Learn how to build an affordable DIY desk or farmhouse table with a cool rustic vibe, with free scrap wood!

At long last, my pallet farm table DIY desk is up! And I can’t wait to share how cool every nook and cranny turned out!

I have always wanted a long office desk in this office.

With an abundant picture window, I knew the workspace could handle it.

But I also wanted it cool… farmhouse style cool! And all made out of reclaimed wood so I could built it for free! 

Sounds like a tall order, doesn’t it? But after salvaging wood for weeks, it’s finally here! After sorting out some DIY desk ideas, this style ultimately became one with a strong farmhouse table vibe. And ultimately my very first furniture piece build entirely from scratch too!

I also consider myself a beginner builder.

So if you require a DIY desk or want a DIY farmhouse table, perhaps these plans would work for you too!

This post contains some affiliate links in which I earn a small percentage if you purchase through the links. You are not charged for this however you would be helping support my tutorials. Thank-you!

Farmhouse DIY desk made from free scrap wood!

 

This tutorial ended up being too large for just one post, so here’s the entire series so you can pick and choose which section you’d like to read..

Visit The Entire Pallet Farm Table Desk Series

 

1 – gathering the goods

2 – the build

3 – the reveal – you are HERE

Visit all 3 parts HERE

This pallet farm table desk is LONG. Measuring at 12 feet long, the desk is prominent, yet well proportioned with the sun-filled picture window it faces.

And I LOVE that the windowsill provides a perfect spot for my little buddy to watch for those birds…

Warm rustic woods against black accents create a pretty cozy office environment!

Materials used

 

• 4×4 oak posts for the legs
• cedar planks for the top
• reclaimed wood 2x4s for the frame

While I did call it a pallet farmhouse table desk, the table consists of more than just pallet wood.

You can see the complete building plan and materials in Part 2 – the build.

Building plan

 

Basically put, the table was built with cedar planks for the top, pallet 4×4 oak posts for the legs, and some sections of reclaimed 2×4’s for the framework.

The table is rock steady, not requiring additional strapping for the legs, which I was prepared to do. The heavyweight materials, massive amount of screws and sturdy framing created a very sound piece of furniture.

 Desk design and measurements

 

• 12′ long
• 3′ deep
• 27.25″ from floor

The desk measures 12 feet long, 3 feet deep and  27.25″ from the floor, which is the perfect typing height for me.

Before deciding on your own desk measurements, keep in mind what you’d like to store underneath. This desk clears the rolling office files underneath.

The desk was designed and built into three sections, to allow for a sitting area in the center without the desk legs being in the way.

Pallet stamps celebrated

 

The legs on this desk are scrumptiously chunky. Another option could be to use hairpin legs if you are building a smaller scale desk.

To add authentic personality to this desk plan, pallet stamps were purposely positioned to the front of the desk so they could be seen.

Don’t have any pallet stamped wood? Here’s how you can replicate the look!

Pallet Stamps stencil HERE

Where to find pallet stencils

 

Getting the look of stamped pallets is easy! These two stencils were designed for this very purpose so you could change a plain wooden desk into pallet desk decor instantly!

Tip: Stencil with black paint for a true stamped look.

Shipping Crate Stamps stencil HERE

The chunky frame desk has all sorts of glorious flaws everywhere you look. The desk base truly does resemble an old farmhouse table!

It’s a simple design that certainly offers all the space needed for a cool looking DIY computer desk!

Uh oh… bird on the loose! Atta girl, Teddy! The paperwork is safe once again!

Doesn’t she look great amongst all the wood and antiques sitting on the home office desk?

Loose planks on top
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However this stylish desk design has a secret. The planks on top are actually still sitting loose!

Intending to fasten them down, the loose board trial proved the planks weren’t going anywhere. The wall secures the planks and there isn’t enough overhang in front to flip the boards even when you lean on them.

The biggest perk of all is that the loose boards make moving corded desk equipment and the keyboard a breeze!

Desk finishes – natural

 

While the planks on top of the desk could be treated with stain, I chose to leave them natural.

This is a prime area for photography, and the matte finish of the wood is perfect for capturing product photos, so I didn’t want to change that.

Most finishing products will darken the wood. So if you’d like some extra protection regardless of that fact, here’s a few I highly recommend:

Finishing recommendations:

 

Stain and Finishing Oil in natural – good protection with lower colour change

Hemp Oil – will darken wood

Fusion’s Furniture wax – tends to not darken the wood all that much

For other DIY product paint and stain recommendations, read this informative post:

All About Fusion Mineral Paint

While the separate planks create desktop divisions, each one is wide enough to take care of writing needs. The computer pad addresses monitor stability and mouse requirements.

Another option to consider is placing a sheet of glass overtop. But I really love the natural, organic look of the wood as-is. A dusting is all it seems to need now and then! And the odd time I’ll wipe it down with a wet cloth.

I just love the butcher block vibe the top planks offer! And it has more character than just a plywood desk would offer.

Funky office light

 

Since the table top is so long, the custom desk yearned for some visual height to the overall space.

An office light was desired anyway, so a funky lamp fixture was created teaming up a barn lamp and vintage ironing board. Pretty fun!

Loosely stacked baskets offer storage with casual flair. After all, office supplies shouldn’t have to be THAT serious.

Here’s another shot of the desk light from THIS day planner post.

DIY office file holder

 

And put away that office plastic, because the office organizers here are up-cycled here all the way!

The file holder is created from two hanging plant brackets screwed to a wood plank. It’s ample, easy to grab, unique, and free.

Coke crate office organizer

 

The coke crate is perfect for all sorts of office organizing for pens and pencils and such, plus adds a bit of true blue vintage antique character and colour.

A few faux plants are scattered here and there to soften the woodsy edges.

Cost – $3.00

 

Are you ready for this?

The entire pallet farmhouse DIY desk cost $3.00 for new screws. All the rest of the wood came from my neighbour’s yard, and from a pallet storage area. For free.

Farmhouse desk – check! And I LOVE it. When I walk towards the desk in my home office space, I want to sit down as quickly as possible and just soak up the warm and rustic environment and all the desk storage space it offers! It’s so very me, right down to the last… splinter!

You could of course design this desk any way you wish! Perhaps even a DIY corner desk or L-shaped desk would work for your space? The best part about a custom build is you get to choose!

Once upon a time not long ago I use to run away from this space. Now I visit countless times a day even when I don’t really need to. This farmhouse desk makeover was long overdue, and now this office space gives me SO much more space to work and to play!

I love this desk, the style and the whole vibe. And you certainly can’t beat that cost!

So if you too are in the market for a DIY desk, perhaps this pallet farm table DIY desk would work for you too!

Think you may try to build a similar desk now that you know how easy it is?!

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Pallet Farm Table DIY Desk Series

 

Visit all 3 parts HERE

or visit posts individually below:

1 – gathering the wood

2 – the build

3 – the reveal

A boat load of questions answered on the farm table desk 

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Other unique office DIY projects:

 

Ikea trestle sewing desk

Rustic blogging office with pallet, ladder and sawhorse desk with IKEA shelves and crate drawers

View many other unique office ideas HERE