How to Build a Modern DIY A-Frame Desk With Drawers (Beginner-Friendly)

Build a modern DIY A-Frame desk with drawers for under $100! These beginner-friendly plans use just 4 power tools and 1 sheet of plywood. Perfect for a kids’ homework station or a small home office.

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Originally published: March 2020

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How to Build the Modern A-Frame Desk

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

Step by Step Tutorial

Step 1: Make Cuts

• Cut the plywood per the plans using a circular saw.

I like using the Kreg Ripcut when cutting down plywood. It makes it really easy to make repeated identical cuts. It only cuts between 1″ and 24′ wide. For wider boards, a straight edge guide is helpful. See more about how to cut plywood here.

• Cut the 2×2 boards for the legs and the supports. on the miter saw. The legs and a few supports are cut at 10-degree angles.

💡 Tip: When cutting angles, I like to set the saw to the angle once and then flip the boards over to make all the cuts so the angles are completely identical.

Step 2: Build the Top Frame

• Make pocket holes in the plywood as shown in the plans. Remember plywood has a special setting for the Kreg Jig. Read all about it here.
• Build the frame that will become the top and will have the drawers using pocket hole screws and wood glue.

It is very important to keep all the boards perfectly at 90-degrees as you attach. Be sure to use lots of clamps. I really like using these clamp-it clamps to hold everything in place to attach. Its like having a whole bunch of extra hands that just hold boards in place for you.

Step 3 – Build and Install the Drawers

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

💡Tip: Check and correct for square.

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

Step 4: Attach the Top

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

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

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Step 5: Build the Legs

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

Be sure to make sure the pocket holes are facing down on the bottom rails and inside for the top rails.

Step 6: The Finish

This is a good time to apply the finish.

I decided to go with a dual-tone – warm brown and white to match the rest of the furniture in my daughter’s room. Since it is dual-tone, I finished the legs and top separately before attaching.

I was going to paint the top, and ideally, I would not have used sanded plywood for this project, but I couldn’t find birch plywood at my store.

Sanded plywood 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 for all the details.

I stained the legs in my current favorite “Nutmeg” gel stain.

Step 7: Assemble the 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. I made sure to protect the workbench with a drop cloth so the top doesn’t get scratched.
• Place the legs on both sides (I used 2×2 boards to offset the legs from the top) and attach the supports pocket hole screws and wood glue.
• Attach the bottom support rail in the back. To do this, I found it easier to lay the leg frame on its side on the floor.

Step 8: Attach the base to the top

• Attach the leg frame to the top using 2″ wood screws. Be sure to predrill before adding the screws so you don’t split the boards.

Step 9: Add the drawer faces

• Attach the drawer faces using finish nails and wood glue from the front and then attach with finish screws from the inside. The nail holes can be easily filled before painting.

Instead of drawer pulls, I decided to cut out the top of the drawer faces using a jigsaw. Nothing fancy, I just measured out and down 1″ to draw the angled line.

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

And there it is! My daughter loves it, and I do too…

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

• 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

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