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Parson Tower Desk

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Submitted by Ana White on Sun, 10/17/2010 - 19:35
Difficulty
Beginner
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This is the desk that this very blog was built on. I love it because of the large top surface, ample storage, but clean simple modern design that begs to stay clutter free. You can also use this desk as a console table.

Well, I got a new desk.

There was nothing wrong with my previous desk. It just that I'm spending more and more time at my desk, and need something bigger.  That, and I'll admit it, I don't need much of an excuse to build something  :)

What do you think?  Not bad for scraps, eh?

Oh, and the finish is scraps too!  I used leftover (from Grace's Bookshelves) Antique White by Valspar in flat, two coats, brushed on.  I wanted the wood grain to show through slightly.  Then I painted on two coats of satin polyurethane.  It's now got a sheen but it's not goopy or glossy and you can see hints of wood grain.  My favorite finish.  Also, the Antique White is such a softer more pleasant color than traditional white.

And here is one unstaged.  I'm always amazed at how beautiful a few 2x2s (well, more than a few for this desk) and some MDF can be.  And strong, functional and sturdy.  I put this one together completely with pocket holes (I use a Kreg Jig).  It's worth the investment.  You will make your investment back if you build just this desk.

Another bonus of building something yourself is the freedom to modify it to suit your needs.  You can't tell, but my desk is actually 2" shorter than the plan calls for because I'm short, and wanted my keyboard to be at the exact height of the armrests on my chair.  All I had to do was take two inches off the legs and adjust the middle shelf down an inch.

Now it's your turn.  Want to make my desk yours?

Dimensions
Dimensions are shown above. Resist making the desk much narrower, or there won’t be room for your knees. As discussed earlier, you can shorten the desk quite easily be taking length from the legs and adjusting the middle shelf accordingly.

Preparation

Shopping List

1 Sheet of 3/4″ MDF or Plywood cut into 15 1/2″ widths, 8′ long (referred to as 1x16s)
7 2×2 boards, 8′ long
2″ pocket hole screws
1 1/4″ pocket hole screws

Common Materials
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List

1 – 1×16 @ 57″ (desk top)
4 – 1×16 @ 15″ (Shelves)
10 – 2×2 @ 15 1/2″ (Trim perpendicular to desktop)
8 – 2×2 @ 15″ (Trim parallel to desktop)
8 – 2×2 @ 28 1/2″ (Legs)
2 – 2×2 @ 60″ (Desktop Side Trim)

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
Power Sander
Level
Drill Bit Set
General Instructions

Pocket Holes

Go through the entire set of instructions and drill all pocket holes first. Basically, you need pocket holes on both ends of all the 15″ and 15 1/2″ 2x2s, one pocket hole on the tops of each leg, and then pocket holes on all sides of the shelves and desktop. Remember to set your jig for 1 1/2″ stock for 2x2s and 3/4″ stock for the MDF.

Instructions

Step 1

Shelf Trim

With the tops flush, glue and screw the shelves to the trim as shown above. Use 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws. Drill pocket holes set for 3/4″ stock. Make sure you have already drilled one pocket hole in each end of all of the 2×2 trim pieces. The pocket holes in the 2x2s need to be for 1 1/2″ thick stock.

Build four of these.

Step 2

Legs
Mark legs for the center shelf. Then glue and screw through the pocket holes into the legs. Remember – the tops of the legs should each have a single pocket hole to attach the top. If you don’t have a right angle drill, resist the urge to place the pocket hole on the inside where it won’t be seen – you also won’t be able to get your drill in there. Build two of these.

Step 3

Tabletop

The tabletop is super simple. Begin by attaching the end trim to the top. Then attach the front and back trim (the long ones) to the top and the side trim. Done. Keep the bottom edges flush.

Step 4

Assembly

I choose to leave the glue off to make for moving the desk easy. Simply lay the desktop on top of the tower and screw through the pocket holes into the underside of the desktop. Remember, the towers are not perfect squares, so you may need to rotate the towers to get the perfect fit.

Good luck! And PS – if you are intimidated by this project, don’t be. My desk was done in a few hours Can’t wait to see yours!

Project Type
Desk, Desk Systems and Project Table Plans
Room
office
Style
Modern Style Furniture Plans

Comments

April McCoid (not verified)

Mon, 10/18/2010 - 15:11

I was wondering the same thing about that amazing wall. I can't wait to see your tutorial on this! Ana, you're awesome!

Cecek (not verified)

Mon, 10/18/2010 - 15:46

Laura and Ana-
The whole while I'm looking at this desk thinking, "ok, what about that wall!!!??" Love love love. Can't wait to see what Miss Ana's brilliant mind came up with!!!
Love, Peace and Elbow Grease,
Cease

Katie (not verified)

Mon, 10/18/2010 - 16:58

Ana, you are awesome! How cool are you posting so much info on pocket holes! Thanks so much. You have openned a whole new world to me.

Ang (not verified)

Wed, 10/20/2010 - 10:55

I Love it! I tackled this same desk about a month ago after some inspiration from your site and having built a cameron bookshelf and a rustic bench. With those projects successful I figured I could attempt creating some plans myself. It turned out great but having made my shelves a little smaller, I wish I had waited and thought it through a little more so that my 12x12 scrapbooking papers would fit on the shelves! haha. oops. lesson learned. I do not have a kreg jig so I just used a few little angle brackets to hold my shelves in too! Also made myself a shorter, scaled down version for a printer table! Love the open storage that I can reach from all sides!! Great desk to have!

Hannah (not verified)

Wed, 10/20/2010 - 17:35

I just stumbled upon this site and I'm already in love. I want to start building this desk now! However, I live in an apartment. Is building this desk conducive to apartment living? I think I would have enough floor space but the mess and noise is what I'm worried about. What do you think?

AshleyOh7 (not verified)

Thu, 10/21/2010 - 10:23

LOVE! I really like the openness of the bottom- perfect for easily accessable storage. And it doesn't look like the piece would weigh down smaller spaces like chunkier desks might. Thanks!!