How to Install Cleats for a Wall Desk

Using cleats to hang a desk on a wall can greatly simplify desk building. With two or less legs to install, leveling the desk becomes much easier; in many locations, no legs will be needed at all! In addition, because cleats are often hidden from view, inexpensive pine lumber can be used with no loss of strength.

Once you become familiar with the process of installing level cleats, you'll find other uses for them as well, such as adding bookshelves or display boxes.

1x2 straight lumber, length depends on size of desk
1/4 inch hex head lag bolts, each 2-1/2 inches long
1/4 inch flat washers
Pencil
Drill with 1/4 inch drill bit
Socket wrench, with socket to fit the heads of the lag bolts
Level
Stud finder
Measuring tape or yardstick

Instructions

- 1
  Figure the height at which the cleats should be mounted. The top of a typical desk is 30 inches above the floor. Subtract the thickness of the material you plan to use for the top of the desk from 30 inches; this will be the height for the top of the cleat.
- 2
  Measure this height on the wall where you intend to mount the cleat and make a light pencil mark there.
- 3
  Hold the cleat up against the wall and place the level on top. (Depending on the length of the cleat, you may require an assistant.) Hold the top of the cleat even with the pencil mark made earlier and make marks on the wall near the ends of the cleat. You now have the wall marked for a leveled cleat.
- 4
  Use your stud finder to locate the studs behind your cleat. Desks less than 3 feet in width require only two studs for support; otherwise, you'll need to locate at least three of them. Mark their position lightly on the wall above the line you drew for the leveled cleat.
- 5
  Position the cleat along that leveled line. Using the drill and 1/4 inch bit, drill pilot holes through the cleat and into the studs. Do your best to center them in the studs and make the holes deep enough for the lag bolts.
- 6
  Attach the cleats to the wall, using the socket wrench to screw in the lag bolts and washers. (The washers provide a larger support area than the bolt heads would on their own.) The pilot holes are smaller than the bolt threads; this way, the screw threads on the bolts can grip the studs better.

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DIY Office Desk

Desks