If you don’t have a lot of space or want to put a desk in a compact location, then a wall-mounted fold down desk may be the best option.
This article includes:
- The top 5 best fold down desks and their pros and cons.
- What fold down desks are and how they work.
- The different types and what to look for to choose the best fold down desk for you
Let's get started!
Top 5 Best Fold Down Desks
- Pmnianhua Multifunctional Fold Down Wall Mounted Computer Desk (Our Top Pick)
- No products found. (Best Budget)
- Isasar Wall Mounted Folding Table(Best High End)
- Haotian FWT07-W,White Folding Wooden Wall-Mounted Drop-Leaf Table
- YU YUSING Wall Mounted Table
What Are Fold Down Desks?
Fold-down desks are those types of desks that attach to a wall and fold up and down.
There are plenty of different types to choose from, but they all have some type of folding technique that can reduce the amount of space you need to keep one in a tight space.
They are popular for children and teens who are going to school from home as well as remote workers.
Because they allow you to have a work area that doesn't take up too much space when you are not using the desk.
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You can also mount many of them at any height, which means you can put them at the best height for you and your chair.
You can even use it as a standing desk to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting unhealthily! There will also be wall space around for shelves to put décor and work materials.
Check out this video to learn how to build your fold-down desk!
What are the Different Types of Fold Down Desks?
There are different types of fold-down desks depending on the style and the way that it works.
There are shelf options as well as cabinet, floating, z-shaped, and adjustable options to consider.
Let’s look at what each one of these means and why it may be a good choice for you.
Shelf
This type has a thick structure that makes it take up a little more space away from the wall even when folded up.
They sometimes even have room for a drawer and as it folds down it looks more like a shelf than a desk.
This type of desk is good because they are sturdy and attach tightly to the wall. They may have shelves on the sides, top, or bottom as well to put other items.
This is probably the most common type that you will see.
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Cabinet
This one opens more like a vertical cabinet on hinges and may even look similar to a medicine cabinet when folded up.
Generally, once folded down there is plenty of storage space that is most commonly open but maybe hidden behind drawers and doors as well.
This type is often a little thinner than shelf options, but may not be as stable either.
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Floating
This type is only the desk platform without the surrounding shelf or cabinet component and for that reason, they are usually very affordable.
Since they are lightweight, they can also be sturdy and easy to move if you choose a different height or move to a new home.
They do have less space for work or school materials, but you can install shelves and stuff around them later if you need to.
Z-Shaped
This type folds down with a platform leg that meets the ground.
Instead of facing the wall when using the desk, you will face parallel to the wall and the desk will meet the wall perpendicularly.
Because of this, they have more space and when they are made well they can also be very stable and sturdy.
Much of the space they will take up will be vertical as well and they often have cabinets and shelves behind them to the side.
Adjustable
This type is not very common, but there are wall-mounted, but not foldable options that are a little more popular.
Still, some options can fold and also screw or move up and down manually as well as electrically adjustable options.
This allows you to use the desk most optimally because, according to research, switching between sitting and standing throughout the day is the best and healthiest method to use a desk.
How Do Fold Down Desks Work?
Most use hinges or a chain to fold down but remain stable. They will latch on with a hook or use strong magnets to fold up and stay closed vertically.
When they open the chains give extra support when fully extended, but then hinges or other moving parts and components keep the desk horizontal when working.
Z-shaped options also have a leg piece that gives more support against the ground.
This saves you a ton of space because a full-sized desk cannot become compact at a moment's notice.
If you are using your bedroom or living room for work or school, you probably don't want a huge desk taking up a bunch of space.
Therefore, a folding, wall-mounted desk is a fantastic option for a lot of people.
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What to Look for in the Best Fold Down Desks?
To get the best fold-down desk possible, it is important to check the quality, size, and other aspects.
Just because they are more compact and fold up does not mean that every option will fit in the space you have available.
Make sure that the folded up and folded down spaces are both good for the room you have to use for the desk.
Checking the weight capacity will tell you a lot about the quality.
Ones that are not very well made will have very low weight limits and the hinges may also look easier to bend and the magnets or latch may also appear lopsided, loose, or weak.
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Remember that while cost doesn’t always mean poor quality, many of these desks are very affordable anyways, much cheaper than full-sized desk products so as long as it is a good price, a more expensive option may be better in this case.
Even the high-end elegant options are quite affordable for many people.
