DIY Modern Plywood Desk

In this video, we'll show you how to create a functional and stylish modern plywood desk that is perfect for any workspace. This DIY project is perfect for those who want to add a personal touch to their home office or workspace. We will guide you through the process of building the desk using plywood and attaching legs, and finishing it with a sleek and modern design. With our step-by-step guide and some basic tools and materials, you can make your own modern plywood desk in no time! And for those who want an easy reference for the building process, plans for this desk are available for purchase at urbanshopworks.com/plans. Get ready to see how to turn a piece of plywood into a beautiful and modern desk that fits your needs and style.
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[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks for watching, want to see some of my other videos...? Click this ---> kzbin.info And if you like what you see please subscribe!

[@garyhundsrucker7771]

I like the simple A frame sides and can see using that idea up top so you could put different top shelf configurations for different recording studio set ups or needs!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

You could totally do that!

[@CasualBuilds]

I always love when someone is able to take plywood and turn it into such a beautiful, modern design. Glad I found your channel!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Me too! Thanks for watching!😁

[@pato655]

Incredibly nice piece. I love the simplicity of the lines and the contrast between the plywood and walnut. Outstanding

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@donzeise528]

Great job!! looking forward to the next project!! nice way to make the most of your space!!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@weberwoodshop]

Great build and video Preston!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks Blake!

[@Whatdavedoes53]

Thank you so much for this video. As a retired cameraman I appreciate the work that went into it. I just finished building my version of your desk and I’m very happy with it. I did a regular 45 degree mitre on the box corners which was very challenging for me. In fact working with Baltic birch plywood was a new challenge at every stage. A lot different from soft woods. So thanks again for a great project!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

That’s awesome! This desk was a challenge for me as well. But well worth it!

[@ScottBrownCarpentry]

Mint job bro!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@alphanuevo]

This is really nice. Thinking this would be great with a little thinner plywood and something like maple on the outside of the main part of the desk.

[@clydeulmer4484]

That was a really nice touch to make the drawer fronts from walnut. I think that elevates the whole piece. Clyde

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you, I think so too!

[@CharleyDC5R]

Gorgeous! Great work.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

thanks!

[@brysonatkins6072]

Great job on this build 👍🏽👍🏽

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@celaoj]

Wonderfull work! The desk looks beatifull. Thanks for sharing!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@Room-uk8le]

That's a beautiful piece of modern plywood furniture you made. Thanks for uploading the video and share the project.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you! My pleasure!

[@FennahMakes]

That's beautiful!!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@MrEli730]

Amazing work. Very impressive.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@mgreggwoodworks5120]

Love the design! great job!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@JohnMadeit]

Real nice design. Great work

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks John!

[@MadeByMarylou]

Awesome desk! I dig it!!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Cool Thanks!

[@ryanB66]

Great work.. enjoy your videos

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@d2woodshop687]

Very cool build! The hardwood accents are great!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks! I like them too!

[@JonPetersArtHome]

Very Sharp! I like the B plywood and walnut combo.... Just hit the Subscribe

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Awesome! Thanks Jon!

[@mcsinnin6473]

Awesome build!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@ericrubinoff2967]

Awesome work!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@simonpeterhutchinson]

Well finished and I like your methods. It also looks like a tight workshop to work in but you seem to make the best of it.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

I do the best with the space I have. Thanks for watching!

[@parjohansson6623]

Looks great. More explanations on all the steps and tools used would help a lot.

[@bighands69]

I did something similar to this by self about 10 years ago only I put a walnut top on it. I think it is an underrated design and construction technique that can produce very high quality furniture.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Im going to use it more for sure!

[@user-sn1xf9ux2v]

Amazing piece man

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Hey Thanks!

[@ignaciofernandez1063]

Es un excelente trabajo amigo!!! Gracias por compartirlo!!!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@Wood_Slice]

Great looking shop and work. Keep it up

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@heyimamaker]

Looks awesome man!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@TommyT888]

Nice work!!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@muddyfences5559]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

No problem thanks for watching!

[@jtaccarino]

Beautiful desk sir!! You are motivating me to attempt something similar!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Cool!

[@hazembata]

I dig it.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Awesome Thanks!

[@nolabob5047]

Awesome, was brainstorming then went to look what youtube had to offer and this is almost exactly what I had in mind. Love the rabbit edges!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robmaule4951]

Beautiful desk 👌🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍🏼

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@jorgeherrera3554]

Beautiful job

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@bvandenbroeke]

I really like the way you designed and constructed this desk.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@heyimamaker]

Yikes, This is amazing! As a desk, as a maker bench. Also thanks for the music link. It's hard finding mellow background music. Used to take me longer to find music than it did to make the project.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

No problem, glad you like it!

