Looking for a custom desk and homework station that not only your kids will love, but you will too? In other words, a custom desk that is both functional and cosmetically appealing? Then you’ve come to the right place!
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Where it all Began
It all started in 2020. Overnight our children went from public school to homeschool and virtual school in a blink of an eye. Like so many other parents around the world, we struggled to come up with a plan. A tentative schedule, an impromptu desk space, and a prayer… we were ready to go- or so we thought.
As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, anxieties stabilized while new ones grew. Despite the increasing predictability, two stressors remained: 1) the obvious- just how long will our kids be learning from home? and 2) I can’t look at this cluttered, impromptu learning space for one day more!
When our children’s playroom turned into their impromptu classroom, there was little immediate need for aesthetics. We borrowed a small table from my parent’s house and called it good. And good it was… until it wasn’t.
When Things Changed
All too quickly the space was overrun. Papers everywhere, increased fighting sharing a small space for two children, furniture touching other furniture with limited space to maneuver… we were all running out of patience… and FAST!
Our impromptu learning space. The desk we borrowed from my parent’s house.
One kiddo working on the ground due to limited space on the table.
Paperwork and books EVERYWHERE!
We needed a more permanent fix. A workspace where both our children could have room to learn and work without bumping into one another. We needed a place for paper to be stored (out of sight, out of mind), and we needed a place to walk without bumping into unnecessary furniture.
Due to the location of our children’s playroom (off our main family room), we knew we wanted the fix to be aesthetically pleasing. Sure, they wouldn’t be doing virtual school forever (or so we hoped!), but there would ALWAYS be the need for a homework station as they grew. A one stop location in which our girls could return from school and set up shop to work, all while staying close enough to receive assistance and support as needed.
How Our Vision Came to Be
After endless late nights spent scouring Pinterest (is there really any other way to design a space? 😉), it became clear that a custom desk is what was needed in our particular scenario. As beautiful as ready-made desks were… they lacked some key criteria for us: 1) Ability to house two children with enough space, 2) sufficient storage, and 3) fitting snuggly on the allocated wall in the playroom.
After getting my husband on board with the plan (I’ve been known to wake him up the next morning with the phrase, “now hear me out” 😉)… we agreed to move forward with our custom desk and homework station for our girls.
A Bit of a Roadblock
It didn’t take long before we realized we were trading in the anxiety of our cluttered workspace for a new anxiety- determining how to make this space custom. So we reached out to our home builder. As talented as he was/is, his timeline (booking at least six months out) and his proposal cost was far from what we envisioned. We wanted a beautiful custom desk and homework station designed quickly and affordably… not to much to ask for, right? ;).
We were determined we’d have to change plans. Either we’d scratch the whole idea, simplify our design to cut down on budget, or have a go at it ourselves.
We chose the latter!
Were We Qualified?
Now, before you think… okay, I couldn’t possibly build something custom myself… know that you aren’t alone! With VERY limited woodworking experience ourselves (i.e. we put together a few IKEA bookshelves in the past 😉 ), we had one ace up our sleeve- my Dad. Although not a woodworking professional himself, we were blessed to have his knowledge from years of hobby projects around the house. He had the tools, he had the baseline knowledge, and he had the patience and willingness to help us.
In return, we finally had a plan!
Insert yet another late night of scouring the internet and our dream space was truly turning into a possibility.
It’s Really Happening!
A very special thank you to Cabinet Joint for sponsoring this post. As always, I ONLY recommend products that I 100% use and love myself. Rest assured that if I wouldn’t recommend it to my mom, I wouldn’t recommend it to you!
It was at this time that I found Cabinet Joint. “Finely crafted, fully custom RTA cabinetry“. RTA stands for “ready to assemble” and it was EXACTLY what we needed!
This one stop location would allow me to work with a designer to customize a space, then have the cabinetry pre-made and shipped to us for assembly. This was exactly what I had envisioned all along- I just never new it existed! The look of a custom desk and homework station just like had been quoted by our builder, but at a fraction of the cost and sliver of the time!
The very next day I got in touch with Cabinet Joint, and from the minute I did, I haven’t stopped being impressed.
Cabinet Joint creates all cabinets right here in the USA. Using dovetail construction and plywood boxes, they offer custom sizes (to the 1/16″) and configurations at no extra cost. A huge selection of door and finish styles (and paint colors!), all doors and drawers are soft close hinges and glides. Lastly, they offer one-on-one design services so you don’t run the risk of ordering incorrectly.
Cabinet Joint Design Services
With a series of design services available from basic to pro plans (see them all here), I opted for the pro package and was so glad I did.
