Thanks guys, that gives me an idea. My desk is 50"x28". I don't know if a door will fit across the room - I'll have to check it out.

I just got the idea of having a surface (door or whatever) laying on my desk, but also supported by ropes and a pulley, so that I could raise it up off my desk when I need to use it for schoolwork. Or at least have shelf brackets on the wall, and the near side (closest to me) supported by a rope and pulley.

When you talk about things being pinned to the surface, do you cover the table in foam or something?