DIY: How to Build a Desk
February 2, 2012 by Aimee • 69 Comments
In my two story house, our office was on the second story which worked perfect for school purposes and such. However, as much as I tried to keep all the papers upstairs, there were some things I just needed downstairs and at night when Stud had computer work to take care of, I wanted him downstairs with me as I stretched out on the couch!!! And so I started thinking!!! Um, Stud….
It was actually simple. 1. FYI adding recessed lights is SIMPLE…just have to make sure you purchase the right type for your house, so it’s not violating any codes}. 2. We knew Lowe’s had the exact cabinets we needed to look similar to our preexisting cabinets}. 3. See the simple trick to hanging cabinets…level a piece of wood and then rest the cabinet on the level wood as you’re hanging. They’re not exactly light so it’s nice not to have to hold, screw and double check your level through the process of hanging them!
We found a couple legs at Home Depot and went to work! The super important part of building a desk is ensuring that you’ve made a right angle at each of the places where the side boards adjoin the back support board. We used a clamps to hold them in place temporarily and wood glue, screws and studs to hold them in for good! The exterior board is the support here and the inside is where we will run a key board tray that slides in and out.
We used drawer slides for our keyboard tray and hinges for the front flap with magnets to keep the flap closed. {Don’t you love it how technical I can be…I’m sure I will be a resource for construction workers for years to come!}
This is before our cabinets were replaced. I wanted it all done at once because, yep you guessed it! Granite is going on this desk, too!
When we got to this point I was quick to point out that even if we painted the underside, it just wasn’t going to look quite right!!! {Peekaboo…do you see our light that we made from a shade and an old light fixture!?!}
I kept looking at the desk and the cabinet and thinking it didn’t look quite polished enough still! So, to tie together with the island, we added our leftover bead board between the desk and cabinet.
Stud used his jigsaw saw to cut a little arch in a piece of wood and then sanded the guts out of it so it was smooth and even! {We totally need to get a Dremel
it looks like it was part of the kitchen!!
This is sooo cute!! I love the built in look!! It totally looks like its been there the whole time!!
It looks great!!!
That is awesome! Good job! Can you come to my house and help me make one?:) Jamie
I love it! It blends in so well, it looks like its always been there. Such a great use of that wall, too.
I love your desk! Just goes to show you that not everything needs to be complicated. I totally want to build one like that too!
Love it! It really compliments the kitchen. How nice to have a husband that is so helpful and crafty! I love how light everything is.
~Shanon
Wow, that is awesome! You moved so that you would have that many more DIY adventures…right?
–Katie
It just kept getting better and better as I scrolled down. Stud is aptly named.
He just walked by and said I like her!!!
You made his night!!! XO, Aimee
Amiee,
Fantastic built in! Like it was always meant to be there! Aren’t we blessed with creative and talented hubbies!
Dee Dee
What a fantastic desk you two built. I love the arch on the bottom of the upper cabinet, it gives the desk a real cottage feeling.
Traci
It looks great!!! I love bright white.
Amazing!
Oooh I love it! It looks like it should have always been there. I love that it’s not humongous and overbearing. Thanks for sharing!
Allyson
http://cupcakescandycanes.blogspot.com
Very nice!!! I love working in the kitchen!! Great idea.
http://www.tatianadoria.blogspot.com
You guys are a great team, looks awesome!
Wow! You made that look so easy! It looks great!
I love all of the little details that you pulled in from your kitchen. You guys did a great job! Love it!
Wow! Very nice..more than nice…Stylish! Is Stud a professional carpenter? Where did he learn all that? I need to do that kind of stuff but I need to face my fears of destroying things accidentally or electrocuting myself! LOL!
Oh my goodness!!! Excellent job and so creative! I love it!
Are you kidding me? I am in love with that desk, with the bead board, with the trim, with it all!!!!! Is your Mr. Stud a genius or what? And you, girl, you’re the designer of all things beautiful. I know you are loving that desk! I found your link at Chic on a Shoestring, and I’m your newest follower. Stop by to see me sometime if you’d like. Hugs ~ Mary
WOW! That looks great! I’m so jealous
What a great way to add a little working space. Looks beautiful!
Wow, this is a great way to add a workspace to your kitchen. I love it!
Wow, Aimee! This is amazing! I do hope you’ll be popping by to link up! ~Jen
So cute I love it!! My favorite part is the beadboard!!
