How to Build a Desk for a Kitchen

Start with the frame for the table top. A good overall size for a spacious table top is 24 x 40 inches. However, the frame for the top piece is usually slightly smaller than the actual top. In this case we will make the frame to be ½ inch shorter on each side. This means that the actual size of the frame will be 23 x 39 inches. Start with cutting the front and back pieces. Cut these two pieces at 37 ½ inches. Side pieces will be added shortly. Cut the front and back pieces with a miter saw and make sure that both ends are square.

Cut the horizontal side pieces in the same manner, except these two boards will fit inside the front and back piece, so their length will be 21 ½ inches.

Place all four boards together with 1 ½ inch flathead wood screws (8 or 10 gage). Be sure to drill pilot holes and a countersink depression first. Don't worry about the overall size for there will be two 1 x 6 boards added to the outside edges to give us the dimensions that we need. These boards will stretch all the way from the floor to the table top and function as table legs.

Cut four 1 x 6 pieces at 33 ¼ inches. With a tabletop that is ¾-inch thick this will result in a desk that is 34 inches high (if you want a smaller desk, then cut slightly shorter pieces). Once each piece is cut to length a decorative slot can be cut in the bottom. The slot should be 2 inches wide and 8 inches high. It can begin at the bottom and run towards the top. The slot should be curved and rounded at the highest point. These cuts can be made with a scroll saw and the opening should be placed equidistant from the outside edges.

Attach the four legs to the outside edges of the frame. Each piece will be attached with four 1 ¼ inch (10 gage) screws. All screws will need pilot holes and countersinks. The legs will be flush with the top of the frame and they will be attached to the side pieces. They should be flush with the outside corner of the frame.

Begin building the shelves on the left side of the desk by adding another piece of 1-by-4 inch lumber to the frame for the table top. Cut this piece to a length of 21 ½ inches and attach it across the center of the frame. Leave a 16-inch gap between this board and the left side of the table. Attach the board in the same manner as was done in Step 3.

Cut two more table legs from a 1 x 6 stock and then cut a slot in the bottom following the instructions in Step 4. Attach these two boards on the inside of the crosspiece that you just added in the last step. These legs will require four 1 ¼-inch flathead screws that are countersunk and guided with pilot holes.

Rip a 1 x 4 inch board that is at least 4 feet long. Do this on a table saw and make sure each piece is of equal width.

From the stock that you just ripped in half on the table saw, cut four pieces with each one being 21 ½ inches long. These will be the support shelves.

Attach two pieces to the sides of the table legs at the height of 10 inches and two pieces at 20 inches. Use the 1 ¼-inch wood screws for this. Make each pair of shelf braces are level and at the same height from the floor.

Cut two shelves from a high-quality ¾-inch sheet of plywood. Birch veneer is recommended, but rather expensive. These shelves should be 21 ½ inches in length and 17 ½ inches in width.

Install the shelves with 1 ¼-inch screws. Four screws per shelf should be enough.

Prepare for making the table top by cutting two more 1 x 4's to the length of 21 ½ inches. Turn these face up and place these in the frame at a 10-inch distance in from the outside edge. The boards should be attached with the same 1 ½ screws that were used in Step 3. These screws also need to be countersunk and begin each screw with a pilot hole.

Cut a piece of ¾-inch birch veneer plywood to size (24 x 40 inches) and attach it to the two cross-pieces with 1 ¼-inch screws. Carpenter's glue can be used in addition to the wood screws. As an alternative you can purchase a pre-made maple butcher block and attach it to the flat cross pieces with 2-inch screws.

Cut and glue strips of birch veneer to the four sides of the table top and the front edge of the two shelves. Then add a finish to the entire table.