How to Build Your Own Library Desk Unit

Measure your room. If you need tons of storage, plan to make a lot of drawers for your desk. If you don't, you can use a simpler plan. Your desk design will depend not only on what you need, but also on what your space can provide. You may need to scale the project back if you're trying to fit a desk into a cramped space.

Design your desk. Now that you have thought about what you need from your new desk, you can start your design. If this is your first major woodworking project, keep it simple. Stick with rectangular panels without much adornment, unless you plan on buying them precut. Otherwise, you can make some beautiful custom designs with a router. This stage is entirely up to you.

Make your cuts. The easiest way to construct your desk is to make all your cuts first, verify that they fit together, and continue from there. Making sure that all the pieces fit before you drill will save you time and heartache later.

Drill holes for your screws. Avoid drilling holes on the top surface of the desk, as this will ruin its looks. To get around this, you can use wood glue to attach the top of the desk to the base. The rest of the desk should be screwed together for stability, though. Be sure to make guide holes to avoid splitting the wood.

Attach your drawers and cabinet pieces, including a book hutch if you choose to add one. Creating a book shelf for the rear of your desk requires making a simple wooden arch the length of the desk, allowing enough clearance in front to fit a computer or work station.

Sand the desk to get it looking its best and to rub out any small imperfections in the wood. Use a circular sander for the best results; sandpaper will take much too long and a belt sander is a little too effective for a job like this.

Seal the wood. What kind of seal you choose depends entirely on the type of wood you chose, and the look you're going for. For a classic look, birch with a light seal is a very good choice. But for a more robust look, cherry and a dark seal will look fantastic. The look you choose is entirely up to you; the important part is that you seal the desk. If feasible, use two coats.