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Flip Down Wall Art Desk

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flip down art desk murphy for kids
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Beginner Projects
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This do it yourself kids desk folds up to become a wall chalkboard! Stores art supplies and even a paper roll holder! Super easy step by step instructions to DIY your own!

wall mouted art desk

 

Perfect for an Kid's Art Desk

It's just right in size for an art station!  I love that art supplies are all kept right where they are used.

 

Tiny Space Solution

We love that this desk can work anywhere and takes up no floor space!
 

Storage Too!

This desk, when closed, takes up NO floor space, and acts as a chalkboard for playing school.  But when opened, the desk not only creates a perfect for kids coloring height desktop, it opens up a dedicated area for storing art supplies.  And I've even put in a spot for a craft paper roll!
 

Easy Systems

With this system, the supplies are stored where they are used.  That's what? fifteen minutes less for me of picking up crayons a day?  Adds up . . . 92 hours a year!!!
 

Mount at Any Height

I mounted this desk at Grace's preferred height of 22" to the desktop, but you can mount it at any height.  Hannah is seven, and the desk is still just the right size for her.
 

Easy to Use

I installed a simple hook and eye closure to keep the desk shut.  To use, just remove the hook and eye and fold open.
 
 

Support Brackets

You can use a wire and chain as a support (as I did) mounted on the exterior, or you can use a support hinge bracket as done below.  NOTE: You may need to adjust the shelving inside the cabinet to give room for the support hinge to close.  I suggest purchasing your hardware BEFORE building and adjusting your shelf locations to fit.

flip down desk hardware support

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Flip Down Wall Art Desk

Dimensions
flip down art desk dimensions
You can alter the width of the desk, but do not go any deeper - the support is not there!

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 1 - piece 3/4" plywood 16" x 24"
  • 1 - 1x4 @ 10 feet long
  • 1 set hinge supports or wire or chain (see comments)
  • 1 set basic hinges
  • 3 D ring hangers
  • Chalkboard paint (optional)
  • Moulding or trim (optional)
Common Materials
2 inch screws
2 inch finish nails
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
paint
paint brush
Cut List

1 - 1x4 @ 11 1/4"

1 - 1x4 @ 12 3/4"

2 - 1x4 @ 14 1/2"

2 - 1x4 @ 24"

1 - 3/4" Plywood @ 24" x 16"

1/2" dowel, 30" long (optional for the paper roll)

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Circular Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander
Level
Drill Bit Set
General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

I built this project with 2" finish nails, but you can also use screws or the Kreg Jig.

 
Start in the center and work your way outward so you don't get caught in a corner.  Mark all joints and fasten with glue.

Please read all comments when installing the hinge supports - per reader comments, depending on your hinge supports, you may need to add extra clearance for the supports.

Step 2

Mark joints and attach in place.

Step 3

Now the top and bottom. Drill 1/2" diameter holes for paper roll here. Leave dowel long so you can roll the outside ends to roll up the craft roll.

Step 4

You do not have to put the trim on, I did because my chalkboard edges were so ugly! I used window casing, but you can use anything. Attach the top with simple hinges on the bottom.

Step 5

Use D Ring hanging brackets to hang on the wall.  Be SURE to attach to at least one stud in the wall, and properly hang in drywall on two other locations.

Step 6

 
UPDATE: Per reader comments, this desk may not fit standard support hinges with the paper roll holder.   I used a simple chain on the outside coupled with euro style non mortise hinges that already provide support and it's plenty strong.  If I had placed the hinges inset more, the chain could have been put on the inside of the desk as well - but it just worked out better on the outside for me.
 
Other workarounds could be flipping the desk over so the paper roll is to the top, or using a wider width board for the outer frame, with a slightly narrower width board (for example a 1x4 frame with 1x3 shelves) to fit the support hinges.
 
My apologies to anyone having issues.  Thank you to those of you who have left feedback, it is greatly appreciated.  Ana
 
 
Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Project Type
Desk, Desk Systems and Project Table Plans
Wall Projects
Toys
Kids Tables and Chairs
Room
Kids and Toys
Style
Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

kongk

Tue, 05/21/2013 - 05:53

Generally I do not read article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thanks, very great post.
W3BZ Advice

Al Lulu

Fri, 06/07/2013 - 16:06

Ana, because I love your plans I went out and bought a kreg jig. 

So here is my dumb question. The plan calls for 2 inch nails but if I use a crate chick and use 2 inch pocket screws it goes right through both boards. What size Kreg screws and I supposed to use for this plan? I finished it with 2 inch Phillips and that was fine. Had to make some adjustments since not everything lined up the way I wanted. 

But since you love the Kreg can you tell me the screw answer?

clloyd7

Fri, 01/30/2015 - 22:23

I realize this thread is old, but I figured I'd answer in case anyone else was looking for the answer to this question. Pocket hole screws are sized based upon the material thickness the screw will be used in. The screw length to material thickness charts are typically on the Kreg screw boxes. If not, your pocket hole jig set should have included a list.

For reference, you can find the information and a handy illustration here: http://www.kregtool.com/files/newsletters/kregplus/Images/february12/se…

clloyd7

Fri, 01/30/2015 - 22:23

I realize this thread is old, but I figured I'd answer in case anyone else was looking for the answer to this question. Pocket hole screws are sized based upon the material thickness the screw will be used in. The screw length to material thickness charts are typically on the Kreg screw boxes. If not, your pocket hole jig set should have included a list.

For reference, you can find the information and a handy illustration here: http://www.kregtool.com/files/newsletters/kregplus/Images/february12/se…

KELLY JONES

Sat, 12/07/2013 - 21:56

Hi Ana,
I am in love with this design and I have bought all the materials to make two of them for the children I nanny for. After sitting down to make sure I had all my material before jumping in I realized i was missing the 22 ½ inch 1x4 that is need to make the shelf above the paper roll. After looking back I noticed that it is also missing in the cut list. So I was not sure if somewhere I missed something while reading. Any help would be FANTASTIC!!

nettibug60

Sun, 03/01/2015 - 21:03

I have home-schooled mine as well as other peoples children. We had desks similar to this in our former home and are making these for our current home. We had a couple questions. We noticed on the cut list, it did not include the board at the bottom just above the dowel for paper. This bring about another question, if a person puts in this board/shelf (which we did put in), there would be no room for the hinge you are suggesting. Can you tell me how we can have the shelf, dowel for paper and use that hinge?

LanaiLynne

Tue, 05/12/2015 - 15:18

I just came across this on a search for something similar in which to keep my MANY herbal supplements and night-time meds -- thanks so very much! I plan to add shelves inside to best-fit my bottles, and will make it taller overall to hold more of the same!

I will leave upper shelves open -- that is, the desk/counter surface will only cover the lower portion of the unit ... to reduce weight, primarily, though I will also use exposed shelves for knick-knack display.

I tend to clutter my kitchen counters with supplements because I want to be close to the refrig in case I need more liquid mid-swallow! Any time I can go vertical for storage, count me in! Thanks for posting this.

konadreamer

Wed, 06/29/2016 - 17:48

Aloha Ana,

I built this desk this weekend and the cut list was short one piece...luckily I had some extra 1 x 4 laying around!  Might be good to adjust the PDF for future builders.

The 22 1/2 " length of the 1x4 was missing.

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