How to Build In-Desk Shelves

Leg Shelf Unit

• 1

  Form a box frame from two sheets of 12-by-20-inch 1-inch MDF and two sheets of 20-by-29-inch MDF. The ends of the 12-by-20 pieces should abut the inside of the 20-by-29 sheets' ends to make the corners.

• 2

  Insert two more pieces of 12-by-20-inch MDF evenly spaced inside the box frame; they will be the shelves of the leg unit. Glue the corner joints and the joints of the shelves, then set the frame and shelves to dry clamped in position with a band clamp.

• 3

  Drive five evenly-spaced 1 5/8-inch wood screws through the sides of the 10-by-29-inch sheets into each end of the shelves and frame ends.

• 4

  Place a sheet of 1/4-inch MDF measuring 14 by 29 inches over one open side of the shelves and frame and secure it with finishing nails hammered every 5 to 6 inches around the frame. Repeat the first three steps so you have two finished leg shelf units that stand 29 inches tall, and are 12 inches deep and 20 inches wide.

Top Shelf Unit

• 5

  Position three pieces of 10-by-48-inch MDF 10 inches apart on a work surface. Abut two pieces of 10-by-20-inch MDF over the ends of the 10-by-48 pieces so that a frame is formed with a shelf in the middle.

• 6

  Glue the ends of the 10-by-48 pieces to the sides of the 10-by-20 pieces and leave to dry secured in a band clamp.

• 7

  Fasten the top shelving unit together with three evenly-spaced wood screws through the sides of the 10-by-20-inch pieces into the ends of the 10-by-48-inch pieces.

Assembly

• 8

  Stand the leg shelving units upright with 50 inches between their outer sides. Center a sheet of 28-by-60 inch MDF between the two shelving leg units, which will mean there is a 5-inch overlap on each side of the legs, and 4 inches of overlap at the front and back of the leg units. The covered backs should be facing the same way.

• 9

  Attach the desktop to the leg units with wood screws driven through the top of the leg units into the underside of the desktop, every 5 to 6 inches around the perimeter of the leg unit.

• 10

  Center the top shelf unit on the desktop along the back edge of the desk and secure it with wood screws driven through the underside of the desktop into the bottom of the shelving unit. Pop screw caps over all the visible screw holes.