This DIY desk is a perfect fit for my RV activities, whether I’m outside in a lounge chair in good weather or nestled into the bed on a rainy day.
It was important to us that we have a setup that’s comfortable in all types of conditions and provides some individual, separate space for each of us. This desk helps me accomplish those goals. If I want to set up a watercolor project or an Ironsworn session outside but we want to use the picnic table for meals, this gives me a place for those activities. And if we want a little “me time” on our own, I can very comfortably be in the bedroom while he’s either at the dinette or watching TV in one of the recliners.
The desktop is (mostly) made of two sheets of foam core held together with Beacon’s 3-in-1 glue. One layer is a thicker 1/2” foam core that came with a cork surface and the other is a thinner 3/16” foam core. On the corners between the foam core there’s an additional triangle of thin 1/8” plexiglass, also glued into place, to bring stability to the legs.
I puzzled over potential legs for a long time, considering telescoping or removable versions, most of which were designed for other purposes such as those that are used in photography as tripods. In the end I opted for metal hairpin legs, available on Amazon in a variety of sizes, that fit into accompanying brackets on the top. I bought two sets, one short and one longer, to enable the desktop to be used with my outdoor lounge chair as well as on the bed.
When I’m on the bed, I use all 4 short legs. Outside, I can use 2 short legs and 2 long legs so the desk overlaps with my lounge, or I can use all 4 long legs and sit on the edge of my chair.
Thus far it is working out really well. I am almost hoping for a rainy stretch so I can put it to more use indoors with a dog napping alongside me!
