I am so excited to share with you our new, custom computer desk plans. Since we work on this blog together a lot, we desperately needed an office desk that would sit two people comfortably.
One thing that we love to do at our house is use old things in new ways, it is a great budget saver and less wasteful. We were able to use parts of an old walnut desk that we received for free. At the time I took the desk, I did not know exactly how I was going to use it, but I knew that it had potential.
After some thought of what we wanted in a new computer desk I realized that I could use the top of the old desk for our new desk. It is very strong and can easily span six feet without any middle supports. Because, we wanted it as open as possible for plenty of leg room and no supports to bump our knees on.
Today, I wanted to only show you our design and we will be posting about the final product soon. So stay tuned to see how the actual desk turned out.
Below is a list of the tools and materials that I used on this project. You will also find the steps that I used to assemble the desk
List of tools used:
- circular saw
- miter saw
- Kreg jig
- orbital sander
- drill
List of materials used:
- old wood desk top
- 2×4 lumber
- 1×4 lumber
- white latex paint
- walnut stain
- polyurethane
- angle brackets
- screws
Below I have attached images of the steps that I used, for you to see how I assembled my custom computer desk.
Assembly instructions:
step 1
step 2
step 3
step 4
step 5
step 6
This length is optional, depending on how long you want your desk. Mine are 67″ long.
This is where the Kreg Jig for pocket hole joints comes in handy. I used pocket holes here because I wanted to disassemble the desk to make it easy to move around the house, since it is a big desk.
step 7
step 8
step 9
My desk top is 75″ long with a one inch overhang on the sides and front.
step 10
the final custom computer desk
Check out the reveal for more pictures here.
What do you think?
Do you want to build one to?
Let us know if you do and how it turned out.
Have fun building and be safe!
I love your plans…Can’t wait to see the finished project!
I love it!! I want one for my craft room!!
Nice! I would love to upgrade my computer desk, and to do it yourself-completely!-would be so cool!
Fabulous! Plans look very, very buildable. The style of the supports are very attractive and easy looking.
My Husband and I have been trying to find that perfect desk that will accomodate us both at the same time. I love the style of this one! We were thinking about building one with the short end coming out from against the wall; that way we could each have one side, but I am really liking your’s!
Thanks for the info! Looks like a fun project! Can’t wait too see the desk.
Very nice!
When you say “fasten” in step 2 what did you mean? Did you use screws and glue? Where did you place the screws? My guess was that it was fastened where you placed the tenon’s. I’m thinking of doing this in my loft. The desk looks awesome!! Any thoughts for a substitute desk surface? Maybe a solid core door?
Jeff- Yes, nails! They end up being sandwiched in between or covered by the faux tenons, so you don’t see them (and if all else fails, just patch over the little holes!). And yes, I think that a solid core door would be ideal. I would check out your local Habitat Restore… If You do this I would love to see how it turns out!
Made this over the past week with a few customizations. Turned out awesome! Here is the picture https://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i295/Irishcowgirl525/278569_10151369704559202_316140291_o.jpg
Awesome Maureen! I am a total fan! Great job!
This would be a great table for having two sewing machines for teaching young ones to sew! Thank you for directions.
Cool Desk!! I’m going to wipe one up for our computer room so my wife and I can share one desk. It will make more room for her arts and crafts. 🙂
Andreas, glad that you liked it. We really enjoy ours and you will too.
Love this! Just asked my husband to make us one. Since we don’t have an old desk top, any suggestions on what to use in place of?
Patty, you could use an old solid door, or 2×10 planks, or anything strong and thick enough to span the distance and still support the weight.
Patty, you could also use 2×6’s, use the kreg jig (highly recommended, Love it) to butt them side by side for what ever width you want, then use contact cement, liquid nail or whatever glue you want and put down a hard board for the desk surface. That is what I am currently in the process of finishing up. Just a thought.
Thank you for the visuals here. Very easy to follow! Did you design the table using SketchUp? Love that program.
Yep we love SketchUp too!
Didn’t see any info about constructing the computer desk TOP???
Otherwise, very nice desk design and informative plans. Love the drawings too. Care to explain how you drew those? (software used? by hand?)
Steve, the top was from an old desk that a friend gave us. I just had to cut it to width. The plans were drawn in Sketchup! It’s free and great for making plans.
Did you use a larger board across the top for your legs? 4 1/4 ? The bottom one was 3 1/2 ? Your drawing depicts a larger board but your material list only list 2x 4 and 1x 4.
Looks very nice I’m going to build this for my wife.
Rusty, you are right about the board being bigger. Thanks for pointing that out. I did use a bigger board so that it didn’t get lost underneath the table top. you can build it with just 1×4’s or add a wider board on top. It would work either way. It was just something that my wife wanted to do for the looks of it. Good luck with your project.
I recall reading that the table was 74 or 75 in. long, did you give the width of the table and I missed it? I share a home office with DH but I’ve more or less taken it over but his big honking cherry desk is still in this room and it’s so heavy, even the movers complained when they bought moved it for us. I could hardly lift the ends 1/2 in. to get furniture gliders under it by myself and I’m a strong person.
I’m going to measure off the length of 74 or 75 in.tomorrow and see where it comes to, if that would work for me. Beautiful job and I love the table! What is the overall height?
Was looking at kreg jigs….not sure what one i would need? Help? ? I finally found the great desktop to use!! can’t wait to make this design for my craft room
Hey Karen, I would suggest a pocket hole system, something like the Kreg Jig® K4 Master System, just Google it to find the best price. it gives you a few extra tools that really help working the jig to be easy!! Good Luck!
On the instructions (step 2) I didn’t see how long to make the middle piece that’s on an angle. How long is it supposed to be?
You would need to take about a 30″ piece and lay it over the two top and bottom horizontal pieces once installed to the legs. Then scribe the about 40 degree angle on both ends of the piece. I don’t know the exact length. I hope that helps.
My son has wanted me to build him a new desk. I showed him this one and he lived it so I will post you pic’s when I complete it.
Thanks
It’s a great desk! We can’t wait to see pictures. Thanks for the comment!