How to Make a Desk With Storage Cubbies

By: Jennifer Stimpson, This Old House magazine

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. ½-inch plywood to make the desktop, back, sides, and cubby.
Get a 4x8-foot sheet.

2. 1x3 to make the apron.
Get a 3-foot piece.

3. 1x2 to make the cleats.
Get two 8-foot boards.

4. ¾-inch molding to trim the hutch.
Get two 6-foot lengths.

5. 1-inch molding to trim the desktop's front and sides.
Get two 6-foot lengths.

6. 29-inch legs.
Get four.

7. Acrylic sheeting.
Get a piece you can cut to 27 by 48 inches.

8. Small cabinet to make into a hutch.
We used a ClosetMaid 3-Shelf 12-inch Wood Laminate Storage cabinet with door from Lowe's.

9. ¼x5 lumber to make mail-slot dividers for the hutch.
Get at least 4 feet.

10. Hardboard.
Get a piece the size of the back of the cabinet; you'll attach it to the hutch in place of the cabinet's back, which isn't designed to take paint.

11. 1-inch brad nails

12. 1 ⅝-inch brad nails

13. 1-inch screws

14. 2-inch screws

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Circular saw
- Miter saw
- Utility knife
- Straightedge
- Drill/Driver
- Brad nailer
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Photo: Laura Moss

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
- 1
- 2
- 3
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- 9

6 hours
$150

Difficulty: Moderate You'll need to miter the trimwork, and making the hutch's shelves requires patience and precision.

If you lack a dedicated spot for paying bills and stashing loose stuff, a good desk is a must. And you can make one yourself with basic materials. To simplify construction, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva came up with a compact, drawer-free design. The desktop, made of plywood topped with acrylic sheeting, stands on turned legs. "Choose legs at least 29 inches tall for a comfortable working height," says Tom. To make the free-floating hutch, he simply used a small cabinet laid on its side and repurposed the door to create shelves. A cubby tucked under the desktop holds a basket for yet more storage. See how to make it yourself on the following pages. No guarantees, but it should make tackling paperwork more inviting.

Hutch: ClosetMaid 3-Shelf 12-inch Wood Laminate Storage cabinet. Table legs: Waddell 29-inch-long by 2¼-inch-diameter country pine traditional wood table leg from HardwareAndTools.com. Paint: Valspar's Cliveden Pasture. Paint, lumber, and above-mentioned stock parts available at Lowes.

Download the cut list to build a desk with storage hutch.