Beautiful DIY Kids Desk Build Plans With Storage Drawers (PDF and Video)

Instructions

Check out my super cute DIY Kids Desk Plans with Storage and Style – lots of storage, guys!

1. Here's an overview of the DIY Kids Desk Plans. A printable version of the plans with all steps, measurements, and 3D models is available for purchase above.
2. The build has lots of steps, but it’s not hard. It’s a pretty simple frame to build. Then you just add some cove moulding and a plywood or beadboard panel to each opening. The hardest part of this build will be installing the drawers.
3. Drawers are just sometimes a pain and take a bit of fiddling. But, you can do this! And, it’s totally worth it to get this great desk! The next time I install drawers, I’ll be using the Kreg Drawer Slide Jig. It looks like a huge help and time saver.
4. Also, this desk size is best for grade school kids. Depending on the size of the kid, of course. Middle School and High School kids will need a bigger desk. You can always adjust this plan to add more height and a fourth drawer or a cabinet.

Step One

1. We’ll use 2×2’s to construct the 2 desk sides and the middle of the frame. All 3 will be built the same way. Put 1 pocket hole on each end of the 9 – 2×2’s.
2. Glue and screw 3 of the shorter 2×2’s between 2 of the longer 2×2’s. The first should be even with the top of the longer 2×2’s. The top edge of the second should be 6 1/2″ down from that. And the top edge of the third should be 3 1/2″ up from the bottom of the longer 2×2’s. Build 3 of these.

Step Two

1. For the front and back “chair” sides of the desk, put 1 pocket hole on each end of 5 – 18″ 2×2’s. Glue and screw 2 of the 3 frames you built in Step One together with the 5 – 18″ 2×2’s. 2 of the 18″ 2×2’s will connect the 2 frames at the top edges of the front and back of the frames. 2 of the 18″ 2×2’s will connect the 2 frames 6 1/2″ down from the top edge. The last 18″ 2×2 will connect 3 1/2″ up from the bottom.

Step Three

1. To complete the framing, put 1 pocket hole on each end of 6 – 16″ 2×2’s. These will connect the third side frame to the frame you assembled in Step Two. Glue and screw 2 of the 16″ 2×2’s at the top edges of the front and back of the frames. 2 of the 16″ 2×2’s will connect the 2 frames 6 1/2″ down from the top edge. The last 2 – 16″ 2×2’s will connect 3 1/2″ up from the bottom.

Step Four

1. Now onto the moulding and panels for the DIY Kids Desk Plans with Storage. We will use 1/2″ x 3/4″ moulding to build a frame for the 1/4″ Plywood or Beadboard Panels. Cut 10 – 15 1/2″ long 1/2″ x 3/4″ moulding pieces to attach to the 15 1/2″ 2×2’s. Glue and nail along the 1/2″ side of the moulding, to leave enough room for the plywood and cove moulding.
2. BE CAREFUL, you want these in the right spot. 8 of them should be on the short sides of the desk, flush with the inside edges of the 15 1/2″ 2×2’s.
3. The other 2 will be flush with the inside of the opening for the seat on the lower part of the middle frame. If it helps explain this, you want the whole inside of the opening for the seat to look the same. So, the moulding on the left and right side should match.

Step Five

1. Finish those 6 plywood panel frames with 6 – 12 1/4″ long 1/2″ x 3/4″ moulding pieces, on the 3 larger bottom sections. And 4 – 3 1/2″ long 1/2″ x 3/4″ moulding pieces. Glue and nail along the 1/2″ side of the moulding, to leave enough room for the plywood and cove moulding.

Step Six

1. Both sides of the desk and the inside panels are done for now. Now, add 1/2″ x 3/4″ moulding to the back of the desk. You’ll need 4 – 18″ long 1/2″ x 3/4″ and 4 – 16″ long 1/2″ x 3/4″ moulding pieces.
2. After gluing and nailing those in place (flush with the inside edge of the 2×2’s), glue and nail 4 – 3 1/2″ long 1/2″ x 3/4″ moulding pieces to the sides of the 2 top panels. And, 4 – 12 1/4″ long 1/2″ x 3/4″ moulding pieces will finish the sides of the 2 lower panels.

Step Seven

1. Attach the flat or beadboard panels to the open areas on the DIY Kids Desk Plans with Storage, with the finish side facing out. Use wood glue, a brad nailer, and moulding to hold the panels in place,

Step Eight

1. Carefully measure and cut the three drawer boxes. Make sure you are following the size recommendations on the drawer slides you picked to use.
2. Once you have the drawers built and installed with a 3/4" setback. You can attach the 3/4" thick drawer face. Some people like to glue the faces in place. Some like to use 2-sided tape to hold the face in place while they screw the drawer box and face together from the inside of the drawer.
3. Either works. Just make sure that you leave enough room around the face for the drawer to open and close without sticking.
4. Once the face is attached,carefully measure and drill the holes for your hardware.
5. Tip: I usually use Painters Tape securely attached to the inside of each drawer with a couple inches folded over hanging off the front of the drawer. This makes it easier to open if I accidentally close that drawer before the hardware is on.