So i bought a condo recentely (my first one =) ) and i need to furnish the house. However, im on a strict budget and i like customization. So, i wanted to make a desk but am kinda weary on how it will turn out. My roommate just bought a desk for around $150 and i didnt want to spend that much for something so basic. Anyways, heres what i had in mind.

My room has corner that is chamfered so a corner desk would be perfect. i wanted my desk to be big so i can situate it in the corner but yet be able to reach every side of it since it is a corner. I had something that looks like this in mind



However, mine would look much more basic and with straight cuts. I have very limited access to power tools so i figure home depot would be doing the cuts for me. And of course, the corner of the desk would have a diagonal cut to fit in the corner. i had several questions though.

Any suggestions on how to make the top of the desk smooth and have a finished look? I figured a stain would be good enough? I have never really worked too much with wood and stuff but i figured this might be a fun project. I was considering getting glass cut out to the shape of the desk so i can lay it on top too.

Basic questions:
What kind of wood?
Stain it?
Any suggestions on how to build the legs?

Any suggestions and or help will be greatly appreciated!

Cliffnotes: i want to make a corner desk, please help me because im a noob when it comes to wood and my hands.

 

forget having Home Depot make the cuts. You're going to find that nothing will fit or be level and it will be a huge mess. Just get some sawhorses, a circular saw, a hollow ground crosscut blade, and a good tape measure. You'll also need a drill, wood screws or decking screws, and bits to match your screws. A carpenter's square, long level, and some sandpaper and sanding blocks would be good ideas as well. If you are going to be working on it inside, a plastic dropcloth and a shop vac would be handy. You definitely want a pencil.

Draw the plans on graph paper before starting. Measure your space and use cardboard or something to cover the area on the floor so you get an idea how much room there actually is. The main structure to be built is the legs, the top can be laminated countertop material cut to shape by the hardware store and laid on the structure last.

You want a leg at every corner except the inside. You can use 2x2's or 2x4's, but DO NOT use sheet plywood like the picture unless you want a total POS that wobbles and falls apart under any weight at all. I used 4x4's on one I built, but most people called it overkill You want 2x2's for a cross brace between each leg at least 1/3 of the way down the leg. It's important to make the cut for each leg straight, because otherwise it will be impossible for your desk to be level. I used wood glue at each joint, secured by a screw, and you'd need a truck to pull it apart. So make sure you use the level and square to ensure the structure is level and true before gluing anything together or putting the top on.

If you use 2x2's around the top of the frame, you can attach the top easily by drilling through the 2x2's and screwing the top on from the bottom - makes a very clean and rigid installation.

Measure everything numerous times before picking up the saw. After each cut, double-check with your plans and the rest of the pieces to prevent you from cutting a whole bunch of pieces the wrong size. It's always better to cut a piece too long rather than too short. A mitre box can make straight cuts very easy, doing it across a sawhorse takes a bit of skill and practice.

Making a desk like you want is pretty basic. Once you have all your tools and materials, it would only take a couple hours for someone who knows what they are doing. If you use pine for the structure, try to pick pieces that have no or very few knots. It will cost you more, but it will not fall over when you are done. BTW, a 2x2 isn't 2" on a side, nor is a 2x4 2" x 4". You might consider using cedar for the leg structure as it looks really nice and needs no finish, and would give your desk a more finished look wihtout any additional effort.

I'd be surprised if you could build such a desk for less than $150, but you'll have a far better desk than you could ever buy for the same money.

 

Find a cheap deal on counter top, slap some legs on it you're done.

I might have a pic of something I made in 5 minutes for 10 bucks.


This is the best pic I have, but you'll get the idea

 

Do not trust HD to make cuts for you. You will need some power tools. Just buy something off craigslist.

 

The last time I moved I gave away a nice corner desk on craigslist because i didn't need it in the new place and didn't have time to sell it.

 

I have made several using kitchen counter tops and two drawer files as the base. Easy quick and cheap.

Here's some plans for a better one, not mine BTW. PLANS

 

I did the countertop thing that Mindcore talks about a few posts up. It's the cheapest best looking solution and sturdy. Use your wall studs to install a cleat strip giving you an incredibly sturdy desk.

 

Add a urethane coating on top of the stain. Stinky but it'll stand up to far more abuse than stain alone. You'll find those coatings in the store near the stains. If you want super-smooth you'll have to do some sanding too.

 

dont we all