DIY dressing table or study desk

I have just finished making a desk for a little girl that can also be purposed into a study desk for a child or adult, or a dressing table. This desk / dressing table can be painted in your choice of colour and even distressed if you are looking for a more cottage or shabby chic finish.

 

 

 

 

 

YOU WILL NEED:

QTY     W     L       Material        Item
1        120    880    16mm SW   Cubby base
1        120    900   16mm SW   Cubby top
6        120    120   16mm SW   Cubby sides
1        200    860   16mm SW   Cubby back
1        500  1000   16mm SW   Desk top
1        500  1000   16mm SW   Desk base
4        110    408   16mm SW   Desk inner supports
2        110    352   16mm SW   Desk sides
2        110    840   16mm SW   Desk front/back panel
4          44 x    44    760 pine    Legs
4        118    248   12mm SW   Cubby drawer front/back
4        118      96   12mm SW   Cubby drawer sides
2        224      96   12mm SW   Cubby drawer base
4        338      68   12mm SW   Desk drawer front/back
4        384      68   12mm SW   Desk drawer sides
2        314    384   12mm SW   Desk drawer base

16mm SupaWood (SW)
12mm SupaWood (SW)
44 x 44mm PAR pine
Wood glue
Wood filler
Medium panel pins
4 drawer pulls or knobs
Plascon Polvin - white
Acrylic sealer or antique wax
400-, 1200-grit sandpaper

TOOLS:

Drill/Driver + assorted bits
Countersink bits
Orbital sander + asstd sanding pads
Jigsaw and clean-cut jigsaw blades
Tape measure and pencil

 

 

 

HERE'S HOW:

 

 

Step 1

Measure and mark all the pieces for the cubby section of the desk to drill pilot holes for quick and easy assembly.

 

Step 2

On the underside of the desk top, measure and mark the top section as shown below. The guides and supports are mounted by drilling pilot holes, countersinks and driving screws through the top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3

Attach the legs to the guides with wood glue and screws. Drill pilot holes through the pine legs and board and countersink.

 

 

Step 4

Before mounting the front desk panel, measure, mark and cut out openings for the drawers.

 

 

Step 5

 Cut the desk base out to fit around legs and then mount and secure; drill pilot holes, countersink and drive screws through the desk base.

 

 

Step 6

Fill all holes with wood filler; leave to dry and then sand smooth with 180-grit sandpaper. While waiting for wood filler to dry, sand all cut edges with 240-grit sandpaper until smooth and shiny.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: I didn't taper the legs, but you can easily do this with a jigsaw or table saw.

 

 

Step 7

The drawers are made by gluing together all sections and tapping in a few panel pins for added strength.

 

 

 

If you are using a Bosch PFS spray system, paint the drawers separately, placing them on a board to raise them and make it easier to spray all around in one go. The drawer bottoms are not sprayed, as this needs to be smooth for easy sliding in and out of the drawers.

 

 

After spraying the desk, use 180-grit sandpaper to remove paint overspray from inside the drawer cavity.

 

 

For a professional finish I normally apply a slightly watered down base coat, followed by two coats of paint. Once dry, this is sanded down with 400-grit sandpaper before two more coats of paint are applied. Once dry, the surface receives a further sanding with 1200-grit sandpaper and then a final coat of clear acrylic sealer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINISHING

After spraying the desk, use 180-grit sand-paper to remove paint overspray from inside the drawer cavity. For a professional finish I normally apply a slightly watered down base coat, followed by 2 coats of paint. Once dry, this is sanded down with 400-grit sandpaper before two more coats of paint are applied.

After that the surface receives a further sanding with 1200-grit sandpaper and then a final coat of clear acrylic sealer. Alternatively, if you prefer a matt finish, apply Woodoc antique wax.

 

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