Plans

Free DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Ballard Designs Inspired Flanders Desk

04.25.12 By //
Project Image

A real stunner, this DIY Furniture Plan will save you hundreds if you simply build it yourself! The drawers open from either side, making it convenient for two, if you prefer!

Estimated Cost

$50-$75

Dimensions
Dimensions for This Project
Tools
  • Tape Measure
  • Saw – Jig, Circular, or Miter
  • Drill
  • Square
  • Sander
  • Kreg Jig
  • Hammer or Brad nailer
Lumber
  • 4 – 2×2 at 8’
  • 1 – 2×2 at 6’
  • 5 – 2×4 at 8’
  • 1 – 1×2 at 8’
  • 3 – 1×3 at 8’
  • One full sheet of ¾” plywood
  • One quarter sheet of ¼” plywood, lauan, or hardboard
Materials
  • 1-1/4” pocket hole screws
  • 2” pocket hole screws
  • 1-1/4” screws
  • 1-1/4” brad nails
  • 4 – Drawer Handles or knobs
  • Edge banding for the plywood, optional
  • Countersink bit for Drill
  • Wood filler
  • Sandpaper
  • Wood glue
  • Finishing Supplies
Cut List
  • 8 – 2×2 at 29-1/4” – Legs
  • 4 – 2×4 at 23” – Side Frames
  • 4 – 2×4 at 11” – Side Frames
  • 4 – 2×2 at 23” – Side Frames
  • 4 – 2×2 at 11” – Side Frames
  • 4 – 2×4 at 33-1/2” – X Braces
  • 8 – 2×4 at 15” – X Braces
  • 2 – ¾” plywood at 11” x 23” – Lower Shelf
  • 4 – ¾” plywood at 2-3/4” x 26” – Drawer Rails
  • 4 – ¾” plywood at 11” x 26” – Drawer Shelves
  • 4 – 1×3 at 9” – Drawer Boxes (ripped to 2-1/4”)
  • 4 – 1×3 at 23” – Drawer Boxes (ripped to 2-1/4”)
  • 2 – ¼” plywood at 9” x 24-1/2” – Drawer Bottoms
  • 4 – 1×3 at 9-1/4” – Drawer Fronts
  • 2 – 1×2 at 30” – Top Supports
  • 1 – 1×2 at 23” – Top Support
  • 1 – ¾” plywood at 28” x 60” – Top
  • 4 – 1×3 at 15-1/2” – Trim
  • 4 – 1×3 at 26” – Trim
Instructions

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Step 1
Step 1

Cut the pieces for the side frames. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes in each end of the 2×4 pieces. Attach to bottom of legs with glue and 2” pocket hole screws.

Drill pocket holes in each end of the 2×2 pieces. Attach to the top of the legs with glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.

Step 2
Step 2

Cut the pieces for the lower shelves. Drill pocket holes along each edge. Secure to the 2x4s in the frame with glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. Make sure the top of the shelf is flush with the top of the 2x4s.

Step 3
Step 3

Cut the pieces for the X braces. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes as shown.  Attach the shorter legs to the longer leg with glue and 2” pocket hole screws, then attach to the corners of the frames in the same manner.

Step 4
Step 4

Cut the pieces for the drawer rails. Attach to the sides at the spacing indicated using glue and countersunk 1-1/4” screws.

Step 5
Step 5

Cut the pieces for the drawer shelves and attach to the rails with glue and countersunk 1-1/4” screws through the top or bottom of the shelves into the rails.

Step 6

Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes. Set the Kreg jig for ¾” material and drill pocket holes in each end of the longer pieces. Assemble as shown with glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.

Cut the piece for the bottom and attach with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails.

Step 7
Step 7

Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts. Pre-drill the holes for the handles. There will be an 1/8” gap around all sides of the drawer fronts. Place the drawer fronts in the opening and shim in place. Drive screws through the holes for the handles to temporarily hold the fronts in place. Open the drawer and attach the fronts to the drawer box from the inside with 1-1/4” screws. Finish drilling out the holes for the handles.

Step 8
Step 8

Cut the 1×2 pieces for the top supports. Drill pocket holes in each end of all three pieces. Secure as shown using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.

Step 9
Step 9

Cut the piece for the top. If using edge banding, apply it to the edges then trim. The top will overlap all edges by 1”. Secure with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails through the top into the side frames and supports.

Cut the pieces for the trim. Attach the sides first with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails, then attach the front and back trim in the same manner.

Finishing Instructions

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.

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