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How to fold an origami desk

Five squares make five parts: two white leg panels, a white back panel with a hem, a little drawer folded eight layers thick, and a tabletop folded double. Glue the parts under the top, fold them down, and the desk stands on its own: long, deep and tall.

You need: 5 square sheets the same size and colour (wood brown looks great), and a glue stick. Medium, 13 steps, about 15 minutes.

Steps

  1. Left leg: fold in half. Start with a leg. Coloured side up, fold the bottom edge up to the top edge. The leg is white on both sides.
  2. Right leg: new sheet. Set the left leg aside. Same again for the right leg: a second square, coloured side up.
  3. Right leg: fold in half. Fold it just like the left leg, bottom edge up to the top edge.
  4. Back panel: new sheet. Set the right leg aside. Take a third square, coloured side up, for the back of the desk.
  5. Back panel: fold a hem. Fold the bottom edge up almost a third of the way. The wide hem makes a stiff bottom edge, and the panel is as tall as the legs.
  6. Drawer: new sheet. Set the back panel aside. Take a fourth square, white side up this time.
  7. Drawer: fold in half. Fold the bottom edge up to the top edge.
  8. Drawer: in half again. Fold the left edge over to the right edge, making a small square.
  9. Drawer: once more. Fold the top edge down to the bottom edge. The drawer is a thick little strip, coloured all over.
  10. Top: new sheet. Set the drawer aside. Take the last square, white side up, for the tabletop.
  11. Top: fold in half. Fold the bottom edge up to the top edge. The top is coloured on both sides and two layers thick, and the folded edge makes a smooth front.
  12. Glue the parts under the top. Legs under the ends, lengthways, folded edge in front, just over half out. Back panel: thin strip under the back. Drawer: mid-front, mostly out. Both folds face out.
  13. Stand it up. Fold both legs straight down along the ends of the top, then the back panel and the drawer. Stand the desk on its legs.

Ready for homework!

Draw a handle on the drawer. Walk round it: the desk is long, deep and tall, and stands on its own legs.

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