Whiteboard Desk

This instructable will show you how to take a tall, narrow Ikea bookshelf, plywood and a sheet of whiteboard and make a stylish multi-functional project desk. We use it as a computer desk, scrapbooking area and a place to sketch or leave notes with a dry erase marker. The whiteboard material will stain (a red candle sat on it for awhile and stained it even though it wasn't burning), so keep that in mind. This one is 6.5' long and 2.5' wide. I think it cost about $25 for everything except the shelf.

You'll need:
Supplies -
Plywood (at least 1/2")
Whiteboard (cut to the same size as your plywood)
Donor shelf (mine was Ikea, but I think any tall/narrow shelf would work)
1" Wood screws
Liquid Nails (or similar heavy duty adhesive, and 1 tube is probably enough)

Tools -
Circular saw
Cordless drill
Caulk Gun

Step 1 One shelf becomes two

We started with a 6+ foot tall bookshelf that we no longer used. It was the perfect size to become the legs/shelves for the desk. Plus, the red color kept the desk from looking too homemade. I used a circular saw to cut it in roughly in half. In the process I discovered that the core of the "boards" was hollow with cardboard bracing. Benefit - lightweight. Drawback - fewer places for attaching screws.

Comments

[ArtsyFartsyGirl]

The color combo really does make it look "factory made"!

[sindean]

Just a tip: in the lumber section at your home improvement store, there is a 4'x8' sheet of melamine material. Exact same as whiteboard, but in a massive sheet for about $15. We put two of them in our kitchen and covered one entire wall and used it as the "draw wall". Just food for thought.

[axia]

Is the whiteboard surface mouse friendly? I hate mousepads...

[swaweet]

I believe so. However, the whiteboard surface may show wear marks from the mouse.

[jsimmy]

A tip for all whiteboard/LCD TV owners: if you do happen to get Sharpie-esque permanent marker on your whiteboard or flatscreen, completely and liberally cover over the permanent marker with a dry erase marker. Give it a second and then erase with an dry-erase eraser or a cotton cloth and both the permanent and dry-erase ink should come right off. This has saved my 6 year old's bacon several times.

[Tagarashi]

Make sure this desk is absolutely sharpie free.....

(yea yea ya .. I know from experienced)

[Nyxi]

you could also cut a hole through both layers of the desktop and cover it with those little plastic desk grommet covers, maybe a red one, for a more finished look and easy wire access.:)

[Tdburn]

I love the idea of using the whiteboard to create the smooth surface! We need another work desk in our office and a solution like this will be really nice.