How to Build a Writing Desk {Using 2x4s and Plywood!}

[@3Oh3metrostation]

the half round moulding around the desk and on the drawer fronts were a nice touch. desk looks strong and built to last

[@MrHarley950]

Another winner. There's a ton of possibilities with that once and you could customize it a dozen different ways. Thanks for all the links in the description as well.

[@michaelserrano3689]

I really like this project. I actually like the natural color contrast, it came out beautiful.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much! The more I look at it, the more I like the contrast as well. I’m glad I didn’t paint it :)

[@thomascostello5780]

OK, so much for a golfing retirement, lol. My wife is now jumping on all your emails and going through all your projects and the list of builds for me to make is growing daily. She wants 2 of these desks, wagons, linen closets, etc... oh, and dog crates and houses and elevated eating bowls and dog beds - we have 4 dogs!!! Just don't tell her I'm enjoying it, not a good golfer anyway

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Ha! This makes my day! I’m happy she is finding some projects she likes and I’m happy you’re (kind of secretly) enjoying making them 😉😅 and I’m happy to hear your dogs are getting in on the fun as well! I appreciate the kind words and hope to keep the inspiration coming!

[@thomascostello5780]

@@WoodshopDiaries glad to make u smile. What did u run? 100 years ago I ran X-country in High School and we were N.J. State Champs -- it was 1969 - wow, am I that old?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I ran cross country in high school. Before that, I ran a few years of track-the half mile and quarter relay. I’ve done some 200s but I’m not very good haha. Long distance is where I do best. So cool you ran too!

[@thomascostello5780]

@@WoodshopDiaries cool. distance running gives you time to think and relax. OK, its making drawers day. The Drawers video is very helpful, thx

[@lynjermey6423]

I think the different wood colours make the desk look more interesting.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! I think the color is kind of growing on me...In hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t paint 😄

[@Not_TVs_Frank]

You took a very simple, low-cost design and dressed it WAY up with some simple trim. The simple tapers on the legs are also a big upgrade with little effort. Well done, I bet your mom loves it.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much! It’s funny the wonders a little trim detail can do!

[@64bosely]

Another great job! I actually like the contrasting color of the legs. It gives it character and dimension.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! The color is growing on me!

[@mjb9176]

This is my first time seeing you work. I like the fast pace instruction and wonderful results. I think I could do everything but the drawers - I’d have to farm that out. Girl, you are very talented.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Hi! Thank you so much! Maybe this playlist for my drawer building series would be helpful: kzbin.info/aero/PLZXlzM3gc_U2VAcejawDXcsSU6pm4PESL&si=w8HJzt2ILMyxdCNs

[@billofalltrades1468]

I like the contrasting wood colors, it turned out beautiful. Awesome work!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much!

[@billofalltrades1468]

@@WoodshopDiaries you're very welcome!

[@FritsvanDoorn]

Nice piece of furniture. I like the two tone wood color. It makes it stand out. Well done! Thank you.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! Now that it’s all finished and set up, I’m glad I didn’t paint it.

[@halmartin7668]

You've done another fine job. The different wood colors look very nice. Through time they will darken and and blend nice.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! The multiple tones are kind of growing on me and I’m liking it more the more I look it at. I’m glad I didn’t paint 😄

[@twotopsturning6493]

I really like the half round and inset drawers, very nice

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!

[@m.r1164]

Watching and learning from Africa ...Zambia. love what you do so keep doing it.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much for watching!!

[@hueysoul1757]

I prefer the difference in wood color. Great job!

[@cesarsanchez-jb9wu]

Felicitaciones, excelente trabajo, eres una gran inspiración a continuar

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@johnkelley9877]

That is so nice looking! You really do great work and I watch all your tutorials. Thanks for sharing this.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much for your kind words and for watching!

[@leooliveira97]

Thank you! bought the plans last Tuesday, have just finished.

