The Double-Duty Wood Slab Shelving That Can Also Serve As A Desk
If you recently set up a new desk for your home office, you probably noticed that it can be difficult to balance comfort with an efficient use of your space. Even if working remotely isn't a part of your regular schedule, you still need your desk to be an ergonomically friendly zone that suits all manner of tasks, from writing in your calendar to using your computer. However, if you choose a desk that's too large for your space, you might end up sacrificing some of your room's storage capacity or visual appeal. If you're looking for a creative solution to this problem, a new wall shelving unit might be the key component to a more efficient arrangement.
The perfect centerpiece for your home office doesn't have to be a traditional desk as long as you have a comfortable place to work. In fact, YouTuber @fixmyhouse has a creative DIY tutorial for creating a combined wall shelf and desk that will fit just about any design style. Ian's video uses Rubbermaid's adjustable closet shelf hardware, a few matching brackets, and slabs of pinewood. This space-saving arrangement is relatively easy to install, looks neat, and is significantly cheaper than purchasing a new desk. The end result will be a home office that you love to work in.
How to install shelving that doubles as a desk
Before you start building a new combined desk and shelving unit like Ian's, make sure to consider the placement of the fixture relative to the outlets in the room. You'll need space to plug in a surge protector for your computer ands a desk lamp; the less visible the cords are, the better. Next, review the available shelving hardware to find which product dimensions work best for your space.
The 47.5 inch Rubbermaid Fasttrack shelving rail and the 25 inch Rubbermaid Fasttrack adjustable shelving rail are both great choices for this project and pair perfectly with Rubbermaid's 12 inch Fasttrack brackets. Make sure to get longer brackets for the desk than you're planning to use for the shelves above so that you don't hit your head when you stand up from the desk. Finally, pick up a set of wall shelves from a home goods retailer, or select sturdy pieces of finished wood that fits the measurements of your brackets.
To begin the installation process, find your wall studs using a magnet or a budget-friendly tool like the Craftsman stud finder. Then, drill the shelving rails into place on the studs to ensure their stability. Slot the brackets into the railing and fix the shelving onto the brackets. The desk should jut out from the wall further than the shelves. One of the best things about this setup is that you can easily adjust the height of the desk by simply moving the brackets up or down a railing slot.
Upgrading the visual appeal of your shelf and desk unit
The shelf and desk fixture in Ian's video looks great, and that's in no small part because of how well he's decorated it. Books, framed photos, and other large decor items will help you hide the railing on the wall that runs between the different levels of the shelf. House plants are also a great choice for this arrangement and will bring a splash of color and improved air quality to your workspace. Ariceleo battery-powered fairy lights or other LEDs could also be a great choice for brightening everything up alongside a more traditional desk lamp.
If you have too many cords running from the surface of the desk to the outlet, you might also want to pick up a set of Nettbe velcro cable ties. These cord wraps are an inexpensive way to ensure your space appears clutter-free. Finally, don't forget to carefully consider the ergonomics of your home office. A supportive desk chair and a properly positioned computer monitor are essential for keeping you comfortable whenever you're working for several hours at a time.