How to Build a Desk: Methods, Materials, and Steps

Building a desk is a woodworking project that can range from beginner-friendly to advanced, depending on the chosen design. The most common approaches include a simple slab desk (a flat wooden top with four legs), a mid-century modern desk with tapered legs and clean lines, a metal-legged desk combining a solid wood top with pre-made steel or hairpin legs, and a fully featured executive desk with drawers, hidden compartments, or integrated wireless charging.

Materials

Pine: Inexpensive, widely available, and easy to work with — well suited to rustic or budget builds.
Plywood: Strong, stable, and affordable — a reliable choice for flat desktop surfaces.
Hardwood (oak, walnut, maple): More costly but highly durable and visually attractive for a premium result.
Pre-made metal legs: A time-saving option that requires minimal woodworking skill.

Tools

Circular saw or table saw — for cutting boards to size
Drill, screws, wood glue, and clamps — for joining pieces
Sander — for surface finishing
Measuring tape and square — for accuracy
Optional: router (for edge profiles), angle grinder (for metalwork)

General Build Steps

A standard desk runs roughly 48–60 inches wide, 24–30 inches deep, and 28–30 inches tall. The general process involves planning dimensions, cutting wood to size, joining boards (typically with glue and/or screws), constructing or attaching a base or legs, and finishing the surface with sanding followed by stain, oil, or varnish for protection.

For most beginners, a plywood or pine slab top paired with pre-made metal hairpin legs offers the quickest and most accessible starting point. For a more refined result, edge-joining solid hardwood boards and hand-finishing the surface is widely regarded as the premium approach.