DIY A-Frame Desk

Learn how to build this DIY A-frame desk with drawers. This simple yet stylish wood desk is easy to make and makes any home office pop! Plus it uses only 4 power tools!

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RELATED: DIY Modern Farmhouse Desk

DIY A-frame Desk Plans –

You can download the step by step 3D model and build plans by clicking below.

DOWNLOAD A-FRAME DESK PRINTABLE PLANS

How to build the desk –

The full video showing how I built the A-frame desk is below! Full step by step written instructions follow below.

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Step by step tutorial-

Step 1 – Make cuts

Cut the plywood per the plans using a circular saw and a straight edge guide. I like using the Kreg Ripcut for this. It makes it really easy to make repeated identical cuts.

Cut the 2×2 boards on the miter saw. The legs and a few supports are cut at 10-degree angles. I like to set the saw once and make all the cuts so the angles are completely identical.

Step 2 – Build top frame

Make pocket holes in the plywood and build the frame for the drawers. Remember plywood has a special setting for the Kreg Jig. Read all about it here.

Step 3 – Build and install drawers

Build the two drawers using 1×3 boards. Be sure to check out my guide to building drawers for beginners!

Install the drawer slides in the top frame and install the drawers.

Step 4 – Attach top

Once the drawers are in place, go ahead and attach the top using wood glue and 1-1/4″ finish nails.

Be sure to mark the location of the center supports so you can add nails accordingly.

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Step 5 – Build legs

Build the two A-frame legs using wood glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws per the plans.

Make sure the pocket holes are facing down on the bottom rails and inside for the top rails.

Step 6 – Assemble base

To assemble the base, I decided the best approach was to do so around the top frame so everything was aligned and fit well.

• Place the top upside down on a workbench.
• Using 2×2 boards are spacers on both sides, place the A-frame legs.
• Attach the supports under the top using pocket hole screws and wood glue.
• Attach the back bottom support. To do this I found it easier to move the leg frame to the floor on its side.

Step 7 – Attach base to top

Bring the base back to the workbench and attach it to the top using 2″ wood screws.

Step 8 – Add drawer faces

Secure the drawer faces using finish nails and wood glue from the front and then attach with finish screws from the back. I decided to cut out the top of the drawer faces using a jigsaw, then attached it.

Finish on the desk –

I decided to go with a dual-tone – warm brown and white to match the rest of the furniture in my daughter’s room.

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Since it is dual-tone, I finished the legs and top separately before attaching.

I was going to paint the top but to be cost-efficient, I used sanded plywood which isn’t very smooth. To get a smooth finish, I coated the entire top with joint compound and sanded it back. Be sure to read my full tutorial on how to paint plywood for a smooth professional finish.

The legs were stained in my current favorite “Nutmeg” gel stain.

As a special surprise, since my girl loves color, I painted the insides of the drawers in turquoise and pink!

She loves it and I do too…

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Be sure to download the printable plans by clicking below!

DOWNLOAD THE A-FRAME DESK PLANS

And now, here are my friends with their projects using 5 basic tools or less –

• Addicted 2 DIY
• Spool bed bench by My Repurposed Life
• Simple side table by Jaime Costiligio
• Modern shiplap hall tree bench by The Awesome Orange
• Rustic Wooden Bench by At Charlotte’s House

DIY desk accessories –

Here are some ideas to make your desk more awesome to use –

• DIY laptop stand
• DIY footrest
• Easy DIY modern pencil holder
• DIY Phone stand with photo holder

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