[@MostynFaulkner]

Very nice design. I especially like the drawer integration in the design.😎😎😎👍👍👍

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@gregmgm06]

Really nice!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@JkCanvas]

Great build and like the little tip of making a leg template to get repeatable legs. Going to steel that idea. I have to make a couple of desks for my niece and nephews and this will make it easy to replicate.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

It worked really well!

[@otrookie]

Beautifully put together. Video and desk. Your channel is gonna go long ways!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Awesome Thanks!

[@carlbvickers]

Great work. I’m surprised you don’t have more subscribers. Keep them coming brother!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@toriofalltrade8763]

man! love you're work got new sub here!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Awesome Thanks!

[@DesignCraftWorkshop]

Great project and design man!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@KBBAKTHA]

Brilliant design and build video. Subscribed to your channel, so i wont miss any of your future videos.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Awesome Thank you!

[@DONphantasmo]

Yep.. New subscriber here. Very well done. Great video, well shot and well executed. Great work, too.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@mardakworkshop4450]

nice job man well done 👍🏻

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@Chakamana]

Отличная работа, лайк и подписка !!!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Огромное спасибо!

[@tatamisio1969]

Nice job 👍💪

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@stu_artist]

Beautiful. Cheap to make but can be sold for a good price. Well done.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@BuiltByChris]

How do you not have more subscribers??? Great work and a great video. Subscribed!! Keep them coming mate.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Awesome Thanks!

[@bighands69]

If he was to engineer views by networking he could do it.

[@DOODLEND]

This came out so nice! Loved how you did the “miter”

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@Erikdidit]

Nice job! Good to see someone work in a one car garage making good stuff and not just factory-like workshops :D I will forever be jealous until I get a bigger shop space :P New subscriber!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Cool Thank you!

[@erik.reinert]

Thanks! This is exactly the project I was looking for to create an entry table at my house (we call it "The Thing" becuase for lack of a better name that's what we've always called it.). This will make a great replacment to the ugly "thing" we currently have.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Awesome! I’m happy to hear! Let me know how it turns out!

[@philipswan1016]

great video, nice desk, interesting to see you operate in 240 sq ft shop. I'm currently finishing of my shed after upgrading from 80 sq ft to 140 sq ft, i'm gonna follow you, so keep the videos coming, I think you could be one to watch in the future, take care for now

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Right on, Thanks! The small shop makes things challenging but not impossible by any stretch. And setting it up and getting it dialled in is a lot of fun too!

[@StuffUCanMake]

It’s so obvious that you pay great attention to detail.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks! I do my best🙂

[@MrJbunch1]

Very nice

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@garygarnham1554]

Only just found you, awesome 👌 have just subscribed 😀

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Cool! Thanks!

[@PFWoodturning]

New subscriber here...great looking desk!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Awesome thanks!

[@MrJKellerLewis]

Liked and subscribed

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@TiKrik-mn7rx]

Очень аккуратно! Лайк, подписка!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Офигенно спасибо!

[@ThatGuyBW]

Amazing and inspiring. I'm going to attempt a version of this desktop, instead with some electric standing desk legs over the next week or two. Question - if I wanted to cut-out a door (w/magnetic catches) in the back for powerstrip/cord organization/hiding, how would you go about cutting that access hole?

[@UrbanShopWorks]

I would try making a template and using a router. On a scrap piece of wood of course😉

[@Blahblahblah69097]

Great video. I want to take up building stuff as a hobby. Any recommended list of tools I need??

[@UrbanShopWorks]

I would just figure out what you want to make and start with the basic tools you will need for that project to make your cuts and joinery. That’s how I started. 👍

[@holla5263]

Hi can you do a video on how you treated the woodwork to a nice stained finish? thanks

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Great idea! I might go more in-depth with that in a future video. Thanks for watching!

[@kikocaro8564]

Un trabajo excelente hermano .. desde Mallorca , aqui no se hace todo esto debido al estrés que imponen, con lo que me gusta la tranquilidad a la hora de trabajar , me enamora festool

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@brydenwilliamsyeah]

great desk! Love the finish. I wondered, why you decided to use the handsaw to cut the hardwood down to size, I assumed saving blades but curious if another reason.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks! I don’t have a miter saw and that piece of walnut was too long to cut on my table saw.

[@JohnB20022]

Baltic Plywood... Must be very nice... Nice work... Are your sketchup files available?

