How to Make a Standing Desk that Folds Away

Check out the entire build video below!

1. Final.jpg
12. Folded.jpg

I’m 4’ 11” and standard desks just don’t fit me properly.

Our solution was this fold away table standing at 37”, the perfect height for my elbows, on an awkward wall in our home.

This has made for an awesome mini office that tucks away at the end of the day.

he cut list for the material we used is:(1) 34 x 16 x 0.75" - Table Top(1) 32 x 3 x 0.75" - Backer board(2) 1 x 14 x 0.75 - Side pieces(1) 34 x 3 x 0.75" - LipTriangle Braces(4) 11 x 1.5 x 0.75" - mitered at one end(2) 13.625 x 1.5 x 0.75" - mitered…

he cut list for the material we used is:

(1) 34 x 16 x 0.75" - Table Top

(1) 32 x 3 x 0.75" - Backer board

(2) 1 x 14 x 0.75 - Side pieces

(1) 34 x 3 x 0.75" - Lip

Triangle Braces

(4) 11 x 1.5 x 0.75" - mitered at one end

(2) 13.625 x 1.5 x 0.75" - mitered at both ends

1" Wood screws

3" Wood screws

Wood Glue

Starting with the main backing board, We used pocket holes to join the pieces together, making sure to have several across the length and two on each side

Starting with the main backing board, We used pocket holes to join the pieces together, making sure to have several across the length and two on each side

As we used 1” screws to fasten the 1” side pieces, we got too eager and split the wood

As we used 1” screws to fasten the 1” side pieces, we got too eager and split the wood

Moving along, we screwed along the length to attach the lip

Moving along, we screwed along the length to attach the lip

We sanded everything to 220 grit using our random orbital sander

We sanded everything to 220 grit using our random orbital sander

We assembled the braces using wood glue and clamps to hold them together. This method worked OK for us, but I’m sure there are better ways to clamp mitered pieces together

We assembled the braces using wood glue and clamps to hold them together. This method worked OK for us, but I’m sure there are better ways to clamp mitered pieces together

While we let the triangle braces dry, we cut down the long piano hinge to 4 smaller pieces

While we let the triangle braces dry, we cut down the long piano hinge to 4 smaller pieces

We positioned two hinges under the lip to attach the table topThen we pre-drilled and screwed the fasteners

We positioned two hinges under the lip to attach the table top

Then we pre-drilled and screwed the fasteners

Now that the glue is dry, we used the spacers to position the brackets along the side piecesAgain we pre-drilled and screwed

Now that the glue is dry, we used the spacers to position the brackets along the side pieces

Again we pre-drilled and screwed

We positioned the spacers between the braces and the table, marking their positionUsing wood glue, we placed them along our mark and weighed them down with a jar full of coffee beans and let them dry.

We positioned the spacers between the braces and the table, marking their position

Using wood glue, we placed them along our mark and weighed them down with a jar full of coffee beans and let them dry.

Since we wanted a standing desk, we measured 37” from the floor to the top of the table.We held the table up to the wall, made sure it was level, and used 3” screws to secure it, making sure to hit studs.

Since we wanted a standing desk, we measured 37” from the floor to the top of the table.

We held the table up to the wall, made sure it was level, and used 3” screws to secure it, making sure to hit studs.

That’s it!

We really love the versatility of this desk since we can easily prop the table top for our laptop then stow it away when we’re done to maintain the clean aesthetic in our living space.

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