The Whats, Whys, and Hows of Wall Mounted Desks

A major aspect of modern design trends is being efficient and minimal, but stylish and sleek. You can see these features in design choices like two-toned walls, more simplistic furniture, and in basic geometric shapes like rectangular tables which have few to no decorations.

One feature of modern interior design that’ll catch your eye is the floating desk. We’re so used to having our tables and desks standing on legs, pedestals, and trestles that seeing them sticking out of the walls is a nice change of pace.

Floating desks, tables, and shelves are becoming a staple of modern home interior design. Here’s how this new trend can benefit you in both style and functionality.

What Is a Wall Mounted Desk

Floating desks really stand out. In a study, office, or library they can offer a few great stylistic and practical benefits. You’ll find them in a variety of designs, which is thanks to how minimal they are. There’s a lot of room to get creative and experiment with the shapes, materials, color, size, etc.

Wall Mounted Desk

The Home Office Solution for Any Space

There is an abundance of wall-mounted desk designs, but their most prominent feature is that they look like they’re piercing through the wall. This at first seems like nothing more than a stylistic choice, until you realize this simple feature opens up so many possibilities to get creative. 

Since they’re not limited by floor space and don’t have to worry about the structural conventions of traditional desks, carpenters can go crazy with their designs. The one downside to wall-mounted furniture is that it’s a permanent fixture in your interior. However, unless you’re planning to redesign your study or workspace soon, this shouldn’t bother you at all.

Foldable Desk

The Convenience of a Desk that Disappears, Photo by Simon Woehrer on Unsplash

Photo by Simon Woehrer on Unsplash 

Don’t want to have the desk permanently jutting out of the wall? There are all kinds of creative compromises, a very popular one being the foldable floating desk. 

Modern interior design, as minimal as it generally tends to be, still takes convenience into account. That is why foldable floating desks are so convenient. It’s a desk when you need it to be one and some shelf space or nice decor when you don’t. You can even build one into a living room cupboard so that it matches the rest of the interior. Your options are virtually unlimited. All it takes is a little creativity and careful design to make a practical, yet very stylish foldable wall-mounted desk.

Corner Desk

A Cute Home Office Is Just a Few Simple Solutions Away

A wall-mounted corner desk is great if you’re planning on lining your desk with several monitors, laptops, and books. Since corner desks are fastened to the walls on two sides as opposed to one, they are more structurally solid and can accommodate more weight. 

Even without structural support below it, a floating corner desk will stay firmly planted on the wall and hold heavy loads without any sign of waning for years to come. It’s perfect for anyone working from home and in need of a home office setup.

Why You Would Want a Wall Mounted Desk

All these designs and styles are great to know about. But why would one choose floating desks over conventional ones? Everyone has their own reasons and preferences for using wall-mounted furniture and these are among the most popular ones. 

Style and Design

Small Doesn't Have to Lack In Style

It looks very nice. There doesn’t really need to be a more profound reason. Just the fact that it looks neat is reason enough to have one. They don’t have those legs under them that we're all so used to and this little heterogeneity in style is a nice departure from tradition.

Depending on the design of the desk, it can also complement the style of the surrounding interior. For example, if you’re going for a loft interior design, a simple wooden desk with an industrial metal frame would fit the rest of the furniture. If you’re going for a more rustic or natural aesthetic, use reclaimed wood as it’s appropriately rugged and rough. 

Ergonomic Work Space

Floating desks can also be very ergonomic. One problem with modern desks is getting the right amount of space under them. Some desks are too narrow, others have big legs that restrict free movement. Freeing up space under them makes the difference between being comfortable and feeling constrained. By mounting the desk or table onto the wall, you’re entirely bypassing this issue. Without any legs under it, the desk becomes far more ergonomic, as you can use the space under there for extra storage, without having to worry about restricted movement. 

How You Can Make a Floating Desk

With the rising trend in wall-mounted desks, tables, and shelves, you’ll find more and more furniture sellers and carpenters that have them on offer. In addition to purchasing or having one specially designed for your home, you can also just make one yourself. The DIY floating desk is one of the easier projects you can complete with some very basic tools and materials, barely putting a dent in your budget.

Build It Yourself

How to Build a Wall-Mounted Desk

Building a floating desk is the perfect project for a DIY enthusiast, as well as someone looking to get into handiwork. They’re not very hard to make, though it is advisable that you have basic knowledge of woodworking or carpentry. The lack of legs makes the design process a lot easier.

• You can attach some ropes or chains on the outer corners of the desk, making it look like it’s hanging off the wall, to spice up its appearance.
• Find some hinges strong enough to support the surface and the weight you’ll be putting on the desk. You can also make a very basic floating table that can be folded up to free up space in the room when you're not using it. You’re at liberty to choose your own designs and think of ways to push the envelope on what your desk can look like.
• Remember to choose the right wood. Depending on the kind of load the desk is going to be holding up, you have a variety of hardwood options. Use something durable and strong, but in the case of a foldable desk, make sure that it’s not too heavy. There shouldn’t be too much pressure on the hinges, as they’ll become weak and could break. Birch plywood is a great option.
• If you’re planning on making a bigger desk for heavier loads, like the corner desk mentioned above, consider attaching metal brackets below the desk for added support. It may feel like there isn’t enough structural integrity at first, but even a small wall-mounted desk can handle 80 to 90 pounds of weight. This is significantly more than what most people put on their work surfaces.
• This whole project should take you a couple of days to create from scratch. If you can buy pre-measured and cut boards that already have the necessary screw holes dug in, you might even build and install it in one day. In case this is your first DIY project, ask one of our many professionals to give you pointers, especially with the more delicate steps of the process.

The cost of the materials to build a floating desk will be around $800, give or take. You can go a little cheaper if you’re making a small one, with fewer additions. For more grandiose projects, perhaps a second board above to stack books, or a tiny pull-out drawer, expect to pay over $1000.

Buy It Premade 

DIY Floating Desk

If you have the knowledge and equipment to install a floating table yourself, but not the skills to design and build one, you can always purchase them premade. As a result of the high demand, they’re sold in many furniture stores and online marketplaces. Premade floating desks come with all the instructions you need for safe and easy installation. Many sellers offer a wide variety of styles and designs for you to choose from so finding one that matches your interior should be a breeze.

Hire a Professional

Complete Your Home Office Corner With a Floating Desk

In case you don’t have the time or skills to build or install one yourself, you can always get expert help. Carpenters and contractors know all the nuances of incorporating new pieces of furniture, like a wall-mounted desk, into your interior design. The installation is very quick and won’t cost too much. An experienced carpenter with years of experience can get the exact design and style that fits your preferences, tastes, and the rest of your interior.

Unlike building the desk yourself, hiring a contractor to make it for you may double your expenses. The advantage of getting an expert pair of hands is that they know all the ins and outs of making a solid structure, as well as giving it any additional feature you’d like. Railings, lighting, some beautiful decor — these are just a few examples of what you can expect from a professional that you yourself may not have the time to do. With that in mind, getting a floating desk expertly designed and built should cost around $2000.