If there was ever a time for a super simple and affordable DIY desk, it’s NOW my friends! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our 7-year-old daughter will be online learning for the first quarter of the new school year. We have the option to reevaluate our decision quarterly and switch to in-person learning when we feel more comfortable with her safety at school. We are now in WEEK 2 of at-home learning and let me tell you, please send help and/or WINE! I love my girl, obviously, but I’m certainly not qualified to be her educator. I’m also learning that my patience level could use some work! They say what doesn’t kill you, will make you stronger, so I guess I’ll be coming out of this situation a damn WARRIOR!
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DIY Desk Visualized
Hubby and I decided to make this a POCKET DESK for the added storage functionality! I laid out all the cut wood pieces to really envision the final result! The top portion of this DIY desk was built using Birch Plywood (desktop) and Sande Plywood (desk underside), while the legs were constructed from Pine Board. We chose plywood because it allowed us to create a deep enough desk, without having to join wood pieces. The pine boards gave us great legs!
DIY Desk Construction
We used 2 different types of plywood to reduce our overall cost. We also placed the back of the pocket desk about 0.75″ away from the edge. I love this little added detail, but it certainly isn’t something a 7-year-old would appreciate! We kept each piece of wood in place with wood glue and then further secured them with screws.
Desk underside: 1 – 48″ x 20″ sande plywood
Desk back: 1 – 48″ x 3.5″ pine board
Desk sides: 2 – 18.5″ x 3.5″ pine board
Stain and Paint
I chose a natural stain to enhance the beautiful grains in the plywood. I’m a huge fan of the wood and white combo and so you’ll notice strategic inclusions of white paint throughout this desk design! I can never say this enough, frog tape is your best friend!
We’ve been slowly repainting our interior walls in SW Pure White. This bright white color was so perfect for our DIY pocket desk! The contrast is very striking in all the right ways! As an alternate design to the pocket desk, you could create more of an open look as seen above. I really don’t think you can go wrong with either choice!
DIY Desk Reveal
I’m beyond OBSESSED with how this DIY pocket desk turned out! Hubby and I are all about subtle details and this desk definitely delivers that! It pairs beautifully with this 2-tone chair! I had to style our latest furniture piece at least once before it made its way into our daughter’s bedroom, never to be seen or heard from again! I’m happy to report that so far it’s still in excellent condition. No visible crayon or pencil marks … yet anyway!
Ready to learn how much this desk costed us?! Including taxes, we spent $88.38 on materials to create this simple and affordable DIY desk! Looking to build your very own simple and affordable DIY desk, then I hope you consider this option! For a more adventurous project, be sure to check out our Modern DIY Slat Wall!
I’m more than happy to answer any questions you may have on this project. Comment below and let me know what form of schooling you chose for your kiddos. This was a very difficult decision for our family but we feel at peace with our choice. There’s no wrong answer here, only choices and solutions that best fit your own family! Until next time friends!
Aminah Chung
Does it wobble? I ask this as there isn’t any bracing
There is no wobble. It’s been over 2 years and it’s still as sturdy.
This looks beautiful! Did you you clamps to keep the desktop pieces straight while gluing? Also, how did you attach the top plank to the box structure?
Hi there! Yes the clamps worked to help keep the pieces straight while gluing. The legs are secured to the desk top with screws inside the opening of the desk.