Last year I built a custom sliding barn door for the back room in my parents’ house. While the door is holding up great, the room itself is beginning to lose it’s identity. It’s currently a catch-all for my dad’s work stuff and also a pseudo-mud room (without the benefits of being set up as a mudroom)… and with everyone needing a home office space at the moment, my dad has been feeling a bit lost. So, to help him get organized, I transformed a cluttered corner in the back room into a smart and efficient home office and smart home hub with a custom DIY corner desk that I built for under $150 in lumber!
How To Build A DIY Corner Desk For Under $150
This project is sponsored by Xiaomi and includes affiliate links. For my full disclosure policy, click here.
Want to see this build in action? Check it out on YouTube & please subscribe to my channel!
My mom is going to be so mad at me for sharing this space. But, this is what this corner looked like before:
And, here is what it looks like now!
A desk like this makes it so easy to transform an unused corner into a home office. Even cooler, it was a super easy project that cost me under $150 in lumber! Pair it up with some smart home products, and you’ve got a fully functioning work from home space!
Here’s how I made it happen.
What I Used:
Tools
Miter Saw
Table Saw/Circular Saw
Drill/Driver
Pocket Hole Jig
Sander & Sandpaper
Paint Supplies
Wood Clamps
Carpenter’s Square
Tape Measure
Safety Goggles
Materials
(3) 1 ¼ x 6 x 6′ boards
(3) 2 x 4 x 8′ Boards
(cut into 1 ¼” square strips)*
2 ½” Pocket Hole Screws
2” Wood Screws
Wood Glue
Wood Stain
Polyurethane
Paint (optional)
Cut List*
1 ¼ x 1 ¼” Boards
(6) Legs @ 28 ¾”
(6) Short Base @ 14″
(3) Long Frame @ 33 ½”
(3) Medium Frame @ 30 ¼”
(5) Supports @ 14″
6″ Wide Boards
(3) Long Desk Top @ 36″
(3) Medium Desk Top @ 31 ½”
* For comprehensive plans and cut list, check out my printable plans!
* If you do not have a table saw, you can substitute this for 2 x 2 x 8′ boards. If you do this, please be aware that you will have to adjust the measurements for the base build.
The Steps:
1. First, I cut and assembled my two desk tops by gluing up my 6″ wide pieces into two panels (I made these wider than they needed at first so I could trim them later). I glued them together using wood glue and clamps. I allowed them to cure overnight before cutting them to their final size.
2. While the panels dried, I cut the materials for the base. I decided to trim my 2x material into 1 ¼” square boards for a slimmer look. But, this is totally optional (if you choose to go for a beefier base, you will have to adjust my cut list to match your build).
3. Since the l-shaped desk was too big to fit through the door, I assembled each side separately and then attached them together in the final space (you can see this in action in my YouTube video & illustrated in my printable plans).
4. Next, I finish sanded and then painted my desk base and stained the tops.
5. I then assembled the two sides of the desk in place in the space and attached the tops using wood screws from underneath the supports.
That was it! Not bad for a custom desk for under $150!
The only other thing I wanted to do in this space was add a few smart home items for my dad to use in his new space. Luckily, I was able to partner up with Xaiomi to help make his space more efficient with some key smart items!
For more details on all of these items, check out my YouTube video reveal!
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What an inspiring transformation! Your DIY corner desk is not only functional but also a beautiful addition to the space. It’s impressive how you managed to create such a stylish Wood Corner Desk for under $150! Your detailed instructions and the incorporation of smart home items really elevate the workspace. Thank you for sharing your journey and motivating others to tackle their projects!