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Rain on a Tin Roof

DIY and Home Decor Blog. Fly Your Freak Flag.

You are here: Home >> DIY Projects >> DIY Wall Mounted Desk with Storage

April 10, 2018 By Jenna 34 Comments

DIY Wall Mounted Desk with Storage

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DIY Wall Mounted Drop Down Desk - perfect for kids or adults - customize how you like - an easy DIY project.

Have a small space where you’d like to fit in a wall mounted desk? Need a little storage there too? You’re in the right place then! This DIY wall mounted desk is a simple build that folds down to reveal space for your computer or writing and hidden storage.

This project has only been completed for a month or so and I can already confidently say that it is hands-down the Circus’ most favorite thing I’ve ever made her – a wall mounted drop down desk.

DIY Wall Mounted Desk - with storage and writing space - Rain on a Tin Roof

Y’all, she is at this desk everyday. In fact, before I could even get photos of it, I had to give it a good wipe down because she’d already gotten marker ink and glue on it from her various art projects.

And from a mama’s point of view, it is so nice to have all her art supplies (sans paint because we ain’t letting her run wild with paint just yet) in one place. And to be able to just close it all up and hide the mess is the icing on the cake.

DIY Fold Down Desk - folded up - Rain on a Tin Roof

This DIY desk can easily be made to work for both kids and adults. For adults, you’ll just want to raise up the mounting height a bit and possibly increase the overall size of the desk. For me though, even as an adult the size is more than adequate.

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DIY Fold Down Desk

Supplies and Tools Needed

  • 1″ x 8″ x 8′ Common Board
  • 3/4″ Sanded Plywood Project Panel
  • 1″ x 2″ Furring Strip
  • Pegboard Project Panel
  • Two Magnetic Door Catches
  • 1 Pair of 90 Degree Surface Mount Hidden Spring Hinges
  • 1 Lid Support Left Hinge & 1 Lid Support Right Hinge
  • Pegboard Hooks
  • Pegboard Baskets
  • Knob for Pulling the Desk Down With
  • Paint Colors of Your Choice – The Circus chose Tropical Sea and Yellow Groove. We got sample pots of each and those covered our entire desk. We also spray painted the pegboard baskets with this French Lilac color.
  • Drill
  • Wood Screws – around 1 1/2″ – 2″ long and about 15 total.
  • Wood Screws – around 3/4″ long and four total.
  • Small Drill Bit for making Pilot Holes
  • Circular Saw
  • Stud Finder

Cut List

Make the following cuts using either a miter saw or circular saw.

1. Cut the 1″ x 8″ x 8′ piece of wood into the following lengths:

  • Two pieces that are 28″ long
  • Two pieces that are 17 7/8″ long

2. With the remaining 1″ x 8″ piece of wood that is left, cut four small squares. These don’t have to be perfect at all.

3. Using a circular saw, cut the 3/4″ plywood project panel down to 28″ x 19 1/2″.

4. Using a circular saw, cut the pegboard project panel down to 26 3/8″ x 17 7/8″.

Steps

Step 1

Gather your measured and cut four 1″ x 8″ pieces, drill and longer wood screws.

Drop Down Desk Assembly - Rain on a Tin Roof

Arrange the boards as shown below.

Drop Down Wall Desk - putting together the frame - Rain on a Tin Roof

Attach each longer 1″ x 8″ piece to each shorter 1″ x 8″ piece at the end of each board using two screws on each board. Drill a pilot hole first and then drill your screws in.

To keep these pieces from ever coming apart, you can also apply wood glue along the edges of the boards before attaching together with screws if you wish. We did not do this, as I do think it’s strong enough as is, but if you’ve really got a rough and tumble kiddo, this could be a good idea.

Step 2

Lay your cut plywood panel on top of the 1″ x 8″ frame to make sure it fits properly. It should cover the entire frame.

Building a diy wall mounted desk with storage. Rain on a Tin Roof

Adjust as needed.

Step 3

If you plan to paint your desk, go ahead and do so now. The Circus wanted two colors, so we painted the frame Tropical Sea and the drop down portion of the desk Yellow Groove.

How to Make a DIY Fold Down Desk - mounts to wall - Rain on a Tin Roof

After the yellow was dry, she also made a design with tape to block off a few areas to paint the Tropical Sea on as well.

Painting the DIY Wall Desk - Rain on a Tin Roof

Step 4

Get your cut piece of pegboard, the four small 1″ x 8″ square pieces you cut and the longer wood screws.

Pegboard in back of drop down desk - Rain on a Tin Roof

Place a square in each corner of the backside of the desk frame. Drill a pilot hole and then fasten the square wood piece to the desk frame with one of your longer screws.

