DIY Desk for Bedroom – Farmhouse Style

August 27, 2012 By

Hey guys!

I hope you all had a great weekend!  I spent mine getting ready for the kids’ first day of school, and finishing up some things in my bedroom.

One thing I have been in need of  is a new desk.  I lost my old work space with the addition of a 5th baby last year, so I now use the sitting area in my bedroom as my office.  I was wanting a desk that was functional, but also pretty.  I love the look of my fancy farmhouse table I did with Ana White, so I asked her to help me draw up plans for a desk inspired by that style.

Want to see it?  I am in LOVE.

This was really so easy to build!  The base is made up of a few 2×4′s and all the angles are 45 degrees which really made it fast.

I will share a few pics and tips, and you can find the full set of plans over on Ana White’s site.

I started by making my bases…

For all of the steps above, I used finish nails and Gorilla Wood Glue.  The legs were super sturdy.

 I did choose to use my Kreg Jig to make the  runners for under the table top.  I knew I wanted that part extra strong, and the Kreg Jig also makes it so much easier.  Plus, I was able to hide all of my pocket holes in the back.

Here is where I put my pocket holes on mine…

 This is my board in the middle at the top of the desk.

And here is the back board on the top of the desk…

My bottom piece of wood…

For the table top I chose to use a 24×72″ pine project panel rather than planking with 2x’s.  I wanted a flat writing surface,  and knew this would work great.  I just used finish nails from the top, and filled them with stainable wood putty before I stained it.

I used Rust-Oleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Kona.  The finish matches perfect with the other pieces in my bedroom.

rust-oleum wood stain

I also finished the table top with Rust-Oleum Polyurethane.  This stuff is great!  You can’t even see where you have applied it, and  it protects the wood from water and kids ;) !

best polyurethane

I added a few accessories and I was done!  What do you think??

I have done LOTS of new projects in my bedroom!  I will be sharing more of them over the next couple of weeks!  Thank you so much for stopping by!

Make sure to check out the full plans for this amazing desk over at Ana-White.com.  Thanks so much for working with me on this one Ana!  I love it!!

~Whitney

43 Comments Filed Under: Furniture, Knock-Offs, Kreg Jig Projects, Wood Stain Projects, Woodworking Projects
  • Rochelle

    Okay, I love all these building projects! I do have a question though, do I have to use a Kreg Jig to build this desk? I don’t have one or anything like it and I don’t have the money to buy one right now. I do have money to spring on a few more pieces of wood to build this desk however. Is the Kreg mainly for asthetics or for a sound structure? Is there a way around it?

    • Bridget

      Rochelle, I’m not Whitney, but I thought I’d respond…. Using the Kreg Jig creates a pocket hole type of joint to attach two pieces of wood. It’s definitely not mandatory when building, but does, like you said, create a stronger joint to make the piece sturdier. You could always use a nail gun or screws in place of pocket holes. HTH! =)

      • Rochelle

        Thanks!

        • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

          She answered it perfectly! ;-)

      • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

        Thank you Bridgette! You said it perfectly ;-)

  • Sonja

    Your farmhouse style desk looks great!
    A big hug from Germany,
    Sonja

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      Thank you Sonja! Great to have you here!

  • http://profiles.google.com/skittlesandscraps Courtney Wilson

    I LOVE it! Perfect for my homeschool :)

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      Good thinking Courtney!! Thank you!

  • Jeanne

    I can imagine that you are absolutely thrilled to death with that desk. It is really beautiful, goes *perfectly* with your room and looks totally designer chic. Fabulous!!! Makes me want one too… and a Kreg Jig too, gosh those things are handy!!!

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      Thank you so much Jeanne! You totally should… Best investment ever! I am thrilled with it and I appreciate your sweet comment!

  • JenWoodhouse.com

    Gah… Whitney!!! Another gorgeous piece! Amazing job!

