How to Make a DIY Floating Desk

27 April 2021

A desk that’s mounted on the wall can save some space in a tight room but is definitely not for everyone. Such desks are often used in small spaces where a traditional desk with lots of drawers would make the room seem cluttered and tiny. But shelf desks or floating desks are also a perfect alternative for minimalist decors, even if the office space is sparse.


Floating desktops provides freedom of movement for the legs that standing desks cannot. They also make the office lend for a more modern and distinctiveness to offices and work areas, Floating desktops are easy to install and require only a few tools, some patience, and an eye for detail.


Recently, a floating desk is an effective way to make the office space look like it has more space. In more decorative spaces, such as living rooms, bedrooms, and offices, floating desks keep everyday items within arm's reach in a sleek, light, and airy manner. By applying the same principle to a workspace, the same light, airy, space-saving illusion can be accomplished to support multiple functions, including working from home.


When installing a floating desk, you should consider these:

    

  • Depth is important. Desks less than 50cm in depth are difficult to work at

    

  • Consider height. Once it’s fixed, it’s permanent! 65-70cm is a good height for all ages

    

  • Think about the chairs being placed at the desk and will the arms tuck under?

    

  • Match the timber to a similar piece of furniture in the room so there’s cohesion

   

  •  A permanent hole at the back of the desk is needed for computer cords

    

  • Think about where power cords will be. Installing right underneath the desk will hide them

    

  • Consider lighting: strip lighting under a floating shelf or a pendant light is a nice addition

    

  • Painting the wall behind a deeper color can make it stand out



Here are a few tips to install a floating desk:


  1. Select your desktop. Measure the thickness of the desktop by using a measuring tape. Acquire some floating shelf brackets thin enough to fit within them.


  1. Measure the location to install the desk. Make sure there is space to fit the entire width of the desktop. Use a stud finder to mark the studs within the space. Measure the distance between the center of each stud and mark these locations on the wall side of the floating desk.



  1. Drill holes into the wall-side edge of the desktop at the points marked. Use the proper drill bit to fit the brackets securely, so they are easy to push into place but firmly in place. Drill parallel to the desk's broadside. Drill exactly halfway between the top and bottom so there is an equal amount of wood on either side of each hole.



  1. Place each bracket to its dedicated hole to fit within the wooden desktop. Measure the distance from the bracket's wall mounts to the screw holes on its shaft.  Mark the points on the bottom side of the desk where to attach the screws. Drill pilot holes at each of these points, using a smaller drill bit to screw the screws tightly.



  1. Choose a comfortable height for the desktop. The desktop has to have room for your legs while sitting, but low enough for the wrists to rest comfortably when the desk is in use. Measure upward from the floor and mark the height on each stud.


  1. Place a bracket at the marked height over a stud. The screw hole in the shaft should be facing downward. Drill pilot holes through the faceplate and into the stud beyond. Hold the bracket for the other side in place and check its position, using a level. Mark this position, take off the level, and attach the second bracket. If you have additional brackets, mark their height with the level and attach them.



  1. Slide the desktop onto the wall-mounted brackets. Push the entire desktop against the wall. Have a helper hold the desktop in place while locating the pilot holes on the underside of the desk. Drive screws into each of them. These screws will penetrate the wood and enter into the brackets' screw holes, securing the desktop in place.



A Floating Desk for the Kitchen/Dining


Aside from installing a floating desk in an office, it’s a good idea to install one for the kitchen or dining room. Or that zone between the two where you currently have a sideboard that never gets used. No point holding onto furniture that you’re not making the most of. Why not move the sideboard somewhere else and use this zone as a family workspace?


Conclusion


If you are planning to save space or make the most of the limited space available, then floating desks are a good idea. They are not only cheap and quick to set up, but they also give the room a charming and appealing look, better than a larger desk would.


Creating a custom floating desk doesn't necessarily have to be expensive. By using basic building materials such as MDF (medium-density fiberboard), hinges, and paint, there are countless possibilities for giving the do-it-yourself floating desk a unique look. Go to Flexispot.com to find the perfect desktop for a floating desk.


It is up to you how you will design the floating desk. We gave you a few pointers to start. If you are not sure to build one, there are experts you can look up to see how they do it. Enjoy your DIY floating desk.