How to Make a Space-Saving Floating Desk

As more and more professionals work from home, they find it's important to have a designated workspace for working on a laptop, catching up on reading and paying bills. In homes where space is at a premium, finding room for a workspace can often mean sacrificing one function to support another. Clever multipurpose solutions make it possible to sneak in a workspace, no matter how spatially-challenged a room may be. An excellent, flexible solution that is ideally suited to small spaces is a floating-shelf workstation.

In recent years floating-style furniture has emerged as an effective way to create the illusion of more space. In bathrooms, floating-style vanities free up floor space, creating the feeling of slightly more square footage. In more decorative spaces — such as living rooms, bedrooms and offices — floating shelves keep everyday items within arm's reach in a sleek, light and airy manner. By applying this same principle to a workspace, the same light, airy, space-saving illusion can be achieved to support multiple functions, including working from home.

Creating a custom workspace surface doesn't necessarily come with a custom price tag. By sticking with basic building materials such as MDF (medium density fiberboard), hinges and paint, there are endless possibilities for giving the do-it-yourself floating-shelf workstation a one-of-a-kind look. In a few simple steps, here is how to create a streamlined, custom workspace that is aesthetically pleasing, efficient and packed with storage.

Materials Needed:

• MDF (medium density fiberboard)
• table saw
• pencil
• notepad
• stud finder
• painter’s tape
• tape measure
• nail gun
• nails
• screw gun
• wood screws
• drywall anchors (75 lb capacity)

• drywall screws
• clean rag or sponge
• small dust brush
• hinges
• paint roller
• roller sleeve
• semi-gloss or lacquer paint
• paint pan
• paintbrush
• jigsaw
• 2-inch paddle bit
• drop cloth

Sketch Design

Sketch the overall shape, scale and style of the intended floating-shelf workstation onto a notepad using a pencil or black marker. This will help you determine how much material is needed.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-

Find Wall Stud

Once the workstation's placement is determined, use a stud finder to find the location of the wall studs behind the wall's surface. This is necessary to properly secure the workstation to the wall.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-

Mark Wall Stud

Mark the wall stud areas with a pencil or marker.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-