I'm thinking about turning an alcove in my apartment into a home office with a long desk that would span the entire space—specifically 310 x 65 cm (about 10' 2" x 2' 1"). Since I live in a city apartment, I don't have woodworking experience or a proper shop, so I want to keep it simple. I found a video showing a straightforward desk design where a long plank of wood is supported on either end and maybe a center support to prevent sagging. My main question is whether this design makes sense for my size desk, as well as what type of wood to use and how thick the board should be. I prefer not to build a frame and would just like to rest the plank on supports and secure it with a few screws to keep it from moving around.
2 Answers
Another simple and attractive option is using a butcher block top! They look great and require minimal tools. I personally used one from Home Depot that measures 10ft long. Just make sure it’s made of a solid wood for durability.
You can definitely make a desk like this! The key is finding wood that’s dressed on all sides, commonly referred to as D4S lumber. You can use saw horses or drawer units for support; they won't bear too much weight. Just pre-finish the wood pieces that will form the work surface before attaching them with screws from below. For a 6-7 foot span, you can get away with 1-1/2" thick hardwood, which should be fine for light office use. Avoid heavy items in the middle to prevent sagging though; a laptop setup should work well!
Thanks for the tip! I was considering using a kitchen countertop style instead, like a butcher block top, since hardwood can get really pricey and heavy. Would that work without needing a central support?
That sounds promising! I’m a bit worried about sagging though—how sturdy are they over longer spans?