Yes, within reason. The Stowline under-desk drawer hangs from adhesive pads on a clean, flat underside, and that route is meant for light desk clutter: pens, cables, headphones. The shell is moulded plastic and the white insert tray lifts out, so you are never pulling the whole drawer down to grab a charger. If you plan to load it heavy or yank it open daily, use the two self-tapping screws in the box instead, but only into a wooden top.
I rent a flat and can't drill my desk. How do I fit one of these?
Rental-friendly is exactly what the no-drill route is for. Here is how I would do it in a rented place:
- Empty the underside area first. Wipe the spot with an alcohol wipe and let it dry fully. Dust is the main reason adhesive pads let go.
- Pick your footprint before sticking anything. Small is 7.5 x 8.9 in, medium is 9.6 x 9.6 in, large is 13.2 x 10.4 in. Measure the gap between your desk legs and leave room for the drawer to slide out.
- Decide tray depth. The flat tray leaves the drawer 2.6 in tall. The raised tray adds 2.0 in, giving 4.6 in so taller items stand up inside.
- Press the pads onto the shell, then hold the whole thing against the underside for the full time the pad instructions state. Pressure matters more than speed.
- Wait before loading it. Give the adhesive a few hours with nothing inside, then add pens and cables.
- Check the desk underside is flat and solid. On a thin hollow-core top or a rough unfinished surface, adhesive is a poor bet. A wooden top takes the two screws instead.
One more rental tip: the pads hold the shell, not the contents. Keep heavy stuff like a full cable spool in a desk caddy on the floor, and let this drawer handle the small clutter.
Adhesive pads or the screws, which should I use?
Honest answer: it depends on your desk and how much you trust yourself not to overload it.
Adhesive pads win when the top is laminate, glass, metal or a rental you cannot damage, and when the load stays light. No drill, no holes, and the shell comes off with the pads if you move.
The two self-tapping screws win when the top is wood, when you open the drawer several times a day, or when you want the 4.6 in raised-tray setup loaded with headphones and a mouse. Screws hold better against the pull of a sliding drawer, but they leave holes.
If your desk is particleboard with a thin veneer, neither route is great. Adhesive may lift the veneer when it fails, and screws can strip. In that case, look at a freestanding under-desk shelf that sits on the floor instead.
Quick takeaways
- Adhesive pads suit light clutter on smooth, flat undersides; screws suit wooden tops and daily use.
- Three shells: 7.5 x 8.9 in, 9.6 x 9.6 in and 13.2 x 10.4 in. Flat tray is 2.6 in tall, raised tray makes it 4.6 in.
- The white insert tray lifts out, so you can carry pens and cables to the desk without unclipping the shell.
Q: can adhesive under desk drawers hold real weight or will they fall off?
A: They hold light desk clutter like pens, cables and headphones, not heavy tools. The pads grip a clean, flat underside, and the box also includes two self-tapping screws for wooden tops if you want a stronger hold.
Q: i rent and can't drill, how do i install an under desk drawer without screws?
A: Clean the underside, press the adhesive pads onto the shell, then hold it against the desk for the full time the pad instructions state. Wait a few hours before loading it, and keep the contents light so the pads are not fighting a heavy pull.
Q: adhesive pads or screws, which is better for an under desk drawer?
A: Pads win on laminate, glass or metal tops and in rentals, since there are no holes. Screws win on wooden tops and for daily opening, especially with the raised tray at 4.6 in tall, but they leave marks if you remove the drawer.