Transform Your Office: DIY Plans for Crafting the Stylish Ella Desk
This super-stylish desk build is easier than you think thanks to plywood and wide edge banding! The DIY plans to build the Ella desk feature chunky side legs with a u-shaped cutout, a roomy top and a small drawer in the center. This knock-off project inspired by a catalog retailer is a plan suitable for all skill levels and can be completed over a couple of weekends!
Materials:
- 1-1/4” pocket hole screws
- 2-1/2” pocket hole screws
- 3/4” brad nails
- 1-1/2” brad nails
- 2” brad nails
- 1-1/2” screws
- 2” wide edge banding (<– affiliate link!)
- Edge banding cutter (<– affiliate link!)
- One set of 12” drawer slides (<– affiliate link!)
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper (80, 120, 220 grits)
- Finishing supplies (primer and paint or stain and sealer)
Lumber:
- 3 – 1×4 at 8’
- 1 – 2×4 at 4’
- 1 – 2’ x 4’ sheet of 1/4” plywood
- 2 – 4’ x 8’ sheets of 3/4” plywood
Cut List:
- 4 – 3/4” plywood at 28” x 29-1/4” – Legs
- 2 – 2×4 at 18” – Upper Leg Stretcher
- 1 – 1×4 at 57” – Back Apron
- 2 – 1×4 at 13-1/2” – Front Aprons
- 2 – 1×4 at 26-1/2” – Drawer Slide Supports
- 1 – 1×4 at 30” – Center Support
- 2 – 1×4 ripped to 3” wide at 12” – Drawer Box Sides
- 2 – 1×4 ripped to 3” wide at 27-1/2” – Drawer Box Front and Back
- 1 – 1/4” plywood at 12” x 29” – Drawer Box Bottom
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 28” x 60” – Top
- 1 – 1×4 ripped to 3-3/8″ wide at 29-3/4″ – Drawer Front
Notes About the Project:
- The edge banding covers the exposed edges of the plywood on the legs and should be applied prior to assembling the pieces
- Sand each piece individually before putting the desk together
Step One
Cut the pieces for the legs. It will be easier to stack and glue the pieces of plywood together first, then cut out the u-shape. Apply glue to the surface of two of the plywood pieces using a roller or a brayer. Place the second piece of plywood on top. Wiggle it a little to create suction (this keeps the pieces from sliding apart while clamped), then clamp together until dry.
Measure and draw the u-shape on the plywood assemblies, as shown in the drawing, then cut out using a jigsaw.
Cut the pieces of 2×4 for the sides. Set the pocket hole jig for 1-1/2” material, and drill pocket holes in each end of each piece. Secure the pieces to the top portion of the legs using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws.
Step Two
Cut the 1×4 piece for the back. Set the pocket hole jig for 3/4” material and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure the back to the legs using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.
Step Three
Cut the pieces for the front aprons and drill pocket holes in one end only of each piece. Secure the pieces to the legs using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.
Step Four
Cut the pieces for the drawer slide supports and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure one end to the front aprons and the other end to the back piece using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.
Step Five
Cut the piece for the center stretcher and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure the stretcher to the drawer slide supports using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.
Step Six
Cut the piece for the top. There will be no overhang. Secure the top in place using glue and 2” brad nails through the top into the framing underneath.
Step Seven
Cut the pieces for the drawer box frame and drill pocket holes in each end of the longer pieces. Assemble the frame using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.
Cut the piece for the drawer box bottom. Secure the bottom in place using glue and 3/4” brad nails.
Install the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This tutorial on installing drawer slides will be quite helpful!
Step Eight
Cut the piece for the drawer front. Position it so that the bottom edge is flush with the bottom edge of the aprons on either side, and allow a 1/8” gap between the aprons and the drawer front at each side. Secure the drawer front to the front of the drawer box using glue and 1-1/2” brad nails. Open the drawer, then drive a couple of 1-1/2” screws through the inside of the drawer box into the drawer front. A drawer pull isn’t necessary since the drawer can be opened by pulling on the bottom but one can be added if desired.
Finish the desk however you choose.
Have questions about the DIY plans to build the Ella desk? Leave a comment below!