Best Fold Down Desks
#1 Pmnianhua Multifunctional Fold Down Wall Mounted Computer Desk
- [Durable Plywood Materials]: Built to last, our home office desk is constructed from high-quality plywood, ensuring stability and strength. The natural wood finish adds a touch of sophistication to any room.
- [Space Saving & Ample storage]: Our wall mounted table is perfect for small spaces, transforming any room into a functional work or study area. The foldable tabletop allows you to create extra space when needed and conveniently tucks away when not in use.Organize your essentials with three open cabinets and two-tier shelves. Keep your workspace clutter-free and create a tidy and efficient environment.
The wall-mounted structure is sturdy and environmentally friendly and can hold up to 88 pounds.
It acts as a bookshelf when folded up and a desk when folded down.
Also, has three-tiered shelves next to the desk portion and a shelf behind the desk as well and has strong brackets for secure support.
As well as has curved edges for safety and is easy to install on your wall.
This desk comes in your choice of white/gray and walnut.
Pros:
- Sturdy with an 88-pound weight limit
- Three-tiered shelves
- Wood is environmentally friendly and comes in your choice of two colors
Cons:
- Heavy and hard to install
- It may not work great without mounting to a stud
- A little wider and less compact than some options
#2 No products found.
No products found.
This z-shaped option has a craft cabinet with shelves and also has hooks for hanging headphones or other accessories.
It holds up to 50 pounds and has a blackboard to write notes or to-do lists on the leg portion when folded down.
It is easy to clean and great for many different uses.
Pros:
- Affordable, but well made
- Supportive with a 50-pound weight limit
- Blackboard, shelves, and hooks
Cons:
- Has to be mounted on a solid wall (recommends brick or stone)
- Chalkboard isn’t the best quality
- Seems to be made for hobbies or other uses more than work
#3 Isasar Wall Mounted Folding Table
- (UNIQUE DESIGN）-Wall-mounted design is very unique, stylish and simple, so that the entire home decoration has become high-end elegant.
- (FOLDING DESIGN, SAVE SPACE) -The design of this table is PERFECT, you can install it on the wall and It’s design maximizes the space of your floor space. And the multi-functional design allows it to fold and store away easily when not in use. Perfect for saving space.
This has a cool design that makes it seem like a standard table when unfolded and incredibly compact when folded up.
It is also very easy to install and very easy to clean and unfold. It uses a large latch to hold it up and is a beautiful white and squared design.
Pros:
- Very sturdy
- Compact and easy to fold
- Lightweight and easy to install
Cons:
- Does not work very well with drywall
- The latch is kind of large and can get in the way depending on location
- No English instructions
#4 Haotian FWT07-W, White Folding Wooden Wall-Mounted Drop-Leaf Table
- Great design wall mounted desk with storage shelves and drawers provides working space and extra plenty of storage space.
- Material: Table top: Solid wood; Wall board: MDF.
This option has plentiful shelves, cubbies, and other locations for decorations and books.
It is both compact yet spacious when folded to use and is made out of solid wood for the desktop and MDF for the wall component It can hold up to 44 pounds.
Pros:
- Tons of storage spaces
- Compact with the good-sized desktop surface
- Holds up to 44 pounds for an affordable price
Cons:
- Poor assembly instructions
- Paint chips easily
- Heavy so be careful with weak walls
#5 YU YUSING Wall Mounted Table
- 【Sturdy Construction】 Our wall mount computer desk is made of high quality MDF material, it is sturdy and strong enough for your daily use.
- 【Ample Storage Space】The wall mounted table Features multiple storage compartment, our computer desk provides spacious storage for you to store and display you items. With 2 adjustable shelves, it also can meet your different needs.
This desk is a z-shaped option available in black, walnut, and white.
It is made out of high-quality MDF and book and magazine storage as well as some shelves that are adjustable for the items you need to include.
It also comes in two sizes so you can get the one that can fit and offer you the desk space that you need. They also have great customer service!
Pros:
- Two adjustable shelves and storage areas
- Sturdy z-shape
- Comes in three color options and two size options
Cons:
- Must be mounted on studs
- Paint chips and scratches easily
- More depth on the wall than some options
Final Thoughts on Fold Down Desks
Fold-down desks are awesome choices when you don’t have much room and many of them are of good quality and have designs that can match most styles.
They are also quite affordable and even some of the best options on the higher end are less than $300 bucks, so you are sure to find options that don’t make you broke!
Last update on 2022-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
