DIY Roll-top desks plans are considered as fast and functional pieces of furniture. Some say the biggest reason they lost popularity was due to the advent of the steel desk. But, with the right design, these roll-tops deliver a breathable, funky look to your office or study. These Roll-top desks offer a lot of functionality for a small footprint; with just simple materials and easier construction methods, you can have some impressive roll-top desks for your home decoration.
Ever since the first roll-top desk was discovered in 16th century Venice, people have been fascinated by this type of furniture. In a period when every piece of furniture had to be both useful and decorative, the roll-top desk was ingenious because it had both qualities. The most important characteristic is its ability to hide everything inside its built-in secret compartment by sliding down the top. This makes the room look tidier and more orderly, unlike today’s desks, where there is always clutter. In addition to the roll-top cover that conceals your workspace, you can also add or remove other features like drawers, shelves, and cabinets. You can even find DIY roll-top desk plans here that work as a piece of sculpture or artwork. It all depends on your taste and preference!
DIY Roll-Top Desks
Do you want a roll-top desk but don't have the money to buy one? Or maybe you just want to avoid what can be an expensive store-bought option. There's no need to spend big dollars or depend on a stylist to design your home office--take the time to build your DIY version and customize it with features you and your space requirements. Roll-top desks are functional, stylish, and quiet for use as home office furniture. You can easily access their contents by rolling up their tops without disturbing those around you. These 10 DIY roll-top desks will help you stay organized and make working from home more enjoyable.
The desk is the ultimate symbol of a professional workspace. These DIY rolling desks can definitely up the elegance and organization ante in your office.
Roll-Top Desk
The Roll-Top Desk easily folds open to reveal a spacious writing area, while hidden casters and a set of hidden magnets keep it securely closed. Two drawers offer plenty of space for pens, pencils, paper clips, or whatever else you need on hand. This handsome desk will help your home office keep professional dignity. The Roll-Top Desk has been carefully designed to maximize storage while maintaining a compact footprint. There is plenty of room in the roll-top lid for all your essentials, and, when closed up, the desk fits perfectly into tight spaces. The large writing surface brushed wooden legs, and pencil tray will look great in any home office or apartment. Update your living space with a vintage accent and discover how organized living can be fun!
SKILLS: Expert
MATERIALS:
- carbide-tipped or planning blade
- saber saw
- radial arm saw
- router with a straight bit and a cove bit (see your supply list)
- drill
- hammer, mallet, screwdriver
- clamps - likely two web clamps
- framing square and steel tape ruler (the angled thing)
- orbital sander and sanding block with a variety of sandpaper
- hide or resin glue, adhesive sponge
- choice of wood stain, varnish, paste wax.
- candle stub
- canvas or hide - dimensions as per your woodworking plans for the desk
- veneer tape
- plywood
- drawer slides
- wood screws
- nails
DIY Lego Roll Top Desk
Ever wish you could transport your desk right into your LEGO room? A new LEGO storage desk is exactly what you need to organize things! This DIY Lego Roll-Top Desk is a perfect addition to your office or workspace, made of reclaimed wood and plastic parts. This is an excellent gift for your young one and includes the art of LEGO characters on the reverse, with playfully themed graphics of building blocks, smiles, and stars.
Constructed from maple plywood, the base and upper portion of the desk are joined with a mortise-and-tenon joint that guarantees a solid fit. The two large storage drawers are made from canvas covered in a pretty floral printed fabric, adding just the finishing touch you’d expect from a classic style like this Desk.
SKILLS: Expert
MATERIALS:
- carbide-tipped or planning blade
- saber saw
- radial arm saw
- router with a straight bit and a cove bit (see your supply list)
- drill
- hammer, mallet, screwdriver
- clamps - likely two web clamps
- framing square and steel tape ruler (the angled thing)
- orbital sander and sanding block with a variety of sandpaper
- hide or resin glue, adhesive sponge
- choice of wood stain, varnish, paste wax.
- candle stub
- canvas or hide - dimensions as per your woodworking plans for the desk
- veneer tape
- plywood
- drawer slides
- wood screws
- nails
DIY Roll-Top Desk
If you've ever wanted to build a beautiful and highly functional workstation, this project is for you! The fantastic design includes tons of functionality and storage space seamlessly built into the design. This roll-top desk is a complete build from scratch, made from oak and oak plywood. The finished product looks like something only found in antique stores or hidden in the corners of an old desk. It features tons of drawers and cubbies and a pull-out platform that creates additional workspace. The entire project takes about a month to complete, but it's worth it when you see the results!
SKILLS: Expert
MATERIALS:
- carbide-tipped or planning blade
- saber saw
- radial arm saw
- router with a straight bit and a cove bit (see your supply list)
- drill
- hammer, mallet, screwdriver
- clamps - likely two web clamps
- framing square and steel tape ruler (the angled thing)
- orbital sander and sanding block with a variety of sandpaper
- hide or resin glue, adhesive sponge
- choice of wood stain, varnish, paste wax.
