Get Inspired to Create the Perfect DIY Desk

Using metal rods, pipes, or hairpin legs is an effective and stylish method of crafting a DIY desk. If you have the skills and tools to fashion metal into the desired shape, you can create a strong frame onto which you can lay a wooden tabletop. The metal base has an edgy vibe, especially when paired with a thick slab of live edge pine or cedar.

For those who are confident in their build skills, glass can be an ultra-chic material for your DIY desk. Once you have created your desk legs from metal or wood, find a large piece of reinforced glass to use for the surface. You may need to source your glass from a specialty company who can safely fit the glass onto your desk legs for you.

Wooden pallets can make the perfect a DIY desk. Pallets are often discarded or given away by companies, so you might even get your materials for free. A saw, hammer, and nails are all it takes to turn unwanted shipping pallets into a modern-looking desk that is both lightweight and strong.

To create the ultimate efficient DIY desk, use filing cabinets as your base. Two filing cabinets, one at either end, serve as the legs. Find a sturdy piece of wood to attach to the top to complete this functional option. If you're on a budget, you can usually find lightly used cabinets on local buy and sell sites.

Cinderblocks can provide a solid and industrial-style base to a DIY desk. This is an especially smart DIY hack if you have cement blocks left over from another project around the home. Lay the heavy pieces on top of one another, and secure with cement if you're worrid about stability. Use thick, smooth wood or any other strong material to create the top. Affix it to the legs, or create a tiered desk by placing two more shorter blocks on top and a second, narrower board on those.

An antique store can be a treasure trove of tables and desks that you can improve with a bit of DIY. In the olden days, tables were often made with the finest materials and built to last, so they make a great jumping-off point for your modern desk. Add extra design features, storage options, or bold paint to personalize and upgrade the piece. If you get lucky, you may find a matching chair, or you can go for eclectic with a modern office chair.

If you're short on space, a carefully hung wooden wall shelf can make the ideal occasional desk. Affix the shelf at a height that gives you good ergonomic angles when you're sitting in your favorite chair. The space underneath the shelf won't be cluttered by desk legs, and the surface can hold other essentials when not in use. Just remember that the lack of legs means this desk won't hold as much weight. If you like to lean with your elbows, you might want to opt for a more traditional style!

Creating a DIY desk from wood means you can design and construct to your specific requirements and measurements with relative ease. Plan out the dimensions on paper first. If you love working with wood and tools, fashioning a DIY desk can be a great project that can be as simple or complex as you choose. Use thick, sturdy pieces of wood for a rustic look, or thinner, painted boards for a more streamlined style.

Bring some nature into the home by building your DIY desk on top of a tree stump. The solid wooden base serves as a sturdy and practical pedestal. Carefully secure a larger piece of smooth wood on top for the surface. Keep in mind that you need space for your legs, so you may want to use two stumps or a fairly deep surface. Also remember to let the wood dry completely and leave it somewhere sheltered for a while first, to get rid of any potential pests.

An age-old staple of the workshop, wooden sawhorses are less common today as metal structures take over, but they can still make beautiful, unique desk legs, thanks to their triangular style and functionally sturdy construction. Just secure a table top on two sawhorses for a desk of whatever length you need. You can even widen the space between the legs and slide drawers underneath — just make sure the surface is strong enough to support your computer and other supplies!