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How can I turn this into a good desk/study space with this awkward area?

Recently moved and want to put my desk/study area here but its an awkward shape and my current set up does not work.

I want to maybe put in a corner desk or fashion one from a finished piece of wood and legs, enough to fit a unit of drawers underneath and be deep enough to sit at comfortably with a keyboard/book and the monitor raised on an arm. Also considered putting pieces of wood around the fireplace to create a semi bookcase/shelf. I'm just trying to get an idea of whats possible.

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JacobZ

Hi @bibiqt40,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

You haven't really got much room, so it'll be tough to fit everything you want in that space.

If you can extend the desk further along the wall on the left, you'll be able to fit things more comfortably. Is there any possibility of this?

Is the fireplace going to be used? If so, it's not a great idea to have anything combustible like books around it.

This Custom office desk: Kaboodle Kitchen hack and this Custom office desk using storage cubes from @chaau are great examples of custom desks. They might give you some inspiration for your project.

You may be able to use Kaboodle drawers and benchtops with adjustable furniture legs for additional support. Finding a spot for everything to fit is the hard part.

Do you have any thoughts about how to orient the desk? I think having a corner desk where the drawers sit against the 80.7cm wall so you sit facing the 100cm wall is the only way to fit everything in. What do you think?

Allow me to tag @Nailbag, @Noyade and @Dave-1 to see if they have any ideas.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Nailbag

Hi @bibiqt40

Benchtops are available at Bunnings in a very wide range of timber types that are 2400mm in length, 600mm deep and range from 25mm to around 38mm thick. The standard height for a study desk is between 730mm and 800mm. Using a Jigsaw will enable you to make a cut out in the right hand side to maximise that corner space. You don't need to be super accurate wi†h the cuts as it might make it more difficult to match the wall thats most likely not square, so give yourself a few mm forgiveness which can be filled with an interioir paintable filler later.

The benchtops wall side can be supported by using 42mm x 19mm DAR pine fixed directly to the wall and utilising adjustable legs on the outside edge. The photos below show how I have achieved this with a pointed corner room.

Study 2.jpeg

Nailbag

Dave-1

Good Morning @bibiqt40

Thats a tight area but maybe a mixture of @JacobZ and @Nailbag plus this will make it work.

I am thinking of a solid book case against the wall to the right of the desk. This is sitting on a plinth or feet to raise it at least double height above the gas outlet. You need to ensure access to the point for when winter comes around to be able to connect and discconect the heater.

The desk you have now can either attach to the bookshelf or stand alone. The seat wont catch on teh corner anymore as the bookcase is effectivly a "spacer" and pushes the desk to the left.

The Bench that @JacobZ and @Nailbag suggest would look great attached to the bookshelf. and give a lot more deskspace.

Dave

bibiqt40

I am back!

Had a long time away but I've been working on this:

I'm still tossing up whether I want to have something in that little alcove against the far right wall, maybe a bookcase I can fashion from just planks that sits ontop of the desk flush with the alcove, or i have something that comes up from the floor and then then the desk becomes part of that.

I'd use maybe four of these:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/adoored-40-x-710mm-black-metal-round-furniture-leg_p0110786

Not sure where I'd put em.

And then some of these:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/zenith-150mm-zinc-plated-mending-plates-2-pack_p2765981?srsltid=AfmBOoqnED7ui91yCPAQlB_AxN0217qZHxYv-kTeGezHgbrRTdcqFhgB

Under the mantle for the fireplace, I may have a plank come down to secure the other piece of the desk, and make a sorta divider that then squares off the desk and fireplace:

Dave-1

Afternoon @bibiqt40

I like your design and am thinking that you could even get away without a foot by using a crossbar type deal from the fireplace to the wall under the desk. Also using a support beam around the edge of the wall that the table will sit on. If your desk will be carrying weight then maybe a leg would be good at the front right of the desk. Otherwise its a good use of space.

Dave

JacobZ

Hi @bibiqt40,

Your plans are coming along nicely.

Have you decided whether you would have a floating-style desk similar to the one @Nailbag has shown?

You could certainly get away with fewer legs if you did. You can likely get away with just having them in the locations I've marked below.

I think the vertical piece you have highlighted in blue is a good idea, as it could be designed to support the tabletop and protect the wall.

I'm excited to see how things develop further.

Jacob

Nailbag

Hi @bibiqt40

I think you might even get away with just one adjustable length leg as per @JacobZ drawing on the front left. Then if you need additional support, go with his 2nd one front right.

Nailbag

bibiqt40

Sadly, I can't attach anything to the wall as this is a rental 🙁

So maybe three legs with one bridging the two pieces at the seam, between two nail/screw plates.

