How to Build a Simple Large Surface Home Office Desk

Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think! blank630x20

Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4″ MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed.  The project is easier than you think and we’ll show you the steps of how we made ours.  The  cost was approximately $65 and the desk runs the full length of the room plus the corner.

This was part of a complete office makeover and you’ll get +some other tips and ideas at the bottom of this post.

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blank630x20Home Office Desk Supplies

  • 3/4″ MDF Wood 4’x8′ sheets. Two was used for this project.
  • Two 2×4 for bracing
  • Two  1/2″ Quarter Round molding
  • Paint
  • Water-Base Poleurethane 1 quart did two coats on the desk and 2 coats on our kitchen cupboards.
  • Cable Wire Grommets (to run wires down through the desk)
  • Saw, drill, hammer etc.

blank630x20Instructions

This is the room before we started any type of makeover. The desk will be going on the left wall.

Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20

Roy measured the length, depth and height we wanted including measuring the corner piece and the angle. He then sketched it up. The height took into consideration two small wood file cabinets we were going to use as support. Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20

The desk was made in two pieces.Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20

2×4 boards were measured, cut and attached as bracing. Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20

The corner also needed bracing as the shelf was too short. (That top line is not wood but where we removed the shelf.)Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20

One piece of the wood was put up temporarily to see how it fit.Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20

We had two wood filing cabinets for years and they were the perfect height to support the desktop. It also gave handy drawers. Roy sanded them first.Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20

He then applied three coats of paint, allowing it to dry overnight in between.Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20

The shelf was then painted. Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20

Because it would be high use we put two coats of water base polyurethane. It needs to be water based. Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20 Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20

Quarter Round molding was added.Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20

Holes were drilled for cords to go down through.Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20

A set of desk grommets were placed in the holes for a nice finish.Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20 Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20

This shows another stand we had that was the exact height needed. We used this for the other brace.Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20 Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20 Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20 Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20 Build a large surface home office desk from inexpensive 3/4" MDF wood. Using items you might already have, no legs are needed. It's easier than you think!blank630x20

More Home Office Makeover Tips!

Organize Office Supplies in Style with a Parts Chest

Make Your Own Large Mouse Pad

Plastic Drawer Makeover for Desk Organizing

Messy to Marvelous Closet Makeover for a Home Office

Time Zones White Board Calendar for Home Office

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16 Comments

  2. Alex
    · Edit

    Hi There, I love this desk and would love to make something similar for my wife’s craft room. appreciate this was originally posted back in 2016, I wonder how it is holding up to use? mainly the paint? Also, did you prime the MDF first? or simply paint with the polyurethane straight off?

    Many thanks in advance,

    Reply
  9. Julie @ Logger's Wife
    · Edit

    That’s quite a lot nicer than the standard “use an old door and two filing cabinets” method. Although, my parents did that when I was in high school and the hole for the door knob was like a build in spot for the computer cords to go. 🙂 #Titus2Tuesday

    Reply
  10. Denise/DIY Crush
    · Edit

    I am ready to sit down and start crafting!! Haha!! LOVE this!! Thanks so much for sharing them at the DIY Crush craft party on Thursday! I just pinned your entries!! Hope to see more of your posts next week!

    Reply

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