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I am undertaking a project to convert one of our bedrooms into a proper study, with significant storage and a large desk that utilises engineered wood flooring for the surface.
The first step of this is to create the desk, and to do this I have created four custom sized melamine-chipboard cabinets, which I want to attach to the walls in the below configuration. The primary desk surface will go over the top of these (over a ply base layer).
This should be naturally strong enough with 3 side offering attachments to the joists, without needing any connection to the floor, however I am also considering extending the desk configuration into a "U" configuration, with two more cabinets along side walls, also floating (see below). In this configuration I have some concern about the wall attachment strength required of these return desks to support both the weight of the desks (and given I have children, potentially the weight of them too) on the corners of each without them needing a front "leg" or waterfall arrangement to provide additional support.
I am looking for thoughts on the design (should I forget about floating the end cabinets of the U?) and recommendations as to the most appropriate mounting screw/lagging bolt to use to ensure the cabinets are properly secured. The house (being 30+ years old) has very strong hardwood joists. I was planning on screwing the backs of each cabinet directly to the wall, but the sides of the corner cabinets would attach into a couple of 75mm pine posts (which themselves would be attached to the wall and act as a stand off).
My initial thinking was 50mm 14g batten screws for attachments to the back wall (and side?), and 150mm 14g for the posts attached to the side, but are these not enough? overkill? All guidance welcomed: I have some DIY skills, but am always happy to recognise experience greater than my own.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @dnbattley. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about mounting cabinets.
You're on the right track with using batten screws, and they should be more than adequate for securing the cabinets to the wall, especially given your concerns about strength and safety. The 50mm 14g screws for attaching to the back wall and the 150mm screws for securing the side posts sound appropriate, as they will provide strong connections, especially since you have solid hardwood joists.
As an additional suggestion, you could consider adding a horizontal timber support (like a 70 x 35mm piece of timber) underneath the cabinets, so the back edge of the cabinet sits directly on it. This will help distribute the weight of the cabinets more evenly across the wall, preventing the rear of the cabinet carcass from bearing the entire load. You can then secure the cabinets into the wall studs. This additional support ensures the weight is shared more evenly and reduces the risk of strain or sagging, particularly for the floating sections of your "U" configuration.
With this setup, your floating desks and cabinets should be well-supported without needing any additional front support or legs.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
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