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A desktop secretary hutch with a bank of little drawers, a shelf, and a flip-down writing desk on hinges — the classic organized workspace, built to sit on a base cabinet.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom Or a 1x20-equivalent board. | 1 | 3/4" × 15 1/4" × 46 1/2" | 3/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Sides | 2 | 3/4" × 15 1/4" × 12 3/4" | 3/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Top | 1 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 48" | 1x12 | ☐ |
| Back | 1 | 1/4" × 13 1/2" × 48" | 1/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Cubby shelves | 8 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 10 3/4" | 1x12 | ☐ |
| Cubby sides | 4 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 12" | 1x12 | ☐ |
| Drawer sides and fronts | 18 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 10 1/2" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Drawer backs | 6 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 9" | 1x3 | ☐ |
| Drawer bottoms | 6 | 1/4" × 10 1/2" × 11 1/4" | 1/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Center shelf Measure the gap and cut to fit. | 1 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 22" | 1x12 | ☐ |
| Flip-down desktop | 1 | 3/4" × 14" × 48" | 3/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1x12 board, 8 ft (Pine) Top and shelf. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x12 board, 10 ft (Pine) Sides and shelves. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x3 board, 8 ft (Pine) Drawer boxes. | 3 each | ☐ |
| 3/4" plywood or MDF Bottom and the hinge-out desktop. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1/4" plywood Back and drawer bottoms. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 3/4" moulding, 8 ft Edge trim. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Low-profile hinges and desk stays For the flip-down desk — stays keep it from dropping. | 1 set | ☐ |
| Screws and finish nails, 1-1/4" and 2" | 60 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue and filler | 8 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Circular Saw, Drill / Driver, Speed Square. Materials: 1x12 board, 8 ft, 1x12 board, 10 ft, 3/4" plywood or MDF, Screws and finish nails, 1-1/4" and 2", Wood glue and filler
The base is a 46-1/2" board or plywood cut to size. Cut the sides — 1x12s vary in width, so measure yours and adjust the cuts to match. Add the top with screws and glue since it isn't fully face-framed, and adjust for square.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: 1/4" plywood, Screws and finish nails, 1-1/4" and 2", Wood glue and filler
Tack the 1/4" back onto the SQUARE hutch with finish nails and glue (or short screws). The back is what holds the box square, so confirm square first.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x3 board, 8 ft, 1/4" plywood, Screws and finish nails, 1-1/4" and 2"
Make six little drawers — simple 1x3 boxes (finish nails and glue are fine) with 1/4" plywood tacked to the bottom. Build them to fit their openings.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Circular Saw, Drill Bit Set. Materials: 1x12 board, 8 ft, 3/4" moulding, 8 ft, Screws and finish nails, 1-1/4" and 2", Wood glue and filler
Insert the drawer sections and measure the gap for the shelf (about 22"), cutting to fit. Make it fixed or drill for shelf pins. Then cut the edge moulding to fit and nail and glue it down, mitering the corners at 45°.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Level, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: 3/4" plywood or MDF, Low-profile hinges and desk stays, Wood glue and filler
Attach the flip-down desktop to the desk interior with low-profile hinges, and add hinge supports (stays) so it holds level when open instead of dropping. On assembly, screw the hutch to its base — a loaded flip-down top can tip the hutch forward, so it must be anchored (and screw down any top hutch too). Fill, sand, and finish.