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Here are some great tutorials for making your own DIY campaign desk to help get you started on your next project.
Campaign desks were used by military officers, and their key features were their minimalist but functional look. They had a few drawers to store documents, and they were foldable.
Other elements of campaign-style furniture may feature drawers and corners reinforced with metal brackets.
Modern campaign desks are more about that look rather than function. They have the iconic minimalist design, the x-base legs, but they are rarely foldable.
With a little bit of woodworking knowledge and some basic tools, you can build yourself a campaign desk following one of these DIY tutorials. These tutorials provide step-by-step instructions and tips to help you complete the project.
The end result is a sturdy and stylish homemade desk that will last for years.
DIY Campaign Desk Plans
Tutorial: thedesignconfidential.com
Expected cost: This project will cost around $100 to complete
Materials:
- wood
- saw
- hammer
- nails
- paint
This project is a bit more difficult than some of the others on this site, but it is still doable for most people. It will take some time to complete, but the end result is worth it.
You will need to have some basic woodworking skills and knowledge to complete this project successfully.
How to Build a Campaign Style Desk
Tutorial: dorseydesigns.com
Expected cost: $200
Materials:
- 1×8 pine boards
- 1×4 pine boards
- 1×2 pine boards
- 1×10 pine boards
- 1×12 pine boards
- 2×4 pine boards
- Plywood
- Wood glue
- Nails
- Screws
- Paint or stain
- Sealer
This project is a bit more difficult than your average weekend project, but it is still doable if you have some basic woodworking skills. It will take some time to cut and assemble the pieces, but the end result is a sturdy and stylish desk that will last for years.
Tutorial: allthingsslim.com
Materials:
- 1×4 lumber
- 1×6 lumber
- Plywood
- Spray gun
- Paint
- Stain
- Sealer
This project is a tutorial on how to make a campaign desk. It is a relatively easy project that only requires some basic woodworking skills and knowledge of how to use a spray gun.
Tutorial: instructables.com
Expected cost: $50
Materials:
- 1/2″ plywood
- 1×2 lumber
- 1×4 lumber
- 1×6 lumber
- 2″ screws
- 1 1/4″ screws
- wood glue
- stain or paint (optional)
This project is a modern take on the campaign desk, which is a nomadic writing table that was popularized by officers of the British Empire in the 1800s. The desk is designed to be portable and simple, and it features offset legs that allow the finished units to nestle neatly together.
The project requires basic woodworking skills and tools, and it can be completed for about $50.
Tutorial: justsomethingiwhippedup.com
Expected cost: $50
Materials:
- Dremel
- Drill
- Drill bit set
This project is a bit more difficult than some of the others on this list, but it is still doable for most people. It involves using a Dremel to route out spots for hardware, so it requires some concentration.
It also requires a drill and drill bit set.
Tutorial: krystineedwards.com
Expected cost: $100
Materials:
- Paint
- Wax
- Brass polish
- Cloth
This project is a simple but time-consuming makeover of a campaign desk. It requires painting, waxing, and buffing the desk, as well as cleaning and polishing the brass hardware.
Tutorial: whatsurhomestory.com
Materials:
- Old desk
- Paint
This project is about painting an old desk you’d find in a thrift store to give it an amazing look. A desk like this will do wonders to your decor.
Tutorial: instructables.com
Expected cost: $200
Materials:
- Tape measure
- Circular saw
- Miter saw
- Router
- Pocket hole jig
- Biscuit joiner
- Sandpaper
- Stiles
- Construction adhesive
- Cordless drill
- 1 inch hole saw
- Paintbrush
- Semigloss oil based paint
This project is a bit more difficult than the average desk build, but it is still doable for most people with some woodworking experience. It requires cutting at 13 degree angles, which can be tricky, and assembling the desk with pocket hole screws and biscuits.
The drawers are also deep at 30 inches, so you will need a router to make them. Finally, the desk needs to be primed and painted with semigloss oil based paint.
Tutorial: hometalk.com
Expected cost: $50
Materials:
- Cardboard boxes
- Plywood
- Cabinet hardware
- Paint or stain
- Wood glue
- Cordless drill
- 1/8″ drill bit
- Circular saw
- Jigsaw
- Tape measure
- Square
- Level
- Scissors
- Sandpaper
This project is a great way to add some extra storage to your home without spending a lot of money. It is a simple project that anyone can do with just a few supplies and some basic woodworking skills.
The most difficult part of this project is cutting the cardboard boxes to fit into the cabinet, but other than that it is a very easy project.
Tutorial: hometalk.com
Expected cost: $20-$30
Materials:
- 1/2 inch plywood
- 1×2 lumber
- 1×4 lumber
- Screws
- Nails
- Wood glue
- Saw
This project is a great way to add some extra storage to your home without spending a lot of money. It is a simple project that can be completed in a few hours and only requires basic tools and materials.
The most difficult part of this project is cutting the wood to size, but if you have access to a saw, it should not be too difficult.
Recap
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