DIY Desk for Small Spaces: The Rolling Waterfall Desk We Designed

When the idea for Date Nite came to me, something else clicked: I finally saw how to create the office space I’d been needing.

When I moved to Knoxville to be with Kevin, I didn’t have space for both a guest room and a desk. At the time, the guest room won out, partly because a desk didn’t feel like a top priority yet, and partly because I imagined friends coming down from Asheville and wanting a comfortable place to stay.

For a long time, I made it work. But when the idea for Date Nite came to me, and I suddenly needed a creative space of my own, and the perfect solution appeared. Funny how that works, right? When the student is ready, the teacher (or in this case, the desk) appears.

The Vision: Small Space Meets Smart Design

We decided to build a modern waterfall-style desk out of birch butcher block. It's 15 inches deep, sleek, seamless, and on castor wheels so it can roll over the foot of our full-size bed when not in use.

This isn’t a forever desk, but it’s is a forever piece of furniture. It’s a right-now solution, perfectly suited to this season of creativity and small-space living. One day it will likely move to another home with a new use, but for now, it’s my workspace, and it is deeply cherished and loved.

How We Built It (Well, How Kevin & Colin Built It)

Kevin and our friend Colin brought the vision to life, and they nailed every single detail. I provided the direction and design intention, and they did all the measuring, cutting, assembling, and fine-tuning. And it’s gorgeous!

Here’s what we used and how it came together:

Materials:

• One slab of birch butcher block (30” x 60”)

• Wood glue and heavy-duty corner brackets

• Wood filler/putty

• Sandpaper

• Two blended wood stains (to match our mid-century bedroom furniture)

• Furniture-grade castor wheels (two locking, two standard)

Construction Notes:

• We cut the butcher block in half: one piece became the 60” desk surface, the other became the two 30” legs.

• The guys did mitered cuts for the joints and secured them with hidden corner brackets underneath.

• They also sank the screws below the surface, then filled the holes with wood filler and sanded everything smooth. The result? A completely seamless waterfall edge.

• I stained the desk using two custom-mixed stains to blend with the mid-century furniture already in the room.

We designed it to roll over the foot of a full-size bed, so measuring was everything. Our desk sits just a few inches above the mattress and is slightly lower than standard desk height (by design). We didn’t want it to tower awkwardly above the bed when rolled into place.

If you’re planning to build one yourself, I highly recommend measuring your bed—width and height—before cutting or assembling. And be sure to include the height of the castors.

A Quick Price Comparison (Because, WOW)

Once I had the idea, I looked online just out of curiosity. I found a similar waterfall-style table (no wheels) priced at $1,400, not including tax or shipping. We built ours for around $375–$400 total, including all materials, brackets, wheels, and stain.

Honestly, the custom version is not only better suited to our space, but infinitely more meaningful and satisfying to use. And worth every penny.

The Inspiration Desk Online

How I Store My Supplies (No Drawers, No Problem)

The desk has a clean, minimalist look, which means no drawers. To keep it functional, I’ve set up a few easy systems:

• I use a dresser drawer in the bedroom to store larger office supplies.

• I also have a hook on the wall where I hang a tote bag. That tote holds my notebooks, calendars, and anything else I like to reach for while working.

  
  

It’s simple, clean, and keeps the energy of the space feeling open, not cluttered.

Why This DIY Desk for Small Spaces Works So Well

This desk lives in our guest bedroom, and I use it nearly every day. I lose track of time when I sit at it. It’s the kind of space that invites focus, flow, and inspiration.

And beyond the function, it’s the little details I love most. The seamless edges, the way the stain catches the light, the hidden wheels, and the clean design. It’s not just a place to sit and work, it’s a reminder that creativity thrives when we give it the right container.

For Creatives & Small-Space Dwellers

If you’re short on space but big on ideas, I hope this inspires you. You don’t need a spare room or massive setup to make space for what matters. Sometimes, all it takes is a good idea, a single slab of wood, and a willingness to build something just right for you.

Want to Build Your Own? Download Our Free Step-by-Step Guide

If you’d like a printable version with everything in one place, materials, steps, and a few extra details, we’d love to share it with you. Just click here for an instant download.

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Hi, We’re Kevin and Kate—husband and wife, cocktail and kitchen lover, resident builder-of-all-the-things and creative director. We started Date Nite with Kevin & Kate as a way to make staying in feel like something special. Each week, we share an easy, elevated dinner and cocktail menu designed to bring connection (and great food) to your table.

Visit us on Instagram @skateplate—it’s where we share our life, love story, and what’s cooking next.

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