How To Lock A Desk Drawer

The best present I ever bought for my twin was a pair of tickets to see our favorite band. Even at ten years old, she was pretty good at sniffing out presents. 

I decided to hide her gift in a drawer in my dad’s study, and with such high stakes, it was essential that I learn how to lock a desk drawer!

Now that I’m an adult, I can relate to the need to keep valuable and private items safe. 

When a lock is installed, a desk drawer can be locked using a traditional lock with a key, or, in the absence of a key, it is possible to open it without a key or having to drill.

How to Install a Lock on a Desk Drawer

Now this one might be a bit obvious. But that is because it works.

The most reliable way to lock a desk drawer is to install a lock that requires a key. The easiest to use is a cylinder lock. It is much like a mailbox lock, so it should be easy to use and fit in most desk drawers.  

1. Begin by emptying the drawer and removing it from the desk itself. This will keep you from breaking or ruining the items inside the drawer as you install the lock. 
2. Use a measuring tape to find the center part of the drawer, then use tape to mark that center point.
3. Drill a hole that will fit the lock shaft using a keyhole saw or an expanding drill bit.
4. Smooth out the inside of the drawer that was roughened by the drill using sandpaper.
5. Put the lock bolt and ring into the back of the lock shaft.
6. Put the ring against the back of the drawer, and then screw the lock into the ring.

You can see these steps carried out in the video below. If you’re using a top drawer, it is possible to install the keyhole on the drawer and the locking mechanism on the stand.

How to Lock a Desk Drawer Without Drilling

Using An Latch

Using an adhesive latch as a method to lock your desk isn’t the most secure method. But it’s better than nothing. And if all you are looking to do is stop kids from getting into your drawers then it could be the perfect solution.

You can also get magnetic adhesive latches. You will simply need to use a magnet from the outside of the drawer to unlock the latch (as you can see in the video below). A magnetic latch will be safer than a push to open locking mechanism, but it’s obviously not a high-security solution.

Using A Piece Of Paper

There are ways to lock desk drawers without having to drill through the drawer itself. This can be particularly useful if you are not comfortable with drills.

Below is a step-by-step way to lock a desk drawer using a simple piece of paper. This method requires the drawer you are trying to lock to be situated on top of another drawer.

1. Take the drawer out of the desk by pulling it out as far as it will go, then lifting it out of its track. You will need to remove any drawers underneath it, too.
2. Get underneath the area where the drawer used to be until you can see the drawer slides. You are looking for a wheel track.
3. Replace the drawer, but keep it pulled partially out.
4. Fold a piece of paper and wedge it into the track in front of the drawer wheel.

If done successfully, opening the drawer should be impossible. To unlock the drawer, remove the desk drawer beneath the one you are trying to unlock and remove the piece of folded paper.

How to Lock a Desk Drawer Without a Key

One of the best methods to lock a desk drawer without a key is to create a barrier of your own so that the drawer cannot open. Check below for a step-by-step guide, and be aware, that you will need a drill for this method.

1. Cut a piece of steel that is half an inch longer than the distance from your drawer handle’s screw to the top of the drawer. (A metal shop can do this if you are unable.)
2. Drill a hole larger than the handle’s screw into the drawer handle, at least a fourth of an inch from the end of the steel piece.
3. Remove the screw from the drawer handle using either a screwdriver or wrench.
4. Insert a machine screw that has enough length to enter the front of the door. Leave half an inch showing outside of the drawer.
5. Tighten the screw.
6. Tilt the steel piece upward. It should catch on the drawer frame when in this position. 
7. Make the two nuts on either side of the piece of steel tight.

When this is done, the piece of steel should act as a makeshift lock, which can be unlocked using the screwdriver you used to install it instead of a key.