How to build a desk

Once you have your timber panel, it’s time to cut it to the desired length. Use a tape measure to mark the length of the desk on both sides of the panel. Measure and mark the offset of your circular saw blade.

Place a straight edge or level along your mark and clamp it securely in place. Cut along the straight edge with your circular saw, ensuring you get a clean, straight cut and lightly sand the edges with sandpaper to remove any roughness.

If you’d like to keep cables tidy, you can add a cable duct to your desk. Measure and mark the location for the cable duct - a good spot is around 60mm down from the middle of the back edge. The location of the duct is up to you, depending on your desk setup. Use a hole saw to drill the hole.

Once your panel is cut and the cable duct is drilled, sand all the edges to create a smooth finish using a sanding block. Use fine-grit sandpaper to remove any rough patches around the edges of the timber panel. Pay extra attention to the area where you drilled the cable duct to ensure there are no splinters or uneven edges.

Once the panel is cut and prepped, it’s time to finish it. You can either stain, varnish, or paint your desk depending on the look you want. For a natural finish, sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper and apply timber stain or varnish, following the manufacturer’s instructions. However, for a painted finish, apply a primer first, then follow up with a few coats of your chosen colour.

Allow the panel to dry fully before moving on to the next step.

Now that your panel is ready, it’s time to attach the legs. Choose desk legs that suit your style. Place the panel upside down on a drop sheet to protect the surface from scratches. For a desk that’s 1500mm long, four legs are typically enough. If your desk is longer than 1500mm, consider adding an extra leg in the centre for more support.

Position the legs at each corner, spacing them evenly from the edges. We recommend setting the legs about 70mm from each edge, but this can be adjusted to suit your preferences. Mark where each leg will be attached, ensuring they are evenly spaced.

Pre drilling is essential to make attaching the legs easier and to prevent the timber from splitting. Use a drill with the correct-sized drill bit to pre-drill holes for the screws. Ensure that the screws you’re using are not too long—otherwise, they may go through the top of the desk. Double-check the alignment of the legs before drilling to ensure they’re evenly spaced and properly positioned.

Carefully flip the desk over and check for stability. If everything feels secure, you’re done and ready to start using your new desk.