This project was built and designed by Alex from Bevelish Creations. It’s a solid walnut desk organizer that blends mid-century modern style with practical woodworking techniques perfect for both beginners and advanced builders.
Though compact in size, the organizer offers a chance to practice essential joinery and precision work. From routing custom trays to fitting knife hinges and building drawers, this project packs a full range of cabinetmaking skills into a small, stylish footprint.
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A Thoughtful and Functional Design
The organizer features clean lines, angled details, and practical compartments for everyday desk essentials. Each element of the design—drawers, top tray, and door—has been carefully planned for both usability and aesthetics.
Built entirely from solid walnut, the piece showcases the richness of the wood while maintaining a sleek profile. The design includes storage for pens, notepads, and small office items, along with a small case that incorporates drawers and a hinged door.
Milling and Material Prep
Alex begins by milling the rough walnut stock to final dimensions. Using a jointer and planer, he ensures all parts are square and flat before cutting panels to size.
Some components require edge-gluing boards together due to the limited width of the original stock. This step is done carefully to maintain grain continuity and keep the final piece visually cohesive.
To account for movement, he mills pieces as close to final assembly as possible. This keeps dimensions consistent and reduces the risk of components shifting out of square during glue-up.
Building the Top Tray and Pencil Holder
One of the standout features is the angled tray that sits at the top of the organizer. It includes routed pockets created using a router and MDF template. Before routing, most of the waste is removed with a Forstner bit to reduce router strain.
The entire tray is tilted slightly forward to improve visibility and access. A tenoning jig and careful blade adjustments help set the proper slope for the piece.
A pencil holder is added on top, built with beveled dividers to match the tray’s angle. Dados are cut to hold each divider in place, and holes are drilled into one section for vertical pen storage. The holder is glued up and attached to the tray as a single unit.
Constructing the Case
The main case is assembled from panels glued and milled to size. Side panels are cut with stopped dados to accept interior partitions and tray supports, using a router table with stop blocks for control.
Rabbet joints are added to the rear of the side panels to hold the back panel. A dry fit is done at every step to ensure components align properly before glue is applied.
The bottom panel and vertical partitions are added after fitting the tray, locking the entire structure into place. Alex uses minimal hardware during this stage to keep everything clean and focused on traditional joinery.
Knife Hinges and Door Joinery
The small hinged door is one of the more advanced sections of the build. Knife hinges are mortised into the frame using a guide bushing and jig to ensure tight, accurate fitting.
Sliding dovetail battens are installed on the door’s backside. This joint holds the panel flat while allowing seasonal movement—a traditional furniture technique that works well in smaller builds.
A ball catch is installed to keep the door closed. To get the depth right, Alex uses a thread-and-floss method to test fit before setting anything permanently in place.
Drawer Build and Hardware Fitting
Each drawer is constructed from the same walnut stock and joined with rabbets and dados. Drawer bottoms are rabbeted to allow for seasonal wood movement and attached with screws rather than glue.
Drawer pulls are installed using drilled holes for a clean fit without adhesive. Each drawer is pre-sanded and finished separately before being installed in the final assembly.
The drawers match the overall design in tone and detail, with smooth sides and flush fronts that blend into the case.
Finishing and Final Assembly
Before final assembly, the top tray is finished to make it easier to reach tight corners later on. Once the full case is glued and clamped, it’s sanded and given a clear finish that enhances the walnut’s natural figure.
Back panels are built using a shiplap joint to allow expansion and contraction. These are nailed into place and trimmed to match the angled top slope of the case.
The finished piece is compact but visually striking—perfect for a desktop, entryway, or craft station. It brings together careful craftsmanship, smart material handling, and timeless design.
Why This Project Stands Out
This desk organizer teaches valuable techniques used in larger cabinet projects, including accurate milling, template routing, sliding dovetails, and hinge installation. It’s a low-material build with high-value skills packed into every step.
Alex’s methodical approach and attention to small details offer a clear path for woodworkers looking to level up their craft. The solid walnut build and mid-century modern aesthetic elevate the project beyond basic storage into functional art.
Learn more about this project here: https://www.bevelishcreations.com/projects/desk-organizer/.