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      Thank you Jen!! ;-)

  • Bridget

    It’s beautiful!! I was just thinking to myself… Hmm, wonder what color of stain she used, because it’s exactly what I’m looking for… I was so relieve to read it was Kona, because I just bought that one! lol… Great job, gf!!

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      Thanks so much! I love this color… It’s rich and doesn’t look purple or black at all! :-)

  • Korrie@RedHenHome

    Gorgeous!!

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      Thank you so much Korrie!

      Sent from my iPad

  • Jody

    That’s amazing!

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      Thank you Jody!!

      Sent from my iPad

  • Anneke at This, That & Life

    This is exactly what I’ve been trying to come up with for our office/music room. I just need to modify it somehow to support a sliding keyboard underneath…like the musical kind! Thank you ~ it’s beautiful!

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      That’s great Anneke! Good luck with yours!! ;-)

      Sent from my iPad

  • thepauls4

    Yet another lovely piece to be pinned!!! Ok, how about those curtains…. Are they coming in a post or did I miss them? I remember the yellow painted ones on the bottom, not those hot ones!

  • khadija

    Oh my God, you never cease to amaze me! I hope to be able to do 1/10 of what you do one day. :P

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      Hahaha! You are sweet! Thank you! ;-)

  • Lore S.

    It’s gorgeous! Approximately, how much did the entire project cost?

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      $55 or the wood :-)

      Sent from my iPad

      • Lore S.

        Thank you! :)

  • Hope

    Did you take wood-working in school or learn from your Dad? You make things look so easy! How did you get started? Are there any websites you recommend that take you step by step because I’ve always assumed that only guys know how to use tools and build stuff but you really inspire me and I want to start learning but I’m sure there’s a lot I need to know before I can just go out and build something.

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      Hi Hope! No lessons here… Just trial and error after learning very basic steps. We have been taping a series of videos with tips on getting started. They should be on our site soon!

  • Lauren

    Actually I did have one question, what would be the best way to attach the top? I have a pocket hole kit – I would obviously use that to attach the table top pieces together, so would I add pocket holes to the inside of the top piece attached in step 4?

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      You can! I knew I would be fine just doing finish nails and glue. It saves time and worked just as good. If you don’t want to cover nail holes I would do pocket holes from the bottom support boards. Hope this helps!

  • Beth

    Truly amazing! Where did you find that chair?

  • Pingback: Modern Farmhouse Desk

  • BrandiBrandi

    Love it! Definitely going to build this one. Just wondering where you got the lamp and chair?

  • http://www.facebook.com/kahoffman66 Kathy Jordan Hoffman

    i love this simple desk

  • Steve

    Love it! I built it this weekend… The only issue with the original plan is that “4 – 2×4 @ 21” ¾” (long point to long point, both ends cut NOT parallel at 45 degrees off square)” needs to be 21″ not 21 3/4″

    It came out great though!! Thanks!

  • Joetheindependent

    Love it so much,,,I think this might just be my next project ; )… You explained it very well and the photos help tremendously ; )

  • Inspire Me Heather

    What a beautiful desk! I love that style too and it really looks great in your room. I’ve got this linked to my DIY desks post as well today, for inspiration!

  • http://www.facebook.com/melanietoutai Melanie Toutai

    Where did you get that metal chair? I love it!

  • Kristin

    Any tips for getting the stain smell out of the wood? I made this desk with the same exact stain you used and we let it air out for a few days outside but everytime we bring it in the whole house smells of the fumes…ideas? Suggestions? Thanks!!

  • Darcy Gaines

    LOVE IT….GREAT JOB!!! Did you do anything special to the edges of the top of the desk…I think you refered to it as project plywood.

  • http://www.facebook.com/danyell.heslipmantooth Danyell Heslip-Mantooth

    Love this! It a gorgeous piece! Where is the chair from, it compliments the desk so perfectly but I noticed you have a lot of metal chairs in you home as well as accent pieces, I love this!