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Chunky Console Table Desk with Flip Down Keyboard Tray

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Submitted by Ana White on Sun, 08/30/2020 - 14:20
Difficulty
Intermediate
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No room for a desk?  This beautiful console table flips open to hide a laptop or a keyboard!  You'll love it's narrow profile, hidden storage in the legs, and simple to build design.  Free plans from Ana-White.com

console table desk

This plan has been updated, the original plans are still available here.

console table with flip down keyboard tray

Dimensions
console table converts to desk
Overall Dimensions are shown above. I choose to use standard sized boards in this design so that you could use pine boards for a rustic look, use scraps, or have MDF cut into board sized dimensions (as I did). The desk is narrow when closed, console sized. So if you like lots of room for more than just using your computer, this might not be the desktop for you.

Preparation

Shopping List

6 Frameless Full Overlay Euro Style Hinges like these

1 – 1×12 @ 8′ Length (cut top and shelf from this board)

1 - 1x12 @ 10' length (cut all other cuts, largest first, from this board)

1 – 1×6 @ 8′ Length

1-1/4" brad nails or 2" self tapping star bit screws or 1-1/4" pocket hole screws (or a combination of all of the above

Cut List

2 - 1x12 @ 29-1/4" - outer legs

1 - 1x12 @ 46-1/2" - shelf

2 - 1x12 @ 24-1/2" - inner legs

1 - 1x12 @ 48" - top

6 - 1x12 @ 4" - dividers

1 - 1x6 @ 48" - keyboard fold down

2 - 1x6 @ 23-3/4" - storage leg doors

Tools
Tape Measure
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Drill
Circular Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander

Instructions

Step 1

Attach legs to the desk tray using your choice of fastener - 1-1/4" brad nails and wood glue, 2" self tapping wood screws, or 3/4" pocket holes with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.  You can use any combination of these fasteners to build throughout the plans, considering that the brad nails are cheapest, easiest and easiest to hide, but pocket hole screws will create a stronger joint.

Recommend for this step: Pocket Holes

TIP: The 1x12 @ 4" pieces can be used as a temporary spacer to set your shelf height.

Step 2

I recommend installing the hinges at this point, since it will be hard to get a drill inside the project as we progress further.  Simply screw to the project as shown, with the flat front flush to the front edges of the project.  You can use a scrap piece of wood to help you place the hinges, making sure they are flush to the front.

Exact location is not essential, just close the locations in the diagram is good.

Step 3

Attach the inner leg piece to the shelf.

Recommended: Pocket Holes 

Step 4

Attach top to the outer legs.

Recommended: 1-1/4" brad nails with glue since they are easiest to hide.

Step 5

Attach dividers inside the project as shown - I've placed them so you can fit an 8-1/2" x 11" book/paper in the openings, but you can move the dividers around a good bit without changing the structure of the project.

Recommended: 1-1/4" brad nails and glue.

Step 6

Position the 1x6 drawer faces under the project and attach through the hinges with screws to fasten.

Step 7

If you find you need additional support, fully enclosing the back with 1x6s (same as door faces but attached with 1-1/4" brad nails and glue) will increase the stability and strength of the project (but add costs).

The keyboard fold down can be further strengthened by a hidden chain or hinge supports on the insides of the dividers.

Project Type
Desk, Desk Systems and Project Table Plans
Room
office
Style
Modern Style Furniture Plans

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