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Roundup: 10 Delightful Desk Makeovers

by on Oct 12, 2015

Currently I’m in the midst of combining my office and craft area into one space. The craft part is almost done, but the office part is still a work in progress. (I’m actually typing this post in a fort made of books, boxes, and potted plants.) During the times I’m not working on the space, I’ve been trolling the internets for inspiration. Which leads me to this roundup. Desk makeovers! 

This garage sale find had lovely leather inserts on its surface.

A dark brown desk with oval worn brass drawer handles.
Photo: Restoration Redoux

An application of ivory chalk paint that was distressed to coordinate with the inserts led to this transformation:

1950's style beige desk has a typewriter and some books on it.
Photo: Restoration Redoux

How many of these 1970s/80s “prison issue” metal desks have we seen? Lots.

And old metal office desk with a wooden top, sitting outside on concrete ready to be made over.
Photo: Home Hinges

But we probably haven’t seen many that look as good as this after a new blue finish:

An after picture shows a baby blue desk with a screen on it and a chair with  it.
Photo: Home Hinges

 This curbside pickup on Craigslist was missing “large chunks” of veneer on its drawers’ fronts. 

The veneer was removed, leaving a smooth surface, which was painted. It was refinished. Talk about trash to treasure.
Photo: Prodigal Pieces

The veneer was removed, leaving a smooth surface, which was painted. As for that gorgeous top? It was refinished. Talk about trash to treasure.

Desk with drawers and chair.
Photo: Prodigal Pieces

This solid little desk was in pretty good shape, except for a few stickers plastered to its side. Before it could be made over, it sustained a water damage. (Oops.) But that’s little to contend with if you’re determined.

A madeover wooden desk.
Photo: Addicted 2 Decorating

Not only was it spruced up, a fabricated cubby/hutch was added to the top too. Now it’s perfect for a little girl’s room.

A pink desk is sitting against a light blue wall.
Photo: Addicted 2 Decorating

Both the desk and chair in this makeover combo were freebees. 

A 1950s style Brown desk with Nick's in it is on a driveway next to a chair of the same time frame.
Photo: Sunflower Hugs

Check out what they look like now:

A turquoise desk & chair sit outside.
Photo: Sunflower Hugs

This $7 yard sale find could have been easily overlooked:

A wooden desk before a makeover.
Photo: Amy Giggles Design

Three coats of white paint and new pulls later, and it looks like something out of Pottery Barn Kids:

A cream colored desk sits outside in the grass.
Photo: Amy Giggles Design

The addition of bright green lacquer on this ornate desk is certainly eye-popping. And how fabulous does that old hardware look now?!

A brown desk has been painted a vibrant green color.
Photo: Decor Hacks

This family heirloom had some major veneer damage:

An old wood desk is next to a ladder and picture frames.
Photo: Making It In The Mountains

But its major makeover was a labor of love:

A madeover white desk with items on it.
Photo: Making It In The Mountains

This next desk needed some serious restoration too.

Wooden desk with multiple drawers.
Photo: Restyle Relove

Its top was refinished and the lower part painted with a black chalk paint and beautifully distressed. New pulls, which were very similar to the broken originals, were added as well:

Vintage study table with seven drawers.
Photo: Restyle Relove

And, finally, this big old thrift store find:

A brown beat up desk with the word, before, overlaying the pavement.
Photo: Scrappy Geek

After a bunch of sanding and finishing (yeah…no paint!) this is what it looks like now:

An after picture of a wooden desk is outside.
Photo: Scrappy Geek

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