Large pieces of furniture can be overwhelming in cramped living quarters. One way to conserve space is to create this functional desk that is attached to the wall and folds down when you're ready to use it.
Materials:
kitchen cabinet, used or new
1/4" plywood to fit either side of cabinet
finishing nails
hammer
1" x 1" scrap wood pieces or plastic shelving
brackets
screwdriver
scrap wood pieces to make shelves
reinforcement chain
screws
screw eyes
S-hooks
drill and 5/8" drill bit
heavy-duty wire cutters
pliers
magnetic door latch
Steps:
- Turn kitchen cabinet on its side so the door folds down and rests on the tabletop.
- The top and bottom of many cabinets are recessed and nobody would ever see them, but when the cabinet is turned on its side, the ends are exposed. To remedy this eyesore, cut 1/4" plywood to fit either side and attached it to the cabinet with finishing nails.
- Paint the interior and exterior of the cabinet now if desired.
- To add shelving, choose from a couple of options. Either purchase plastic shelving brackets that screw into the wood, or create a shelf bracket using scrap wood that measures approximately 1" x 1" to fit inside cabinet and nail in place. These are the pieces upon which the shelf will rest.
- Create the shelf by cutting another piece of scrap wood to fit. Thick particleboard or plywood will do.
- Use a chain to reinforce the desktop. Once you've chosen a chain and have found screws that will fit inside the chain, place the screw through the first link of chain and screw it into the inside of the top of the desk. Extend the chain halfway down the side edge of the door and mark the spot. Insert a screw eye into that area by first drilling a hole in the wood and hand-screwing it in place. Extend the chain down to the screw eye and cut the chain with heavy-duty wire cutters. Use an S-hook and pliers to connect the chain to the screw eye.
- Install a magnetic latch to secure the door by simply screwing it in place.
- Drill a hole for a doorknob and screw it in place.
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