[@visaulenergy]

This turned out beautifully. I really like the interesting color differences. I’m going to make something similar as an 8’ sofa table that will allow table height bar stools underneath with a center leg.

[@jasonthomas1760]

Looks amazing as always. Great legs! The desk i mean, might have to try those on the platform storage bed frame i have redesigned a zillion times.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Haha I knew what you meant. Thank you! The little taper detail is easy to add and could be used on a lot of different projects 👍

[@davewilliams355]

Looks nice Cher....

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@Bekim8310]

Beautiful desk Shara! Great work!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much!

[@jacoboalamea717]

Good Job shara

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!

[@diybuild2307]

Looking wonderful diy.....😊👏👏👏👏👏

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!

[@diybuild2307]

@@WoodshopDiaries my pleasure madam...😊

[@timdyer7692]

Wow, Shara! You made a very nice desk. I think it turned out great. Keep up the good work.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much!!

[@emilionavarro2575]

I love it is perfect for my kitchen thank you for sharing

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much for watching!!

[@WillysPerformanceCycleCtr]

Very nice project! I really like the drawer faces. You have the best builds I’ve seen. Excellent illustrations and descriptions. Hope you and the family are doing well. Be safe out there!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that! I hope you and yours are doing well, too. Have a great weekend!

[@pollino1]

Me encantan tus trabajos. Saludos desde España.

[@maurolimaok]

Beautiful furniture. Great video!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@westernwisconsin]

Great videos and fun to watch! I just grabbed 3 of your plans and can't wait to try making them. I've built things before and have done electrical and finished a couple basements of houses I've lived in but nothing like these nice projects. Keep up the great work!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much for your support and kind words! I appreciate it! And hope you enjoy building the plans you got! 🔨🔨😄

[@francescoabruzzese8265]

Sei fenomenale. Saluti dell'Italia.

[@thecommenter578]

This looks heavy... And that's how I like it! Sturdy as a rock! I like forniture that can hold my weight if I step on it even if I never need to do so and not the wobbly cardboard things they sell in stores

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Haha 100% agree 😅 thanks so much for watching!

[@natebrown508]

This is exactly what I am looking for! Thank you!!

[@akinsen23]

Best Table ever 🙂

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! 😄

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

This is great. And its totally multifunctional. I would love to build one for my craft room to replace the ugly kitchen table I have in there. Having drawers would be nice too. Plus... I can see this as a basic table. And it's great for a desk. This is going on my "to make" list.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Yes! This is actually replacing a kitchen table my dad is currently using in his office where he shows customers and clients designs he can do. I figured a large work surface with a few drawers would be a nice upgrade. I’d love one of these one day for my own craft room (when I get one haha). I appreciate you watching and for your kind comments!

[@carlose8177]

I really enjoy learning from you , Its amazing when you add those magic details and the result is this gorgeous piece ! And you always give us the plans too ! Thank you so much for all the work and effort you do ! And please keep going ! =)

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I appreciate that! Thank you so much for your kind words and for watching!

[@DrewJacobson61]

Beautiful work!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@don9133]

Great build.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!

[@EclaWood]

comfortable work desk

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@samme5513]

Pretty awesome I love this desk

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much!!

[@Anni_Mau]

I think this would make a nice coffee table as well! Just make the legs a bit shorter and done. Drawers to hide the remotes and coasters etc :D

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Such a great idea!! I love that!

[@tifrere4910]

Il love this desk...

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@SFergu-qw6lh]

That would be a nice dinning room table with drawer on both side. I have a small dinning room

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Yes, for sure! You could use for silverware or napkins...table settings 👍

[@vs77mail]

Good job! Like the design and the different colour of wood actually looks great. Well done. Thanks for sharing.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! I appreciate it!

[@billprocter942]

I think your contrasting woods makes your desk pop. I agree with your mom. 😂😂

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Haha after all is said and done, I’m really glad I didn’t paint! 😅😂

[@streetkombativesystem4704]

Looks amazing! Cheers, will be building one of these! Ps: I actually like the contrasting wood colors.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! Happy building!!

