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Building a Two-Level Desk DIY to the Rescue takes this desk to the next level! From "DIY to the Rescue" episode DTTR-705

Will is fascinated by the colored lights as he stands supported by the desk.

DIY to the Rescue's Amy Devers shows Mom, Julia Schrecker, how to construct a desk for her son's room. The purpose of the 2-level desk is to provide both a sitting area and a standing area – to encourage Will to stand more. This is also a great project for an office or kitchen desk.

This desk is designed for a sitting height position of about 30" and a standing position of about 38". The tops are 18"deep x 24" wide and 18" deep x 18" wide - but could be made larger as needed. We built our desk in two pieces, the lower left-side desk and the taller right-side desk. Then we assembled them in the room.

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Materials:

3/4 cabinet-grade plywood (for sides, tops and backing boards of desk). Or MDF plywood.
Wood screws: 1 1/2" flathead.
Wood glue.
Optional shoe molding for desk tops.
Small brads (for molding)
Wood putty.
Sand paper.
Paint.
Brackets and wall screws (to secure unit to wall)
Tape measure
Circular saw & fence board (to cut wood pieces)
Drill, countersink drill bit (screw size) and screw bit.
Brad nailer or hammer (for molding).
Clamps.
Square and level.

Cut wood:

1 - 18" x 24" board – top for lower desk area.
2 - 18" x 18" boards – top for tall desk area.
2 - 18" x 37" boards – sides for tall desk.
1 - 18" x 30" board – side for lower desk.
1 - 23 ¼" x 30" board – backing board for lower desk (24" wide minus 1 side plywood thickness).
1 - 16 1/2" wide x 18" board – bracing board for tall desk (18" wide minus 2 side plywood thickness).

NOTE: Backing and bracing boards are attached inside of the desk upright sides so measurements are the width minus the thickness of the 3/4" plywood. Because 3/4" plywood is often not exactly 3/4", it’s important to measure your plywood to get exact widths.

Figure A

Steps:

Construct lower (left side) desk:

NOTE: We used screws instead of nails to make the desk strong. Gluing is also very important when building a piece of furniture. Use clamps as necessary to secure wood.

1. Glue and screw 30" side board to left side edge of 30" backing board. Make sure all edges are flush. TIP: pre-drill for screws as you go along (Figure A).

Start with one end, do the other end and then do the middle screws. TIP: You can also "pin nail" it first to hold the pieces together and then come back and screw to secure it (Figure B & C).

Figure B

Figure C

2. Turn unit upright and glue and screw lower desk top onto top edges of side and backing board. Make sure edges are flush. This creates a 2-sided L-shaped box with a top.

Construct tall (right side) desk:

1. Glue and screw 37" side board to bracing board, centering bracing board in the middle of the side board (we left some of the back open to access outlets in the room. TIP: Measure outlet heights to determine placement of the bracing board)

2. Glue and screw desk top to top edge of side board. Make sure edges are flush.

3. Place other side board under desk top and over the bracing board edge. Glue and screw desk top to side board.

4. Glue and screw side board to edge of bracing board. This creates a 2-side H-shaped box with a top and the bracing board between the side boards.

Figure D

Optional: Add mitered molding trim to front and side edges of desk tops, and/or to front edges as desired. Glue and brad nail these in place (Figure D). Finally, fill screw and nail holes with putty, sand, and paint.

Build and attaching desk in room:

1. Place both desk units in room and line lower L-shaped desk up to left side of tall H-shaped desk.

2. Use a square and level to make sure the lower unit is in the proper position against the tall desk.

3. Secure the lower desk top to the left tall side board with screws - from the inside of the tall unit.

4. Secure the lower backing board to the tall unit, with screws from the inside of the tall unit.

5. Add brackets and secure to the wall as necessary (Figure E). We did so Will could not tip the desk over on himself when using it to lift himself up to stand. If not able to drive the screws directly into the wall, install drywall anchors to better secure the desk and keep it from tipping over (Figures F & G).

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G