Simple Live Edge Wood Computer Desk (or... replacing the crappy flat packed computer desk with the 2" hole in it)

After something relatively light fell less than a foot on my cheap Ikea computer desk and put a hole in it, I decided it was time for a proper desk. This was after a handful of beers, a light slip of the hand and a few solid expletives. Armed with some basic measurements, grabbed some fairly cheap live edge wood the next day to get rid of this hollow eye-roll.


Looked at each piece. Selected which two edges I wanted to keep live, which sides are the prettiest like I was a judge on America's Next Top Model, pulled out the table saw (no connection between ANTM and a table saw) and cut some tongues and grooves. The hardest thing about doing this is that no edge is straight because of the live sides so I had to make a clamped on straight line level to go against the rail to make the cuts.



Glued and clamped the 3 pieces together then added two perpendicular wood support rails (several less rails than an ANTM model on a night out) at the ends for more joining support. I really wanted this to be a no screws/nails desk. Mission accomplished. After 5 or 6 layers of poly and 120 to 1000 grit wet sandpapering, the simple, fairly cheap desk was finished. Reused the Ikea legs to be economical then added some eye hooks so I can under-mount my computer. Let the beautiful wood do most of the work if I'm honest!