- candle stub
- canvas or hide - dimensions as per your woodworking plans for the desk
- veneer tape
- plywood
- drawer slides
- wood screws
- nails
Desk Makeover
This desk makeover is a party favorite! From new hardware on the drawers and on the cabinet doors to some fresh paint and stenciling, you can transform an old roll-top desk into a bright, modern piece that works for your specific office needs. Add a corkboard to the wall behind it and some chairs around it, and you’re set! Pull off the drawers and hardware, and throw off that ugly paint. Prime it new and then paint it whatever color you want.
Revamp an old rolltop desk into a great new work desk with this easy-to-follow desk plan. With the right tools, a good attitude, and a little bit of patience, you can have an update to your office or bedroom that looks like you spent a fortune on it.
SKILLS: Expert
MATERIALS:
- carbide-tipped or planning blade
- saber saw
- radial arm saw
- router with a straight bit and a cove bit (see your supply list)
- drill
- hammer, mallet, screwdriver
- clamps - likely two web clamps
- framing square and steel tape ruler (the angled thing)
- orbital sander and sanding block with a variety of sandpaper
- hide or resin glue, adhesive sponge
- choice of wood stain, varnish, paste wax.
- candle stub
- canvas or hide - dimensions as per your woodworking plans for the desk
- veneer tape
- plywood
- drawer slides
- wood screws
- nails
Mission Style Roll Top Desk
Roll-top desks are a popular style, especially in small spaces. This beautiful deck with its Mission-style will add a classic look to your office while keeping everything you need close at hand. Put away your phone, coffee mugs, office supplies, and even more with the Mission Style Roll Top Desk. Conveniently store everything away whenever you're not using it with the huge amount of drawers. This desk is made from beautiful solid oak wood, finished with a cherry stain, and available with a stain. This desk has been carefully designed and built to fit your needs. It involves some curves on the base to match the curvy lines of the drawers, along with straight backs for the cubby at the top.
SKILLS: Expert
MATERIALS:
- carbide-tipped or planning blade
- saber saw
- radial arm saw
- router with a straight bit and a cove bit (see your supply list)
- drill
- hammer, mallet, screwdriver
- clamps - likely two web clamps
- framing square and steel tape ruler (the angled thing)
- orbital sander and sanding block with a variety of sandpaper
- hide or resin glue, adhesive sponge
- choice of wood stain, varnish, paste wax.
- candle stub
- canvas or hide - dimensions as per your woodworking plans for the desk
- veneer tape
- plywood
- drawer slides
- wood screws
- nails
Refinished Roll Top Desk from the Daily DIYer
A rolling desk that's perfect for a home office or apartment, this DIY Refinished Roll Top Desk will brighten any room with its simple and aesthetic design. This refinished desk is perfect for holding a laptop and papers, but be creative and add additional shelves to hold books or other valuables. You've found the perfect desk for your home office, but a folding excuse for a desk like this is just not going to cut it. This plan uses a smaller roll-top desk but feels free to use any old desk as a base model to work from! You can use a smaller roll-top desk, but you could use any old desk as a base model to work from. You'll need a fresh coat of paint, new handles, and contact paper on the interior.
SKILLS: Expert
MATERIALS:
- carbide-tipped or planning blade
- saber saw
- radial arm saw
- router with a straight bit and a cove bit (see your supply list)
- drill
- hammer, mallet, screwdriver
- clamps - likely two web clamps
- framing square and steel tape ruler (the angled thing)
- orbital sander and sanding block with a variety of sandpaper
- hide or resin glue, adhesive sponge
- choice of wood stain, varnish, paste wax.
- candle stub
- canvas or hide - dimensions as per your woodworking plans for the desk
- veneer tape
- plywood
- drawer slides
- wood screws
- nails
Contemporary Rolltop Desk
The Contemporary Rolltop Desk is an intriguing design perfect for learning how to build a rolltop desk from scratch. It is simple, clean, and minimal in its approach. Building a rolltop desk is a project that will invigorate and inspire you. This design will get you started on that road. These are the steps you’ll need to build one from scratch, so feel free to modify them as you go along. This desk is a great way to learn for the first time or perfect your technique and begin your furniture-making journey. This design features a contemporary style that blends harmoniously with any decor. It is simple in design, making it easy to build with basic hand tools, yet still provides a functional working space.
SKILLS: Expert
MATERIALS:
- carbide-tipped or planning blade
- saber saw
- radial arm saw
- router with a straight bit and a cove bit (see your supply list)
- drill
- hammer, mallet, screwdriver
- clamps - likely two web clamps
- framing square and steel tape ruler (the angled thing)
- orbital sander and sanding block with a variety of sandpaper
- hide or resin glue, adhesive sponge
- choice of wood stain, varnish, paste wax.
- candle stub
- canvas or hide - dimensions as per your woodworking plans for the desk
- veneer tape
- plywood
- drawer slides
- wood screws
- nails
Lego Rolltop Desk
This roll-top desk design is a great way to make a Lego play space for the kids! The large Lego baseplates are cut to fit the desk and glued in place. This bright desk will look great in any kid's room; this bright desk will look great in any kids ' room with a color palette similar to my boys' new bedrooms WTherolling top conceals the Legos for a quick tidy look. When not in use, You can store Legos in the desk drawer so that kids always have everything they need to have a great time building!
