Ever wanted to know how to upcycle an old desk?
Before I had my babies, I ran my business from a bedroom on our first floor landing.
This lovely room was chock-full of all of my work stuff; samples, paper-stock, cutting board, printer — and a HUGE desk.
But when we found out I was pregnant we decided that this particular room would make the perfect nursery; so bit by bit my workroom was disassembled and shipped out — in boxes — to my husband’s office.
As a result, my Mac lost its permanent home and was given ‘temporary’ residence on an uninspiring IKEA shelving unit in the dining room. Now don’t get me wrong, I love IKEA.
Not a whole houseful of it, granted, as you’d end up feeling as though you were living in one of their stores, but used sparingly it is fabulous (plus I’m obsessed with their meatballs.
Horse or not, they are the most delicious thing to come out of Sweden. Apart from Dime Bars).
That said, the white melamine unit — that was originally bought to dress our stand when we exhibited at the NEC — was never meant to furnish our home and certainly not a piece that I wanted on permanent display.
And not only that, trying to design — using a mouse — when you don’t have a proper, decent sized, desk-top is a nightmare.
So my mission was to find out how to upcycle an old desk.
How to upcycle an old desk.
Here’s what I did…
1. Bought a lovely, solid oak, desk off Ebay; a little bit tired…
2. …and in need of some love and attention…
3. …but with BAGS of potential.
4. I bought some paint and some furniture wax.
5. Took the old handles off.
6. Sanded the entire desk with fine grade wire wool. Then waxed it.
7. Got my glamorous assistant to drill new holes for the new handles.
8. Painted and waxed the drawer fronts.
9. Added the new handles.
10. The insides of the drawers were a little bit dusty and rough…
11. …so I lined them with some gorgeous, vintage airmail stamp paper.
12. Et voila. My beautiful new old desk!
Print Or Save How To Upcycle An Old Desk For Later
Upcycle An Old Desk with Chalk Paint
Upcycle an old desk with chalkpaint and give a piece of unloved furniture a smart contemporary look and a new lease of life!
Materials
- A desk
- Chalk paint
- Clear furniture wax
- Handles
- Wrapping paper
Tools
- Drill
- Screwdriver
- Wire wool (fine grade)
Instructions
- Take the old handles off.
- Sand the desk with fine grade wire wool.
- Wash the desk down thoroughly then wax all over.
- If using new handles, drill holes to suit.
- Paint, then wax the drawer fronts.
- Attach the new handles.
- Line the base of the drawers with pretty wrapping paper
Notes
You can use wallpaper — instead of wrapping paper — to line the drawers.
So happy with it.
It doesn’t look quite as tidy now it’s got all my stuff on it but hey. You can’t have everything!! ;)
That’s beautiful -and I love the character that old furniture has, but love it even more when it’s given a new lease of life – thanks for hosting #homeetc xx
Thanks lovely xx
Beautiful and such a fab project! You’re a clever lady! Thanks for being a super co-host :) Jess xx
#HomeEtc
Thanks so much lovely! xx
Wow, it looks lovely. I would never think to do something like this, I’d be sure to mess it up I’m sure haha! xx
Thanks so much lovely! x
Looks lovely! Really adore a good upcycle project. I can’t stand waste so if I can give a new lease of life to a piece of furniture that’s perfectly fine, it’s a win-win!
#HomeEtc
Thanks lovely xx
You had me at ‘upcycling.’! I was grinning my way through this because I was excited to see how it all turned out. I am so glad you left some of the beautiful oak unpainted. It looks really lovely and substantial too. Proper wood.
I really want a Dime Bar now…
#Homeetc.
Haha!!! I couldn’t have painted the whole thing — it would have spoilt it I think. Love a bit of wood — I get so bored of the whole shiny, white gloss trend. Nice to mix it up a bit :)
That does look gorgeous! Bet you feel really proud of the effort you put in :) #HomeEtc
Thanks so much Steph!! So pleased with how it turned out :)
Oh I love it! LOVE! You have kept the character but also given it some swagger too :- )Brilliant. Will you come round and sort my office please? #HomeEtc
I’m so chuffed with it! It’s been moved into my she-shed now — looks a million dollars in there :)
Oh, I love it! I love how you can see the potential in it in those first pics, and with just a simple update it really brings it to life. Beautiful! #HomeEtc
Thanks so much Katy! I was so pleased when I found it — got it for such a bargain too!!
It looks lovely, I wish I had the patience to upcycle I have bought many items with the intention of doing so and just never get around to it and end up re selling them. I love seeing old furniture being re used in this very disposable society we live in.
Thanks Emma — you should do it! Honestly, such a buzz to complete an up-cycling project an know you’ve got something totally original :)
It’s so lovely to see old furniture given a new lease of life. Truly beautiful!
#Homeetc
Thanks ever so much Lindsay :) Thant’s lovely of you xx
Brilliant job, it looks great! I love the touch of vintage with the lining paper, it’s those little details which makes a good upcycling a great one!! #HomeEtc xx
Aaah thanks lovely — I love it. It’s had a LOT of use since I wrote that post!! ;)
Isn’t it amazing what a touch of paint can do? Your new desk looks great, hopefully you will enjoy working on it! I’ve got a kids rocking chair (that was mine when I was little) to upcycle for my son, and have no idea where to start! I’m sure it will be a fun project though!
Stacie xx
#HomeEtc
Aaah do it Stacie!!! And please come and share it over on #HomeEtc when you do!! ;) xx
Oh I hadn’t seen this before- it looks so lush Caro! And funnily enough, this fits in very well with my own #HomeEtc for this week – we should sometimes think twice about painting every surface and let the wood shine through; just doing the drawer fronts is just gorgeous! K x
Yep — I love up-cycling things but if the surface is beautiful to begin with, it seems a shame to paint over it all! Painting the drawer fronts was a good compromise ;)
Brilliant job, love it!
Thank you Caroline!! I’m delighted with it… had seen something similar in a retro shop for over £300. This cost £60, including the paint and handles. SO happy :)
Your new old desk is really lovely! Well done! Sure it will be very inspiring to work at :) xx
Thanks so much Tracy :) Looking forward to the next project… especially as I’ve just found out that you are my challenge buddy!!! Hurray!! :) X