Is there a way to figure out how much support a desk will need or where to put supports?

I've done a lot of DIY desks where I put a desktop on top of things like cabinets or short bookcases. I need to redo the supports of two desks, but am worried my design won't be enough support. Both of the desk tops are painted plywood, one 5.5 feet and one almost 8 feet. The 8 foot desk I want to put an L shaped bookshelf, either at one end or replace the current 16"x16" inch cabinet with an L shaped desk. I'm worried either of these won't be enough support and that I need something in the middle of the desk. Not sure what I'm going to be doing with the 5.5 food desk, but it's likely just support on each end and I'm wondering if I need something in the middle. The problem is with that desk is that one of the designs I want can't have anything coming out more than 2 inches form the back of the desk. So is there a way I can calculate how much support I need and/or where to put supports? submitted by /u/ResidentAlienator [link] [comments]

Jun 14, 2025 - 22:42

I've done a lot of DIY desks where I put a desktop on top of things like cabinets or short bookcases. I need to redo the supports of two desks, but am worried my design won't be enough support. Both of the desk tops are painted plywood, one 5.5 feet and one almost 8 feet. The 8 foot desk I want to put an L shaped bookshelf, either at one end or replace the current 16"x16" inch cabinet with an L shaped desk. I'm worried either of these won't be enough support and that I need something in the middle of the desk. Not sure what I'm going to be doing with the 5.5 food desk, but it's likely just support on each end and I'm wondering if I need something in the middle. The problem is with that desk is that one of the designs I want can't have anything coming out more than 2 inches form the back of the desk. So is there a way I can calculate how much support I need and/or where to put supports?

submitted by /u/ResidentAlienator
[link] [comments]