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Desktop with Storage Compartments

A flat desktop with two hinged side panels that flip up to reveal hidden storage, built from project-panel plywood on simple 1x3 frames.

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L	Material	✓
Frame short pieces	4	3/4" × 2 1/2" × 13 1/2"	Pine	☐
Frame long pieces	4	3/4" × 2 1/2" × 21 1/2"	Pine	☐
Bottom panel, full	1	1/2" × 24" × 48"	Project panel plywood	☐
Top panel, center	1	1/2" × 24" × 21"	Project panel plywood	☐
Top panels, sides	2	1/2" × 24" × 13 1/2"	Project panel plywood	☐

Item	Qty	✓
Project panel plywood, 1/2", 24" x 48" 3/4" works too, but adds 1/2" to the finished desktop thickness.	2 each	☐
Pine, 1x3, 8 ft	2 each	☐
Butt hinges	2 set	☐
Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4"	1 box	☐
Wood glue	2 oz	☐

Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.

1. Build the two storage frames
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: Pine, 1x3, 8 ft, Wood glue
Build two identical frames from the 1x3 pieces using pocket holes and glue, sized to fit under the two hinged top panels.
2. Attach the frames to the bottom panel
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: Project panel plywood, 1/2", 24" x 48"
Attach the two frames to the bottom plywood panel, set in 1/2" from the edge. A scrap of 1/2"-thick plywood makes a reliable spacer — run it along the edge as you position each frame instead of eyeballing the setback.
3. Cut and attach the top panels
Tools: Circular Saw, Drill / Driver. Materials: Project panel plywood, 1/2", 24" x 48", Butt hinges
Cut the top panel into three pieces — one fixed center piece and two side pieces. Attach the center piece on top of the two 1x3 frames; this is also a good place to add extra 1x3 supports underneath to create a back or middle divider (a power strip with a 1x3 cable-pass divider turns this into a charging area). Hinge the two side panels on with the butt hinges, oriented so the hinge pin sits out the back when the panels are closed.