Instructions to Build Rolltop Desks

Measure and mark the spot for desk in your home or office. You need to make sure you have enough space for the desk. Use a tape measure to get desk dimensions such as height and length. Desk may be approximately 3 feet tall and 3 feet long. The rolltop may add another 1 1/2 feet to the desk. A child's desk will be smaller, while a tall person may add more height. Write down measurements in note pad.

Purchase building materials. You may choose cherry or oak wood to give your rolltop desk an antique look. Cypress gives the desk a rustic appearance. Plywood serves as the back of the desk. Make sure to bring your measurements with you to the hardware store to get the right amount of materials for the exterior, drawers and shelves. Select hardware stores sell prefabricated rolltop materials. Specialty stores sell rolltop desk kits with pre-cut wood, nails and screws.

Cut the material. If you don't purchase a kit with all the materials, use a table saw to cut everything to the appropriate height and length. Wear eye wear to protect your eyes from flying splinters. Once all the materials are cut, place them on a clean plastic sheet or dry surface.

Assemble the desk. Glue the base of the desk together and nail with a finishing gun for extra security. Use the same process to assemble the drawers. Once the bottom of the desk is attached, slide the rolltop to the side panels of the desk and attack to the desktop. Add the shelves and compartments using your measurements. Make sure to get nails of the right length for the thickness of your wood.

Place drawer guides on the desk and the assembled doors. Put the drawers in their appropriate openings to make sure they fit.

Sand the desk. Most wood materials that are not prefabricated will have notches, groves and uneven sections, especially cedar and cypress. A sander will even out rough edges. You may need to putty deep holes and sand the desk again.

Paint or varnish to give your rolltop desk an antique look; use a natural wood varnish. Cherry or mahogany varnish gives the desk a rich, dark color. You will need to use a primer before painting the desk the color of your choice. A primer helps the paint stick to the desk and increases the chance that the paint with last a long time. Remove the drawers to paint or varnish them separately.

Add drawer handles. After the paint and varnish dry, accent your rolltop desk with drawer handles of your choice. Hardware and home improvement stores sell handles that give desk an antique look.