DIY Adjustable Floating Desk

Necessary Preparations

• Before you begin building your adjustable floating desk you need to decide exactly where you want to install it and what shape it will take. If your room has a window nook or an open corner, consider these places as options for the location of your desk. Once you know where you are going to put the desk you can use a measuring tape to decide how wide and how deep you want the surface of the desk to be. Record these measurements on a piece of paper so you can refer to them later.

Determining the Height for Your Desk

• Most people choose to sit at their desk to work, so in order to determine the ideal height for your desk, refer to your preferred desk chair. Sit in the desk chair and use a measuring tape to measure the distance from the ground to the ideal position for the desk top. Because you are building an adjustable desk you need to decide on the additional heights to which your desk can be adjusted. To accomodate for standing work, stand up with your arms bent at the elbows at a comfortable working height and measure up from the floor. You can take additional measurements for heights in between if you desire.

Building the Desktop

• Because you are building an adjustable desk you need to select a desktop that is sturdy yet not so heavy that you cannot lift it or move it. Visit your local home improvement store and try out some of the building materials they have in stock or speak to a professional about your options. Medium density fiberboard (MDF), plywood or lightweight alternatives to wood are some of the best options. Once you have selected your material you simply need to cut the desktop to size and sand the sides smooth. You may also paint or stain the desktop if you desire.

Installing the Desk

• Wall-mount brackets are the key to making your desk "float," and in order to make your floating desk adjustable, you will need to install separate pairs of these brackets at each of the desired heights. When selecting your wall mount brackets, look for something at least half as long as the depth of the desk to ensure that the weight of the desktop will be supported. Attach the brackets to the wall in pairs so the flat top of the brackets is aligned with each desired height of the desk. The brackets should be positioned about four inches in from either side of the desk top. Install an additional smaller bracket on the underside of the desktop for added support. In order to adjust your desk, simply slide the desktop away from the wall and lift it up onto the next set of brackets.