 27 inches shorter. This compact size is its main advantage, designed specifically to tuck into tight corners, dorm rooms, or small studio apartments. While it's perfect for a single laptop and a notebook, it would feel cramped and cluttered with a large monitor setup.
Materials & Construction
Both products use a particleboard or engineered wood core topped with a laminate surface, but that's where the similarities end. The Karlby's main draw is its premium, thick laminate finish that convincingly mimics the look and feel of stained wood, giving it a more substantial and stylish appearance. However, it's just the top, its final sturdiness depends entirely on the quality of the legs and supports you purchase separately.
The Saljan is a complete, lightweight table. Its laminate is thinner, simpler, and more utilitarian - designed to be clean and functional rather than a design feature. Its included screw-in legs provide reasonable stability for everyday tasks like writing or computer work but are not designed to support extremely heavy loads.
Price & Value
On the surface, both the Karlby worktop and the Saljan complete table cost around $70, which can be misleading. The Saljan is the true ultra-budget option because that $70 buys you a complete, functional desk out of the box. No other purchases are needed.
For the Karlby, $70 is just the starting point. You still need to purchase legs, which can add anywhere from $20 for four basic IKEA ADILS legs to over $100 for a pair of ALEX drawer units often used as supports. Therefore, a finished Karlby desk setup typically costs between $90 and $200+, making it the more expensive option overall. Its value comes from its size, aesthetic, and customizability, not its turnkey price.
Style & Versatility
The Karlby’s warm wood-grain aesthetic gives it a classic and elevated style. It acts as a centerpiece in a room and can anchor a home office design. Its versatility comes from its application - it can be a desk, a kitchen island, a laundry folding station, or a craft table. You decide its final function and look.
The Saljan's style is minimalist and unobtrusive. It’s designed to blend in rather than stand out. Its simplicity means it can work in almost any modern, casual setting without clashing with existing furniture. Its versatility is in its placement, because it's so small and light, it can be easily moved and repurposed as a dining table for one, a console table, or a desk as needed.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these IKEA staples are great products, but they are built for entirely different users and spaces.
Choose the Karlby Worktop if:
- You need a large workspace for multiple monitors, gaming, or content creation.
- You want a stylish, wood-look desk that looks more expensive than it is.
- You need a custom-sized desk and plan to cut the worktop to fit a specific nook.
- You are comfortable with a simple DIY project of attaching legs or drawers.
Choose the Saljan Table if:
- You live in a small space like a dorm room or studio apartment.
- Your top priority is buying a complete, usable desk at the lowest possible price.
- You want something incredibly easy to assemble in just a few minutes.
- You only need a simple, small surface for a laptop and a few accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Karlby and Saljan?
The main difference is that the Karlby is a countertop only (requiring separate legs), offering a large, customizable surface. The Saljan is a smaller, complete, ready-to-use table that includes legs.
Which is more expensive in the end?
The Karlby is more expensive. While the worktop itself costs about the same as the Saljan, you also need to factor in the cost of legs or ALEX drawers, making the final price of a Karlby desk significantly higher.
Is the Karlby better for a gaming setup?
Yes, absolutely. The Karlby's standard 74-inch length provides more than enough room for large monitors, an extended mousepad, speakers, and peripherals, which makes it a far better choice for a gaming or streaming setup.
Can you cut the IKEA Karlby worktop?
Yes, the Karlby is designed to be cut to custom sizes. However, after cutting, you'll need to apply the included edging strip to the raw edge to protect the particleboard core from damage and moisture.
Will the Karlby sag?
Over its full 74-inch span, the Karlby can sag over time if not properly supported, especially with heavy monitors. It's highly recommended to install a support leg in the center of the span to prevent this.
Is the Saljan table sturdy?
For its intended use - as a small desk for light-duty roles - the Saljan is acceptably sturdy. It provides a stable surface for a laptop and books but isn't designed to support heavy equipment or excessive weight.
How do the materials compare?
Both use laminate over engineered wood. The Karlby's laminate is much thicker and features a textured, realistic-looking wood grain. The Saljan's laminate is smoother, thinner, and more plain, focusing on functional design.
What legs should I use for a Karlby desk?
Most popular options include IKEA's ADILS fixed-height legs or OLOV adjustable-height legs. The ALEX drawer units can also be used for a more stable look, with one on each side. These components are designed to work well together.
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