DIY Lap Desk/ Laptop Tray (Christmas Present) | The Carpenter's Daughter

This week, I made 3 laptop trays (aka lap desks) - one for me and two as Christmas gifts for our family.
I used my old IKEA Byllan laptop support as a template which is now my husband's. And although I just wanted to make the one, I thought this was perfect to use a flush trim bit with my router for the first time - plus, I used up the leftover wood.
Anyway, if you want to make yourself or for someone as a gift, here's what I used!
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through links.
:
12mm plywood hardwood (or use softwood for a prettier finish)
I copied our old IKEA laptop tray: geni.us/edHX [Amazon]
Wallpaper: geni.us/H3I7 [Amazon]
Memory foam cushion: geni.us/BhUh [Amazon]
Mod podge hard coat: geni.us/P4NNAK [Amazon]
Scalpel crafting knife: geni.us/0hM3A1f [Amazon]
Brayer roller: geni.us/GRuMo [Amazon]
Sewing machine (Brother BC2100): geni.us/QLWF [Amazon]
Velcro - DO NOT USE STICK ON - You can't hand sew through it OR use a sewing machine!: Look for sew on here instead:
geni.us/IpLv [Amazon]
Danish oil: geni.us/YMS3T73 [Amazon]
Router: Erbauer
Flush trim bit from this selection: geni.us/YAHD [Amazon]
Orbit sander: geni.us/JZrSct9 [Amazon]
Wire wool: geni.us/hI4tfy [Amazon]
Dickies goggles: geni.us/jnrx [Amazon]
Ear defenders: geni.us/uLNqQJ [Amazon]
Irwin clamps: geni.us/C7KOA [Amazon]
Sawhorses: • Making Strong & Cheap ...
Wood filler: geni.us/Bu5mlJ [Amazon]
Foam roller: geni.us/Hp6xCX [Amazon]
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[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Here's my written step by step: thecarpentersdaughter.co.uk/woodworking/diy-lap-desk/

[@Mikidy303]

Nice project! I'm sure your family will love them.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

I hope so :) I couldn't resist telling my Mum about hers already and have sent her the video lol

[@ClairesCraftyCorner]

Oh I blooming love these !!! Right up my street xx ❤❤❤ great gifts for Christmas xxx thanks for the inspo hunee xxx

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks, Claire ☺Let me know if you make one :) I would absolutely make these again and the hard coat mod podge has given me even more ideas for future projects :)

[@ClairesCraftyCorner]

@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK the hard coat mod podge I had never even heard of before ! But I'm so all over that when o go shopping again xx

[@revolvency]

Ah, thanks for the tutorial, I'm just a bit curious on the how to connect padding part, turns out just use Velcro, how simple is it. I think I'm gonna make it with some laser cut and acrylic, thanks!

[@Cradley684]

I bet they will Lap them pressies up Christmas LOL ( Good job )

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

😂😂 I hope so!!!!

[@mike130557]

A nice and easy project, just in time for Xmas! I’ve made the same mistake with that dreaded self-adhesive Velcro!!! A similar project I am going to make is for a Lap Tray, to eat food whilst watching the telly, with a removable cushion. All the ones available commercially have the bean-bag pad permanently fixed to the base. Once they get a bit grubby, it’s very difficult to clean them. A removable cushion could go straight in the washing machine. Simples!!!

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Yes, the IKEA one I copied is a bean bag one and it's filthy! What I didn't show was me having to wipe the adhesive off with a baby wipe every two inches. I never had any problems with the less tacky ones when making Hans' pouches, but never ever again haha

[@kornisonkiseli3248]

Great tutorial

[@heathernute943]

yes :D, what I normally do is stick on for the hard material, and sew on tape for the soft, to avoid that issue, you can buy small sections off a roll separately from a good haberdashery store or market stall

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Completely agree with that method! I'd managed before with adhesive velcro, but this stuff was heavy duty velcro. Never again lol... I had to use a cleaning wipe every two inches and edit a lot of swearing out 😂

[@Ploggy.]

They look brilliant and great camera work too 👍👍👍

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thank you :) What camera work do you mean?

[@Ploggy.]

The Carpenter's Daughter all of it really but in particular the close up shots when you were using the router 👍

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks! Proud of those 😂 Wanted to help people understand how it worked properly. I've seen many videos where people talk about a flush trim router bit, but not had a clue how they worked as it's not shown up close. I'm a visual learner, so this would've helped me understand much easier 😊

[@Ploggy.]

Yes it's definitely helped me understand how its done now thanks for posting 👍

[@MrCrabbing]

Merry Christmas, I wonder if you could clear coat things like that with West system 105 epoxy resin and the clear hardener, it certainly gives a hard wearing finish.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks and you too! Some people use certain mod podges as an epoxy to seal wood, so can't see why it wouldn't work :)

[@jon-lm2oy]

Can you do some DIY modern coat hooks?

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

I don't have any plans immediately, but you never know :)

[@andrewdavies1312]

Same paper I have in my living room 😁

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Haha.. you know what to make to match it then 😂😂

[@nurnajihahabaziz1376]

Hello. If you dont mind, can i have the template?

[@simonthornley4594]

Top job

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thank you :)

[@simonthornley4594]

Your welcome even though I’ve got another job to fit in before Christmas now lol 😂 😂

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

You won't regret it 😂 It's so easy to make and much more comfy to work on the sofa 😊

[@simonthornley4594]

I know I won’t it’s just trying to fit it in prior to Christmas lol 😂 😂 but if it stops me dropping the iPad or computer again it will be worth it lol Thanks for the great ideas again.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Haha... I really want to make something for my Dad, too, but don't think I'll it in before Christmas 😊 He's more of a tablet man than my Mum 😊

[@georgehigdon4974]

Sorry Love, I'm from the Colonies and have no idea what Mud Podge is?

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

It's a type of PVA glue. It's non-toxic, water based and buildable. It can also be used as an epoxy alternative to seal wood.

[@AllyCreative]

Doesn't the mod podge originate from the colonies?

[@jonny7491]

Never been the first to comment nice work again. 👍

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

I feel blessed everytime someone is excited about this 🥰😂 Thanks! 😊

[@kieran.stafford]

Missed the Hansmeister in this one.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

You can see his back at 5:00... does that count? 😂

[@philmccole2634]

Like like like 😊😊

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thank you! I'm absolutely thrilled with it and using it as we speak (and on the same spot on my sofa 😂😂)

[@pronster1]

Looks a bit Blue Peter

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

LOL, I was talking about this with my Mum and said, I doubt they'd get a router out on the show 😂

[@pronster1]

Maybe you could do a Blue Peter Christmas decoration with coat hangers Hahahaha...@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Definitely definitely not 😂 If it doesn't have a purpose in this house, it's tat 😝

[@stepheningram6621]

your so beautiful

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thank you :)