Did anyone else thing that most of the 2020 year we'd all be working from home? I know we didn't! #wfh presents its own set of challenges, not the least of which is the dilemma of an office space.
If you're like us, you didn't set up your home to include a designated office. Before we had kids, we had two extra bedrooms - one which included a desk and chair. Once we had our two kids, we got rid of our desk and with it, any "extra" space. It wasn't an issue until the pandemic hit and we were trying to get work done from our dining room table. Multiple people trying to complete different projects from the same spot is a recipe for tension.
Even so, one of the more obviously challenges of working from home is being out-of-sorts from your usual work rhythm. For JP, a teacher, sitting all day was not working for him. He was feeling fatigued and lacked energy. After all, coming from standing on desks (with admin approval) and moving non-stop to sitting in one spot for 7 hours was quite the shift. Without any place for an office at home, and with virtual learning well underway, he needed a quick solution. I bring you, the $30 folding, wall mount desk.
This project requires few materials and is a quick, space-saving (our favorite) solution to our work from home dilemma! Materials
2 - 1” x 6” x 12’ 6 - 2 1/2“ hinges
1 1/4 Brad nails
2 1/2“ screws (to anchor to the wall)
Wood glue
Tools
Circular saw
Brad nailer
Speed Square
Sander
36” clamps
Stud finder (to locate studs for mounting)
Steps
Step1: Rough cut the table top. From one of the 12’ boards, cut four planks to 30”.
Step 2: Edge glue the table top. Apply glue along one edge of 3 boards and place in clamps to form the table top.
Step 3: Cut the triangle supports. Cut 3 pieces from the 1” x 6” at 12 3/4”, 15”, and 9”. Rip these boards in half to form two equal triangles. Set your circular saw to 45 degrees and cut a bevel on both ends of the 15” board.
Step 4: Assemble support triangles. Use glue and brads to attach the 9” board to the end of the 12 3/4” board at a 90 degree angle. With this “L” formed, set the beveled board inside the to for the long end of the triangle. Attach with glue and brads and trim any excess with the circular saw. Repeat this process for the second triangle.
Step 5: Form the wall support. Cut a portion of the 1” x 6” to 22”. Attach the 9” length of the support triangles to either end of this 22” board with two hinges per side. This will form the wall mount section of the desk, so make sure these three pieces are flush.
Step 6: Trim the table top. Cut the ends of the table top even to a final width of 29 3/4”. Rip 4” off the edge of the top.
Step 7: Assemble the desk. Attach the 4” strip to the wall mount with glue and brads (be sure to leave the triangles free to swing). From underneath, attach the desk top to the 4” strip with hinges.
Step 8: Sand. Stain or paint. Finish.
Step 9: Mount to the wall. Locate the studs and drive several 2 1/2” screws through the wall mount to secure. This allows for a secure, strong attachment and easy removal (when the times comes).
We ended up putting the desk in a (somewhat) unused corner of our bedroom, directly under our mounted tv. This was the perfect little nook, and gave JP the option to use the tv as his second monitor. It's been great for him, and we didn't lose any space in our home. Win-win!
What have been your go-to work from home solutions? Let us know!👇