Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In today’s video, we’re building a touchscreen smart desk controller from scratch using a Nextion display, an ESP32, and ESPHome.
You’ll see the full process step-by-step: ✅ Designing the UI in the Nextion Editor
✅ Uploading the .TFT file using an FT232 USB-to-Serial adapter
✅ Wiring everything together
✅ Writing the ESPHome code
✅ Flashing the ESP32
✅ Live demo with desk & light controls — all smart-home integrated!
By the end, you’ll have a working touchscreen controller that can control your sit/stand desk, lights, and other Home Assistant devices. Perfect for smart office setups, automations, and DIY lovers!
🙏 Huge thanks to PCBWay for sponsoring this video!
Want to make your own custom PCBs or 3D printed enclosures for projects like this?
Check out PCBWay here ➜ PCBWay.com
The printers featured in this video are all available directly from Bambu Labs over at:
uk.store.bambulab.com/collections/3d-printer
3D Printed Enclosure: makerworld.com/en/models/1382549-markwatttech-nextion-display-desk-mount#profileId-1431256
Using my links supports the channel 💙
Full Project and Code on the MWT GitHub:
github.com/MarkWattTech/MarkWattTech-Tutorials/tree/main/HOW%20TO%20-%20DIY%20Smart%20Desk%20Controller
3D Printed Basic Mount:
makerworld.com/en/models/1382549-markwatttech-nextion-display-desk-mount#profileId-1431256
⌚ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Introduction
0:23 - The Touchscreen Controller
0:56 - The Desk I'm using
1:19 - Hardware Requirements
1:55 - Optional Hardware
2:23 - Todays Sponsor (PCBWay)
2:47 - Needed Software
3:22 - The Nextion Editor (UI design and walkthrough)
4:36 - How to flash the Nextion display
6:21 - Setting up the ESP32
9:56 - Adding our ESP to Home Assistant
11:20 - Home Assistant Controls walkthrough
12:15 - Connecting the Display and ESP32
13:52 - Quick run-through of features
14:11 - My spaghetti hiding enclosure
15:05 - Summary and Outro
🛒 Hardware Used (Affiliate Links)
ESP32 Dev Board: amzn.to/4cER4tZ
Nextion Display (3.2" Basic): amzn.to/3Gf7gps
Nextion Display (Alt 3.2" Link): amzn.to/4iZkVzL
Nextion Display (2.4" Basic): amzn.to/424bzvi
Flexispot E7Q Desk: amzn.to/4ilDzk9
USB to TTL (FT232 - DSD Tech): amzn.to/4l0A0lO
Dupont Wires (Male/Female): amzn.to/41UTSiZ
Wago Connectors (Optional): amzn.to/3Y2zF8d
RJ45 Pinout Board: amzn.to/4jkL5gp
SD Card (Optional): amzn.to/3EvchK8
3D Printed Enclosure: pcbway.com/g/Aa38DS
Using these links helps support the channel — it doesn’t cost you anything extra! 🙌
💻 Software Required
Nextion Editor: https://nextion.tech/nextion-editor/
Home Assistant: home-assistant.io
ESPHome: esphome.io
📺 RELATED VIDEOS
Desk Controller Design Challenge:
youtu.be/lZh9f4N0Ryw
🔗 Connect With Me!
Discord: discord.gg/DAG2yf7Ev3
X (Twitter): https://x.com/MarkWattTech
Instagram: instagram.com/MarkWattTech
TikTok: tiktok.com/@markwatt94
Reddit: reddit.com/r/MarkWattTech
Facebook: facebook.com/MarkWattTech
Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/2963936147172102
Mastodon: fosstodon.org/@MarkWattTech
🎥 Got a Video Idea?
👉 Suggest it here: https://forms.gle/zYpyd8gJBttYN7J17
🔔 Subscribe for More DIY Tech
Subscribe to MarkWattTech
🙌 Support the Channel
If you found this useful, consider supporting me:
Patreon: patreon.com/markwatttech
YouTube Member: youtube.com/channel/UCQRm_z7seHnGsBiWDNEWr6A/join
PayPal: paypal.com/paypalme/markwatttech
BuyMeACoffee: buymeacoffee.com/MarkWattTech
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/markwatttech
Amazon Storefront: amazon.co.uk/shop/markwatttech
► My Amazon Store:
amazon.co.uk/shop/markwatttech
🎵 Track Info:
Title: All That
Composer: Benjamin Tissot
Licensed to: MarkWattTech
Available from:
bensound.com/royalty-free-music/track/all-that-chill-hop
#markwatttech #nextion #esphome #homeassistant #smartdesk #ft232 #touchscreencontroller #esp32projects #nextioneditor #diyautomation
In today’s video, we’re building a touchscreen smart desk controller from scratch using a Nextion display, an ESP32, and ESPHome.
