Modular Desk Bases
Are you looking for the perfect desk, custom fit for your space, designed to match your cabinets and home? Have you thought about building your own modular desk system? This free template will help you build professional level custom desk bases, designed to fit your space, needs and style. Top with any countertop or build your own out of wood planks. I built this desk ALL by myself! It was so easy to do, and it looks 100% professional. We get TONS of compliments on it, and it is a permanent piece that will be with the house indefinitely. We have been using it for a couple of years and it looks fantastic and we couldn't be happier.
Specifications
| Project type | Desk, Desk Systems and Project Table Plans |
|---|---|
| Room | Storage Solutions |
| Difficulty | Beginner Projects |
Shopping List
- 3/4" hardwood plywood (amount needed depends on how big your project is)
- 3/4" edge banding in a matching wood veneer
- 1x3 or 1x4 pine wood to be used as bay supports
- 1x6 for the bottom base front
- 5-1/4" wide baseboard moulding for the base
- 1-1/4" pocket hole screws
- 1-1/4" brad nails
- wood glue
- Cabinet door (is using) with full overlay frameless euro hinge
- Drawer boxes, drawer slides and drawer faces (if using)
- Printer shelf - need a 22" euro drawer slide
Cut List
Cut list is generated when you create a custom plan in step 1 below.
Tools
- measuring tape
- square
- pencil
- safety glasses
- kreg-jig
- drill
- circular saw
- compound miter saw
- table saw
- nailer
- sander
- Iron
Step-by-step Instructions
Design Your Base Carcasses in Ana's Design App
Click here to use this tool in a pop-up full page view Use the above app to create your design. You can customize to any width, below is the standard recommendations. • Height = 28-1/2" (for standard 30" desk height with added countertop) • Width = 16" (can be modified up to 36" wide before shelves may start to sag) • Depth = 24" rip • Number of Shelves = All bases require one shelf for the bottom. Order additional shelves for the open shelf base or the cabinet door base if more shelving is desired
Carcass Assembly
I recommend four 3/4" pocket holes on each end of the shelves to attach to the sides. Leave a 5-1/4" gap underneath (to fit with 5-1/4" base moulding) - or adjust to match your baseboard height. Optional shelves can be mounted at any height. For the printer pull out shelf, I simply cut the plywood shelf piece 1" less than the width of the interior of the cabinet and mounted on a Euro Drawer slide.
Bay Supports
You'll need some bay supports to tie everything in. This reduces your plywood pieces (reducing cost) and adds structure. I recommend 1x3 or 1x4 (furring strips are fine!) at the top, and a 1x6 piece at the bottom. The inside bay supports at the top are equal in length to the shelves. The front 1x6 bay support is on the outside, so is the total width of the cabinet. I recommend measuring and cutting to fit, as this piece is visible from the front of the cabinet. You can screw or nail and glue it in place. The purpose of the 1x6 is to bring the base moulding out 3/4" so door and drawer faces don't stick out past the base moulding. Base Moulding I used a 5-1/4" wide base moulding, with mitered corners to finish out the base of my modular desk pieces. I attached with 1" brad nails.
Cabinet Door Addition
You can add a door to the base. I recommend ordering doors, but you can also build your own. • The door height is 1/2" smaller than the overall height of the space on the front of the cabinet (above baseboard) • The door width is 1/2" smaller than the overall width of the cabinet (outside measurements) • I recommend Full Overlay Frameless Concealed Hinges.
Adding Drawers
You can add drawers as well. Here's what I recommend for drawer placement so you can use off the shelf boards for the drawer faces (1x6 and 1x12 drawer faces). I recommend 20" or 22" drawer slides. Here is a video showing how I install drawers.
Finishing
Sand all surfaces, starting with a medium grit and finishing with fine. Wipe off the dust, fill any holes or gaps with wood filler, and sand smooth once dry. Apply primer if you're painting, then finish with your choice of paint or stain and seal with a durable clear topcoat. For outdoor projects, use exterior-rated primer, paint or stain, and sealer so the piece stands up to the weather.
Source (temporary): https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/modular-desk-bases-build-your-own-desk-system