How To DIY A Fold Down Desk Using A Cutting Board

If you work from home, you know the struggle to prevent your work area from taking over your entire living room, dining room, or studio apartment. A simple fold-down desk can address the clutter collection problem that traditional desks often pose since you'll need to keep it clear enough to fold it out of the way when you're not using it. This will allow you to establish a more productive at-home office. Unfortunately, folding desks can be expensive, especially for those on a tight budget.

As it turns out, if you have a large cutting board lying around (or find a used one at a thrift store), you can make your own wooden fold-down desk for about $30, thanks to Derek Zimmerman posting his cutting board transformation hack on TikTok. Whether you're looking to create a standing desk for your walking pad or save space during non-work hours, this is one DIY hack worth giving a try.

All you need to build your own version of the desk is a wooden cutting board large enough to serve as a desktop and a set of folding mounting brackets. If you have to buy a new cutting board, the project will cost you around $70, but a used board can save you significant money. If you'd like to ensure straightness by using a level, you can pick one up for about $8 on Amazon. When ordering your supplies, check the size of your brackets against the size of your cutting board to ensure that they won't extend farther than the board.

Once you've acquired your supplies, decide on the precise location where you'd like to mount your desk and mark the spot. Then, attach the cutting board to the folding mounting brackets using screws. Next, attach the folding mounting brackets to the wall with the included screws and drywall anchors. Utilize your level — if you're using one — to ensure they are even and straight.

If you don't have an unused cutting board and can't find an inexpensive one at a secondhand store, this TikTok hack might not be quite a money-saving miracle. You can purchase a wooden fold-down desk similar to the one Derek Zimmerman posted on Amazon for about the same price as a new cutting board. All you need to do is attach it to your wall. You could also buy a laminated pine plank for less than $20 at Home Depot to use instead of the cutting board.

Once your desk has been installed, ensure it folds up and down as intended. Next, it's time to grab your laptop and your walking pad or chair and take it for a spin. When it's not in use, fold it down and enjoy utilizing the space a permanent desk would take up in the room. This same method can be used for shelves or tables of nearly any kind.