The bracing provided by the backing sheet makes all the difference. Some of the simple desks the sell are nothing more than a tabletop and four screw in legs.

The bracing provided by the backing sheet makes all the difference. Some of the simple desks the sell are nothing more than a tabletop and four screw in legs. With no bracing the desk is unpleasantly wobbly. The very popular Ikea cube bookcases (https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/kallax-shelving-units-58285/ https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/kallax-shelving-units-58285/) aren't sold with a backing sheet - thankfully they seem stiff enough without it.