DIY Plans to Build a Brantley Desk

Another Fabulous Desk That Is Easy to Build!

I love the shape of this desk! The DIY plans to build a Brantley Desk feature two drawers on each side that are sort of recessed back from the center drawer and legs. This fabulous desk is really easy to build and can be completed in a weekend!

Here are a couple other options for desks similar to the DIY plans to build a Brantley Desk:

• Easy to Build Desk
• Jeweler’s Desk

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link!)
• 1-1/4″ brad nails
• 1-3/4″ brad nails
• Edge banding
• 5 sets of 14″ drawer slides
• Cabinet pulls
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)

Lumber:

• 4 – 1×2 at 8′
• 4 – 1×3 at 8′
• 1 – 1×12 at 6′
• 4 – 2×2 at 6′
• 1 – 4′ x 8′ sheet of 1/4″ plywood
• 1 – 4′ x 8′ sheet of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

• 8 – 2×2 at 29-1/4″ – Legs
• 2 – 1×12 at 13″ – Outer Side Panels
• 2 – 1×12 at 15-1/2″ – Inner Side Panels
• 12 – 1×2 at 15″ – Outer Stretchers
• 4 – 1×2 at 24″ – Center Stretchers
• 1 – 1/4″ plywood at 10-7/8″ x 58-1/2″ – Back
• 2 – 1×2 at 15-1/2″ – Drawer Slide Spacers
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 19″ x 61″ – Top
• 8 – 1×3 at 12-1/2″ – Outer Drawer Box Front & Back
• 8 – 1×3 at 14″ – Outer Drawer Box Sides
• 4 – 1/4″ plywood at 13″ x 13″ – Outer Drawer Box Bottom
• 2 – 1×3 at 21-1/2″ – Center Drawer Box Front & Back
• 2 – 1×3 at 14″ – Center Drawer Box Sides
• 1 – 1/4″ plywood at 13″ x 22″ – Center Drawer Box Bottom
• 4 – 3/4″ plywood at 4-1/4″ x 14-3/4″ – Outer Drawer Fronts
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 4-1/4″ x 23-3/4″ – Center Drawer Front

 

Step One

Cut the pieces for the legs as well as the inner and outer side panels. With the pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of the side panels. Secure the side panels to the legs as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the outer stretchers and drill pocket holes in each end of each piece. Secure the outer stretchers to the legs of the outer side assemblies using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The front edge of the stretchers will be flush with the outside faces of the legs. Treat each assembly as a right and a left.

Secure the stretchers to the inner side assemblies using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The stretchers will be flush the back legs of the inner side assemblies, and will be set back 2-1/2″ from the front legs, secured to the inner side panels. (See the drawings.)

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the center stretchers and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure the stretchers to the inner legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Four

Cut the piece for the back. Secure the back using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the drawer side spacers. The spacers will be positioned above the lower center stretchers, between the legs and directly on the inner side panel. Secure the spacers to the inner side panels using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Step Six

Cut the piece for the top. The top will be flush at the back, and will over hang the sides and front by 1/2″. Secure the top using glue and 1-3/4″ brad nails.

Step Seven

Cut the pieces for the drawer box sides, front, and back. Cut the groove in the bottom edge of each piece at 1/4″ wide by 1/4″ deep using a table saw or a router and a straight bit. Set the pocket hole jig for 3/4″ material and drill pocket holes in each end of the drawer box front and back pieces on the opposite side as the groove. Make sure that the pocket holes will not interfere with the groove. Secure the sides to the back using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Eight

Cut the piece for the drawer bottom. Slide the bottom into the grooves in the sides and back. The piece should fit snugly but not too tight.

Step Nine

Insert the front edge of the drawer box bottom into the groove on the drawer box front. Secure the drawer box front to the drawer box sides using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Install the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions locating them ¾” back from the front edge of the sides.

Step Ten

Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts. Mark the position for the drawer pulls and drill the holes. Shim the drawer front in the opening – there will be a 1/8” gap around all sides – then drive screws through the holes for the drawer pulls into the drawer box. Open the drawer, and secure the drawer front using countersunk 1-1/4” screws from the inside. Remove the screws from the holes for the drawer pull then finish drilling the holes. Install the drawer pull. Take a look at this easy tutorial on installing drawer fronts.

Finish as desired.

This desk can also be used as a console table behind a sofa or in an entryway. It would also be great as storage in a dining room! Have any questions about the DIY plans to build a Brantley Desk? Leave a comment below!

Originally posted 2015-11-17 08:00:12.