How to Make a Small Desk for a Small Room

Use the measuring tape to get the desired length and width of the small desk. Measure the length and width of a wall-indent if you plan on building a small desk that fits into a certain area. Write the width and length down.

Draw the desk on the plywood sheet with a pencil using the width and length measurements. Use the ruler to make the lines straight when drawing the rectangle. Cut the desk with the table saw. Grab the sandpaper and slide it on the cuts and edges to remove the splinters and cracks. In addition, sand the four 2-by-2-inch wooden legs if you have had them pre-cut at a lumber yard.

Turn the plywood desk upside down, so the top surface is facing downward. Take one of the four desk legs and place it in one corner, so it stands up in the air. Use the pencil to trace the square outline of the leg on the desk. Repeat this tracing step on the other three desk corners.

Draw an "X" in each of the squares drawn on the desk's corners. In addition, draw this "X" on each of the desk legs' ends that will face the bottom of the desk.

Insert the 1/2-inch thick drill bit into the drill. Drill one hole in each of the table legs in the middle of the "X" figures drawn. In addition, drill one hole in each desk corner following the same procedure with the Xs. Do not drill through the desk itself. The total length of the holes combined should equal an inch. If the desk is 1/2-inch thick, the hole in the desk should be 1/4-inch deep and the holes in the desk legs must be 3/4-inch deep.

Add wood glue into the holes drilled on the table legs and insert a wooden dowel into each of them. Apply wood glue around the surface of the desk leg that will attach to the desk. Turn the leg upside down and insert the wooden dowel end that sticks out to the hole on the desk. Hold the leg in place. Repeat this step with the other three desk legs. Allow the glue to dry.

Add a layer of paint or stain to the small desk. Add several coats to the desk for a bolder and brighter appearance. Let it dry completely before using it.