By opting for this package, I received direct access to a designer (an incredible designer may I add). With free revisions included, I literally sent her my Pinterest photo inspiration and she rendered the most gorgeous drawing. Emailing back and forth we took into account windows, floor boards, ceiling height, door openings, and more.
It was also at this time that we decided to add in a window seat for additional storage and built-in aesthetic. This package also allowed me to simply send my designer pictures of our existing crown molding and cabinet doors and she easily found ones to match perfectly. Lastly, by choosing this package, fees are credited back toward your order, for up to 2% of your order total!
The custom plans that were created for our personal space.
The exact space we had to work with. While it was far from huge, we had very large plans.
Placing Our Order
As the calendar turned from 2020 to 2021 (mind you, it took us months to decide upon the DIY route), we kicked off the new year with a phone call to our Cabinet Joint “cabinet coach”. Our girls were still very much in virtual school and we were as eager as ever to get our custom desk and homework station ordered. Going over the design one final time, the order was placed (at a fraction of the cost we once thought we’d be spending- Cabinet Joint is on average 50% LESS than big box stores and customers regularly save $10,000 or more over other kitchen cabinet quotes)!
It’s Go Time!
A few short weeks later, I received a call that our cabinets were finished and would be delivered on four large pallets. As the FedEx semi-truck rolled up to our house I must admit there was a part of me that thought, “What did I get myself into?!, I’m far from Joanna Gaines.“. But there was no turning back, so we were going to fake it until we make it (spoiler alert, we made it)!
Two days later as the weekend arrived, it was go time!
Prepped and ready to go, my Dad had tools laid out, plans taped up, packages sorted, videos watched, and even gear for our littlest helpers who couldn’t have been more excited for the final reveal! Did I mention we got SO lucky having my Dad for this project?!
During the ordering process I made sure to take notes from the phone call with our “cabinet coach”.
We then referred back to these throughout the build.
Dressed the part and ready to help!
Luckily we lasted a bit longer than they did ;).
Tutorial Videos
Speaking of videos… Cabinet Joint offers a HUGE library of videos and tutorials that walk you through every single step of the way!
Our makeshift work station so we could watch the videos while we worked.
That said, they far from leave you to figure it out on your own if stumped. After confusion set in three hours into our construction, I simply placed a phone call to my “cabinet coach” and received a call back within the hour! With step-by-step directions we were back on the course and powering through!
The nail gun was my favorite part by far!
My Dad installing the slow close aspects of the drawers.
The quality is truly amazing!
Our Vision Came to Life!
The very next day it was time for installation! Once again the video provided by Cabinet Joint walked us through everything. From how to hang cabinet drawers, how to attach drawer faces and hardware, how to adjust slow-close drawers, etc.
Old desk workspace still in place until the entire project was complete!
As the pieces came together, so did our vision… one that was MANY months in the making!
Over the next week we completed the finishing touches. We designed and installed shelving between the upper cabinets.
Here we opted to build shelving in the middle for more storage and for decorative features.
We drilled holes for electrical power grommets (we envision computers going here one day).
I think this was the scariest part for me. Drilling the holes in the tabletop for the grommets.
I was so nervous we’d mess up, but it went flawlessly!
We added decorations and lighting (all linked below).
Shop the Look!
Decorative shelving. This where I plan to store their school pictures each year.
We opted to do tabletop lighting features as opposed to having to hire an electrician to move outlets around.
I love these lights. They come with an extra USB port built-in and allow each kiddo to have their own.
We found the perfect chairs (we opted to make the desks standard adult height so the girls wouldn’t outgrow them. In order to make chair height effective for them at their current age, I found chair pads to raise the height).
We opted for 19 inch height chairs and bought pads for extra height for the girls.
And we organized the drawers and shelves, while also adding glass protectors for the writing spaces, and fun pulls and knobs!
The Final Reveal!
After months and months of planning… the space was COMPLETE and we couldn’t be more excited!
Coming off our family room… it was important that the entire built-in unit flowed from one room to the next.
We even finished off the opposite side of the room for reading and playtime.
Reflecting on Our Journey
Opting to go the custom desk and installation route for our homework station brought us zero regrets. Not only did we complete the project in record time, not only did we save a ton of money, but we also have the incredible pride of knowing we did it ourselves!
While there may be many aspects of 2020 and possibly 2021 that we will someday be just fine forgetting, this custom desk and homework station will most definitely NOT be one of them! Specifically the first time we saw the girls at their desk space!
After speaking with Cabinet Joint they have very generously offered a discount code for anyone else who may be interested in creating their own custom desk or custom space (including kitchens and more). Simply direct message me via Instagram and I’ll happily send it your way!
A very special thank you to both Cabinet Joint (and my Dad) for making our custom desk and homework station dream a reality!
Shop the Room!