You’ll see the full process step-by-step: ✅ Designing the UI in the Nextion Editor
✅ Uploading the .TFT file using an FT232 USB-to-Serial adapter
✅ Wiring everything together
✅ Writing the ESPHome code
✅ Flashing the ESP32
✅ Live demo with desk & light controls — all smart-home integrated!
By the end, you’ll have a working touchscreen controller that can control your sit/stand desk, lights, and other Home Assistant devices. Perfect for smart office setups, automations, and DIY lovers!
🙏 Huge thanks to PCBWay for sponsoring this video!
Want to make your own custom PCBs or 3D printed enclosures for projects like this?
Check out PCBWay here ➜ PCBWay.com
The printers featured in this video are all available directly from Bambu Labs over at:
uk.store.bambulab.com/collections/3d-printer
3D Printed Enclosure: makerworld.com/en/models/1382549-markwatttech-nextion-display-desk-mount#profileId-1431256
Using my links supports the channel 💙
Full Project and Code on the MWT GitHub:
github.com/MarkWattTech/MarkWattTech-Tutorials/tree/main/HOW%20TO%20-%20DIY%20Smart%20Desk%20Controller
3D Printed Basic Mount:
makerworld.com/en/models/1382549-markwatttech-nextion-display-desk-mount#profileId-1431256
⌚ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Introduction
0:23 - The Touchscreen Controller
0:56 - The Desk I'm using
1:19 - Hardware Requirements
1:55 - Optional Hardware
2:23 - Todays Sponsor (PCBWay)
2:47 - Needed Software
3:22 - The Nextion Editor (UI design and walkthrough)
4:36 - How to flash the Nextion display
6:21 - Setting up the ESP32
9:56 - Adding our ESP to Home Assistant
11:20 - Home Assistant Controls walkthrough
12:15 - Connecting the Display and ESP32
13:52 - Quick run-through of features
14:11 - My spaghetti hiding enclosure
15:05 - Summary and Outro
🛒 Hardware Used (Affiliate Links)
ESP32 Dev Board: amzn.to/4cER4tZ
Nextion Display (3.2" Basic): amzn.to/3Gf7gps
Nextion Display (Alt 3.2" Link): amzn.to/4iZkVzL
Nextion Display (2.4" Basic): amzn.to/424bzvi
Flexispot E7Q Desk: amzn.to/4ilDzk9
USB to TTL (FT232 - DSD Tech): amzn.to/4l0A0lO
Dupont Wires (Male/Female): amzn.to/41UTSiZ
Wago Connectors (Optional): amzn.to/3Y2zF8d
RJ45 Pinout Board: amzn.to/4jkL5gp
SD Card (Optional): amzn.to/3EvchK8
3D Printed Enclosure: pcbway.com/g/Aa38DS
Using these links helps support the channel — it doesn’t cost you anything extra! 🙌
💻 Software Required
Nextion Editor: https://nextion.tech/nextion-editor/
Home Assistant: home-assistant.io
ESPHome: esphome.io
📺 RELATED VIDEOS
Desk Controller Design Challenge:
youtu.be/lZh9f4N0Ryw
🔗 Connect With Me!
Discord: discord.gg/DAG2yf7Ev3
X (Twitter): https://x.com/MarkWattTech
Instagram: instagram.com/MarkWattTech
TikTok: tiktok.com/@markwatt94
Reddit: reddit.com/r/MarkWattTech
Facebook: facebook.com/MarkWattTech
Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/2963936147172102
Mastodon: fosstodon.org/@MarkWattTech
🎥 Got a Video Idea?
👉 Suggest it here: https://forms.gle/zYpyd8gJBttYN7J17
🔔 Subscribe for More DIY Tech
Subscribe to MarkWattTech
🙌 Support the Channel
If you found this useful, consider supporting me:
Patreon: patreon.com/markwatttech
YouTube Member: youtube.com/channel/UCQRm_z7seHnGsBiWDNEWr6A/join
PayPal: paypal.com/paypalme/markwatttech
BuyMeACoffee: buymeacoffee.com/MarkWattTech
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/markwatttech
Amazon Storefront: amazon.co.uk/shop/markwatttech
► My Amazon Store:
amazon.co.uk/shop/markwatttech
🎵 Track Info:
Title: All That
Composer: Benjamin Tissot
Licensed to: MarkWattTech
Available from:
bensound.com/royalty-free-music/track/all-that-chill-hop
#markwatttech #nextion #esphome #homeassistant #smartdesk #ft232 #touchscreencontroller #esp32projects #nextioneditor #diyautomation