[@javierteodorakis1647]

👌Great proyect.. 👍

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Great job on the desk Shara! Thank you for sharing the video with us!💖👌👍😎JP

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks for watching!!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Your very welcome Shara! Have a great week!😎

[@RatherPeyton]

Do you have a video on a build guide for a computer desk with a perpendicular slide out section, like the popular ikea malm desk? Love the videos!!

[@shootingstuffaustralia8977]

Looks good well done'

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!

[@pbetl461]

Another great project to sink my teeth into. Although it will have to go at the back of the list. Got a vanity unit to do first. Any tips??

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! I have a few vanity ideas on my website if you want to browse around: www.woodshopdiaries.com/?s=Vanity

[@usaf4dbt]

Thank you!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks for watching!

[@RiverPlaid]

Lovely 🌸

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@MCsCreations]

Really beautiful work, Shara! Awesome desk! 😃 I need to build something for my PC as well... But I'm thinking about something without drawers. Well... We'll see. 😊 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!! Desks are always fun to build...so many different options. I feel like that’s all I’ve been making lately haha! I hope you have a great weekend and thanks for watching!

[@AB-nu5we]

'Pink' 2x4's - the better stuff. It's Douglass Fir which is much tougher than the Hemlock or Spruce white lumber you get at the big box stores. If I'm building a project that uses construction lumber, I'll wait till my big box gets more 'pink' lumber in before I'll start. Or I'll make my own 2x's using 16 x 12 floor stringers which are almost always Doug fir. Agreed with others, I think the color combos look fine here. Nice project. (Hemlock pine will have brownish swirls in it, middle density, while Spruce will be the most white, and least dense of the three. The wood is also stamped with the species.)

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I know the differences between the pine, spruce, and fir 2x4s...I always just lump them together in my mind as “pine.” 😂 in my area, when I go to pick up 2x4s at the lumber yard they’re almost always spruce. But occasionally if I go to Home Depot, they have fir. I actually like they way these stain better than the spruce ones. I didn’t know that, though about the strength. Interesting to learn! Thanks!

[@pauloamorim4551]

Você é um show de mulher, muito inteligente, linda e esperta.👍😁

[@lovetolove011]

This is so cute!! Do you think you could do a video on how to make an ikea shoe cabinet please? 💕

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much! I’m not sure what you mean by ikea shoe cabinet. Do you have a link to a design that you’re wanting to build?

[@hitfield]

Top demais 👊🏼👊🏼

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@briantaylor5676]

I really appreciate this desk. I would like to make a small writing desk, say 24x36 with queen Anne legs. Do you have any plans ? Thanks for the video Nice job

[@yotambelgoroski9558]

Great video, thanks! As a begginer woodworker I actually have a question- How come you use plywood for the top? I mean daily use of a desk will surely cause the thin veneer to pill off doesn't it?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks! It would take a lot of daily use and wear and tear to wear off the three coats of finish plus the veneer on the plywood. I wouldn’t be the least bit concerned about that. If you noticed some wear, you can easily apply a fresh coat of sealer/finish to protect it. However, you can use solid wood for the top if you’re concerned.

[@edsonsouza618]

Belo trabalho!👏👏👏😘

[@dbiernackijr1403]

I've always used laminate for tops and sides but I wanna use a stain.. my question is... When the edge banding is stained will it match the tops? I never used it.. Thank you for being so descriptive on your projects... Not many ppl on here are that thorough!!!!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! Yes, when I’ve stained the edge banding, it has matched really well. The key is to make sure to get the same wood type edge banding as the plywood you’re using. So If you’re using birch plywood, use birch edge banding. And if you’re using red oak ply, use red oak edge banding. This video shows an example: vm.tiktok.com/ZMJ7x1s68/

[@dbiernackijr1403]

@@WoodshopDiaries awesome.... Thank you very much... I will definitely do that. Even on the cheap plywood on quick builds I will find whatever matches that just to hide them ugly plywood sides!!! *Looking forward to your next video!!

