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    Home » Furniture » 7 Makeover Ideas For Old Desks

    7 Makeover Ideas For Old Desks

    This post may contain affiliate links

    Desks come in all shapes, styles, and sizes. My best makeover ideas for old desks can be used on desks of all types!

    French Provincial Desk Makeover. with two tone paint

    Today is Furniture Fixer Upper Day and in December every year we shake things up a bit. We each feature one or more of our projects from years past and a favorite project from each of our friends.

    The links to the furniture tour are at the end of the post.

    I picked two desks projects from long ago to showcase and you guys probably haven't seen them. One project is from 2012 and one is from 2014.

    Click any pink text link to view the entire project tutorial......

    Paint Ideas For Old Desks

    vanity to paint

    The French Provincial desk or (vanity)  came from my favorite junk shop (where else!). I had the vintage bench seat in my furniture stash so I paired it with the desk.

    French Provincial Desk Makeover

    Vintage French Provincial Desk or Vanity

    My intention was to paint it a really soft pink. I mixed together a couple of Valspar samples (love those sample sizes) and I decided that the color was too bright.

    I went to work trying to get a look I liked. I first painted the two drawers on either side an off-white with a touch of pink paint thrown in. That didn't work so I painted the top of the desk the lighter pink color too.

    Still not working for me so I did a light whitewash over the bright pink color. Perfect!

    desk makeover before

    The next project is one of my all time favorites and I completed the makeover in 2012. The desk came from the Nashville Flea Market.

    Decoupage Makeover Ideas For Old Desks

    Decoupage Desk

    By looking at the photo above you guys can probably figure out why it's a favorite. Love those bold colors.

    This desk was a lot of work. I removed the original hardware and filled the holes then drilled new holes for a single knob on each drawer. I then painted the desk inside and out.

    The fabric on the front of the drawers is cut from a $3.99 Goodwill curtain panel. I decoupaged it to the drawer fronts carefully, working out the bubbles from underneath the fabric. To seal the fabric I applied 3 coats of Mod Podge.

    Now it's time to share my favorite desk projects from my Furniture Fixer Upper team mates.

    Desk with transfer from Prima Marketing in French Ceramics

    Estate Sale Desk Makeover

    Christy always does amazing furniture makeovers with white paint. She decorated this desk with a gorgeous transfer on the drawers.

    I first saw the desk I thought the drawer fronts were covered in decoupaged fabric. The blue colors in the floral pattern are too pretty.

    duncan phyfe desk by Girl in the Garage

    French Decoupage Desk

    Jen's dark gray desk is accented with French design scrapbook paper on the drawer fronts. I like the various designs and I see this desk all over Pinterest.

    Geometric Stenciled Arborite Retro Dining Table

    Painted Arborite Table

    This project by Marie is at the top of my favorites list. Everything about this table-turned-desk is perfect. I love the gold spray painted legs, the bold stenciled top, the turquoise drawer.....everything.

    Just the Woods Painted desk with espresso stained top

    Espresso Stained Desk Top

    Kandice stained the top of this desk Espresso and the contrast of  light paint on the body is perfection.

    Salvaged-Sewing-Desk---Painted-DIY

    Salvaged Sewing Desk Makeover

    Denise did a lot of work on the damaged sewing machine desk. She put on a new top and who knows what else. I love, love, love the wood knobs and the stained legs against the spring apricot color.

    Find My Desk Painted Blue with a Redesign by Prima Transfer here.

    Which piece caught your eye? Leave a note if you have time then visit my Furniture Fixer Upper friends by clicking the pink text links below the "before" makeovers photo collage....

    See the furniture makeovers using paint, stencils, and furniture transfers on the blog

    Girl In The Garage
    Confessions Of A Serial Diyer
    Just The Woods
    The Interior Frugalista
    Salvaged Inspirations
    Petticoat Junktion (you are here)

    As always, thanks for being here and have a great rest of the week, Kathy

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Suzanne Lyon

      January 04, 2020 at 7:51 am

      I really like the black and white decoupaged and the polka dot desks. The others are pretty but like you I like color and contrast!

      Reply
    2. Christy James

      December 23, 2019 at 2:12 pm

      These are all so great, Kathy! I love the pink one you did especially! Merry Christmas, my friend! XOXO

      Reply
    3. kandice kullmann

      December 23, 2019 at 9:36 am

      desks are one of my favorites too! love all of these!

      Reply
    4. Jen @ Girl in the Garage

      December 19, 2019 at 7:28 pm

      I feel like I've been following your makeovers forever but I don't remember that pale pink desk! Thanks for sharing all these fantastic desk makeover ideas - have a wonderful Christmas Kathy! xo

      Reply
    5. Marie

      December 19, 2019 at 10:51 am

      How did I miss that awesome polka dot desk? So glad you reshared it with us today because it's so stink'n cute! Love your gorgeous desk eye candy round-up! Wishing you and your family a beautiful Christmas, Kathy! xo

      Reply
    6. Lizzy Leff

      December 19, 2019 at 10:03 am

      The pink desk/vanity is beautiful. I could look at it all day.

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        December 21, 2019 at 9:30 pm

        Thank you Lizzy

        Reply
    7. Denise - Salvaged Inspirations

      December 19, 2019 at 8:46 am

      I'm in love with your pink French Provincial Kathy! I'm a sucker for FP pieces because it was the first real bedroom set I had as a girl. You did an amazing job and love the inspiring round-up! XO

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kathy!

    The gal behind Petticoat Junktion and I love decorating my home. My decor is eclectic and unique. I find fun things at thrift stores, junk shops, and flea markets and make them better. Every day is a new adventure.....

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