It’s time for our little to head back to school and for those who are elementary age and above, this generally means it’s time to hit the books. It seems as though a desk is an ideal piece to add to your handmade DIY furniture collection and this particular beauty is mighty fine speciman. Not too traditional, not too rustic, just the right amount of clean and streamlined… that means you should have no problem with competing styles when you add this baby to your home and hardware is completely up for grabs! Gotta love a versatile piece, don’t you think? Xx… Rayan
- 5 – 1×2 at 8’
- 1 – 2×2 at 6’
- 1 – 2×2 at 8’
- 1 full sheet of ¾” plywood
- 1 – quarter sheet (2’ x 4’) of ¾” plywood
- 1 ¼” Pocket Hole Screws
- 1 ¼” Brad Nails
- 1 ¼” Wood Screws
- 2 sets of 18” drawer slides
- 2 Cabinet/Drawer pulls
- Clamps
- Safety Gear
- Wood filler
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper
- Finishing Supplies
- 4 – 2×2 at 29-1/4” – Legs
- 4 – 1×2 at 18-1/2” – Side Frames
- 2 – ¾” plywood at 18-1/2” x 23-3/4” – Side Panels
- 4 – 1×2 at 44” – Back Frame & Front Stretchers
- 1 – ¾” plywood at 18” x 44” – Back Panel
- 1 – 1×2 at 3-3/4” – Divider
- 1 – ¾” plywood at 19” x 45” – Top
- 2 – 1×2 at 19” – Top Trim
- 2 – 1×2 at 48” – Top Trim
- 2 – 1×2 at 18-1/2” – Drawer Slide Spacers (Sides)
- 1 – 2×2 at 19-1/4” – Drawer Slide Spacer (Center)
- 2 – ¾” plywood at 16-1/2” x 18-3/4” – Drawer Bottoms
- 4 – ¾” plywood at 2-1/2” x 16-1/2” – Drawer Sides
- 4 – ¾” plywood at 2-1/2” x 20-1/4” – Drawer Front & Back
- 2 – ¾” plywood at 3-1/2” x 21-13/16” – Drawer Fronts
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 frames, and side panels. Set the Kreg jig for ¾” material and drill pocket holes in each end of the frame pieces as well as all four edges of the panels. Secure the frame pieces to the panels using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. The outside face of the panels will be flush with the outside face of the frame pieces.
Secure the panel assembly to the legs using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.
Cut the pieces for the back frame and panels. Drill pocket holes in each end of the frame pieces as well as all four edges of the panel. Secure the frame pieces to the panel using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. The outside face of the panel will be flush with the outside face of the frame pieces.
Secure the panel assembly to the legs using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.
Cut the pieces for the front stretchers and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure to the legs using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.
Cut the piece for the center divider. Secure to the front stretchers using glue and 1-1/4” brad nails.
Cut the pieces for the top and the top trim. Drill pocket holes in all four edges of the top. Secure the sides to the top using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws, then secure the longer trim pieces in the same manner.
Position the top so that the back is flush with the back of the desk, and the sides and front overhang by ½”. Fasten in place using glue and 1-1/4” brad nails.
Cut the pieces for the drawer slide spacers. Secure the 1×2 side pieces using glue and countersunk 1-1/4” screws. Secure the center 2×2 using glue and countersunk screws through the divider and back into the spacer.
Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes. Drill pocket holes in all four edges of the bottom as well as each end of the sides. Assemble the drawer box as shown using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. Install the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions, locating them ¾” back from the front edge of the sides. . For an easy tutorial, click here. Make any necessary adjustments.
Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts. Mark the position for the drawer pulls and drill the holes. Shim the drawer front in the opening – there will be a 1/8” gap around all sides – then drive screws through the holes for the drawer pulls into the drawer box. Open the drawer, and secure the drawer front using countersunk 1-1/4” screws from the inside. Remove the screws from the holes for the drawer pull then finish drilling the holes. Install the drawer pull. For an easy tutorial on installing drawer fronts, 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 ONLY use 1 image and provide an ADEQUATE link back to the original source and appropriate plan! 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.
