If you do any work at all at home, then you need to have a sufficient workspace. However, sometimes it can seem that even after long days of scanning the market for a suitable option, there just aren’t enough desks out there that suit your needs. While you could continue looking for a long time, you may need to one day just bite the bullet and design and build your own desk.
Don’t worry —it’s actually a lot easier than you might think! With the right materials and instructions, even those of us without a strong woodworking background can make an ideal desk for our workspace. Here are our curated picks for the best DIY desk plans out there.
18 DIY desk plans to start with from inspiration
Bookshelf and Desk
Our first pick is for all of the bookworms out there. If you are looking for a way to have a workspace that puts all of your favorite books on display, then look no further than this wonderful desk plan from remodelaholic. Even if you do not have enough books to fill it, then you can still find other knick knacks to add to the shelf that will give a touch of personality to the room.
Simple Wooden Desk
There is no question that minimalism is in, and in some cases this can be a very good thing for our wallets! For example, instead of spending a large chunk of money on a large complicated desk, you can make something magical yourself out of a simple wood slab. We particularly love this Scandinavian-inspired DIY desk from over at the Merry Thought.
Pedestal Desk
You should never put anyone or anything on pedestal —unless, of course, this something is a desk. We love how this DIY desk guide from the kind folks over at Chapel Cottage Chicks gives you an excuse to incorporate some classicism into your room’s design — something that is not always easy to do.
Industrial DIY Desk
Although maximalist designs like farmhouse are quite popular, there are still many of us that prefer the look of a modern or industrial desk. If this describes you, then chances are that you may be having a hard time finding an appropriate industrial desk that suits your needs in stores. No worries needed —you can simple follow this instructable from Simplified Building to make your own industrial desk.
Long Pallet Desk/Table
Pallets are just amazing! In fact, there are so many different desks that you can make with pallets that it was hard for us to choose just one for this article. We decided in the end to choose this extra long desk from Funky Junk Interiors mostly thanks to its sheer size, and the fact that it is so much cheaper of an alternative than buying a desk or a similar size.
Schoolhouse Inspired
Even if you aren’t old enough to remember the old desks that used to be in classrooms with a built in compartment, you can still remember their charm. This flip-top desk plan from Instructables is the perfect small, secondary desk or the perfect primary desk for a child.
Murphy Desk
This desk is similar to the idea of a desk that will fold down from the wall, except that it blends in with the environment around it even more (hence its name that is inspired by a murphy bed). You can find out how to make this chameleon of a desk over at Don Pedro Home Design.
DIY Farmhouse Desk
If you are into the farmhouse style, then you are going to want your workspace to fit in with the rest of the elements of your house. However, it can be very hard to find a plan for a farmhouse desk, which is why many consumers end up just buying one at the store. Before you go and do this, check out this easy-to-follow desk plan by Handmade Haven.
DIY Desk With a Touch of Metal
Sometimes, we are looking for more from our desks than just a functional surface. If you are looking to add a touch of sparkle to your workspace, why not consider this desk from the Handyman’s Daughter? We love the way that this metal accent shimmers and shines.
A Frame Desk
You’ve heard of A-frame houses, but how about an A-frame desk? We love how this tutorial from Anika’s DIY Life looks right out of a magazine for mid-century modern furniture (except that it comes at only a fraction of a cost).
DIY Desk With Custom USB Ports
In today’s increasingly technologically advanced world, it’s become more and more important to have quick access to features such as USB ports. If you are having trouble finding a desk that you can purchase that comes with these elements, you will be relieved to know that you can build one of your own by following this tutorial from Popular Science.
Reclaimed Wood DIY Desk
If you are all about using recycled materials to make furniture that is good for the environment, then this DIY desk plan from Simplified Building is for you. You can enjoy it while also knowing that you are not contributing to the manufacturing of “fast furniture”.
Tiny Cute Desk
If there was one word that we had to choose to describe this little desk from DIY With Rick, it would be cute! Small and simple, it’s the best place to sit down with your morning coffee and read the newspaper.
DIY Standing Desk
Standing desks have become more and more popular thanks to their many health benefits. In fact, some proponents of standing desks even insist that they are able to work more clearly when they are standing more than they are sitting. Perhaps due to their trendiness, standing desks can also be quite expensive, which means that you are better off making your own from tutorials such as this one from A Beautiful Mess.
Flip Down Table
If you are dealing with a limited amount of space, then it can be extra hard to find a desk that suits your needs. And we are not just talking about homes that don’t have a designated office space —we are also talking about teeny tiny studio apartments where every single bit of space matters. If you have an intense space restraint, then you might want to make a flip down desk as seen here at Instructables.
The $20 Desk
There is being on a budget — and then there is being really on a budget. If you are looking to make a desk for next to nothing, then you may find that your list of options is rather limited. However, this resource on Pinterest does have a few ideas for how you can make a desk for next to no money.
DIY Gaming Desk
Making a gaming desk all by yourself is not for the faint of heart, but if you do decide to go through with it then you will find the end result is very rewarding. A quality gaming setup requires quite a bit of customization, and you can make sure that you make a desk that works for you by following one of the tutorials available over at TinkTube.
Pallet Desk 2
We couldn’t leave this list without mentioning at least one more pallet desk idea. This one from the folks over at Ikea Hackers shows you how you can make an attractive and ultra-functional desk from using only a pallet and inexpensive materials from Ikea.
So there you have it —plenty of desk ideas! You now have no real excuse not to get to work.