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks! They will be soon I’m working on the plans now and once they are done I will release both🙂

[@howisitnotavailable3]

Love this! just bought the plans. Do you have a file of the leg assemblies so that they can be CNC cut?

[@UrbanShopWorks]

I only have the SketchUp drawing

[@robfearon2036]

Nice build. I'm making basically the same thing because my home office is getting more populated (thanks Covid). Love the single ply covering the sides of the top. Love the exposed ply layers on the front too! I have a concern though... is that stretcher really going to do much? It's location and orientation seems like it won't stop racking at all. I'm planning on using hairpin legs so no stretcher needed for that - and I'll shore up the box from the inside behind the drawers. Just wondering if anyone else thought that stretcher was suspect. Thanks for the upload and keep it up! I see that your website got a lot more populated recently. Congrats and good luck with your biz!!!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Hi Thanks for the comment, it does rack a bit, on my plans I made a design change to a much beefier stretcher which should help and you could always add a stretcher part way down the back legs, I have seen many desks with similar legs built that way.

[@adrianobartaia6566]

Que produto é esse "wipe on Poly"?

[@neymarsilva8287]

U did an outstanding job. Thx for sharing this!!......................((((( ►) Have anyone try the Autonomous for DIY Standing desk?

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thank you!

[@jasonmorgan75]

Great video and project. Shop tour please!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Hey thanks! My shop is going to get a major rearranging in the next 30-60 days so I will be doing a shop tour after that is complete!

[@jasonmorgan75]

@@UrbanShopWorks desk design is great. I am waist deep in a small shop report as we speak to I feel ya

[@UrbanShopWorks]

@@jasonmorgan75Thanks! I really like this desk too, I want to make a series of furniture projects all loosely based off this design. Thanks for watching!

[@jasonmorgan75]

@@UrbanShopWorks looking forward to them!

[@tomburk5561]

Hi, great vid. Do you have the plans on this desk yet? Thanks - new subscriber

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Hi! Thanks for watching! I am actually working on plans now I should have them out in the next couple weeks. I’ll post in the community tab and on my instagram when they are available 🙂

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Hi Tom, I have plans for this desk available now if you are still interested you can find them here urbanshopworks.com/plans

[@michaelbolen2118]

Looks great, considering building this. Do you find it stable (any lateral play?)

[@UrbanShopWorks]

There is a little lateral play. I have plans available for this and In those I made a slight change to the design to help with that.

[@michaelbolen2118]

Urban Shop Works ok, thanks

[@Bagrinovsky]

Hello Can you tell me the height of this desk? What height of chair should be (distance from floor to seat) to comfortably place your legs under this table while seating?

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Hi Kirill, I used a normal dining room chair as my refence hight, so seat hight about 45 cm (17 3/4 inches) The distance to the under side of the desk is 62cm ( 24.25 inches) and the top of the desk sits at 76.5cm (30 inches). I am currently working on a set of plans for this desk and I will be releasing them on my website as well as the Google Sketchup file, these should be available inside the next 2 weeks if you are interested. Thanks for watching!

[@sammaris9246]

dude you got some ace tools. id love a list :)

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Ha! Me too I’ve lost track!

[@chiklad]

Very nice work! But I have a question. Is it sturdy enough?

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Yes, it is

[@eketelon]

Beautiful job! Subbed. I looked at your website and did not see any plans. Will you be making any or did I miss them?

[@UrbanShopWorks]

They are in the works! I will notify you on here when they are ready! Thanks for watching and the sub!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

I have plans for this desk available now if you are still interested you can find them here urbanshopworks.com/plans

[@Delcasa88]

Been in love with the design and looks of this desk for a while now and finally bought the materials and a new router; including a set of your metric plans. I've printed the layout for the outer leg now and made a router-template out of a scrap piece of 10mm ply. The template outer leg is only 70cm tall, meaning the desk stretcher/bottom of desk will be at around 55-60cm of the floor. This seems way too small; could you tell me what the height of the desk top should be and how tall the outer legs should be? If I sit on a chair and set my routertemplate leg upright next to me, my knees are above the cutout of the stretcher.... I made a 1:1 print of your plans so I'm at a loss where things went wrong.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

The Leg template should be 76.5 cm high. This makes the under side of the desk 62 cm from the ground. Try printing the template out on US Legal 8.5 inch by 11 inch Paper.

