Got some scrap wood lying around? Here is a super easy DIY desk organizer project that you can do in a day. This can be an excellent addition to your work desk or also a great personal gift for someone. The best part of the design is its versatility. It allows you to keep phone, tablet, notebook, sticky notes, pens, pencils etc.. and even a tiny plant! 🙂
Materials Used
- 1″ x 4″ x 2′ wood plank
- 3/4″ x 1/2″ wood beading
- Paint of your choice
- Clear Polyurethane
- Wood Glue
- Wood filler
- Fake Succulent plant + stones
Tools
- Jig saw
- Clamps
- Power drill + 1.5″ dia hole saw
- Wood boring spade bit – 3/8 & 3/4
- Sanding block
- Paint brushes + Painter’s tape
- Measuring Tape
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DIY Desk Organizer with scrap wood
Step – 1 : Cut the wood
Cut 4″ wide wood into a 12″ and a 8.5″ piece. The 12 inch cut will be used as the bottom tier and the other one as the top tier. Initially, I planned to have three tiers but then changed my mind as two seemed to be more than enough. Next, cut top tier wood into 2.5″ width. Then leave 2.5″ from left and make a cut at 30 deg angle. For the next cut we actually need a 3/4″ x 1/2″ wood beading. Since I only had a 1/4″x 1/2″ wood beading, I cut them into 3 pieces of 12 inch length and glued together to make it into 3/4 x 1/2″.
Clamp the top tier wood (only the longer piece) and make a 1.5″ diameter hole for the plant.
Step – 2 : Assemble and Glue
Now, put them together and apply wood glue on both sides. Clamp them and wipe off the bleeding glue.
Use wood boring spade bit 3/8″ for pencil/pen, 3/4″ for marker and drill niches 3/4″ to 1″ deep. You could also measure the diameter of your pen, pencil and choose the bit accordingly.
Sand to smooth the edges. You could also round all the edges if you like that style.
Step – 3 : Wood filling & sanding (optional)
Correct the uneven cuts and splinters with wood filler. After filler dries, sand it before painting/finishing. As you can see, I din’t do a great job at this. 😝 But everything is a learning process, isn’t it?
Step – 4 : Paint & Personalize
You can play around with colors and personalize it however you like. I wanted to leave light wood as it is and highlight with popping yellow and red colors. Also had to cover up the flaws from wood filling. Finally, finish with clear PU coat.
Add bumpers beneath to avoid scratching your table top.
Time to add stone and plant (fake succulent). Use hot glue to stick the plant to the bottom and then add stones around it. This desk organizer with a little plant looks so cool. Do you know that having plants around helps psychologically. It lowers stress and tends to give a soothing feel.
Here is the final product!
With this desk organizer, there are number of possibilities to arrange your stuff. The rear slot is wide & strong enough to hold a small notebook or phone or Tablet. It can also mount your business card on one side and a phone on the other. I made the center niche area wide enough to hold Naveen’s headset case. If you can add a small magnet there, you can use it to hold paper clips & pins. Or just use to keep sticky notes.
Here is another project using scrap wood. Pin it if you like!
