Old School Desk Makeover

How to Makeover an Old School Desk with Spray Paint #DIY
How to Makeover an Old School Desk with Spray Paint #DIY

A couple months ago I did a little room swapping and switch my daughter's room to my office/guest bedroom. She was all excited until she realized she was getting a smaller room! (hehe) Since the space is smaller I've been looking for ways to give her a more purposeful room while still keeping it fun and girly.

While browsing some of my fave thrift stores I ran across a small desk that I thought would fit perfectly in her room. Honestly I wanted it for my own selfish reasons too. This desk was exactly what I remembered from elementary school. You know the desk that has the nook under it that you slide all your books and supplies in. It was a bit of a nostalgic moment for me. (plus it was only $7!) I picked it up and the tried it out in her room and the size was perfect. It just needed a little makeover to be perfect for her room.

Here is what I started with:

How to Makeover an Old School Desk with Spray Paint #DIY

There was some damage to the desk such as some nicks in the plastic frame and also a piece of wood missing in the front. Outside of that it was ok. I used a combination of paint and spray paint to make over her desk. I broke the desk up into 3 sections and I used a different color for each section. I used white, pink, and gold. My process was to start at the top and work my way down. I did several light coats until the desk was evenly coated. In between each coat I lightly sanded using a block sander to make the surface more even and smooth. 

How to Makeover an Old School Desk with Spray Paint #DIY
How to Makeover an Old School Desk with Spray Paint #DIY

After the first section dried I covered it with plastic and began painting the next section. This process worked well because by working my way down I could always paint over the extra drips of color that went into the next section. After the first section dried I went on to the next, again taping over the dried section.

How to Makeover an Old School Desk with Spray Paint #DIY
How to Makeover an Old School Desk with Spray Paint #DIY

And then I had my completed desk! My daughter loves it!

How to Makeover an Old School Desk with Spray Paint #DIY
How to Makeover an Old School Desk with Spray Paint #DIY
How to Makeover an Old School Desk with Spray Paint #DIY
How to Makeover an Old School Desk with Spray Paint #DIY
How to Makeover an Old School Desk with Spray Paint #DIY

The desk and the products to make it over cost about $20. It's amazing what a few cans of spray paint can do for some furniture. If you are looking for a quick way to update furniture, I fully suggest you give spray paint a try. If you do, please share you project with me! 

This makeover is apart of the Furniture Refresh Challenge with this month's theme being Inspired By. I was inspired by the ladies of Classy Clutter Blog. Get some inspiration by checking out more Furniture Refresh Challenge furniture makeovers below.

If you loved this project! Take a second and post it to your Pinterest board using this pinnable image below!

How to Makeover an Old School Desk with Spray Paint #DIY


35 comments

  1. Oh how I remember these desk....now if they only looked like this ...maybe I wouldn't have mind being at school. This is stunning.

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    1. Yes! I wish they did look like this! Thank you so much!

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  2. I absolutely love this Alaya!!! So cute!

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  3. The pink and gold? Gorgeous! Love how you gave that tired desk new life!

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  4. Another great makeover, Alaya! I love the colors you chose for your daughter's desk. My son has my old wooden one in his room. It makes me sad that he's much too big for it. We use it as a accent table now

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    1. awww :( I hate when kids outgrow stuff, I want them to stay small forever! lol Thanks Brandi!

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  5. SO bright and cheerful for your daughter. I think we have a desk like this somewhere....totally inspired to go find it now! So fun! kim

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    1. Thank you Kim!! Yes find it and give it a facelift!

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  6. That desk is HOT! I have one sitting in my living room that I've been undecided about painting or not. Think you might have just helped me decide. Great job!

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    1. Thank you! I would love to see it when you finish!

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  7. This turned out amazing! I love the combination of pink and gold!

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  8. This is such a cute idea. The colors are gorg. Good job.

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  9. Amazing!!! Who would've thought a yucky blah school desk could be so glam! Well done! I wish my desk in school looked like this, I would've enjoyed it more :0) You have a creative mind and I like how you think! You did a lovely job! I would be so happy if you would share this at Making Broken Beautiful. It goes every week from Thursday to sunday. Love your work and I hope you will join in inspiring us all!
    Smiles!

    Terry
    http://thecurtorscollection.wordpress.com

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    1. Hi Terry! Thanks for the invite! and I appreciate the compliments!

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  10. Our school still uses these type of desks. I love your makeover & the colors you used! Great job.

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    1. thank you! How cute would it be to have a bunch of upcycled desks at your school!

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  11. So hot! What a fabulous makeover!.. Carrie

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  12. I really really really love your color choices! You took a boring school desk and made it glamorous!!

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    1. Thank you Melody! The Furniture Refresh was a great idea. Glad to be apart of it!

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  13. This is ADORABLE. I adore it!!! Brings back memories of hiding bits and bobs in my elementary school desk - haha... - Erin

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  14. I'm so thrilled you were able to share this at my Making Broken Beautiful party, I do hope you will join in again tomorrow :0) I will be featuring this fab makeover this week!
    Smiles!
    Terry

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  15. I love how this desk turned out! So cute my little girl wants to paint her school desk pink. What color spray paint did you use?

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  16. I love this idea! I scored two free desks. So I plan to this. Would you be able to tell me what brand/type of paint you used for each of the pieces? I have the same exact desk with the plastic frame.

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  17. How did you adjust the height of the desk?

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  18. How did you adjust the height of the desk?

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  20. Relatives won't search their own lost things in the desk since they know just your office business related things are kept in the drawers. FREEZER REPAIR AND SERVICE IN SANTA BARBARA, CA

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  21. Did you have to seal the top of it? I am curious if the paint would scratch off the white section if being used by a child as an actual desk. It's very cute!

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