Corners in offices can be great ways to expand your space - whether you use the corner for a computer or a workspace.
With this easy plan, you can build your own corner desktop. Build bases to suit your storage needs to create the perfect corner desk system!
Shown with open shelf base and open bases with drawers. See all plans in the Modular Office Collection to customize your corner desk top with the perfect bases.
Preparation
- 1 – Sheet of 3/4″ MDF or hardwood plywood
- Edge Banding if you are using hardwood plywood
- 4 – 1×2 Boards
- 1 – 1×3 Board
- 3″ screws for attaching the back leg OR corner brackets and screws to attach the back leg with hardware
Cut List for Tabletop Pieces
- 1 – 3/4″ MDF or Hardwood Plywood cut in a 38″ x 38″ square (you will cut off one corner in step 1)
- 2 – 1×24 boards @ 24 1/4″ (you can cut the pieces out of your scraps from the corner, dimensions 23 1/2″ x 24 1/4″)
Cut List for Trim Under Tabletop
- 1 – 1×2 @ 58 1/4″ (trim in red)
- 2 – 1×2 @ 56 3/4″ (trim in green)
- 4 – 1×2 @ 16 1/2″ (trim in blue)
- 1 – 1×2 @ 38 3/4″ (trim in yellow)
- 1 – 1×2 @ 22″ (trim in pink, cut to measurement, mitering ends 45 degrees)
Cut List for Leg
- 3 – 1×3 @ 29 3/4″ (leg pieces)
Work on a clean level surface and use proper safety precautions and equipment. Review the plans before beginning, having a clear understanding of how the plan will be put together. Predrill and countersink your screws, using glue. Check for square after each board is fastened.
Instructions
Step 1
Measuring the tops. Measure the tops of your bases and make sure they will fit in a 15 1/2″ x 21″ opening. If they will not, adjust the trim lengths to fit in step 3.
Step 2
Tabletop Pieces. Cut out your tabletop pieces as shown above. For the corner, blue, cut a 38″ x 38″ square. Then mark on 2 sides 23 1/2″ from the back. Draw a 45 degree angle between the two points and cut off the corner.
Step 3
Trim Pieces. On the underside of the tabletop, fasten the trim pieces using the 1 1/4″ screws and glue.
Start with the red board, fastening it 3″ from the back edge and 1″ from the front side edge as shown above.
Then fasten the green boards, leaving a 16 1/2″ gap between the two green boards. Next, fasten the white boards. Where the white boards span the tabletop joint, make sure you fasten to both the corner and side tabletop pieces.
Then fasten the yellow trim piece in place. Finally, measure and cut the pink piece, mitering ends in 45 degrees. Use glue and let the glue dry with the piece laying flat.
Step 4
Leg. Build the leg by fastening 2 of the 1×3 boards together with glue, 1 1/4″ screws, and clamps. Let dry and fasten the remaining 1×3, again with glue and clamps and screws. Let dry. You can attach the leg to the tabletop by screwing through the top, screwing through the trim, or using corner brackets.
Comments
Alana Jo (not verified)
Wed, 03/03/2010 - 08:48
I really need this! Thanks
I really need this! Thanks
Tara M (not verified)
Wed, 03/03/2010 - 09:01
Thank you.Thank you.Thank
Thank you.Thank you.Thank you.
Viola (not verified)
Wed, 03/03/2010 - 09:18
Thank you so much Ana!!! Now
Thank you so much Ana!!! Now to get my husband to help me build.
Serena (not verified)
Wed, 03/03/2010 - 09:46
Love it! After I get our
Love it! After I get our bedroom set finished (and maybe the rest of the schoolroom pieces) I'm planning to make this for my craft room. Thanks so much!
TracyD (not verified)
Wed, 03/03/2010 - 10:29
SWEET!! Thank you!!
SWEET!! Thank you!!
Heather (not verified)
Wed, 03/03/2010 - 11:39
Hey Ana, after seeing your
Hey Ana, after seeing your corner desk it got me thinking. We are in need of new kitchen cabinets. How cost efficient would it be to make your own cabinets? Money is tight,I was just wondering if we could build our own?
Erin Zacharda (not verified)
Wed, 03/03/2010 - 12:44
OH MY GOSH!!!! I have been
OH MY GOSH!!!! I have been wanting that desk FOREVER! Now I can have it!! YOU ROCK, ANA!!
Erin
Jennifer (not verified)
Wed, 03/03/2010 - 17:12
Yay!!!!!
Yay!!!!!
Amanda (not verified)
Sat, 03/06/2010 - 12:26
I am so excited! We're
I am so excited! We're planning on attacking our library/office next year and with these plans (and a few of your other plans too!) we'll be able to build everything we want and save thousands. Thanks so much!
Lisa B (not verified)
Wed, 03/10/2010 - 12:59
Hello Ana!I can't tell you
Hello Ana!
I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you are doing here! I am so excited because we just came back from the store to buy the supplies for this desktop system. My husband is building this along with some other items on your site for my craftroom. He is going to make it into a huge "U" shape so I can have my different crafting stations. And the best part of it......it only cost us $23 because we used our points from our credit cards!!! And that was even with the tools that he needed.
I also wanted to share with you a very high compliment. My husband is a very handy and can do anything from electrical, plumbing, carpentry etc. I have been telling him for months about your site and he kept on blowing it off. Well after I told him about the big corporate company coming down on you he was outraged. I then printed out the plans for the items I wanted (here;s the compliment) and as he was reading them over he said outloud "WOW this girl is good!" Now my hubby NEVER EVER says that about anyone an won't even take advice from anyone.
Gotta go start our project. But I just had to stop on by and let you know how excited I am that I am getting my craftroom done in the way I have always wanted it. If it weren't for your site I wouldn't be able to have it because I just don't have thousands laying around!!
Big Hugs from Carlisle, PA!!! I can't wait to share the pictures with you when it's done!!