How to Build a Desk

You don't need a dedicated home office space to be productive at home. Maybe you just need the right desk. Choose from these designs and step-by-step directions on how to build a desk.

By: Paul Cox

Does your work-from-home space feel cramped? Are you tired of working from your dining room table or kitchen counter? Do the young students in your home need a spot to call their own? If you answered "yes," then you might just need a new desk with storage space and style to match.

Whether you have a small space — or almost none at all — we can show you how to build an inexpensive desk with the easy step-by-step how-tos below.

Space-Saving L-Shaped Desk

Photo by: RTR Media

RTR Media

This modern design will fit perfectly in a hard-to-use corner. It's minimal, but has plenty of space for a laptop and monitor, plus storage room below the working surface and space on the side. Learn how to build this.

Space-Saving Hanging Desk

Create Your Own Hanging, Folding Desk

Build a Folding Desk

Desk folded down.

Photo by: Sam Henderson

Sam Henderson

Desk folded down.

Create Your Own Hanging, Folding Desk

Build a Folding Desk

Desk folded up.

Photo by: Sam Henderson

Sam Henderson

Desk folded up.

Build this compact desk anywhere you have a litte wall space. The desktop folds down from the wall when you're ready to get to work. Then just flip the desktop back up to conceal papers, pencils, etc. And it can double as artwork if you get creative with the design on the front. Get the how-to.

DIY Desk or Counter Space? You Decide.

Original-Laurie-March-ODOC-kitchen-fold-down-table_s4x3

A small, flip-down table mounted in the kitchen can function as a desk but can pull double duty as extra eating space. Just add bar stools. See how it's made.

Stair Post Kid's Desk

Yellow and Orange Kids' Room

Colorful, Contemporary Kids' Room

Bright colors of chartreuse, orange and blue are combined with muted grays and blacks to create a fun, contemporary place for a kid to work or play.

Is your child studying from home? Make a stylish, kid-sized workspace they can call their own with this simple how-to (including video) from Brian Patrick Flynn. With legs crafted from stair posts, this is sure to look good wherever you place it in your home. Build it this weekend.

Small-Space Wall-Mounted Desk

Photo by: Cassidy Garcia Photography

Cassidy Garcia Photography

Get the simple steps and watch video instruction on how to build the perfect workspace for a small home or apartment. A variation on the hanging desk above, this DIY desk can be opened when you need it, then closed up when you don't. Watch how it's made.

Floating Desk

Floating Shelf Workstation

Floating Shelf Workstation

Create a streamlined, custom floating desk that is aesthetically pleasing, efficient and packed with storage with these easy instructions.

Think you have no space for a dediated workstation? This floating desk designed by Brian Patrick Flynn can be tucked into tight spots — like that unused space under your stairs! Go build it.

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