Free DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Dawson Small Desk. We have several other pieces in the Dawson Collection, and you guys… I really adore this set of plans. Most of our existing plans are for media pieces like the Free DIY Furniture Plans to Build Pottery Barn Inspired Dawson Small Media Console or for bedroom pieces like the Free DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Pottery Barn Inspired Dawson Bedside Table, so this plan for a desk takes things to an entirely new room in the house, yippee!Xx…Rayan
Showcase: Built From These PlansI am so honored each and every time one of you fine friends builds from these very plans! If you have built this piece, please take a moment and showcase your build! We are dying to see your fabulous hard work!
$50-$75
- Tape Measure
- Saw – Jig, Circular, or Miter
- Drill
- Countersink Bit for Drill
- Square
- Sander
- Kreg Jig
- 1 – 1×3 at 8’
- 2 – 2×2 at 8’
- 2 – 2×4 at 6’
- 2 – 4×4 posts at 6’
- 1 half sheet of ¾” plywood
- 1-1/4” pocket hole screws
- 2-1/2” pocket hole screws
- 3” screws
- Edge banding, optional
- 1 set of 20” drawer slides
- 1 drawer pull
- Wood filler
- Sandpaper
- Wood glue
- Finishing Supplies
- 4 – 4×4 posts at 30” – Legs
- 2 – 2×4 at 16” – Side Stretchers
- 2 – ¾” plywood at 3-3/4” x 16” – Side Panels
- 2 – 2×2 at 16” – Drawer Slide Spacers
- 2 – 2×4 at 39” – Front & Back Stretchers
- 1 – ¾” plywood at 3-3/4” x 39” – Back
- 2 – 2×2 at 20” – Top Side
- 2 – 2×2 at 46” – Top Front & Back
- 1 – ¾” plywood at 20” x 43” – Top Panel
- 1 – ¾” plywood at 18-1/2” x 36-1/2” – Drawer Box Bottom
- 2 – 1×3 at 18-1/2” – Drawer Box Sides
- 2 – 1×3 at 28” – Drawer Box Front & Back
- 1 – ¾” plywood at 3-1/2” x 38-3/4” – Drawer Front
Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.
Cut the pieces for the legs, side stretchers, and side panels. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes at each end of the stretchers. Set the Kreg jig for ¾” material and drill pocket holes in the panel as shown. Secure the panel to the stretcher using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. Position the panel so it is located ¼” back from the outside edge of the stretcher. Secure the panel and stretcher to the legs using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws through the panel into the legs, and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws through the stretcher into the legs.
Cut the pieces for the drawer slide spacers. Secure to the legs using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. The inside face of the spacer will be flush with the inside face of the legs.
Cut the pieces for the front and back stretchers. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes at each end of the stretchers. Secure to the legs as shown using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws.
Cut the piece for the back panel. Set the Kreg jig for ¾” material and drill pocket holes in the panel as shown. Secure the panel to the back stretcher and legs using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.
Cut the pieces for the top. Drill pocket holes in all four edges of the panel. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes at each end of the side pieces. Attach the side pieces to the panel using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. The outside face of the panel will be flush with the top face of the sides. Attach the front and back pieces using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws through the panel, and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws through the side pieces.
Apply glue to the top of the side panels, back panel, and the legs. Position the top and secure using glue and 3” countersunk screws through the top into the legs.
Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes. Set Kreg jig for ¾” material and drill pocket holes in each end of the sides as well as all four edges of the bottom. Assemble the drawer as shown using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. Install the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For an easy tutorial, click here. Make any necessary adjustments.
Cut the piece for the drawer front. There will be a 1/8” gap around all sides of the front. For another easy tutorial, click here.
Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School
**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.
