Part 2 of computer area: DIY desk

So we left off with the $4 painted accent wall. The black, very generic computer desk didn't sit right with me. The space needed a homemade, DIY touch. And bam! I knew I needed to build a desk. Looking through a lot of pictures of desks gave me good inspiration on what I wanted the desk to have and to look like.

After completing it I would say that this is a great 2x4 and some sanded plywood project! I used pocket holes/screws for most of my attachments and some 18 gauge brad nails for the top trim. You could definitely use regular screws and countersink them into the wood to be able to cover them up with wood filler but my handy Kreg Jig was minimal cost and I use it for most of my wood projects. It makes projects have a seamless look and I love it!

Onto the whole project:

Starting out I ripped my 2x4s down to 2x3s with my table saw so that the legs weren't bulky, giving it a more custom feel. I am so glad I took the extra few minutes to do this. It made the whole project feel and look a little lighter than if i would have just kept the pieces as 2x4s. After the pieces were ripped down I began cutting the pieces at the lengths I needed.

Sanding is the next critical step. I like sanding everything before I put it together because getting into tight corners is not only really hard but it takes more time sanding 45/90 degree angles than a straight piece. I highly suggest sanding first, but it's up to you.

After sanding its pocket hole time. The Kreg Jig is one of the best investments I have ever purchased. It is very simple to use and worth it!

Next up was putting the frame together for the legs. Since I was building a few shelves on one side of the desk I needed to make 3 legs. I set the crossbar for the legs on top of some scrap plywood to offset the piece to give it a little more character.

The bones of the legs are finally put together and I will make them look pretty next. There are two identical pieces and one that doesn't have the top support. This one will be the inside leg, to help support my shelves.

It's time to make the legs look pretty!! I wanted the classic X design so the first step is to get one of the cross pieces cut. I lined up the board with where I wanted it to sit in the X and marked the underside with a pencil. I attached this piece and then moved on to the next side of the X.

Don't worry about all of the pocketholes, I will cover them all up. So I only had to build the Xs on the two outer legs because the inner leg wouldnt be seen.

It's now time to put the base all together. This will be the side where the selves will be so I use the shorter braces.

After all 4 brace pieces are connected grab the inside leg and put the piece you just built on top of it. Make sure before you screw the two piece together that they are in the right places. Sometimes even straight looking boards will have a little bend in them.

YAY!! Now I have the first side put together and onto the last little bit. I screw in the other longer braces for the side of the computer where my chair will go and this time I only need 2.

Next up I screw the other leg on and we have the base for the desk!!

The basic structure of the desk is finished! In the initial plans I only thought about doing one bottom shelf but then I decided to put a middle shelf in. This should be fun!