[@Delcasa88]

@@UrbanShopWorks thanks for your quick answer. Sourcing that paper here in the EU is going to be a pain now with lockdowns... 76.5cm seems much more logical than the 70cms im stuck with. not as 'Plug 'n Play' as I hoped :')

[@handyhomebrewnetwork2142]

I haven't seen the rabbet technique used on the finish edge with ply wood. How does that edge look close up? I'm tired of wrestling large pieces to cut a miter just to make the piece look thought out. Curious as to what you think of the finalized work. Thanks!

[@UrbanShopWorks]

I really like the look, and it snapped together really easy. I’ll definitely use it again in future projects. Thanks for watching!

[@handyhomebrewnetwork2142]

@@UrbanShopWorks awesome thanks for the response. Just cut dados in a entryway bench tonight think I'll give the edge rabbet a shot see how it looks. Saved me a bunch of miter headache, never would've thought of that so thanks!

[@kikocaro8564]

A donde hay que irrrrr?

[@ishmaelsheehama4748]

Id really need help on designing. Manual sketching is fun but is time consuming at times. Could yall kindly please help with furniture sketching programs suitable for beginners.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

I hear you. I mostly use google SketchUp to design things and that took me a solid year of playing with it and watching tutorials on KZbin to figure it out. The best advise I can give you is pick the exact task you want to learn on sketchup or whatever design software you are using and look up how to do it and slowly work your way through basic design. After you have done this many many times the information starts to stick. Good luck!

[@barkebaat]

Did your pencil lead snap at 0:49 using that over-engineered ruler ?

[@UrbanShopWorks]

It did. Good eye!

[@sktruesdale]

What kind of cycle do you ride? i can see your Park Tools in the video.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Hi, I have actually just started a separate channel for bike stuff you can find it here kzbin.info/door/xlafRugzFor3AVDUm0amBA

[@virgiliovaden2142]

What design software did you use?

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Google SketchUp

[@sheldonj1983]

Just bought the plans for this. I noticed you don’t mention what kinda router bit you are using in your hand held router for the edges. Any chance you could share that?

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Hi, Thanks for purchasing the plans! I used a Plywood Dado Bit they are specific to the Baltic birch thickness which is what I used for the dados and the rabbets here is a link to what I am talking about on Lee valley tools www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/power-tool-accessories/router-bits/49888-plywood-bits now that I re-read your comment I think you may be talking about the 1/8 roundover bit for the outside edges www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/power-tool-accessories/router-bits/32735-round-over-bits

[@cafebravo]

Hello - do you have the template for the legs

[@UrbanShopWorks]

YES! there are Printable 1:1 scale PDF templates for the legs included with my plans for this desk. you can find those here urbanshopworks.com/plans

[@ryanhampton5379]

Where can I find a template for the legs?

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Right here urbanshopworks.com/plans The leg template is included with my plans!

[@Rescue1ranger]

Hey not for nothing but I listened to the vid several times and WHERE do you get a piece of any wood that's 5X5???

[@UrbanShopWorks]

The desk is made of Baltic Birch Plywood. it comes in 4x8 or 5x5

[@adrianperalta7192]

👍

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Thanks!

[@lurkingcorsa10]

Wht software..bro

[@UrbanShopWorks]

???Sorry Im not sure what you mean?

[@user-iz5hg5wm4j]

Респект 🤜🤛 брат

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Благодарю вас

[@michaelbolen2118]

Nice design! How is the lateral stability of the desk?

[@UrbanShopWorks]

It’s ok, I can lean on the end of it with confidence but if I were to build it again I would beef up the cross member between each set of legs

[@learemington1700]

Would you please share how you made the plywood edges “pop”. I make some things from baltic but sand as i might, im unable to get the effect you show in the thumbnail. HELP, ANYONE.

[@UrbanShopWorks]

All I did was sand the desk to 400 grit and coated the surface with Semi Gloss Wipe On Poly 6 times sanding between each coat.

[@randommusings48]

Love the build! Has anyone told you that you have a radio voice?

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Lol! Yes!

[@MoscaWoodworking]

this is the best video you've made so far... except that you began the project with the beard and finished without 😀

[@UrbanShopWorks]

LOL! No kidding hey! this video took me so long to make that I had time to grow it back again before I finished it😂

[@saadullah5583]

cul dex

[@MrMarlin03]

you have plans for this project

[@UrbanShopWorks]

I’m working in them. I’ll leave you a message once I have them available. Thanks for watching!

[@MrMarlin03]

thanks much appreciated @@UrbanShopWorks

[@UrbanShopWorks]

Hi John, I have plans for this desk available now if you are still interested you can find them here urbanshopworks.com/plans