This desk incorporates big Lego baseplates that are cut to fit into the desk and glued in place. This desk is also great for holding Legos and keeping them organized and building space when the top is rolled down. The trolling lid conceals the Legos for a quick tidy look when not in use. when not in use
SKILLS: Expert
MATERIALS:
- carbide-tipped or planning blade
- saber saw
- radial arm saw
- router with a straight bit and a cove bit (see your supply list)
- drill
- hammer, mallet, screwdriver
- clamps - likely two web clamps
- framing square and steel tape ruler (the angled thing)
- orbital sander and sanding block with a variety of sandpaper
- hide or resin glue, adhesive sponge
- choice of wood stain, varnish, paste wax.
- candle stub
- canvas or hide - dimensions as per your woodworking plans for the desk
- veneer tape
- plywood
- drawer slides
- wood screws
- nails
Vintage Roll Top Desk Makeover
This beautiful desk makeover was created for a client looking to update the look of their office. They are repainting the desk, adding a new top, and replacing the hardware. Layers of glamour and history give this desk a different look. A simple DIY project will create an unexpected, shabby chic piece in your home. Enjoy a traditional accent for your home or office space with this beautiful piece. This desk features a secure lock and quick release and has room for work and storage, including two drawers, a shelf, and a cabinet. Use the brass hardware to add shine to its vintage look, or take it in an entirely different direction by painting all wood pieces a bright, modern color. The surface of this desk is large enough to accommodate your favorite computer, while the cabinet's hooks are perfect for hanging your keys or storing mementos.
SKILLS: Expert
MATERIALS:
- carbide-tipped or planning blade
- saber saw
- radial arm saw
- router with a straight bit and a cove bit (see your supply list)
- drill
- hammer, mallet, screwdriver
- clamps - likely two web clamps
- framing square and steel tape ruler (the angled thing)
- orbital sander and sanding block with a variety of sandpaper
- hide or resin glue, adhesive sponge
- choice of wood stain, varnish, paste wax.
- candle stub
- canvas or hide - dimensions as per your woodworking plans for the desk
- veneer tape
- plywood
- drawer slides
- wood screws
- nails
Rolltop Desk
This Rolltop Desk will instantly become a favorite home or office desk. With room for your laptop and all the accessories. Keep organized with the large box files and papers safe in our large vertical storage file. The drawers are perfect for stationery supplies, spare cell phone chargers and devices, spare computer accessories, a place to store your mouse, and more! Let this be the center of your home or business workspace!
Complement your modern home office or den with the Rolltop's beautiful natural wood construction, or use it in any hallway to store documents and other personal items. The Rolltop Desk is an easy solution for a small home office or a student’s room. It is compact and versatile, with convenient storage space underneath. It is built with beautiful walnut hardwood; this table features casters for easy moving and comes in four colors, each with a warm touch to any space.
SKILLS: Expert
MATERIALS:
- carbide-tipped or planning blade
- saber saw
- radial arm saw
- router with a straight bit and a cove bit (see your supply list)
- drill
- hammer, mallet, screwdriver
- clamps - likely two web clamps
- framing square and steel tape ruler (the angled thing)
- orbital sander and sanding block with a variety of sandpaper
- hide or resin glue, adhesive sponge
- choice of wood stain, varnish, paste wax.
- candle stub
- canvas or hide - dimensions as per your woodworking plans for the desk
- veneer tape
- plywood
- drawer slides
- wood screws
- nails
Three Stenciling Tips For A Roll Top Desk
Stenciling is a fun, easy craft that can spruce up just about any piece of furniture. Give a desk or chest of drawers a new look by stenciling on top of the original paint and finish. Since these desks tend to have many small drawers, you may want to stencil a simple pattern around the drawers but in an elaborate or decorative design on the main area of the desk. Compared to a conventional desk, a roll-top desk can seem like a bit of a challenge for stenciling. Not only is the surface area smaller, but the drawers tend to get in the way! We like so many things about the current trend of roll-top desks that we decided to do a stenciled version of one.
SKILLS: Expert
MATERIALS:
- carbide-tipped or planning blade
- saber saw
- radial arm saw
- router with a straight bit and a cove bit (see your supply list)
- drill
- hammer, mallet, screwdriver
- clamps - likely two web clamps
- framing square and steel tape ruler (the angled thing)
- orbital sander and sanding block with a variety of sandpaper
- hide or resin glue, adhesive sponge
- choice of wood stain, varnish, paste wax.
- candle stub
- canvas or hide - dimensions as per your woodworking plans for the desk
- veneer tape
- plywood
- drawer slides
- wood screws
- nails
CONCLUSION
We put together a few fun step-by-step projects to show you how to build your DIY Roll-Top Desk. It's the perfect art & craft table for the beginner or those looking to re-purpose old items. Curtis and Imogen from The Handcrafted Haven built these DIY roll-top desks from plans found on Ana White. You can buy the plans to make this desk here!
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