Assembling the drop down wall desk - Rain on a Tin Roof

After you’ve attached all four wood pieces, place your cut pegboard piece through the front of the desk frame and attach it to each wood square using a smaller wood screw.

Wall Mounted Desk with Storage Building Plans

Step 5

Lay your drop down desk front on it’s face directly in front of the desk frame.

Attach the frame and desk front together by using the 90 degree surface hinges.

DIY Desk plans for a wall mounted desk -  Rain on a Tin Roof

Step 6

Get both your left hand lid support hinges and your right hand lid support hinges. Attach each following the package directions.

Building Plans for a Wall Mounted Desk - Rain on a Tin Roof

An important thing to note here is that you might have to play with these right and left hinges a bit. For me, the lower portion that goes on the drop down front needed to be scooted in a bit more than what the package directions said (as you can see from my holes above!). This could vary from different brands of hinges. If you do have to play around with it and end up with a few holes, just fill with wood filler, sand and paint over them.

Step 7

Attach the magnetic latches at the top of the drop-down desk frame and lid using the mounting instructions on the package.

Tutorial for building a wall desk - Rain on a Tin Roof

Step 8

Attach whatever pretty knob you’ve decided to go with on the top front of your drop-down desk.

Step 9

Determine where you want to hang your new DIY drop down desk. To do this, I had the Circus sit on the seat I knew she would be using at the desk and then held the desk up to see where it would be best to hang it for her. Make a mark on the wall where you want it to hang.

Grab a stud finder and mark all the studs in that area.

On the back of the desk, measure the area between the top two wood squares you attached in the corners. Cut your 1″ x 2″ furring strip to that length or slightly less than.

Space Saving DIY Wall Mounted Flip Down Desk - Rain on a Tin Roof

Place the furring strip on the wall and attach it to the wall where studs are using your drill and the longer wood screws.

Attaching the Wall Mounted Desk to the Wall - Rain on a Tin Roof

Use a level to check for levelness before placing the second screw into the furring strip and wall.

Step 10

Place the drop down desk on top of the furring strip. Using your longer wood screws, attach the desk to the furring strip you just attached to the wall. I put three screws along the back of our desk top as shown below.

Small Space DIY Wall Mounted Fold Down Desk - Rain on a Tin Roof

Drop it down and enjoy!

Fold Down Desk Plans - Rain on a Tin Roof

She absolutely loves this thing.

Wall Mounted Flip Down Desk Plans - Rain on a Tin Roof

We used pegboard hooks to organize and hang most of her art supplies.

Tutorial for a Space Saving Wall Mounted DIY Desk - Rain on a Tin Roof

The two purple baskets are part of this set of pegboard baskets that we spray painted. The other baskets are from the Dollar Tree.

DIY Wall Mounted Drop Down Desk with Storage - Rain on a Tin Roof

We also placed a few other Dollar Tree baskets along the bottom to hold colored pencils, crayons and random other art supplies.

Hands down, this space saving wall desk is the best thing I’ve built for the kid so far!

Have you made a DIY wall desk before? Need one anywhere? 🙂

Want more great ideas for your kids?

DIY Dress Up Closet– so easy to make and they will love it!

Easiest Ever DIY Lemonade Stand– great for those budding entrepreneurs!

Easy DIY Children’s Stage with Hidden Dress-Up Clothes Storage– they will love you forever for making this one!

If you’d like to save this diy desk build to refer back to later, pin the image below!

Fold Down Wall Desk Plans - Rain on a Tin Roof
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Filed Under: DIY Projects Tagged With: desk, drop down desk, kids, wall mounted desk

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cathy Augros says

    April 10, 2018 at 11:42 am

    Wow! Really adorable!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      April 11, 2018 at 1:37 pm

      Thanks, Cathy!

      Reply
  2. Brigitte Baker says

    April 10, 2018 at 3:18 pm

    Ooooo, it’s super cute! I love it!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      April 11, 2018 at 1:36 pm

      Thanks, Brigitte!

      Reply
  3. Pam a/k/a Nana says

    April 10, 2018 at 4:43 pm

    all her art supplies (sans paint because we ain’t letting her run wild with paint just yet) What a buzz kill!!! ~Nana
    ~LOL!!~

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      April 11, 2018 at 1:37 pm

      hahahahaha!!! I know, I know, I know! Parents are such downers. Grandparents let them have all the fun!

