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How to build a desk

A completed office desk with a leather swivel chair sitting in front of a blue painted wall on concrete floor

Overview

Looking for an extra desk for the kids to do their homework on? Perhaps you're now working a day or two from home? Building one from scratch is a great option – and it's surprisingly easy to do. Here's how to build a desk using materials available from Bunnings.

Steps

1Gather your tools and materials

Below are all of the tools and materials you'll need to complete this project.
Earmuffs, gloves, level, measuring tape, drill, drill bits, safety glasses, timber and ladder laid out on the ground.

2Measure your area

Before you start, measure the area you'll be putting your desk to make sure you get the right size materials for your project. We're using an 1800x900x33mm laminated ash panel for our tabletop, but there are a range of options in-store. Choose one that suits your space.

Metal frames being used as desk legs being measured against the desk top

3Measure up

Measure on your tabletop where to position your desk legs so they're nice and evenly spaced. Our legs are 700mm across and our laminated top is 900mm, so we'll be measuring in 100mm from each end, and 250mm from the sides.

A desk top being measured to mark out drill points for desk leg screw points

4Mark out

Once you've measured up, grab your pencil and mark up your side and end placement points – this will be your guide.

A drill being used to mark holes in a flat wooden panel

5Secure your top

You're now ready to stand your legs up and drill your pilot holes ready to screw everything in. Make sure the screws you are using are not too long – you don't want these poking through the timber. 

Tip: Since your table is a particular thickness, it's a good idea is to place some tape on your drill so you know not to drill past that point. You don't want your drill going the whole way through the table!

Metal frame being screwed into the underside of a desk top

6Drill in your screws

Once everything is in position, use your drill to secure the screws. Screw in the middle holes first to fix into position. Once you've done this, go back and repeat steps four and five on the other side.

7Lift into position

Grab a friend to help you lift your new table off the sawhorses and into your new space. Now is also a good time to grab a damp cloth and give everything a quick wipe down.

8The job is done!

Now you can enjoy your new desk and get stuck into a solid day's work. Too easy!

9More ideas for your workspace

For more project inspiration, check out home office makeover.

Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.