How to Build a Folding Table That Attaches to a Wall

Mark a line across the wall with a pencil that’s the desired width of the table, at the height where you want the tabletop.

Measure the length of the line with a tape measure. Transfer the measurement to the piece of wood from which you want to create your tabletop, using the measurement to set the tabletop length with a pencil. Determine the width you desire for the tabletop and place a mark onto the wood at the desired width as well. Connect the length and width markings by using a carpenter’s square to create 90-degree angles and a straightedge to mark straight sides for your tabletop. Make certain the width of your tabletop is no greater than the height of the tabletop on the wall minus the height of the wooden board you’re using.

Cut the wooden board along the marked lines using a table saw. Sand the edges smooth with medium-grit sandpaper. Wipe the sanding residue from the wood.

Stain or paint the wood the color desired. Use a paintbrush to apply wood stain to the tabletop, brushing the stain onto the surface of the wood in rows along the wood grain. Allow the stain to sit for 15 minutes to penetrate the wood, then remove the excess stain remaining on the surface with a clean rag. If you’d rather paint the surface, apply a coat of epoxy primer paint, wait two hours and then apply two coats of epoxy topcoat to the surface using a paint roller for all layers. Allow the paint or stain to dry overnight.

Apply a strip of wood veneer trim to the table edges to keep the wood from splitting along the edge with use. Brush a layer of construction adhesive onto the edges of the tabletop and onto the rear of a piece of veneer cut to fit the edges. Allow the adhesive to dry until it loses its wetness but remains sticky, then press the veneer pieces to the sides of the table. Roll over the veneer pieces with a laminate roller to press out any air beneath the pieces, then trim the veneer closely to the edge of the top and bottom of the table with a router.

Locate the wood studs in the wall along the marked line using a stud finder. Mark the stud locations, then measure the space between the locations of the outside studs on each table end.

Place the table topside-down onto a flat surface and then position the folding shelf brackets onto the rear of the table, spaced the same distance apart as the two outside studs. Make certain the bracket is positioned so that when opened the table will sit flush against the wall. For example, if the brackets stand an inch from the wall when mounted, place them an inch down from the table edge that touches the wall. Mark the location of the bracket mounting holes against the rear of the table with the pencil.

Drill pilot holes into the table at the marked mount locations with an electric drill for the bracket mounting screws. Make certain you do not drill straight through the tabletop.

Return the brackets into place against the rear of the table and then screw them in using wood screws. Open the brackets and place the table against the wall, using the drawn line on the wall as a guide for the tabletop. Mark the location of the bracket mounting lines along the wall at the stud locations, through the other arms of the brackets against the wall, with the pencil. Drill pilot holes through the walls and into the wall studs.

Drive drywall screws through the brackets and into the walls to secure the table into place. Test the placement of the table by folding it downward against the wall, and then upward back into open position. Adjust the positions of the brackets if necessary so that the rear of the table lies flush with the wall when opened.