The supporting piece next to the mantle might just be for asthetic purposes if I can't find a way to secure it discreetly....perhaps an L plate underneath the mantle where one cannot see.

JacobZ

Hi @bibiqt40,

If there is no way to attach the desk to the wall, then there is a lot more weight bearing required. I'd say you'd need at least six in the locations below.

You'd also definitely need to add the Zenith 150mm Zinc Plated Mending Plates along the seam.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Dave-1

Evening @bibiqt40

Maybe that brings the bookcase support at the rear (against the wall of the fireplace) with some legs in front back into play?

Maybe a Kaboodle 900mm Wall Cabinet on that wall. Legs near the window end or even another cupboard style if you have the space.

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @bibiqt40

Unfortunately as @JacobZ mentioned, if the desk needs to freestanding, then 6 legs will probably be required, which isn't a bad thing. I would also recommend you run some felt stick on materials on the sides with the potential to touch the walls. This will save you on move out times in making good any marks left from the desk rubbing. This is a good product I've used lots of times that you can cut down into strips.

Nailbag

bibiqt40

Here is what I've envisioned:

1: Connected to the underside of the mantle with an L bracket. Where this piece meets the desk, I may either cut into it and join the two pieces together joinery style, OR simply cut the desk piece short where it proceeds into the fireplace and connect the main piece via another L bracket (likely the easiest option).

2: Mending plates with the leg placed inbetween the seam to offer some stability to both.

3: Simple adjustable legs. I may want to replace these with a trapezium shaped leg like RapidHome 70 x 73.2 x 6cm Black Santos Steel Tube Table Furniture Leg

However the one linked above is larger than the 60mm wood panels sold at Bunnings. I'd also fear I'd loose the ability to make adjustments for the wonky wooden floor.

I think the above would then provide a good base for me to build a simple bookcase/shelves with the same 1.8mm pine planks that fit flush with the alcove, the heaviest thing I'd be putting on there would be a monitor and a arm/bracket.

What do you think?

EricL

Hello @bibiqt40

Using a larger panel takes away access to the desk at the side near the fireplace. In regards to ease of handling and transfer, I recommend staying with the 600mm work panels you've been using on your plans. I propose looking at the Specrite 2200 x 600 x 26mm Timber Multi Use Pine Panel as a possible candidate for your desk.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

bibiqt40

I will be using a combination of the following:

The multiuse panel I may swap out, but the measurements will be the same.

The 4 legs should be fine as the timber floor is not even.

L Brackets for securing to the mantle piece (I may sub for more discreet ones if needed.

Mending plates, the more the better

I think that should do it 😀

MitchellMc

We can't wait to see your results @bibiqt40. Shout out if you need further assistance.

Mitchell

bibiqt40

Its done! Had to pivot on a few design elements as it turns out there isn't a 90 degree angle in this house...JOY. Anyway here's the 90% finished product:

I ended up using:

Need to properly level it and adjust the legs, and now I need to oil it.

I want to try and preserve the colour as it, but would like to seal it with some type of oil or finish that'll protect it and give it a nice finish (a little shine is okay).

Can anyone recommend anything that I can just apply with a rag or something and leave it over night with the windows open?

MitchellMc

Lovely work @bibiqt40!

Before installation your merbau panel has not been pre-finished. Before installation, you must apply a generous amount of wax or oil to all the panel surfaces, paying particular attention to the underside, cut edges and back edges, as these may not be accessible after installation. We recommend that all cut edges and end grains get a further three coats of wax or oil, to ensure that the oil has penetrated deep into the timber. Closely follow the wax or oil manufacturer’s instructions for application and recommended drying times between coats. Drying time depends on the relative humidity in the home at the time. Please give special attention to the oiling of the end grains and cut ends to seal them properly. Once all coats of oil are complete, allow 72 hours of drying before everyday use.

I'd recommend using Kaboodle 750ml Clear Hardwax Oil.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

bibiqt40

Its not a permanent installation so I should be able to easily take apart the corner piece and just oil everything on the top and bottom ( only parts that would be missed are where the legs meet the wood on the underside). Would you recommend a fine sanding between coats and applying this with just a rag/sponge brush?

JacobZ

Hi @bibiqt40,

You can use a microfibre cloth to apply the oil in thin coats.

You should be fine without sanding between coats, but if you run your hand over the timber and notice some raised fibres or roughness, a quick once over with some 240 Grit Sandpaper will certainly help.

Let me know if you have any further questions and don't forget to share some photos when you are done.

Jacob

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