Decorating DIY Home Decor DIY Home Accents Build a Midcentury-Style Modular Desk Unit Score a sleek, retro-looking desk using hardware store materials and these easy DIY instructions. By Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole Instagram Caitlin Sole is the senior home editor at BHG. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on June 23, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Project Overview Working Time: 2 hours Total Time: 1 day Skill Level: Beginner Create a display space that's completely customized to your collection of favorite accents. Dabito crafted this wall unit, complete with a built-in desk area, for just $230. Brass-colored spray paint spiffs up the metal brackets. For shelves, instead of staining plywood, he used particle board by Rubbermaid. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools 1 Tape measure 1 Level 1 Power drill or driver 1 1/4-inch drill bit for the anchors 1 1/8-inch drill bit for the shelves 1 Hammer Materials 1 Rustoleum primer spray paint 1 Rustoleum gold metallic spray paint 4 70-inch twin tracks upright by Rubbermaid 17 11-1/2-inch twin track shelf brackets by Rubbermaid 3 18-1/2-inch twin track shelf brackets by Rubbermaid 5 Twin track hardware packs by Rubbermaid 4 12 x 24-inch shelf by Rubbermaid 3 12 x 48-inch shelf by Rubbermaid 1 3/4 x 20 x 48-inch plywood Instructions Paint the Tracks Spray-paint the tracks and brackets outside or in a ventilated workspace. Apply a layer of primer first, then two layers of gold paint. Let dry. Mark and Measure Mark holes for the tracks. Place the track vertically 21 inches off the floor. Use a level to ensure the track is straight. Mark the seven holes with a pencil.Move on to the next track. Use a tape measure to measure 22 inches from those marks. Place the second track vertically, 21 inches off the floor, with a level to mark holes. Repeat this step two more times. Install the Tracks Use a 1/4-inch drill bit to drill the marked spots on the wall. Gently hammer anchors into the wall. Line up each track over anchors, then screw it in.Editor's Tip: The type of hardware you use to attach the rails will differ, based on the material of your wall and whether you're attaching to a stud. Drywall, plaster, and brick walls each require unique hardware. Secure the Shelves Pop the shelf brackets into the tracks to your desired configuration. Place the wooden shelves on the brackets. For standard desk height, measure 29 inches from the floor. There are countless ways to configure the shelves, so it's really up to you if you want to include a desk or just create shelves.Use screws to secure the brackets to each shelf. Dabito first used an 1/8-inch drill bit to create a hole for the screws. You can also spot-treat the screws by dabbing on some gold paint with a brush.