18 DIY Desk Ideas for a Trendy Office on a Budget

Having a designated place for working and studying in your home can increase production and efficiency. The best part? A home office desk doesn’t need to be costly, and you can build one yourself using items that you can find in most home improvement or craft stores. Check out some of these DIY desk ideas to create your own desk that’s both functional and matches your personal style.

DIY Desk Base and Worktop Ideas

Browse through different types of desk legs and tabletop ideas to craft your own desk.

1. Sawhorse Brackets

Take on a weekend project and create a DIY desk that’s easy to build, budget-friendly, and stylish. This white-on-white computer desk features two sawhorse brackets attached to a wooden desk top for a sturdy, yet versatile surface. You can either wrap the tabletop with contact paper or paint it to match your color scheme.

2. Multipurpose Filing Cabinet

A filing cabinet can serve two purposes—storing paperwork and acting as a base for a desk work surface. Use a piece of wood or vinyl for the tabletop, then attach one side to a sawhorse bracket and the other side to the filing cabinet.

3. Rustic Crates

Build a desk by stacking wooden crates on their sides to act as legs. Place a thin piece of wood on top, and paint the crates white to add a homey look to the room. What’s more, the crates also serve as cabinetry so you have plenty of working space and storage options. 

4. Convenient Standing Desk

If you feel like you may be sitting too much while working or studying at home, consider an adjustable frame to shift between standing and sitting during your day. Attach a worktop to this Costway Electric Adjustable Standing Desk Frame to easily switch the height as needed.

5. Butcher Block Table Top

Add rustic charm to your workspace with a butcher block table top. A butcher block surface is built from individual cuts of wood that are glued together to create a single slab, which makes for a sturdy surface to work on. Attach the slab to chic trapezoidal bench legs to embrace the modern farmhouse style in your home office.

DIY Desk Materials and Storage Solutions

Check out some different materials and storage solutions to use when building a desk for your home office. 

6. Reclaimed Wooden Desk

You can build a custom cost-effective desk by using reclaimed wood. Sand down and stain old pieces of wood. Then, attach the panels together to build a tabletop surface. Affix the tabletop to desk legs from the home improvement store to create a sturdy and stylish piece of furniture. 

7. Bookshelf Storage

If you’re looking to create a simple desk but you’re concerned about the lack of storage, place bookshelves near the workspace to add more functionality and areas for office supplies. For example, while this white table lacks drawers and cabinets, the tall bookshelves provide ample space to house your items.  

8. Upcycled Pallet

Rather than purchase new lumber, use pallet wood for a budget-friendly option. Look for heat-resistant pallets (usually marked with an “HT” stamp), then break apart the boards and sand them down. Attach the individual boards together to form a tabletop surface, and affix the surface to adjustable metal desk legs for a sturdy base. Complete the look by adding a pallet wall behind the desk to create the perfect background for impromptu Zoom meetings.

9. Functional Storage

Create your own cubbies to corral your trinkets. For example, honeycomb shelves can be placed on the tabletop for a trendy place to store office supplies, without having to opt for a desk with drawers or cabinets.

Home Office Aesthetics

Consider the home decor themes and aesthetics you enjoy, and find ways to incorporate them into your desk design.

10. Minimalist Workspace

Keep your workspace clutter-free, storing only the basic necessities to promote a productive workday. A thin tabletop made from wood or vinyl, placed on top of two brackets, creates a portable and simple desk. Accessorize the room with artwork, plants, and decorative storage bins to house your supplies. Consider adding an accent wall to showcase your personality to create a space you’ll look forward to coming back to after your afternoon lunch break.

11. Sleek Floating Desk

Hide hardware and desk legs by mounting the work desk directly to the wall, creating the illusion of a floating surface. This is the perfect work/study solution for a small space, as the tabletop can be fit in an alcove without designating valuable floor space to chunky desk legs.  

12. Industrial Vibes

If you like the industrial style, you can attach hardware to a slab of reclaimed wood to create a utilitarian, yet trendy appearance that mimics the look of an old factory. You can either mount the wood slab to hairpin legs, or these adjustable black table legs from Home Depot.

13. Simplistic Elegance

Another DIY desk idea is to convert an outdated piece of furniture by painting it white to brighten up the space. Using chalk paint is a good choice for a quick transformation, as you can eliminate the daunting step of sanding down the wood before painting it. Accessorize the desk with greenery and a trendy overhead light to bring bursts of color into the space.

14. Sleek Cloffice Desk

Reimagine your workspace, and consider places within your home that can be multi-functional. For example, a cloffice (closet office) can serve as both a storage space and a workspace, without reworking the layout of your home or designating an entire room into a home office. Use a narrow piece of live-edge wood attached to hairpin desk legs, to create a trendy, yet simple desk. The best part? You won’t be as tempted to open late-night emails with your desk tucked away behind closed closet doors.

Repurposed Furniture

Check out some pieces of furniture that can act as a home office desk.

15. Modern Console

Use a floating TV console, like this Winland Floating TV Stand, to serve as a modern WFH computer desk. Start by measuring and marking 28 to 30 inches from the floor, then pull up a chair and make any needed adjustments, so it’s in a comfortable position before mounting it to the wall. 

16. Fold-Up Corner Desk

For a wallet-friendly option, set up two card tables in the corner of a room to create an L-shaped desk. Not only is this an easy way to create a designated workspace, but the layout provides ample space to store paperwork, electronics, and office supplies. 

17. Upcycled Antiques

Give new life to a hand-me-down treasure or a thrift shop find, and incorporate it into your home office space. From repainting the entire piece of furniture, to switching out knobs or drawer pulls, small upgrades can have a big impact on the overall look.

18. Creative Placement

Get creative when determining an area to place your desk. For example, this retro desk fits perfectly in a nook under-the-stairs to make efficient use of an underutilized small space. Look for a narrow desk or tabletop that can fit in an alcove within your home, then paint it with chalk paint to give the piece a quick makeover. Then, use up vertical space behind the desk to hang cabinets or storage units to hold your necessities.