Sliding Desktop to Make Best of Limited Space Kitchens, doors, rails, stud, tables, chairs, stair cases, garden furniture etc... Find answers and ask questions here!

[Stooshie]

I have limited space in my room and want to set up a sewing area. The only place I have available is home to a set or drawers which I need. Trying to work at the drawers is difficult because I can't put my sewing machine pedal underneath. I was thinking of adding a desktop that would just out slightly so that I could sit with my legs underneath but I'd want it put away out of the way when I'm not using it.

I want to rig up something so that the desktop sits behind the drawers (fig 1 below) and could be pulled up then over the top of the drawers to create a desk (fig 2). I'm not sure if it's possible or how I would go about so I thought I'd check on here for some advice. Is my idea possible?

All tips are welcome.
https://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo/full?photo_id=501168093324

[Sometimewoodworker]

There is no point posting a private link to pictures.

No access to pictures

You need to use a different service or upload the pictures here.

[Stooshie]

Sorry. Here's the picture:

[Sometimewoodworker]

OK Stooshie I understand what your idea is.

I could certainly explain a way to do what you proposed and will if needed, however there is a more simple (to my mind) way. That is to add a slide out shelf on top of the set of draws, this has the benefit of being able to be longer, so giving more knee room, than the current idea which is limited to the height of the set of draws.

Both methods need attaching extra bits to the draws either on the back or on the top.

What skills and tools do you have & what material is used in the box of your set of draws? With that information I can explain either method in more detail.

If for example the draws are an IKEA product the material used will limit you options.

[Stooshie]

Thanks for replying. The drawers are the Malm ones from Ikea. I have a fair range of tools including a drill. I'm a beginner diver but pick things up quickly. I've recently found a tutorial on ikea hackers to add a pull out drawer found https://www.ikeahackers.net/2015/12/malm-chest-drawers-gets-pull-out-laptop-table.html but if you've got a better way I'd love to hear it.