Decorating DIY Decor Save Space with a Clever Fold-Down Table That Doubles as a Desk This DIY wall desk is perfect for snug apartments and folds up into a cabinet when not in use. By Becky Mollenkamp Becky Mollenkamp Becky Mollenkamp is a travel and home decor writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She is also a professionally certified life coach. As a productivity entrepreneur, she guides her clients toward managing their mindset in order to reach their self-management goals. A versatile writer, Becky writes articles on home renovation projects as well as B2B marketing content. Her work also appears in Beautiful Kitchens & Baths magazine.Becky Mollenkamp is an expert in communication. At the beginning of her career, she worked as a legal reporter for the Napa Valley Register and served as a communications coordinator for a local school district. Becky has been a travel and home decor editor and writer for Better Homes & Gardens magazine for more than five years, focusing on do-it-yourself projects and columns such as "Quick & Easy Decorating." Beyond her editing skills, she also manages projects and hires talent for magazine photography shoots. Becky owns her own business brand, "The Gutsy Boss," which offers productivity coaching.Becky Mollencamp holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Webster University and a master of arts degree in media communications from Drake University. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on December 19, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Ann Wilde Project Overview Working Time: 2 hours Total Time: 8 hours Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $50 to $100 If you only have space for small eat-in kitchens, it's time to get creative and turn a wall display into functional furniture. This DIY fold-down table that doubles as a desk is a smart, space-saving solution. When open, the table provides comfortable seating for two, as well as display space for linens, cookbooks, dishes, or collectibles. When folded, the table transforms into a wall-mounted cabinet to leave the floor clear for foot traffic. In addition, the clever use of chalkboard paint allows the underside of the desk to serve as an area for grocery or other to-do lists when folded up. To make this fold-down table, you'll need a few basic carpentry skills and materials like plywood, paint, and hinges that you can pick up at your local hardware store. We'll walk you through the entire process, plus offer tips to customize the DIY collapsible table. Choosing Furniture for Small Spaces What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Paintbrushes Drill and drill bit Carpenter's square Stud finder Materials Wall-mounted shelving unit, such as an old CD cabinet 3/4-inch plywood 1x2 boards Primer Paint, in desired colors Large piano hinges Screws Flat braces Locking drop-leaf supports Chalkboard paint Hook Latch Support board flush Instructions Prime and Paint Wood This DIY fold-down table project requires 3/4-inch plywood for the tabletop and 1×2 boards for the frame, legs, and support boards (we used oak). Don't have the tools needed to cut the wood for your table? Draw a plan with exact dimensions and ask the lumber store to make the cuts. For bonus storage space, start with a wall-mounted shelving unit. Before assembling the table, prime and paint the cabinet and wood pieces. We used white and light blue, but you can use any colors to match your decor. Let the paint dry before proceeding with assembly. Attach Boards and Cut Framing Ann Wilde Attach a board to the bottom front of the cabinet. Note: Be sure you know how to use a drill, and that your drill bit is set for the following steps, so you don't accidentally drill through the tabletop. Cut a tabletop the same size as the front of the cabinet, and attach a large piano hinge along the back edge. Attach the other side of the hinge to the board installed on the bottom of the cabinet. Close the tabletop over the cabinet. Cut framing pieces; attach pieces around the bottom edges of the tabletop. Cut and Attach Legs Ann Wilde Cut legs and crossbars.Attach the four pieces to each other using flat braces at the corners on the front and back of the boards. Use a carpenter's square to make sure the legs are square. Attach the leg assembly to the tabletop with a long piano hinge. Add Supports Ann Wilde Add locking drop-leaf supports on each side of the DIY wall desk to ensure the legs stay in place when open. When closed, the leg assembly becomes the chalkboard frame. If desired, fill in the area with chalkboard paint; let dry. Mount Wall Desk Ann Wilde Attach a hook and latch to the top of the cabinet and the tabletop. Use a stud finder to locate wall studs. Attach the cabinet at the appropriate height on the wall, making sure to hit the studs. The table should be level when open. Attach a support board flush under the cabinet and into wall studs. Add Personality Ann Wilde With a little extra effort, a bland background can become a piece of wall art, thanks to these DIY fold-down table ideas. If you choose, fill in the table bottom with chalkboard paint, to write out a to-do list, an inspirational quote, or a short message. Add other embellishments, such as trim or decorative hardware, as desired. What Is Chalkboard Paint? 4 Easy Ideas to Try Frequently Asked Questions Can I use store-bought fold-down desks? If you’re not keen on DIY projects or simply don’t have the experience, you may opt for store-bought fold-down desks, which are pretty straightforward in terms of installation. Depending on the style and finish, most of these are budget-friendly and there are plenty of options to choose from, from floating wall desks to collapsible fold-down desks with cabinets or storage shelves. Are fold-down beds as easy to install? If you don’t know what a Murphy bed is, it essentially follows the same concept as fold-down desks or any other kind of furniture for that matter. Murphy beds are a clever space-saving solution for small spaces, however, unlike fold-down desks that you can easily DIY, this kind of bed may be expensive—as most of them need to be custom-made—as well as time-consuming when it comes to installation. There are pros and cons you should evaluate beforehand, but, if done correctly, a Murphy bed can be an excellent alternative for modern homes.