[@amyd2716]

Where are you come to Charleston sc and teach me😢

[@jamespayne8781]

Good work, good design. You do, of course, realize that a good half inch router in a table will let you turn a lot of scrap into coves, beads etc without needing to run to town.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! I do realize that 👍 I’d rather buy cove than make it though. My lumber yard sells it cheap

[@noeleendonagher]

I'd spray it white or a whitewash finish, this way the different wood colours would not show. Its a nice size, dinner table / desk.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

A whitewash finish would be nice!

[@carlo111468]

I did all dimensions as per the plans but didn't get the spaces for the drawers to be 18 3/16" so I made the side ones to that dimensions and the middle a little bigger. 👍

[@jhold7553]

I've watched some videos where you use a dowel jig. I think I found one similar on Amazon. Which one do you use and does it have the adapters to change dowel size?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I’m using a Rockler 3/8” dowel jig but it seems they are discontinued. Powertec makes basically the exact same thing here (aff link):amzn.to/3nZXYQd

[@irvinwittmeier5208]

Nice job !;-)

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!!

[@louana_mt9950]

Which height does the table has ?

[@benjboyle]

Probably a good thing my garage is full of crap and I have no workspace, because I need a new desk for the office and this looks perfect.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Where there’s a will, there’s a way! Ha! I hope you try it out and build it anyway!

[@michaelhiggins9791]

Can you change the dimensions pretty easily? Or make it a way that you can remove the legs to move it?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

It’s a pretty simple build. You can change the dimensions as you need. But it’s fairly easily to move and maneuver through doorways if you turn it on its side.

[@thelurewasher]

What size drawer pulls did you use? I'm trying order items before the build

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Honestly I don’t remember. I think they were 5-6” long. But you can use knobs or any size drawer pull here. I recommend just finding pulls you like 👍

[@rubengalvan3836]

Nice woman nice thanks

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@cartoomews]

👍👍👍

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@Are_Em_Dubya]

What is your KZbin setup (camera, mic)?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I’m using a Sony a6400 and a cheap amazon microphone for voiceovers.

[@douglasbailey8448]

😍

[@WoodshopDiaries]

😄😄

[@chakireladraoui9331]

👍❤👍❤👍❤👍❤👍❤👍❤👍❤

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@Challengeteamz]

❤️ New subscriber 🙏''''' Cute video my friends 🤠 and have a great weekend to you all See you again . Welcome 🙏

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much for following along! I appreciate it!

[@Timshowtomake]

Hey Shara how are you? This is not a desk I think it is a piece of art/desk kinda ;-) I follow your projects for a long time now and it seems you very like those pocket holes .......hahahaha Cheers Tim

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you so much! I am a fan of pocket holes. I know they have their limitations, but as someone who teaches beginners and weekend woodworkers, keeping it simple is good for me and for my business 😉👍

[@Timshowtomake]

@@WoodshopDiaries Thank you so much for your answer ;-). this was not negative I also use pocket holes in many projects. Just to save time and money. Take care and have a great time Cheers Tim

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I hope I didn’t come across as rude...I didn’t take it as negative 🙂 but my comment may have seemed that way. If it did, my apologies! Have a great weekend!

[@jimgee5049]

Most people don't have those major power tools... So it won't work for me or others

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Works for tons of people who have sent me pictures of things they’ve built with my plans 👍 make stuff or make excuses.

[@BOBBY-et9xb]

Well done mum. 😁 Good choice not painting it. 👌

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!! The more I look at it, the happier I am that I didn’t paint it 😄

[@vanwillie5730]

I'm Alone 😍😥

[@Timshowtomake]

so you must be very happy ;-)