How to Make a Floating Desk From an IKEA Countertop

Measure the length of your IKEA countertop and mark a level line on the wall to this length in the position and at the height you want to install the desk. Most desks are between 28 and 30 inches high. Use a stud finder to mark the wall stud positions on the line.

Cut a piece of 2-by-4 lumber to 10 inches shorter than the length of the countertop for use as the desk top cleat.

Measure the exact width and thickness of your countertop support plates. Countertop support plates are heavy-duty strips of metal that attach to a cleat and support the underside of a countertop so no legs are necessary.

Set your router to cut to the thickness and width of your support plates and cut a housing every 15 inches along the 2-inch edge of the cleat.

Set the ends of the support plates that have the screw holes into the housings on the cleat, with the back end of the plate flush with the back of the cleat. Attach the plates to the cleat with a 2-inch screw through each of the screw holes on the plate.

Position the cleat along the wall line, with the plates on the top side. Secure the cleat to the wall with two 4-inch screws driven through the cleat into each wall stud.

Spread construction glue along the top of the cleat as well as the arm of the support plates using an ink roller to achieve an even coating. Center the countertop over the cleat and push it right up flush with the wall. Apply downward pressure to ensure the countertop bonds with the glue and leave it to dry for the time specified by the glue manufacturer.