Building a Desk

writer: russell j.t. dyer; posted: November 28, 2009; revised: April 2, 2018; readers in past month: 1038

My New Desk

My New Desk

For over a year now I have been looking for a desk. I wanted one that was wide, but not too deep. Traditional desks are deep to accomodate papers, files, staplers, and other items used commonly and frequently before the age of computers. I wanted one that is deep enough for a flat screen computer monitor and keyboard, but not much space behind it. I also wanted space on either side of my keyboard for books, papers, pencil holder, and my iced tea.

Of course, there were also decorating considerations: style, color, etc. It has to look good and it has to match well my office space — and living room which is connected to the area where I work.

A few months ago, a friend of mine spotted a desk at Muji that looked like what I wanted, or at least part of what I wanted: the legs. So I decided to buy just the legs and get some wood to make a top I like. In the photographs here you can see the legs that I bought.

A few weeks ago I found a couple of boards that I liked on sale — they’re beechwood. I glued the two boards together with dowels and then sanded them, excessively. I went a couple of weeks trying to decide on the finish, what color to stain them. I decided not to stain them and just apply a few layers of a clear finish. I also drilled holes for the cables for the computer and other devices. I think it looks pretty good and it’s very functional.