Simple Small Trestle Desk

Drill 1-1/2" pocket holes in the tops of all four legs and attach a pair to each 2x6 apron with 2-1/2" pocket screws and glue — legs splaying OUTWARD, both the same amount.

Cut all four legs at one saw setting and the trestles come out as twins. Stand both on a flat surface side by side: same footprint, same lean, no rock. Fix any disagreement now.

Edge-join the four 2x6 planks with 1-1/2" pocket holes and 2-1/2" screws, clamping each seam flat as you drive — a stepped seam on a writing desk gets noticed by every pen stroke.

Flip the top face-down, position the trestles, and screw up through the apron pocket holes into the top. Prefer a smooth surface? A premade panel, acrylic sheet, or desk mat over the planks all work — the base doesn't care.

Fit the two 10°-cut 2x4 braces low between the trestles with pocket holes — the angled ends land flat against the splayed legs. This low rail is the anti-rack structure for the whole desk (and where your feet will live).

Sand everything, flatten the top seams, round the front edge where wrists rest, and finish. Small desk, honest joinery, done by dinner.