Bespoke Desk On A Budget

With so many people now working from home, desk space is an issue in many households. For those of us not lucky enough to have a designated office area, it’s important to try and utilise the space we do have as best possible, a great way to do this is by creating a bespoke desk.

DIY On A Budget Facebook Group member Beth shared a post the other day showing her stylish new desk set up. Beth was quoted nearly £600 to have a 2.4m long wooden desk made but with a little ingenuity and a days work, she and her husband were able to make their own DIY version for under £200.

Creating a Bespoke Desk

To create the tabletop, Beth took three 2.4meter lengths of timber and used joiners to fix them together. Once all the timber was fixed together the tabletop was put on to two IKEA drawer units (ALEX Drawer unit, grey-turquoise) Finally it was given a coat of Briwax to add some colour and bring out the natural grain of the wood.

The finished project fits perfectly with the rest of Beth’s decor and has given them plenty of space to work all for less than a third of the price they were originally quoted.

DIY Desk – FAQ’s

Creating your own custom-sized desk is a great way to make the most of your office space whilst not breaking the bank. We’ve answered some of the most common questions people have when it comes to making bespoke desks

What Wood Should Be Used?

When searching for timber you’ll usually come across constructional timber and finishing timber. The main difference between the two is the finished texture – constructional timber can oftentimes be rough whereas finishing timber has been sanded down. Either is fine to use, the main factor to consider is the price difference and the overall finish/look you want for your desk. Avoid using pressure-treated wood, this is only really suited for outdoor use (the treatment protects it from the elements) and the chemicals used to pressure treat the timber can be harmful to pets.

How Do You Fix Boards together?

There are a few different ways to fix timber boards together to create a tabletop. The easiest would be to use mending or connecting plates. You position the plate so that it’s spanning across the join of the boards and screw both sides with wood screws. You’ll want to place plates at regular intervals along the length of your timber, especially if you are making a long desk.

Does It Need Extra Support?

If you are creating a long desk that rests on top of two units (in the same way that Beth has above) you might find that the midpoint of the tabletop needs some extra support. This is definitely something to consider if you are planning to use the desk for multiple computers or office equipment. Worktop support legs are easy to get hold of from stores such as B&Q and are usually fixed in place by being screwed to the underside of the tabletop.