Recently I was a Crate and Barrel and I found the Sloane Leaning Desk and thought that it would be perfect for my media center. (See that wall heater under the desk, I needed that to be open and I was tired of my big wood box of a media center on the, now, couch wall.) So knowing that I had seen the Leaning Wall Shelf on this site I knew I could reconfigure it a bit to work out for my own needs.
First, I cut the dimensions down a bit. Instead of the 31 1/2" length on all of the shelves I cut them at 24". Then then all the back trim at 25 1/2". Then for the middle section, I cut the shelf and desk at 36" and the back trim to 37 1/2". The side trim for the desk is 14 1/4". The desk itself was 22x36" and the top shelf was cut from a 1x8x6. I did this because I could cut all the other shelves and the desk from one piece of 4x8' plywood. For added support I used a 2x4 as the brace under the desk and added 1x2 braces (cut at a 45 degree angle) for extra support on the front/ sides of the desk (see photo). I also left all the edges squared off for a more modern look, like the Sloane.
I hope this helps you and good luck with your project! FYI, this was my first build EVER, and with a little help from my dad cutting the wood and getting it level, I got it done pretty easily. Oh, and get yourself some large clamps or an extra set of hands to help hold things together while you're drilling.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I built the main supports and shelves separately then sanded, primed and painted them before assembling them in my home. For the primer I used 1qt. Zinsser 1-2-3 (1 coat), then used 1qt. of Martha Stewart, Seal (2 coats with a smooth finish roller) in a satin finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Comments
Pam the Goatherd
Wed, 05/15/2013 - 11:05
Great idea!
Great idea!
Julie44256
Fri, 05/17/2013 - 09:54
Hardware Cost?
The estimated cost is $100, but the hardware linked from the original plan was over $300. Do you have an alternate method of mounting this?
arkep
Fri, 05/17/2013 - 11:23
Hardware cost
I think that link was a suggestion if you want an assisted lift/lowering system, and that hardware is part of what makes regular Murphy beds so expensive. I just used door hinges--3 for $8. It's not that heavy to lift and lower the bed, in my opinion.
Julie44256
Fri, 05/17/2013 - 11:40
Hardware Cost :)
Thank you for your reply! If I make this project, I think I'll try the door hinges. It won't be frequently used (a few times a year) and I'm pretty sure we can handle the minimal weight for those few occasions.
P.S. I really like the styling with the wood and corrugated metal, it looks sharp!
iMark
Fri, 06/28/2013 - 20:02
great muphy bed
thanks for sharing the murphy bed. have been looking for a space solution for my daughter's bedroom. the corrugated tin look sharp in this project--my daughter would like the corrugatged tin as well--except for hot pink stain on the cabinet.
anyone know where to get hot pink stain?
Onaedge428
Sun, 09/08/2013 - 20:58
Does anyone have any
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to bring it up off the floor some?
DorieM
Wed, 02/10/2016 - 04:22
Modify?
I would love this for my room let me save space versus sideways bed. Maybe spray chalkboard or dry erase on one side magnets to one side and daily to do notes on the other?
DorieM
Wed, 02/10/2016 - 04:24
Modify possibility?
Paint tin with dry erase or chalkboard on one side for daily notes?