DIY Plans to Build the Ainsworth Desk

A Spacious Desk with Lots of Storage!

This is my dream desk and I definitely want to build the Ainsworth desk! It is so spacious with plenty of storage so I can hide my pens from certain “pen thieves”, my mass of paint color cards, plan drawings, notes, etc. I drew this plan to be customizable – in other words, I want mine to have three drawers on each side but that may not fit the needs of someone else. It can be built with two small drawers and two large drawers on either side, the center drawer can be turned into a shelf with a fold-down front for a computer keyboard, etc. There are tons of possibilities! I’m hoping to start on mine next week so stay tuned for a peek at that project! I have a couple other modifications up my sleeve that I think you may be interested in…

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws
• 1-1/4″ brad nails
• 1-1/4″ screws
• 6 – sets of 24″ drawer slides (<– affiliate link!)
• 6 – Cabinet pulls
• Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies (primer and paint or stain, etc.)

Lumber:

• 2 – 1×2 at 6′
• 3 – 1×2 at 8′
• 3 – 1×3 at 8′
• 2 – 2×2 at 6′
•  2 – sheets of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

• 4 – 2×2 at 29-1/2″ – Legs
• 4 – 1×3 at 25″ – Side Frames
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 12-1/4″ x 25″ – Side Panels
• 5 – 1×3 at 25″ – Drawer Slide Supports
• 2 – 1×3 at 61″ – Back Frame
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at  12-1/4″ x 61″ – Back Panel
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 17-1/4″ x 27-1/4″ – Drawer Dividers
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 15″ x 27-1/4″ – Bottom
• 2 – 1×2 at 15-3/4″ – Drawer Stretchers
• 3 – 1×2 at 15″ – Drawer Stretchers
• 2 – 1×2 at 29-1/2″ – Center Drawer Stretchers
• 2 – 1×2 at 26″ – Top Trim
• 2 – 1×2 at 65″ – Top Trim
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 26″ x 62″ – Top
• 5 – 3/4″ plywood at 12-1/2″ x 22-1/2″ – Drawer Bottoms
• 8 – 3/4″ plywood at 3-1/2″ x 22-1/2″ – Small Drawer Sides
• 8 – 3/4″ plywood at 3-1/2″ x 14″ – Small Drawer Front & Back
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 22-1/2″ x 27″ – Center Drawer Bottom
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 3-1/2″ x 22-1/2″ – Center Drawer Sides
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 3-1/2″ x 28-1/2″ – Center Drawer Front & Back
• 4 – 3/4″ plywood at 5-1/4″ x 14-3/4″ – Drawer Fronts
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 10-5/8″ x 14-3/4″ – Large Drawer Front
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 5-1/4″ x 29-1/4″ – Center Drawer Front
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 9-1/4″ x 22-1/2″ – Large Drawer Sides
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 9-1/4″ x 14″ – Large Drawer Front & Back

Step One

Cut the pieces for the legs, side frames, and side panels. With a pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of the frame pieces as well as all four edges of the panels. Attach the frame pieces to the panels using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Attach the entire panel assembly to the legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Cut the pieces for the drawer slide spacers. Attach to the sides using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the back frame and panel.  Drill pocket holes in each end of the frame pieces as well as all four edges of the panel. Attach the frame pieces to the panel using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Attach the entire panel assembly to the legs using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the drawer dividers. Drill pocket holes in the back edge of the piece as shown. Secure to the back panel using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Four

Cut the pieces for the bottom and drill pocket holes in the sides edges as well as the back edge. Secure to the sides, the back, and the dividers using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the front stretchers. The upper stretchers are cut 3/4″ longer and will have a 3/4″ x 3/4″ notch cut into one edge. Drill pocket holes in each end of the stretcher pieces noting that there will be a left and a right upper stretcher piece. Secure the stretchers as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the top and the top trim. Drill pocket holes in all four edges of the top, as well as each end of the shorter trim pieces. Assemble as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Rout a decorative edge on the top, if desired. Position on the desk frame with 1/2″ overlapping all edges, then secure using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Step Seven

Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes. Drill pocket holes in each end of the side pieces as well as all four edges of the bottom pieces. Assemble each drawer box as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. Install the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For an easy “how-to” tutorial, click here. Make any necessary adjustments.

Step Eight

Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts. There will be a 1/8″ gap around all sides of the drawer fronts in the openings. Mark the position for the cabinet pull on each drawer front and drill the holes. Shim the drawer front in the opening and drive screws through the holes into the drawer boxes. Open the drawer and secure the drawer front from the inside using countersunk 1-1/4″ screws. Remove the screws from the holes for the cabinet pulls and finish drilling the holes. Install the cabinet pulls.

Finish as desired!

I’m hoping these DIY plans to build the Ainsworth desk fit your needs like they do mine! I cannot wait to start on this project and already have a specific finish in mind! Hopefully, all will go well and Murphy will not come snooping around!

Originally posted 2013-09-20 08:00:37.