Extending a desk

SavingStudent1

Hi everyone,

So, I am planning to extend my desk in order to make it more comfortable for me. Currently, the depth of the table is quite small, in particular the top of the desk where I put my items. So, before it was fine, but now I've got a few more things and I'd like to work on them in front of each other, rather by side by side. So, I need to put many objects in front of each other, but they'll end up falling currently due to the depth of the desk.

So, I'm planning to extend the front: 

As the picture shows, I'm just planning to extend the top of the desk with something of the same height, so it sits level and seems like an extension. For example, then I can put my laptop on the 'extension' part and my books parallel below on the desk.

I was thinking, do you guys have any ideas to do this? I suppose first I'll have to find the object, and the desk is made of chipboard, so ideally I'd like to get the same item. But, it seems to have a cover on top of it, which makes it functional as a desk, so I'm planning to research on that additional layer on the chipboard.

But, once I figure all of that out, what would an ideal idea be: would it be to cut it out to the relevant height, width and depth, and then get small flat brackets that I can attach, to affix it to the top of the desk.

So, the flat bracket will be underneath the desk and the extension part and screwed to the bottom of them. So, I'll put it such that half the bracket is covered underneath the desk and the other half by the extension part, so when screwed, I suppose it'll hold well?

Please give me ideas and feedback on my suggestion!

Thanks

Forwandert

Could you not just buy a laptop stand/tripod and place it behind at the right height or use one of those brackets that attaches to the desk?

I don't think you'll get a good strong fit with attaching something to chipboard. One way would be to get a piece of mdf cut to size and use that with brackets etc underneath on the chipboard top for additional strength and place the mdf on top but I wouldn't be relying on a piece of wood attached as an extension to a chipboard desktop with a couple of brackets for a laptop without some extra support.  

getmore4less

picture would be useful and a link to the desk if you have one for dimensions

you will struggle with a single piece without proper supports if you will be leaning on it.

what's your budget?

Chipboard has its issues as its not that good with regular screw even chip board specific ones.
you can get specific fittings but I have found insert nuts are very robust. 

A simple solution(that will raise the height a bit) is a top sheet of the right shape and size to cover all the table clamped at the back with a overhang at the front whatever shape you need.

to stop stuff falling of the back you need single sheet of 150mm(or less) furniture board upright along the back edge
https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-White-Furniture-Panel---15mm-x-150mm-x-2400mm/p/110082



From the pic it looks like you are trying to create a L shaped/corner  desk.

Try freecycle charity shops and ebay you might find something cheap enough and a lot less hassle.


you could buy 2 tables from Ikea for £50 and make one or just this £17  one to attach yo your existing

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/linnmon-adils-table-white-s29932181/
remove one leg and fix to existing table with a suitable bracket(or leave the leg if you don't mind it getting in the way.

twopenny

I'd get a bookcase to put behind the desk. Then you have a solid extension and storage with almost no hassle.
Just a cheap one will do, charity shop, furniture exchange, Ikea etc.

GDB2222

Piece of 18 mm plywood cut to the size of the entire new desktop. Place on top of existing desk. Job done. 

SavingStudent1

Forwandert said:

Could you not just buy a laptop stand/tripod and place it behind at the right height or use one of those brackets that attaches to the desk?

I don't think you'll get a good strong fit with attaching something to chipboard. One way would be to get a piece of mdf cut to size and use that with brackets etc underneath on the chipboard top for additional strength and place the mdf on top but I wouldn't be relying on a piece of wood attached as an extension to a chipboard desktop with a couple of brackets for a laptop without some extra support.  

No, unfortunately I can't do it with the first method as I won't be able to put something behind the desk of the right height. It'll have to be something that just sticks out from the desk, without anything holding it from the bottom like a laptop stand.

But, what if I don't lean on the wood? I'm just going to be leaning on my desk to be honest, the wood extension won't really be touched unless I'm moving my laptop. It is almost like a monitor area - you place the monitor in its spot on the desk and just leave it there without moving it - except when adjusting. But, I am planning to create something like that: the wood extension would be a place for the laptop to just stay still until I am done with it and put it back away, or I could just keep it there all the time if it is not a problem.

SavingStudent1

getmore4less said:

picture would be useful and a link to the desk if you have one for dimensions

you will struggle with a single piece without proper supports if you will be leaning on it.

what's your budget?

Chipboard has its issues as its not that good with regular screw even chip board specific ones.
you can get specific fittings but I have found insert nuts are very robust. 

A simple solution(that will raise the height a bit) is a top sheet of the right shape and size to cover all the table clamped at the back with a overhang at the front whatever shape you need.

to stop stuff falling of the back you need single sheet of 150mm(or less) furniture board upright along the back edge
https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-White-Furniture-Panel---15mm-x-150mm-x-2400mm/p/110082



From the pic it looks like you are trying to create a L shaped/corner  desk.

Try freecycle charity shops and ebay you might find something cheap enough and a lot less hassle.


you could buy 2 tables from Ikea for £50 and make one or just this £17  one to attach yo your existing

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/linnmon-adils-table-white-s29932181/
remove one leg and fix to existing table with a suitable bracket(or leave the leg if you don't mind it getting in the way.

So, from your picture: I am trying to extend the 60 cm depth to something like 80 cm, say. But, this doesn't have to be for the entire width of the table. It could be, I am more than happy to do that if it is easier or better. But, I don't mind just having a small section of the tabletop extended, which is what I tried to show in my diagram:

Maybe an extension in the middle of the tabletop, 30 cm x 30 cm (width-depth).
The furniture panel looks good to me in the sense that is seems like an item which I want to attach to the bottom edge of the tabletop to extend its depth. Of course, I want only: width >= 20 cm and length - could be anything between the same as the table or just >= 20 cm really to do the job. 

Not sure about the thickness tbh, would really need it to be the same as the table right? - else it won't be flat level with it.

SavingStudent1

twopenny said:

I'd get a bookcase to put behind the desk. Then you have a solid extension and storage with almost no hassle.
Just a cheap one will do, charity shop, furniture exchange, Ikea etc.

Thanks for the suggestion, unfortunately I don't have space to do that as the desk is sort of against a wall, but not fully.

SavingStudent1

GDB2222 said:

Piece of 18 mm plywood cut to the size of the entire new desktop. Place on top of existing desk. Job done. 

Thank you, but I want it beyond the desk, not on top of it.

Forwandert

SavingStudent1 said:

GDB2222 said:

Piece of 18 mm plywood cut to the size of the entire new desktop. Place on top of existing desk. Job done. 

Thank you, but I want it beyond the desk, not on top of it.

I think they mean as I said previously just I said mdf and the comment was plywood. Get a new piece cut the exact size of the desk but with the extra section on the same piece of wood,  then put on top and secure it. It'll be sturdier than trying to attach an extra section to the chipboard. Then you can put brackets underneath to support it. 

SavingStudent1

Forwandert said:

SavingStudent1 said:

GDB2222 said:

Piece of 18 mm plywood cut to the size of the entire new desktop. Place on top of existing desk. Job done. 

Thank you, but I want it beyond the desk, not on top of it.

I think they mean as I said previously just I said mdf and the comment was plywood. Get a new piece cut the exact size of the desk but with the extra section on the same piece of wood,  then put on top and secure it. It'll be sturdier than trying to attach an extra section to the chipboard. Then you can put brackets underneath to support it. 

Oh yes, sorry I misinterpreted their statement even though you said the same thing... my apologies.
Oh okay, I understand now. So, put a layer on top of the original desk which forms the exact shape that I want it.