DIY Counter-Height Desk with Storage

A few years back, we outgrew the room in our house where we were making and processing orders for our Etsy shop, so we built a dedicated workspace in our workshop — roughly 15′ x 18′ and designed specifically for running Desert Pine Designs. One of the first things the space needed was a real desk... The post DIY Counter-Height Desk with Storage appeared first on ADDICTED 2 DIY.

DIY May 29, 2026 0 6 Add to Reading List

A few years back, we outgrew the room in our house where we were making and processing orders for our Etsy shop, so we built a dedicated workspace in our workshop — roughly 15′ x 18′ and designed specifically for running Desert Pine Designs. One of the first things the space needed was a real desk — somewhere to process orders, print labels, and keep a printer and office supplies all in one organized spot. Since we’re on our feet a lot in the shop, I wanted something I could use comfortably whether sitting or standing, so I designed a counter-height desk to do exactly that.

This desk is almost nine years old now and still gets used almost daily in my workshop. That’s the beauty of building quality projects yourself. They are built to last and you can customize them to fit your specific needs.

DIY counter-height desk with open shelving built from pine wood, styled with office supplies and a tablet

Why I Chose a Counter-Height Desk

DIY counter-height desk with open shelving and white laminate top, positioned in front of a workshop window

I partnered with Kreg to design this DIY counter-height desk with storage, and I built it taller than a standard desk on purpose — for a couple of reasons:

To see out the window. I spend a lot of time at this desk, and natural light makes a huge difference.
For comfortable standing access. When you’re on your feet filling orders all day, having a desk at standing height means you can work without constantly sitting down and getting back up.

Close-up of DIY counter-height desk top with galvanized metal organizer, small succulent plant, and tablet with keyboard

If you work from a shop, studio, or creative space, a counter-height desk might be worth considering for your setup too.

About the Free Desk Plans

The free build plans for this counter-height desk with storage are available over at Kreg — just click the link below to download them. The plans are beginner-friendly and walk you through everything you need to cut and assemble the desk.

→ Download the Free Counter-Height Desk Plans

To Paint or Not to Paint?

This desk can be painted or stained to fit the aesthetic in your office or work space. I decided to leave it unfinished as I just didn’t see a need to do anything with the desk. It’s just a personal preference, but there’s no wrong answer here on how you choose to finish or not finish the project.