Home office revamp with D.I.Y. desk

[joejoeinc]

Using cube shelving and Specrite timber panels, a home office was completely transformed.

• The project
• Steps
• Lessons learned
• Tools and materials
• More inspiration for your home office

The project

I wanted to upgrade my office space to something more functional with extra space and a better flow. I like the look of a wood desk with modern attachments. I've bought items second hand where I could, to save items going to waste and to also save money. 

Steps

Step 1

Cut the desktop from 900mm wide to 700mm as it'll be too wide for my office. Also the desk legs are 700mm wide so I couldn't use a 600mm wide Specrite board. 

Drill pilot holes for all the attachments (keep in mind the depth). Test fit the attachments and then remove as we need to seal the desktop before installing.

Step 2

Seal the desktop by lightly sanding the desktop and then applying a coat of clear Cabothane, and wait for it to dry properly (six to eight hours per coat). Repeat this process three times. I've used the oil-based one as it goes on better than the water-based and will last longer. 

Step 3

Take the desk into the office and assemble and install it. 

Step 4

Enjoy your new battle station for a few minutes before starting on the bench side of the office.

Before

After

Step 5

For the bench side, I used two white Kallax cube shelves with risers, and then finished the top with the same Specrite wood as the desk side with the same clear Cabothane finish. Since the Kallax shelves stick out from the wall about 400mm I had to buy another 2400 x 900 x 33mm Specrite wood panels to make it match the desk side. Using a riser on the shelves allow for things to be stored under the unit which has already come in handy for the Robovac.

Lessons learned

• When cutting wood 'measure twice cutting once' saves you a lot of time and money. 

• Using the right tool for the right job makes a job easier. (my saw wasn't strong enough to get through the wood properly).

• Documenting and planning before you start goes a long way to great end result and allows you to keep track of costs and the built process.

• Sourcing items second-hand saves you money.

• Cabothane sometimes takes way longer to dry than it says on the label. It really depends on the weather; drier hotter days were faster, but wetter colder days took a lot longer for the Cabotahane to dry. My suggestion, If you do a coat in the afternoon leave it overnight six to 12 hours before light sanding and applying the next coat.

• Pre-drilling all pilot holes makes for easy assembly when you move the desk to it’s final destination. 

• Applying Cabothane to all sides of the benchtops will help seal the wood and also help prevent warping later on.  It’s important to seal the cut parts of the wood too. 

• Updating the window blinds can help with the finishing of the project.

• I have enough wood left over to make a few shelves or chopping boards or some extra shelves. 

Tools and materials

Materials used in the project:

• Specrite wood benchtop Acaia 2400 x 900 x 33mm
• Steel legs 
• Centre leg
• Cabothane clear matt varnish
• Wood screws
• Monitor arms 
• Cable trays 
• Cube white shelves
• Glass shelves inserts 
• Blinds
• White bin.

Tools used in the project:

• Circular saw
• Drill
• Socket wrenches
• Paint brush
• Sliding vice grips
• Ruler
• Measuring tape
• Levels.

More inspiration for your home office

Bunnings Workshop member ElleM created a desk made with upcycled filing cabinets and an Acacia panel on top.

Community member ProjectPete built a floating timber desk with concealed brackets installed on a brick wall.

Get more inspiration from 10 home office projects and 10 ways to update your home office.