How to Create a Built-In Corner Desk

If you want to use a corner of a room for a desk, you can easily create your own built-in desk to fit right into the space. Built-in desks use cleats, or supports attached to the wall studs in the wall to hold them up. If you measure the corner before purchasing your lumber, you can get the lumber yards to cut it for you and save yourself a lot of time.

Measuring tape
Stud finder
Level
Lumber, 2-by-2
Saw
Drill
4-inch drywall screws
1-inch-thick MDF
2-inch wood screws
Putty
Sandpaper
Paint
Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the corner where you want to install the desk and mark a line on each wall at the height you want the desk, and the length the corner desk will come out from the corner.
- 2
  Locate the wall studs using a stud finder and mark them in on the level line.
- 3
  Cut two pieces of 2-by-2 lumber to around 4 inches less than the length of the desk sides for the cleats. Position each cleat on the wall lines, around 2 inches in from the end of the lines.
- 4
  Secure the cleats to the wall with two 4-inch drywall screws driven through each of the wall stud points.
- 5
  Cut a triangular piece of 1-inch-thick MDF to the dimensions of the corner desk. Place the desktop over the cleats and push it flush into the corner.
- 6
  Secure the desktop to the cleats using 2-inch wood screws driven through the desktop into the cleats every 5 inches.
- 7
  Fill the screw holes on the top of the desk with putty and let it dry. Sand the desk top, then paint it in the desired color.

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