How To Build A Desk In A Closet Houseful of Handmade

A desk was one of the key elements of my office and craft room transformation. Since it is an office, I needed somewhere to put my computer.

As soon as I took possession of our former nursery, I knew I wanted to construct a desk inside one of the closets. This room has two 5′ closets, so using one of them was an easy choice.

This offered a smart way to include a desk without sacrificing valuable floor area. Creating a closet desk was also the ideal affordable answer for my office.

DIY closet desk featuring a wooden desktop, blue patterned wallpaper, an Apple computer, and an office chair.

Because I am renovating the entire office and craft room with a $100 budget, I needed to keep the desk project inexpensive.

Transforming a whole room with such a small amount may sound unrealistic, but a bit of imagination makes it completely achievable.

Building my desk on the closet walls was an excellent creative approach. I completed the entire closet office, including fresh paint, for just $40.

If your desk requires additional storage, you could instead create a built-in desk that includes cabinets. It can still be installed in a closet while preserving floor space.

Affordable built-in closet desk with bookcases, a wooden computer desk, a chair, and a computer resting on the desktop.

Because this had been a clothing closet, it already contained a couple of shelves. I simply repositioned them higher and out of the way.

After bringing them closer together, they became the ideal storage spot for my office materials and paper supplies.

Office closet storage shelves against blue painted walls decorated with a stencil.

Additional Affordable Office & Craft Room Inspiration

Redoing this office and craft area on a strict budget was incredibly enjoyable. Below are a few of my favorite projects.

For a look at the completed $100 room transformation, visit the Office & Craft Room Reveal here. Be sure to follow along for more imaginative DIY projects.

Building a Desk Inside a Closet

Required Tools & Supplies

STEP 1- Prepare the closet

First, determine the desk height you prefer. Most standard desks measure approximately 30″ high.

I chose a height of 28 1/2″ since my 30″ desk felt slightly too tall for extended typing sessions. While it can appear very low during construction, as it did to me, it will feel comfortable once you are seated.

With a level, draw a mark 1/2″ beneath the intended finished desk height.

Unpainted empty closet interior with patched walls.

You will now need to identify the studs along this marked line.

I used the “make lots of holes in the wall” approach. First, tap along the wall to estimate where a stud may be, then verify the location with a nail until the stud is found.

Place the holes beside the level line so the completed desk will cover them.

Closet wall showing a nail being used to locate the studs.

STEP 2- Construct the desk frame

Begin by assembling the desk framework from the 2x2s.

Trim two boards to the desired desk depth minus 3/4″, allowing room for the 1×3 board that will be installed across the front. Fasten these boards to the closet sides, aligning them with the level mark.

Use the 3″ wood screws to anchor them into the wall studs.

Next, determine the distance between the two boards. Cut one 2×2 to fit that opening, then make pocket holes set for 1 1/2″-thick material on both ends.

Fasten it to the walls with 3″ wood screws, then connect it to the side boards using 2 1/2″ pocket-hole screws.

Positioning the pocket holes on the upper side of the frame will keep them concealed beneath the desktop.

Desk frame sides and back assembled in a nook with 2x2 boards.

To create the front portion of the desk frame, measure the gap between the front edges of the two side boards. Cut a 2×2 to that size and drill pocket holes into both ends.

Fasten it across the front of the side boards with 2 1/2″ pocket-hole screws, ensuring that it remains level with the other two boards.

Desk frame secured inside a closet with 2x2 boards and pocket holes fastened at the ends.

Next, install several center supports in the frame. These are especially useful when the desktop will hold considerable weight, such as a computer or printer.

Since you likely have a few spare feet of inexpensive 2×2 lumber, adding this extra reinforcement will not cost anything.

Measure the distance from the front board to the back board, cut two pieces to that length, and create pocket holes at both ends.

Use pocket-hole screws to attach the supports evenly between the two walls.

Closet interior showing a desk frame with center supports fastened using pocket holes.

STEP 3- Install the plywood desktop

After completing the frame, cut your

plywood to cover its upper surface. Cut it to match the desk’s width and the desired depth, subtracting 3/4″.

Test-fit the plywood to confirm it sits properly in your closet (which is why I wait to paint the walls until after the desk is installed, since it may scuff them).

EXPERT TIP: Because walls are rarely completely straight, trace the back of the plywood by sliding a pencil along the wall to copy its curve onto the wood. Cut along this mark to eliminate gaps against the wall.

For the most precise fit along the sides, you can make a desk-top template, similar to the one I created for these floating shelves in a nook.

Wood desk top unstained with hand holding pencil to scribe the back wall.

After the desktop fits correctly, cut a length of 1×3 board to span the desk’s front edge.

Attach it to the plywood’s front with wood adhesive and finishing nails, then sand it thoroughly.

Fasten the desktop with a few finishing nails along the back and edges. Afterwards, cover the nail holes.

Desk top built inside closet prior to staining and painting walls.

STEP 4- Complete the desk

I stained my desk with a homemade natural stain. Before applying it, wipe the desktop with a slightly damp cloth to remove sawdust and prepare the wood to absorb the stain.

Next, brush on a layer of strongly brewed black tea. Right away, apply a coat of the vinegar stain mixture with a brush.

This needs to be done swiftly to prevent streaking (the damp wood from wiping and the black tea also help minimize streaks). The wood will begin oxidizing immediately and will keep becoming darker over the next few hours.

Wood desk top being stained with tea and steel wool stain using a foam brush.

Allow the stain to dry fully, then safeguard the desk with 3 coats of polyurethane.

Lightly sand between each coat for a sleek finish.

Dark stain wood desk top inside of office closet.

Once the sealer has dried completely, make an opening for the cords. Finish it by inserting a cord grommet.

Stained wood desk top in closet with hole being cut out with Ryobi tool to place cords through.

And that’s it!

All that remains now is decorating. Since this desk is included in my $100 Room Challenge makeover, I need to decorate it affordably.

This desk was my priciest splurge (a grand total of $40). I painted the closet interior with leftover blue paint from my dining room. It’s such a lovely, gentle shade of blue.

Office in closet shown with finished blue patterned wall paper, wood desk top and computer.

To introduce some character, I created a DIY wall stencil with my Silhouette cutting machine, just as I did for my son’s bedroom accent wall.

After that, I used leftover navy blue paint to form this faux patterned-tile look. I’m thrilled with the final result.

And the entire project cost just $40! Here’s how that money was allocated:

Plywood – $31.20
(3) 2×2 boards – $5.20
Screws&sandpaper – $0 (already had)
Steel wool, vinegar and black tea stain – $0 (already had)
Polyurethane – $0 (already had)
Cord grommet– $3.60
Paint – $0 (already had)
Painting supplies – $0 (already had)
Stencil supplies – $0 (already had)

Office in closet shown with wood desk, office chair, blue wall paper and iMac computer.

That leaves me with $43 (and half a sheet of plywood) to complete the room. I’m optimistic that I can finish everything!