DIY Fold Down Wall Desk

Want to see this build in action? Check out my my video on YouTube & please subscribe!

Supplies

Tools

Miter Saw
Circular Saw/Table Saw
Drill & Driver
Doweling Jig (Optional)
Pocket Hole Jig
Brad or Pin Nailer
Sander & Sandpaper
Iron (For Edgebanding)
Painter’s Tape
Painting/Staining Supplies
Wood Clamps
Tape Measure
Safety Goggles

Materials

(2) 1 x 6 x 8′ Boards
(1) 1 x 2 x 6′ Board
(1) ¾″ X 3′ Square Dowel
(1) 4 x 4′ Sheet ¾” Birch Plywood
¼” Dowels (Optional)
Pegboard
Wood Screws & 1 ¼” Pocket Hole Screws
Birch Edge Banding
Wood Glue
Wood Putty
(3) Full Overlay Hinges
(1) Pair Gas Struts
Wood Stain
Latex Paint
Spray Polyurethane
Pegboard Organizers

Dimensions

Please check out my printable PDF plans for the exact dimensions I used for my build!

Step 1: Create the Desk Frame

Create your desk frame by attaching your 1 x 6 side pieces to the top and bottom desk pieces. I used dowel joinery, but feel free to use whatever joinery works for you!

Step 2: Add Divider & Shelf

Once the frame has been made, add your divider and shelf pieces using pocket holes and/or nails and glue.

Step 3: Make Pegboard Frame

Build the frame for the pegboard using 1 x 2 boards. Make sure to build it back far enough to fit your hinges. At this point it's also safe to sand & paint your frame!

Step 4: Add Back Supports

Add supports to the back of cabinet using back shelf panel and support panel with pocket holes. This is how you will attach the desk to the wall by drilling screws through these pieces into studs later. Make sure to pre-paint them before attaching (I used chalkboard paint)!

Step 5: Prep & Fit Front Panel

Cut and attach front panel and add edge banding to the plywood edges.

Step 6: Create Artwork

At this point you can customize this panel with any artwork you’d like! I created mine using painter’s tape and different shades of latex paint (you can check out this process in my YouTube video)!

Step 7: Attach Front Panel

Attach front panel to desk with hinges & add pistons. You can also add the decorative 3/4″ square dowels to the bottom shelf. Make sure they are far back enough for hinges and pistons to fit.

Step 8: Hang Desk

Hang the desk on the wall before attaching the pegboard. It’s super important you install the desk into as many studs as possible.

Step 9: Attach Pegboard

Cut and attach pegboard to desk.

Step 10: Get to Work!

That's it! I chose to hang my desk at arm chair level to pair it with a cute, modern accent chair that I could pull over from the other side of the room!

Comments

[LincolnsCreations]

I made something similar a while back using a piano hinge and chain instead of gas struts.

[diyhuntress]

Love!

[LincolnsCreations]

Thanks. I used it a lot until I worked at home almost a year, then I wanted a free standing desk. Check out my instructables if you want to see the desk I built using an old six panel door.

[DennisH156]

Great idea! I have seen something similar in a friend’s workshop but never in an interior setting for office use. It looks like it wood work great for someone without much space for furniture in their home.

[diyhuntress]

Thank you!

[lukehayes05]

Wow!
You got my vote!!

[diyhuntress]

Thank you!

[ThingEngineer]

I love this! Thank you for sharing. I'm making two of these for my girls, I'll share the results. :)

[diyhuntress]

Love!!

[ahmedcnc11]

wow oh good idea

[diyhuntress]

Thanks!

[Tony06]

Wonderful idea.

[diyhuntress]

Thank you!

[AnandM54]

Ohhhhhh cool idea..,wow.... Looks Nice 👏👏👏

[diyhuntress]

Thank you!

[diyhuntress]

Thank you so much!

[J Panda]

What an awesome idea! Thank you for this instructable!

[diyhuntress]

Thank you!

[diyhuntress]

Thank you!

[codebeat]

Nice build however the pressure on the table/desk/cover could be a problem on the long term for the hinges. You can already notice this when you want to walk away at 0:48 in the video and 'push' on the desk. To improve the design I think you need some foldable legs to support the desk function. I have some ideas that doesn't ruin your design however I think it is better not to tell you how, to trigger your imagination ;-)