Turn a Closet Into a Desk

This instructable shows how to build a desk in a closet.

Tools: table saw, cross cut saw, scroll saw, drill, hammer, countersink drill, level, router, screwdrivers, sander, sandpaper, ruler, pencil.

Material: 3/4 MDF plywood, mahogony trim, draw slide hardware, wood screws, finishing nails, tung oil, wood glue, keyboard drawer, electrical wall outlet, ethernet outlet, electrical wall switch, ethernet cable, electrical wire, paint.

Author's Comments: (06-Dec-08)
1) Added a few more pictures.

Start with an empty closet. Remove closet doors, rugs, and trim. This closet is approximately 2 feet deep by 8 feet wide. Its easiest to work with a nice clean workspace.

Cut a strip of 3/4 MDF and attach to back wall of closet. The top of strip should be 3/4" below the top surface of where you want the top of your desk to be. Do the same along the front edge of closet as shown. Locate the studs behind the sheetrock using a stud finder. Drill holes throught MDF strip, countersink the holes, and secure with wood screws. Use a level to make sure the top of the strip is level all the way around the closet.

Take measurements of the closet. Using these dimensions measure and draw the shape of the top of the desk on a sheet of 3/4 MDF. Use scroll saw to cut. Test fit the desk top in the closet by letting it sit on the strips installed in step 2. Do not fasten the top to the strips at this time.

Remove the top that was being test fit in the last step. Cut the bottom of the desk out of 3/4 MDF. test fit the bottom of the desk in the closet. It should fit against the bottom of the strip of MDF installed in the closet.

Cut interior beams from MDF and test fit them on the bottom of the desk as shown. These interior pieces will be sandwinched between the top and bottom of the desk to form drawers, cable trays, and tool wells.

Attach interior pieces with wood glue and countersunk screws from the bottom. Make sure you drill holes prior to inserting screws to avoid splitting the wood.

Cut 3/4 MDF legs. The legs are inserted in dato slots cut in the bottom of the desk. The fit should be snug. Eventually the legs will be attached with glue and screws, but don't do this yet.

Set the top back on for a test fit to make sure everthing lines up correctly.

Find a good location behind the desk and install electrical switch and outlet. I also installed ethernet and telephone wiring. Keep the electrical wiring separated from the phone and ethernet wiring as far as possible to avoid electrical interference in the data lines.

Test wiring for proper operation. Cut sheetrock to match the hole. tape and mud the seams and apply texture as desired.

Remove the desk and paint the closet. Install cover plates over the new electrical outlets.

After the close has been painted and the electrical wiring has been installed it is now time to reinstall the desk. This time glue and screw all joints for the final time. Make sure all surfaces are level. Be careful not to damage paint on walls when reinstalling the desk pieces.

Install drawer slides in the cutouts on the front of the desk.

Cut feet for the bottom of the legs and cut shelves. Attach shelves to wall in the same way the desk top was attached to the walls. Attach shelves to leg in a dato groove cut into the side of the leg. Slide feet under the legs from the front. The feet have a dato groove cut in their top side. You might need to use a rubber mallet to install the feet... the fit should be snug.

Sand the edges of the tool well to match the interior beams.

Cut the bottom of the desk to accept a keyboard tray. Sand all surfaces smooth and clean up the work area. Get ready now to install the top shelves.

Cut 3/4 MDF to create shelves. Glue and screw all joints. Use dato grooves in the vertical shelf support to hold horizontal shelves.

Use some exotic wood for trim pieces. Cut trim pieces to length for each exposed edge of MDF. Use a router to round off the edges. Glue and attach trim pieces with finishing nails. Sand smooth and finish with tung oil, paint, or some other stain.

Create light boxes and install on the roof of the closet. Wire these light to the switch installed earlier. I used some flourescent lights and build these boxes around them.

Build drawers. The front of the draws were cut from the front trim of the desk so that they are flush when closed. The back edge of the desk has a well that opens up to hide computer cables, telephone wires, etc.

This steps shows a few details of the completed desk.