How to Build a Small Simple Wooden Desk

Cutting the Pieces for Your Small Wooden Desk

• 1

  Take a sheet of plywood and measure out two similar pieces that are 3 1/2 feet long and 2 1/2 feet wide. Cut out these pieces with the circular saw for the sides of your desk.

• 2

  Measure and cut out a piece on the plywood 3 feet long and 2 feet wide for the back of your desk.

• 3

  Measure out a piece that is 3 feet long and 2 feet, 6 3/4 inches wide. Cut out this piece for the top of your desk.

• 4

  Measure and cut a piece out of the plywood 2 feet, 10 1/2 inches long by 2 1/2 feet wide for the shelf underneath the top.

• 5

  Sand all rough edges of the cut pieces. Apply wood stain or paint of your choice to all pieces and allow to dry.

Assembling Your Small Wooden Desk

• 6

  Gather the two side pieces and the top piece and screw them together to form three sides of a rectangle. Lay the top piece on a hard surface so the long edge is down against the floor. Lay each side piece with the long edge down on the floor and place one against each end of the top piece. Drive three screws down through each end of the top into the sides.

• 7

  Lay the back piece of your desk so it extends to both side pieces and up against the 3/4-inch lip formed by the top extending over the back. Drive three screws through each end of the back piece into the sides.

• 8

  Turn the finished portion of your desk over on the back piece. Screw the remaining shelf piece in between the sides 6 inches underneath the top of your desk and up against the back. Drive four screws through each side into the shelf.

• 9

  Stand your desk upright and and drive four more screws through the back panel into the rear of the shelf.

• 10

  Pull up a chair and your desk is now ready to use.