20 Cheap and Easy DIY Desk Ideas You Can Build

If you work from home or have kids that homeschool or do homework at home, one thing you definitely need to have is a good desk. A desk is crucial for keeping all of your work and/or school stuff in one spot.
I’ve also found that having a desk while working remotely sets up a good work/life boundary because when you’re working from home sometimes that work starts to creep into your home life when your dining room table is scattered with your laptop and work papers.
Having a separate place to keep your work things is one way to set up some healthy work/life balance and boundaries. Even if it is just a cloffice (think closet in an office), it’s helpful to have some separation.
In height of the office exodus during the pandemic, there was a major furniture shortage and desks were one of the hardest things to find in stores! Even now, a couple of years later…there are still supply chain issues and can be major shipping time lags in buying furniture.
For this (and so many other reasons) you may be wanting to build your own DIY desk! So today I’m pulling out all of the stops with these cheap DIY desk ideas! Get inspired and build your own using one of these genius easy beginner-friendly woodworking tutorials!
This DIY Desk Ideas guide contains affiliate links, but nothing that I wouldn’t recommend wholeheartedly. Read my full disclosure here.
20 Cheap and Easy DIY Desk Ideas You Can Build
This DIY desk option is perfect for even those of you that don’t have any woodworking experience.
By using wood crates for the base of this easy DIY desk, all you need to really worry about creating is the desktop.
Crates are ideal to use as a desk base and they're also good for a crate bookshelf you can make to match. You can have a whole office or study area set up in no time!
Are you a lover of industrial design? This DIY desk is for you! Made from oak and pine it's a beginner-friendly DIY desk with drawers for storage.
Faux metal accents make this easy to build with no welding required. Read more to get the plans to make your own!
A large writing desk with drawer storage may be just what you looking for when it comes to wooden desk design. This one has it all and lots more wonderful details too.
From the X design of the braces to the custom legs to the cove moulding details this DIY desk is beautiful. You could finish it in any color you choose or leave it natural.
This easy DIY desk can be built for about $40 and uses just 4 woodworking tools! It's a great beginner DIY woodworking project.
This simple desk is made from plywood and 2x2 boards for easy construction, put together using pocket hole joinery to ensure that it is sturdy.
The best part of this wooden desk design is that it can be configured into a desk pod using 2 or 3 or 4. They can be set up several different ways, read more to get the plans and see how you can set up your desk pod.
Take advantage of that unused corner by adding an L-shaped desk to transform it into a home office workspace.
Painting the base gives it an industrial look while the natural top adds a rustic touch to the overall design.
You'll need 1 1/4 X 6 and 2 x 4s to make this DIY corner desk and putting it together with pocket hole joinery will ensure that the L design is sturdy and stands the test of time.
This easy DIY desk is built using 2x4s and plywood. The simple design makes this a great beginner woodworking project.
With four shelves for storage, you'll have plenty of room for all the electronic storage you might need. The metal accents on the corners add to the industrial feel of this wooden desk design.
Looking for a taller desk that you can also stand and work at? This counter height desk is the perfect solution!
Its easy construction using plywood, 2x2s and 1x2s make this another great option for beginner DIYers.
This DIY desk would be ideal to use as a gift wrapping station or a craft table!
Looking for an easy DIY desk to build? This one is it! Made from common pine and select pine you can build this using just three common tools!
It's great to use as a desk but is also long enough to use as a table when you need one.
Paint the bottom in the color of your choice and leave the top natural for a true library table look.
I love the minimalist modern boho vibe of this desk! The industrial look of concrete is warmed up by the wooden sawhorse legs and there's even a bit of storage with shelves added to the legs.
Making the concrete top yourself will save you money and it really isn't as hard as you may think. In order to hold up the concrete top, you'll have to DIY your sawhorse legs so that they are more substantial than the ones you would buy.
The whole project will be worth the effort when you end up with a DIY desk that looks like this! Read more for the full tutorial to make your own.
We have another writing desk for you, this time in farmhouse style. It's the perfect size for a small space to give you a workspace and family command center.
Made from 1x3s, 1x4s, and staircase spindles, it's an easy beginner DIY wooden desk project. Stain it the color of your choice to match your decor.
Plywood and 2x2s are all you need to make this functional desk that sports a modern A-frame design.
It's an easy build, using just four tools, that will look great in any space you add it to. Two drawers and a storage cubby make this the perfect desk for your office or even for a teen that needs a homework space.
This DIY desk design turns unused space into a functional work area for the whole family.
You'll need a sheet of plywood and a pre-made cabinet to make this DIY computer desk. The process of making this desktop is more than just slapping the plywood onto the wall cabinet.
Read more to learn how to make this desktop and put that unused space in your home to use.
More boho vibes, you know I love this one! This L-shaped desk design is easy to make and is easy on your budget.
You'll need just one piece of plywood to make this easy DIY desk for your space. Hairpin legs add the perfect boho touch to this workspace solution.
You can choose to finish the plywood edges or leave them natural like this!
The best part about this DIY desk is that it can be set up in an L-shape or you can move it and make one long continuous work surface. It's ideal for co-working or even used as a craft station.
Make use of a corner by adding a built-in DIY desk. This easy-to-build project is a great project for beginners.
Get the look of a butcher block without the price of a butcher block and attach it to the wall using brackets for a built-in look. Pre-made legs complete the look of this easy DIY desk idea.
Another DIY floating desk you can use in the corner of a room. It makes a great work area in a small space.
By leaving the floor open underneath and floating the desk on the wall without legs, the space will appear larger than it actually is.
Made from plywood and pine boards you can make this DIY floating desk using just two tools! Read more to find out how to make one for your small space.
Use an awkward nook and turn it into an office or homework station by adding a built-in floating desk.
This floating desk is made just like you would make built-in shelving, using braces attached to the wall for your desktop to sit on. An apron front hides the braces from view and gives it a finished look.
This easy DIY desk is the perfect blend of industrial meets rustic. It's an easy DIY project that is great for beginners and uses minimal tools.
Pre-made legs are used to support the desktop that is made from reclaimed flooring.
Read more to learn how to make this DIY desk idea for your space.
A writing desk with a design twist you are going to love! Check out the legs on this baby!
This desk design is made of white oak and features a single drawer for storage. It's a simple design meant to allow the legs to be the star of the show.
Read more to learn how to make this DIY desk design for your work area or home office space.
DIY Desk Ideas for Kids
This roundup of DIY desk ideas wouldn't be complete without a couple of desk designs for the kiddos.
Kids need their own space. A space to create and let their imaginations go to work. Mom needs a space to corral all the stuff that goes along with that creativity.
This DIY desk for kids has storage on both legs and a beautiful butcher block top that makes for easy maintenance.
Read more to build this DIY desk for your creative little one.
A kid's desk with an attached bench seat is a great idea for your little one. The copper pipe design of the frame makes it an easy DIY project anyone can make.
Paint the pine boards for the desktop and the bench in any color you choose to match your child's room or playroom.
Since copper is a softer metal, it is recommended that this desk not be used for kids weighing over 60lbs. It's definitely great for toddlers to channel their energy and learn to be creative.
Which of these cheap DIY desk ideas is your favorite?
Let us know in the comments below!
Thanks for sharing these fantastic DIY desk ideas!
I’m always on the lookout for budget-friendly ways to spruce up my workspace, and your suggestions are truly inspiring.
Thanks for sharing these fantastic DIY desk ideas!
I’m always on the lookout for budget-friendly ways to spruce up my workspace, and your suggestions are truly inspiring.