DIY Gaming Desk
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In our house, gaming is a big deal. We love it so much that we’ve dedicated an entire room just for it! My partner and I both have L-shaped desks that I built, and now it’s time for my kids to have their own upgraded setups.
Right now, both of them have smaller, older desks that don’t really fit their needs. My son, Teddy, just got a “new” PC (an older one gifted by a family friend), which means my daughter, Peyton, inherited his old one (a Frankenstein mix of my old PC and parts from dad’s). She mainly plays Roblox on her tablet and Minecraft on my phone, so she doesn’t need anything super powerful, but she does need a better space to play. (I tried to add Minecraft to her new PC after it was set up, only to find out that we would need a subscription as well as buying the game itself, so sorry Mojang, but we’re out on that one…)
So, I built two simple but sturdy gaming desks using the same materials I used for ours!
Supplies & Materials
For this build, I kept things simple but functional. Here’s what I used:
1. The Desk Top
(2) Wood Panels (20” x 4’, from Lowe’s)
Router (Optional) – I’ll be rounding out the edges to match our desks, but this step isn’t necessary.
Sandpaper – Medium and fine grit to smooth everything out.
Wood Stain – I used Minwax Gel Stain - Aged Oak for a warm, rich finish.
Top Coat/Sealer – To protect the wood from spills, scratches, and kid-related disasters.
2. The Legs & Support
(2) Sets of Desk Legs – I got these from Amazon. They’re a little pricey, but they match the ones on our desks.
(2) 2x4x8 Boards – Used for creating a sturdy base.
3. Assembly Hardware
Pocket Hole Screws – To secure the base.
L-Brackets – I added four on each side and two in the middle for extra stability.
Spray Paint (Optional) – I had some black spray paint at home and used it to paint the 2x4 supports.
How to Build the Desk
Prep the Wood
(The wood was the exact size that I wanted for their desks, so it didn’t require any cutting. If you would like yours cut and don’t have the materials to do it yourself, Lowes and Home Depot both offer cutting services, though they might not be 100% accurate.)
If you’re rounding the edges with a router, do this first.
Sand the top and edges, starting with medium grit and finishing with fine grit.
Wipe away dust and apply the stain. Let it dry for 24 - 48 hours.
Apply top coat for durability and wait 24 - 48 hours before using.
Build the Base
(Again, if you don’t have the tools for cutting wood, don’t hesitate to ask whoever you are buying from.)
Cut the 2x4x8 boards down to size:
(4) 19.5” pieces (for the legs to attach to)
(2) 38” pieces (for stability)
Use a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig to drill pocket holes on each end of the 38” pieces and attach them to the 19.5” pieces using screws. (If you don’t have a Kreg jig, you don’t have to make pocket holes. You can simply drill screws into the 38” pieces from the 19.5 pieces)
Spray paint the base if desired.
L-Bracket Placement
Attach the Base & Legs
Once the desk top is fully cured, attach the L-brackets to secure the base to the underside of the desk.
Attach the legs to the 19.5” support pieces for added stability.
Final Touches
Flip it over and check that everything is level.
Optionally, add LED lights, a monitor stand, or cable management solutions to keep things neat.
The Finished Product!
Once both desks were built and set up, my kids were beyond excited. They finally have gaming desks that match their needs, and I love that they’re sturdy, stylish, and budget-friendly.
This was such a fun and easy project, and I love how customizable it is—if you’re building your own, you can stain the wood any color, use different legs, or even add shelving for extra storage.
Would you ever build your own desk, or do you prefer buying one ready to go? Let me know in the comments!
Extras & Accessories
While the desk itself is the main focus, I also added a few extras to make the setup more functional and organized:
Storage & Organization
(2) Nightstands – These sit under each desk and have built-in LED lights, outlets, and two drawers for storage. Perfect for keeping gaming gear and accessories organized!
