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How to make a D.I.Y. timber floating wall desk

A lamp and book on a floating timber desk attached to a wall

Overview

This floating, wall-mounted timber desk gives you work and storage space, without taking up any space on the floor. It's easy to make and looks great with its minimalist styling.

Steps

1Pre-cut the ply to size

To make this project easier, you can have the ply panel pre-cut at your local Bunnings*.

For our cut list, we ripped the ply panel to get a 400mm width. Then this was cut in half into 2 x 1125mm x 400mm lengths for the top and bottom of the unit.

We also had two lengths of 400mm cut from the 200mm x 2250mm offcut for the unit ends.

*Not available at all Bunnings stores.

An assortment of tools and materials required to complete this project

2Find and mark the studs

Use the stud finder to find where the studs are on your wall which is where your unit will go. Measure and mark the height you want the floating desk to be along the stud. Use the level to draw a straight line across the wall to where the second bracket will be fixed.
A person holding a stud finder to a wall

3Attach the brackets

Use a pencil to trace around the brackets on the studs, making sure that they are level. Cut the plaster away with the utility knife where you've marked to expose the stud and then remove it. Attach the brackets to the studs with screws, once again making sure that they are level.
A person marking the position for an angle bracket on a wall

4Putty over the brackets

To hide the brackets, fill over the entire bracket with a multi-purpose filler using a scraper. Strengthen it by placing fibreglass jointed tape over the top of the filler. Then apply more filler over the tape, let it dry and then sand it back.
 
 
A person filling a vertical gap in a wall using a paint scraper

5Build the frame

Lay the bottom piece of 400mm x 1125mm on the workbench. Place a 200mm x 400mm at each end then attach with screws. Turn the frame over and slide the other 400mm x 1125mm between the ends and attach it with screws.
A person wearing protective gear drilling through two panels of plywood joined at right angles

6Putty and sand

For a great finish, use putty to fill in the screw holes and any gaps in the joins. Let the putty dry then sand it back.
A person sanding a sheet of plywood using an sanding block

7Paint and stain the desk

It's a good idea to paint the inside of the desk so that it stands out. Once the paint has dried, we applied a natural stain to the outside to protect the desk and bring out the texture of the timber. Let the stain dry.
A person painting clear sealer onto a plywood box using a paint brush

8Attach the desk

Now it's time to attach the desk to the brackets. Lift the desk onto the brackets, making sure it's centred and hard up against the wall. Use a 90-degree angled drill bit and 30mm chipboard screws to attach the desk to the brackets.
A person fitting a plywood box against a wall

9Dress your desk

Now that the floating desk is finished, it's time to dress it up. Whether you use it as a personal workstation or as storage, it'll look great in your home.
A lamp and book on a floating timber desk attached to a wall
Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.