      Reply
  4. Susan the Farm Quilter says

    April 10, 2018 at 7:04 pm

    Adorable and perfect for Circus!!! Promoting creativity and neatness!!! YES!!! Mom win on both counts!! Now you need to design some way for her to display her artwork where she can change the artwork by herself – great way to decorate her room or some other part of the house.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      April 11, 2018 at 1:37 pm

      Thanks, Susan! We were just talking the other day about how we need to throw up some string and clothespins and let her hang her work from it! You must be reading our minds!

      Reply
  5. Patty says

    April 10, 2018 at 8:02 pm

    Wonderful and useful, and isn’t the Circus just adorable sitting there working!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      April 11, 2018 at 1:36 pm

      Thanks, Patty! She loves it and yep, she is pretty adorable! 😉 I’m partial of course, though!

      Reply
    • Lisa says

      January 31, 2021 at 10:39 am

      Making this today with my Dad for my 10 year old! He’s so excited to have his own desk and space since he shares a room with his little brother. Wish us luck! Thanks for the detailed directions!

      Reply
  6. Stephanie S. says

    April 10, 2018 at 10:41 pm

    I saw the bottom picture of her and thought what a great idea for the buddy artist. Had been thinking of you and was going to email. I got a job for my news. Going well.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      April 11, 2018 at 1:36 pm

      Oh awesome, Stephanie!! So glad you got a job!! Yay!!

      Reply
  7. Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says

    April 16, 2018 at 3:00 pm

    Super cute and great idea! My daughter keeps her desk an ongoing disaster so I’d love to hide it away! Visiting from Made By You Monday party.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      April 17, 2018 at 10:39 am

      Thanks, Victoria! Yep, I love being able to close up the lid on all that creativity going on!

      Reply
  8. Sheri says

    April 19, 2018 at 2:10 pm

    Amazing! My daughter would love one as well. Thank you for sharing at the To Grandma’s House We Go DIY, Crafts, Recipes and More link party! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      April 24, 2018 at 4:53 pm

      Thanks, Sheri!

      Reply
  9. Theresa says

    April 20, 2018 at 10:46 pm

    This turned out so cute. Lovely DIY. Thanks for sharing @DearCreatives Inspiration Spotlight party. See you again soon. pinned, and sharing.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      April 24, 2018 at 4:52 pm

      Thanks, Theresa!

      Reply
  10. Sam - Raggedy Bits says

    April 24, 2018 at 9:52 pm

    What a neat idea!! What a lovely little area to be creative!

    Thank you so much for sharing your project with us over at Waste Not Wednesday!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      April 25, 2018 at 10:36 am

      Thanks, Sam!

      Reply
  11. Sherry says

    April 25, 2018 at 5:54 pm

    So functional! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      April 27, 2018 at 8:51 am

      Thanks, Sherry!

      Reply
  12. Richella Parham says

    April 26, 2018 at 9:14 am

    This is awesome! What a great way to provide a desk for a kid–or for an adult, actually! Thank you for the detailed instructions.

    Thank you for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      April 27, 2018 at 8:51 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  13. Mim says

    April 30, 2018 at 10:28 pm

    Hi Jenna- Love this project! Would love to duplicate it! Just was wondering how much the project total cost? (Sorry if I missed it if you posted it) Thanks-Mim

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      May 9, 2018 at 9:20 am

      Hmmm, maybe $50 or so. I don’t think it was more than that!

      Reply
  14. Kathy says

    May 15, 2018 at 5:03 pm

    Wonderful project. You show that DIY doesn’t have to be complicated.
    This could also be a good project for a Kitchen, just enough to make notes, not a whole ‘office’. I see a stained wood piece with polyurethane for easy cleanup, maybe something ‘found’ for the knob?
    Thanks again,
    Kathy

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      June 2, 2018 at 8:41 am

      You are totally right, Kathy! It would also be great for a kitchen!

      Reply
  15. Jacolyn L McKenzie says

    April 7, 2019 at 9:54 pm

    Oh Jenna, You nailed it! I do see that bolt sticking up in the center, you can saw that off just to be safe. Hugs, Jackie

    Reply
  16. Deb says

    November 17, 2019 at 3:53 pm

    I’m going to give this a try for my grand daughter’s Christmas gift 🤞

    Reply
  17. Tiffany Crabb says

    January 6, 2020 at 8:15 pm

    Hi Jenna-
    I’m in the process of making this. I’m curious where you found the large gold envelope to hold color pads? And how did you mount that to the peg board?

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      January 9, 2020 at 6:34 am

      Hi Tiffany! The large gold envelope came from Target. I haven’t been able to find it there since though. 🙁 It has holes in the back of it and so I just lined up some peg board hooks with those holes and hung it that way. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  18. Jas says

    April 16, 2020 at 6:32 pm

    Your pictures are gone. Is there a place to see those?

    Reply

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