Fold-Down Wall Desk
A desk that folds flat against the wall when you are done: a 32″ plywood top on a pair of locking folding brackets screwed into two studs.
- Skill
- Level 2 of 5 · Beginner
- Build time
- 2 to 3 hours, plus finish
- Lumber
- 1 panel of ¾″ plywood
- Joinery
- Locking folding brackets and screws
- Desk height
- 30″ to the top, set when you mount the brackets
- Finished size
- 32″ W × 20¼″ D × 11¾″ H
What you need
Every measurement in this plan uses the real size. ¾″ plywood is drawn at full thickness, but plywood sold that way is often a hair thinner, so measure yours and cut the pieces that fit between panels to match.
Shopping list
- 1¾″ plywood, 2 × 4 ft panelBirch or another smooth plywood. The store can cut the top for you.
- 1 pairLocking folding shelf brackets, 18″Rated 300 lb or more per pair.
- ~10#12 × 3″ wood screwsThrough the bracket legs into the studs.
- ~10#10 × ⅝″ pan-head screwsBracket arms to the top.
- 1Iron-on edge banding, 25 ft¾″ wide, for the plywood edges.
- —Sandpaper, 120 and 180 grit
- 1Clear polyurethaneOr paint.
Tools
- Circular sawOr have the store cut the plywood.
- JigsawFor the rounded corners.
- Drill/driverWith bits for pilot holes.
- Stud finder
- LevelA 24″ level or longer.
- Clothes ironFor the edge banding.
- Random orbit sander
- Tape measure, pencil
Cut list
One pieces from one panel. Label each piece with its letter in pencil as you cut it.
| Part | Qty | Size, inches | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADesk topWith the two front corners rounded. | 1 | ¾ × 20 × 32 | ¾″ plywood |
Board layout. Each row is one board, cut left to right, with the remainder hatched. Dark lines are saw cuts, about ⅛″ wide.
Hardware & tools
Everything besides the lumber, with a link for each.
Links go to Amazon. Woodable earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Required part
Locking folding shelf brackets, 18″ (pair)Check your brackets' arm length and screw holes before you buy the screws. Arms from 16″ to 20″ all work with this top.1 pairView on Amazon
Hardware
- Iron-on edge banding, 25 ft¾″ wide, for the plywood edges.1View on Amazon
Fasteners
- #12 × 3″ wood screwsThrough the bracket legs into the studs.~10View on Amazon
- #10 × ⅝″ pan-head screwsBracket arms to the top.~10View on Amazon
Glue & finish
- Sandpaper, 120 and 180 grit5″ hook-and-loop discs for a random orbit sander, 80 to 220 grit.View on Amazon
- Clear polyurethaneOr paint.1View on Amazon
Tools
- Circular sawOr have the store cut the plywood.View on Amazon
- JigsawFor the rounded corners.View on Amazon
- Drill/driverWith bits for pilot holes.View on Amazon
- Stud finderElectronic stud finder.View on Amazon
- LevelA 24″ level or longer.View on Amazon
- Random orbit sander5″ random orbit sander.View on Amazon
- Tape measure, pencil25 ft tape measure.View on Amazon
Build it
Six steps. The 3D view follows along as you scroll. The parts you're working on are yellow, and the pocket holes or screws for that step are red.
- 01
Cut the top
Cut the desk top (A) from the plywood:
- A Desk top, one at 20″ × 32″
Round the two front corners with a 1½″ radius: trace around a can, cut with a jigsaw and sand to the line. Rounded corners are kinder to hips and knees.
- 02
Band the edges and sand
Iron edge banding onto all four edges of the top (A), trim it flush with a sharp chisel or a banding trimmer, and sand the corners smooth. Sand both faces with 120 then 180 grit.
- 03
Finish the top
Give the top (A) two or three coats of clear polyurethane, or paint it. Do the underside too so it stays flat.
- 04
Mount the brackets on two studs
Find two wall studs 16″ apart with a stud finder and mark their centers. Draw a level line 29¼″ above the floor across both: the tops of the bracket arms go on this line, so the desk ends up 30″ high.
Check the brackets' own instructions for the screw positions and the rating before you drill. Hold each bracket open, its arm top on the line and its leg centered on a stud. Drill pilot holes and drive three #12 × 3″ screws through each leg into the stud. Check that both arms are level with each other.
Watch outScrew the brackets into studs only, never into drywall anchors. The whole desk and everything on it hangs on these six screws.Get this hardware: Locking folding shelf brackets, 18″ (pair)
- 05
Screw on the top
Lock both brackets up. Lay the top (A) on the arms, centered between them side to side, its back edge ¼″ off the wall so it can fold. Drive three #10 × ⅝″ pan-head screws up through the holes in each arm into the top. They're short on purpose: longer ones would come through the top.
- 06
Fold it down and back up
To fold the desk away, clear it off, hold the front of the top (A), press the release levers on both brackets together and lower it until it hangs flat against the wall.
To open it, lift the top until both brackets lock with a click. Push down on the front gently before you use it, to be sure both are locked.
Watch outKeep fingers out of the brackets while they fold: they pinch. Don't sit, stand or lean your weight on the desk, and keep the load under the brackets' rating.
Build at your own risk. Check every measurement against your own lumber before you cut, test-fit before you glue, and wear eye and ear protection. Full disclaimer.