Hi, Aimee!! I love this desk & just HAD to feature it on my blog~! It’s just so beautifully done and it looks like it came with the house! Awesome work!! Feel free to come by and grab a button!
-Jane @ urbanejane.com
So much talent in one household!!
completely LOVE IT! you are “overflowing” with projects!
thanks for linking up to make it monday!
Good job!! love the finishing details.
Mary Alice
It looks awesome Aimee!
Thanks SO much….you’re always so sweet to leave me little notes of encouragement! Tight Squeeze! XO, Aimee
Awesome job! Looks wonderful
Aimee, this was amazing! You and Stud are so talented!! I just love seeing all of your transformations!
Aimee you are one talented gal with an equally talented stud. I bet that space is really handy!!
you are so cool. That is all I really can say… you are just cool. You have the coolest ideas!!!
)
Jaime from crafty scrappy happy
Maybe if I use really big puppy eyes, a sweet voice, and come bearing an ice cold beer in a frosted mug, I could talk my hubby into doing this for me. I’m already planning …I have the perfect spot! Thanks for sharing!
Found you on Someday Crafts
Visiting from Well Rounded, leahkoenig.blogspot.com
BEAUTIFUL!! I LOVE how this turned out. Gorgeous and well made!
Gorgeous Practical Fantastic….well done…..Love it
(Found you thru CSH Craft Scrappy Happy)
I just love all you inspiring American Women….Keep it up
I love checking out all your wonderful blogs
Diane (Bonny Scotland) xxx
Wow Diane! All the way from Bonny Scotland!!! That’s so much fun!!! Thanks LOTS for stopping by and for your sweet note!!! XO, Aimee
AMazing! I love your desk and love the step-by-step tutorial you provided!!! Great job!
Wow! It looks amazing and I’m so tempted to give it a try. I’m your newest follower, thanks so much for sharing.
Absolutely lovely. Your kitchen gets better and better!
Fabulous addition to the kitchen! It turned out beautiful. Thanks for linking to the open House party this week. Hugs, Sherry
How awesome I have a very similar blank wall in my kitchen inbetween mud area and hall. This would be so functional! You did an awesome job making it look very custom with details!
Aimee – it’s awesome! Wow! I’m including a link back in tomorrow’s DIY highlights!
Have a great weekend!
Wow! I love this!!
Thanks Megan! I totally think your photography is BEAUTIFUL!
XO, Aimee
AWESOME! Is there anything you aren’t fabulous at! It is perfect for that spot!!
Such a great tutorial… I’m pinning you!
Just found your blog and I love it. Gotta check out the rest of it. We will be painting our kitchen cabinets but I’m scared!
so fabulous – absolutely love IT! amzing transformation of this little area not PACKED with functionality and beauty! xo
http://www.NorthernCottage.net
That was very clever of you and it looks fabulous! I’ve got this linked to my command centers post too today, well done!
Thanks so much for linking this up!! I’m so in love with this project! Inspiring, for sure! I’ll be featuring it later today!
This is so great. Thanks for the tutorial. I have found myself at your blog so many times I thought I had better just become a follower.
Laura
Hey girl,
This looks amazing! Your stud is a stud! Great job. Love that you added the bead board too! Great job!
Awesome job as always! Thank you for sharing over at my party. You’ve been featured!
wow. that is too awesome. my husband could make me a full set of dishes but i’m pretty sure he couldn’t build me that awesome space!!!! oh, i just love it to pieces. you guys did such a great job!
Another absolutely great idea! Thanks!
I am digging the office space in the kitchen or the apple workspace. It looks like it is straight out of a apple ad.
Thanks for the inspiration! I’ve been looking for something like this!
What an amazing idea! My two year old just saw the final picture and yelled “that’s pretty”
It really looks great in your space like it’s always been there. Thanks for sharing such a great tutorial. Megan
That’s what I call thinking outside the box. Love to see little spaces like that used to good effect. Nice work!
I love the desk you made! This is a great tutorial on how to build a built-in desk. I wish I had a place for one. If I did, I would definitely build one! I built two free-standing desks for my son and daughter’s bedrooms. Check them out at krazy4projects.com. Can’t wait to see what else you can do!
Where is the outlet for the computer? don’t see one anywhere!
In the beginning pictures you can see the outlet. We took the plate cover off, cut a hole in the bead board to make sure we could still access the outlet, and when the bead board was installed, we added the switch plate cover back over the opening.