DIY desk hutch modification

Do you know what a desk hutch is? Well, as far as I know it’s a desk with a top on it. But this desk was too deep so I decided to cut it down.

Over the summer my friend Leann found these wonderful pieces set out to the garbage. Being the good friend that she is, she scooped them up for me and even stored them in her garage until I could get them from her.

Now it’s turned cold—too cold to paint, but not too cold to do a little demolition on a desk! Sure, I could paint it and sell it, but that’s no fun. I LOVE cutting up furniture and giving it a new look.

DIY Desk Hutch Modification

aka How to cut down a desk so it’s not so deep

After some careful measuring and preparation, I got right to work with my circular saw. I LOVE this little baby. Big circular saws scare me, but this little baby is so easy to handle.

Cut Desk Hutch with Saw

I had to use my reciprocating saw to make my way around the bottom. The preparation consisted of removing any screws and hardware that would be coming in contact with the saw blades.

You can see that I’ve worked my way around (mostly) the entire desk. the only part that is currently holding it together is the top right—just barely hanging on until I take the reciprocating saw to it.

Now, it’s in two sections.

Reattach Original Feet

I removed the feet off of the back portion that I cut off and ready the desk for adding the feet back on. Then, I drilled a hole, added some Gorilla Wood Glue and screwed the feet back on.

Add Shelves

I ripped the original shelf in order to make 2 new shelves, using some scrap wood for cleats.

You can also see the new feet that I just added.

This desk was the perfect piece to saw in half because there was a shelf here and no drawers. I removed the one drawer over the knee hole and saved it for another project someday.

Here is the new desk with the backs replaced and the new shelves. The wooden piece in the back of the knee hole is a brace to make sure the desk is secure and stays squared.

In this picture you can see the difference in the depth of the desk—before and after.

I was thinking this piece might be great for a busy kitchen as a charging station or for an entry way as a console table. I added more shelving where the knee hole was.

A Happy Coincidence!

But then…. as the day was coming to a close I put this piece onto a furniture dolly to move it into the garage…..

….and I spotted the hutch top. I measured the “new” desk and realized that the hutch would actually fit perfectly on top.

This is how it is currently. Since I don’t need this piece, I wanted to ask what you think about how I should finish it off. I will be selling it, and I want to “purpose” it so that it will find a good home.

Do you have thoughts about how you would use it? I’m thinking maybe I should modify the hutch somehow?

Do you see it in a kitchen? How about one of those closet offices? Should I leave out the shelves in the knee hole, so it can be used as a desk for a laptop?

ohhh, and how about a color? I was thinking about the new Pantone color of the year, Marsala.

I can’t wait to hear your suggestions. Y’all never disappoint!

Please leave me thoughts below in a comment or on Facebook.

It’s been completed! See how I finished this project off to be a kitchen hutch buffet! It offers so much storage, but the footprint is not very deep!

I’m so glad it’s done!

gail