How to Make a Desk from an Old Door

Old doors can be reused for a number of home improvement projects, including headboards for beds and dividers in a room. Here’s how you can convert an old door into a writing or computer desk complete with bookshelves and coat rack.

    Patch holes in door.       Attach brackets.             Attach base.

Desk Materials List:

We used a 30” wide door, but you can make the desk from whatever width door is available. If you don’t have a leftover door, you can buy a used one at a salvage yard or reuse store.

• 1 – 30” door
• 1 – 18” x 30” cabinet grade plywood (desktop)
• 2 – 7” x 30” cabinet grade plywood (bookshelves)
• 2 – 2” x 6” x 24” lumber (support feet)
• 2 – 9” x 11” premade wood brackets (desktop supports)
• 4 – 5” x 7” premade wood brackets (bookshelf supports)
• Coarse, medium, and fine grit sandpaper
• Auto body filler
• Primer and paint

Making a Desk from a Door:

1. Remove old hinges and lockset from door.
2. Fill hinge mortises and lockset holes with auto body filler.
3. Hand plane the filler flush with the door.
4. Sand the door smooth (wear respirator approved for lead paint and sand outside to prevent lead contamination).
5. Cut the desktop and shelves to size.
6. Rout a pattern on the bottom of three sides of the desktop and shelves.
7. Attach shelf brackets to the bottom of the desktop and shelves.
8. Attach desktop and shelves to door using glue, nails, and screws.
9. Cut support feet to length and round corners and edges
10. Attach support feet to door edges with nails and screws.
11. If desired, attach a coat rack or hooks to the back of door.