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An easy home office station for storage, security, utility and display.
The project
So back in 2019 we had just returned from the United States, shortly after my beloved dog Lady passed away. As someone who suffers massively from Anxiety and Depression, I was incredibly low. My psych suggested doing a project to ease my mind, and thus I started work on this.
We already had display shelves and a desk unit installed by my father, which houses the security cameras and stores books, DVDs and other doodads, but I wanted something to store office supplies and contain things like my Camera and other work-related items.
(Note - Given the current climate of working from home, it might be time to either include "Office" in Living and Bedroom or give Office its own post location).
The Tools
Nothing major, all I needed for this was:
- Measuring Tape + Marker
- Level
- Ryobi 305mm Dual Bevel Sliding Mitre Saw
- Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Compact Drill Driver
The Materials
- Various L Brackets
- Wall Mates
- Various sized screws
- 30 x 12mm pine
- 120 x 19mm pine
- A cheap office works drawer set
- melamine
- Black Spray Paint
- 70x35mm blue pine
- melamine edging tape
- 4x soft close hinges
- door handles
The Build
Step 1: I measured the interior and determined how high I wanted the bottom and middle shelves to be. I then built the office works drawer (I picked it up for $10 at time of purchase, I originally planned on building my own) to determine how much of the 120mm pine I needed to cut down, to my absolute amazement, it fit perfectly on top of the 120mm spray painted black pine. I then created the base for the drawers to sit on, the fronts for the bottom shelf and connected it all to the back 30mm pine that I was using to support the melamine in the future (these are drilled into either the studs or using wall mates).
Step 2: Once the bottom was completly secure, I slid the drawers in for a nice snug fit. I secured it to the top bench using L brackets and used additional 30mm pine and attached it to the sides of the drawers and a new front to create the final lip that the melamine would rest on, this also helped the drawer into position. After ensuring everything was level (again), I cut the melamine to size and carefully placed the shelves in, which are flush to the front lip. These were then secured in place by either L brackets at the rear (for the bottom ones) and underneath the middle shelf inside the 30mm pine lip.
Step 3: I then had the issue of doors, which is something I learned I should have done first as the positioning created issues. I ended up cutting 2 melamine doors to size, used some edging tape to make it feel nice and used some spare 70x35mm pine to secure the doors onto, ensuring they were flush with where the drawers were. I then placed the two door handles I had purchased onto it so I could open the doors.
Final Thoughts
And that's that!
The drawers and storage did great for my work ability and my wives, and given the impending 2020 - current COVID crisis, the creation of this (and my home office as a whole - more to come) ensured I was ready for what is now close to 3 years of primary home based employment.
Amazing work @Remarka6le!
Love the amount of detail you've added as it really paints the whole picture. I also appreciate you sharing the story behind the project. I'd agree that in most cases, D.I.Y. is a great way to take your mind off things. I find it very therapeutic when things are going right.
Looking forward to your next project!
Mitchell
Please note that support is available for anyone who may need it.
Australian resources include:
Lifeline - 24 hour telephone counselling - 131 114
Suicide Call Back Service - 24 hour telephone counselling – 1300 659 467
SANE Helpline - mental illness information, support and referral - 1800 187 263
beyondblue – Immediate support and information about depression, anxiety and related substance abuse disorders, treatments and help - 1300 224 636
Salvation Army - 24 hour telephone counselling - 1300 363 622
Men’s Line Australia - 24 hour telephone counselling - 1300 789 978
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ReachOut - Support for young people
New Zealand resources include:
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Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Depression Helpline (8 am to 12 midnight) – 0800 111 757
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
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