2/8/2026 Note: I originally posted this blog on LumberJocks back in April 2017. I m re-posting it here so I can eventually remove it from there.
When I started working on the desk, we weren't sure if we were going to place it out in the room (with its back visible) or against a wall. Ultimately, we decided on wall placement, and that led me to an addition: a small shelf tucked under the bottom rear of the desk to hold our cable modem and wireless router.
The shelf is simple. It's basically an 18" long by 8" wide by 3" high box with an open back and ventilation slots on the front and sides. The actual shelf is 1/4" luan with additional ventilation slots.
I don t have photos, but I drilled deep counterbores through the bottom edges of the frame so I could screw the shelf to the bottom of the desk. If I were to do this again, I d make it easier to remove (without tools) so I could access the router and modem more easily.
Here are the sides.
Here's the bottom.
Here it is, ready to finish.
Due to its low profile and narrow width, it's not visible from normal viewing angles. Here it is on the finished desk.
At this point, the desk is finally done. Thank you for reading!
The finished wood looks awesome and you kicked the wire management issue in the butt!
Good work on the mitered ends, never easy to do when you have feet of corner versus inches like a picture frame.
The legs certainly have an industrial look, but really tie into the tops design. Great for a desk since you get sturdy without taking a lot of leg space away.
Only thing I would change is adding 2-3X more space, never have enough.
Yeah, storage space wasn’t a priority for this desk. It’s more of a writing desk sort of thing. We have a ladder bookcase with a file folder drawer on the bottom. It takes care of the additional storage needs. It’s also in the same room as that big floating shelf unit I made.
It was definitely worth it. We’ve used it most days over the past nine years, and it has held up well. The gaps around the drawers aren’t as even as they used to be, but I’ve been too lazy to tweak them. The mitered corners never opened up, which I’m most happy about.
Another great walk down memory lane. I'm especially drawn to the cable management you incorporated. I love getting that necessary nastiness out of view.
