Leaning Wall Ladder Desk

SUBMITTED BY ANA WHITE (/USER/1)

ON FRI, 08/07/2015 - 10:21

Difficulty: Intermediate

DIY leaning wall ladder desk - how to build your own leaning ladder desk out of all 1x boards.  Easy tutorial
by ANA-WHITE.com

Hello, Happy Friday!!!

I'm writing to you today from a brand new desk that I built last weekend!
I live in a small space, without the luxury of having a dedicated office.  So I needed a desk that would
maximize storage and functionality, in the smallest possible footprint.  

This desk does it.

I've been using it for about a week now, and can't even express how much I love it!!!  The desk area is just
big enough for my monitor, keyboard and mouse - no clutter can accummulate there!  And will all the
diffrent sized shelves at different heights, I can keep all my stuff organized and within easy reach.  On the
lower larger shelves, I keep my recycling basket and printer, the next level of shelves is baskets to hide all
my electronics and cords and a few books.  Moving up, I keep more books, a receipt collection bucket.  On
the shelves just above the moniter the mail, pencils and office accessories end up - it's too high for the
baby to get into and too narrow to clutter with other stuff.  The top shelf is pretty much decor and seldom
used items.
I built this desk on Saturday, working here and there, as much as I could with kids and no babysitter.  It
took me a few hours to build and stain and clear coat.  Then on Sunday I assembled the desk and brought
into the house.  That took another couple of hours.  So about five hours total - not bad!

The reason this was such a quick and easy build is all of the shelves are just 1x boards.  The top shelf is 1x6,
the next shelf is 1x8, then 1x10, 1x12 and the bottom shelf is two 1x8s.  I didn't have to rip plywood or edge
band or anything like that - just cross cut and go!

I put together a video that shows all the steps here -

And here's the steps for those of you who can't watch video -

I cut all of my boards with a compound miter saw.  For all of the shelves and the back, the length was the
same.  So what I did was set a stop block on my saw for all the cuts of the same length.  Then I can just set
my board on the saw, with one end butted up to the stop block and cut away.  There were alot of cuts, so
this made things go much faster.

Also, after I cut all of the shelf sides, I then just set my saw to a 22-1/2 degree angle (I picked this angle
because it is a set point on my saw, but you could use any angle) and nipped off one corner of all of the
shelf side trim pieces.  I didn't even measure, just made a pencil mark on my saw of where the end of the
board needed to sit, and then just cut.  This softened up the corners of the project and added a nice design
element.

 
The legs are cut at a 5 degree angle at the top and bottom.  But this won't sit flush with the wall.  So I took a
speed square and marked square to the top 5 degree angle and cut off the backs with a circular saw so
there is a 2-1/2" area on the backs of the legs that is square to the wall.  Watch the video - this all is
explained and shown in it.

 
 

Then I just went to work building shelves.  I nailed my sides and ends on - you must use glue when nailing.
 The nails will not hold out without.  

Here's all my shelves built.  The wider width shelves are two 1x8s, I did pocket hole them together on the
bottom just for security.

 
 

I stained all of the pieces with Varathane Early American, wiping on with a paper towel.

 
 

Then I sprayed on Watco Lacquer to protect the stained finish.

Now time to assemble!  First thing I did was attach the backs to the legs.

 
 

And then leaned the legs with the backs up against a wall and clamped the shelves in the right positions
and screwed them on.

And that's it - new desk system in a weekend!

 
 

The plans for this desk follow (if this is the homepage, click READ MORE below), and you can find the
leaning ladder bookshelf plans here (http://ana-white.com/2015/08/free_plans/leaning-ladder-wall-
bookshelf)!

Have a great weekend, 

XO Ana

Dimensions
Dimensions shown above

Preparation

SHOPPING LIST

Shopping list for DESK ONLY

1 - 1x8 @ 8 feet long

1 - 1x6 @ 31" long

4 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long

COMMON MATERIALS

1 1/4 inch screws

1 1/4 inch finish nails
1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006444U2/ref=as_li_tl?
ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0006444U2&linkCode=as2&tag=knoo
20&linkId=5AJJGUAWGYX2TT7E)
Elmer's Wood Glue (http://elmers.com/diy)
120 grit sandpaper

CUT LIST

SHELVES

1 - 1x6 @ 31"

3 - 1x8 @ 31"

3 - 1x3 @ 31"

2 - 1x3 @ 6-1/4"

2 - 1x3 @ 8"

2 - 1x3 @ 15-1/4"

FRAME
 2 - 1x3 @ 76-1/4" - both ends cut at 5 degrees, parallel, long point to short point
measurement

2 - 1x3 @ 32-1/2"

TOOLS

(https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-HP-18V-Brushless-Cordless-5-Tool-Combo-Kit-with-2-1-5-Ah-
Batteries-Charger-and-Bag-PSBCK05K2/316766654)

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

(https://www.ana-
white.com/sites/default/files/leaning%20wall%20desk%20ladder%20sloane%20easy%20diy%20plans
Build all of the shelves first, attach backs, then sides.  Use 1-1/4" nails or staples and wood glue.
STEP 2

(https://www.ana-
white.com/sites/default/files/leaning%20wall%20desk%20ladder%20sloane%20easy%20diy%20plans
Cut the top corner of the legs off, leaving a 2-1/2" space that is square to the top of the legs.
STEP 3

(https://www.ana-
white.com/sites/default/files/leaning%20wall%20desk%20ladder%20sloane%20easy%20diy%20plans
Attach back support to top of legs, matching square cut from step 2.
STEP 4

(https://www.ana-
white.com/sites/default/files/leaning%20wall%20desk%20ladder%20sloane%20easy%20diy%20plans
Lean the project up against the wall in its final postion.  Place remaining 1x3, level with the floor
(will NOT be square to legs) and screw in place.  
STEP 5

(https://www.ana-
white.com/sites/default/files/leaning%20wall%20desk%20ladder%20sloane%20easy%20diy%20plans
 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.

FREE PLANS MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR SPONSORS

(https://www.ryobitools.com/hp) (https://www.kregtool.com/) (https://shelfhelpnow.com/)

Welcome, I'm Ana White

I build and share smart, stylish diy projects. Since 2009.
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