Reimagining Empty Space with a Built-In Desk & Floating Shelves

When we first moved into our house, there was a corner in our living room that was just an empty space. I decided we could get the best use out of that space by turning it into a built-in desk/command center. Here’s how I did it!

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Supplies:

Shiplap Wall:

• Pre-Made Shiplap
• Battery-Operated Nailer
• Jigsaw
• Spackle
• Sandpaper
• Caulk
• Caulk Gun
• Painter’s Tape
• Your Choice of Paint (I went with Vine Leaf by Behr)

Built-In Desk:

• 2x4s
• 3-Inch Screws
• Desk Leg
• Plywood
• Miter Saw
• Sandpaper
• Wood Conditioner
• Stain
• Polyurethane Top Coat

Floating Shelves:

• 1x2s
• Sandpaper
• Wood Conditioner
• Stain
• Polyurethane Top Coat

Before

Step #1: Install Shiplap

I love the look of shiplap and the extra character and texture it gives a room. You can find pre-made shiplap at Lowe’s or Home Depot. In my opinion, it’s well worth the extra cost to get the pre-made and pre-primed shiplap. I installed it on the wall using a battery-operated brad nailer.

There were a few tricky cuts, which I needed a jigsaw for. This is the one I have and love!

Measuring where the shiplap would go.

Next, I filled in all the nail holes with spackle, then sanded and caulked around the edges. Watch the video below for the realities of being a DIYer with little kids around!

After the shiplap was up, I taped everything off and painted the wall “Vine Leaf” by Behr. That being said, do yourself a favor and paint the sides of the shiplap before you install them. You will save yourself a LOT of time!

Step #2: Make the Built-In Desk

The next step was building the desk. I used 2x4s and created a rectangular box in the size I wanted the desk to be. Inside the “box,” I added supports (like ladder rungs). I mounted the frame for the desk to the shiplap wall using 3″ screws, which I screwed into the studs. One of the corners of the desk needed additional support, so I added a desk leg to that corner.

For the desk top, I cut a piece of plywood to size and mitered the edges. Then I added front pieces to the desk and also mitered them. When assembled, the mitered corners made the desk look seamless.

Lastly, I sanded the wood with 220-grit sandpaper and added wood conditioner, stain, and a polyurethane top coat.

Step #3: Build the Floating Shelves Above the Built-In Desk

Since we’re maximizing this space, I also wanted to add some floating shelves for additional storage and decor. I used 1x2s as supports and created a hollow box to slide over the supports.

Finally, I sanded, conditioned, stained, and added a top coat using the same materials as I did for the built-in desk.

And with that, this awkward space is now functional and beautiful!

It was a bit of a process, but in the end it was worth it. We use this space all the time!