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
jigganancy (not verified)
Wed, 10/27/2010 - 11:03
I'm building this right now.
I'm building this right now.
What type of wood and finish did Nancy use?
DeAndrea (not verified)
Sat, 11/13/2010 - 16:45
Are their any other reader
Are their any other reader photos out there? What do you folks do for the ends of the plywood? Just add trim? If so, what kind? Also, anyone who's built this, is the corner space sufficient for someone to move around in comfortably? Looks like the dimensions are the same as pb, but, the hubby is a little worried about it being large enough.
orangesugar (not verified)
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 06:31
DeAndrea I recently measured
DeAndrea I recently measured the Pottery Barn Desk and the corner piece is actually 40"x40". Not that much of a difference though.
Karen (not verified)
Mon, 01/10/2011 - 15:40
I've been wanting a smaller
I've been wanting a smaller corner desk unit for our den. Thanks for these ideas, pictures, and plans! blessings on your day!
rob (not verified)
Sat, 02/05/2011 - 17:57
this is cool! wifes office is
this is cool! wifes office is closing so she's working from home and needs a desk.
with a little modifying the size this will be perfect. im going to use her file cabinets for the base and instead of useing the 3 pieces together for the center leg cutting 2 six in pieces into a corner then installing it at corner.
thank you for the main idea
wforeman
Sun, 06/26/2011 - 05:25
Easy to Build and Has Been in Daily Use for 6 Months!
This was my first "Ana White" building project and I was hooked on this site from this project on! I started a new job in January which required me to work from home, so I needed to create a home office fast. I had space in a corner of my basement, so I found this corner desk plan.
I built it in a weekend (using the 'open base units' as my cabinets), painted it using some "overstock" paint from my local home improvement store, and have been using it daily ever since.
A couple of things I learned from this project:
- Take the time to put several coats of paint AND polyurethane on the desk. I did this and the finish has held up beautifully!
- I strongly recommend the use of a pocket-hole jig to assemble the base units. I use the Kreg jig
- Invest in clamps!! I've found that clamping everything before you attach it keeps corners square, tables level and your project looking professional.
I highly recommend this project!
Wayne
http://www.SimpleWoodworkProjects.com/blog
Supermom77 (not verified)
Mon, 09/05/2011 - 21:31
HERS & his
Any suggestions for turning this into a large two sided unit for hers and his use? Should I just build two? or do I need to do more? He's a real moose so it has to be strong.
wforeman
Tue, 09/06/2011 - 04:42
Hers & His idea
This design is really flexible, so you could certainly extend it for use for two people. Just remember that it's a "corner" design so to extend it for two people, you'll just want to extend one of the sides.
Here's a photo of how another reader did just that... extended the corner design to accommodate another person.
http://ana-white.com/2011/08/family-computer-station
I used 1/2" plywood for my corner desk and it is very strong. If you stick to the plans above, you won't have any issues with breaking the desk.
Have fun with the design, that's part of the fun!
Wayne
http://www.SimpleWoodworkProjects.com/blog
sherie
Mon, 01/16/2012 - 10:50
Corner Desk Hutch
Are there plans anywhere for either the corner or straight hutch (about 8" tall) that sit atop the desks in the similar line at PB? Thanks!
Guest (not verified)
Mon, 01/23/2012 - 20:33
paint finish??
i think i would like to paint my desk instead of stain... could someone please suggest a base and sheen? I will be painting the desk white for sure but i want it to be highly durable. I have read that High gloss latex is durable but I dont really like the look of high gloss. I prefer semigloss. I'd also like to stay away from oil-based paints and polyurethane finishes, too smelly for someone who suffers from frequent migraines :-P