You can get a veneer that is on a roll and would stick to the rough edges if you want to make your current desk/cabinet opening larger.
I personally use an old bank desk - heavy as heck, and has the area to the right of the drawers (which are all on the left) completely open. I love the desk as it's big enough to have my sewing where I want/need it, my tray with bits and pieces to the right and still not be crowded. My husband made inserts for two of the three drawers and most of my thread fills them.