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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » Desk » Repurposed Nightstand into Child’s Desk

    Repurposed Nightstand into Child’s Desk

    Published by Gail | Published August 31, 2011 | Updated April 9, 2019
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    My Repurposed Life-Nightand Into Kid's Desk

    Warning! Very heavy picture post! You might want to grab a cup of coffee, or your other favorite beverage.

    old nightstand

    I got this nightstand/side table last year at a yard sale. After a year in my garage it suffered a little water damage. (we had a very wet spring and early summer)

    water damage on nightstand

    However, I wasn’t going to throw out a perfectly good table--

    trim off damage wood

    I pried off the bottom trim, and used my circular saw to trim off the bad wood.

     

    This post contains Affiliate Links

    kids desk design stage

    I located a piece of plywood in my stash, it was nearly the PERFECT size.

    remove the top from the nightstand

    I removed the top from the table.

    choosing a leg for the kids desk

    I needed two legs. I get out a couple of options.

    frame out raw edges of plywoodI wanted to frame out the top of the plywood so that you wouldn’t see the raw edges.

    miter the frameI mitered the corners.

    Kreg JigI used my Kreg Jig® K4  to make pocket holes in the plywood.

    orbital sanderI screwed the facing onto the plywood, then sanded it all down.

    dry fit for the new kids deskIt’s coming together.

    nightstand gets a new look

    Oh, this is ugly-

    Cutting TrimI grab some molding out of the garage and get busy measuring and sawing.

    Kelli-this is for you! How to trim out the bottom of a piece of furniture.

    how to mark miter cutDo you see that line? It’s not a measuring line, it’s a directional line. When I lay my board on my piece of furniture, I make a line showing the direction that I need to cut the wood.

    using a miter sawTo the compound miter saw. I cut it at a 45 degree angle, with the board directly up against the fence.

    How to Cut TrimFor the opposite end, I flip the saw to the other side.

    Again, holding it up against the fence of the saw.

    Trimming out a cabinetWhen I do this trim, I do the angles/corners first. The left and right piece I cut a little long, because I can always straight cut it to the right length. I nailed it in place with my nail gun.

    measure mark cut the legsI measured, marked and cut the legs to the right height.

    Using a Kreg Jig Jr.Now, I’m on to the legs. I used my Kreg Jig  to make pocket holes on the legs.

    desk from nightstandI dry fit it to make sure the legs are at the proper height.

    Gorilla Wood GlueIn this picture you can see the pocket holes I drilled to attach the facing. I placed the leg on the piece and drew lines so I could figure out which way to drill the pocket holes on the legs.

    pocket holes hold desk legs with gorilla glueI used Gorilla Wood Glue to glue the legs. I typically don’t use glue with the pocket holes, but I wanted to make sure I had a great hold when I secured it with my pocket hole screws.

    taping off the desk topAfter I get both legs on, I start taping it off for painting. I taped all around the top . . .

    ready the desk for painting. . . then I put newspaper on the top and taped it again.

    painting the deskThen I broke out the spray paint! Last year my sister gave me tons of spray paint, I’m about ⅓ of the way through the stash.

    patch holesI filled the holes with drywall mud. What does this color (blue) make you think of?

    kids deskAfter I finished spray painting the desk, I painted the top with several coats of chalkboard paint.

    Child's Desk ChalkboardI conditioned the top with chalk.

    Smurf blueOnce I started spray painting it, I thought to myself, this looks like a Smurf! I was trying to make the desk non gender specific.

    reurposed abc blocksWhat do you think of the knobs? The original hardware would not be appropriate for children. Smile

    chalkboard desk top

    repurposed nightstand into a child's desk MyRepurposedLife.com

    This might be my favorite repurpose this year! It was a lot of fun to see it all come together. This chair however is not the chair I’ll be selling with this desk. Jan gave me this chair, I spray painted it black. About a week later she gave me two more chairs. One of those chairs matched this chair, the other is a vintage school chair. I will sell the school chair with this, and then I’ll have a “pair” of chairs for another project. Thanks Jan! I appreciate your thoughtfulness!

    What have you repurposed lately?

    gail

    Related Content: See More Desk Projects Here

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    1. Jo Monroe

      October 22, 2016 at 12:01 am

      We make these little desks but in our effort to repurpose using all repurposed items, we use a leaf from a table ( one that no longer has a table of course!!) They are generally already the right depth and often times will have a rim that did match the table but now becomes the perfect leg brace!! Try one !!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        October 22, 2016 at 10:15 am

        Jo,

        Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Great tip! Although I'm having a little trouble understanding exactly how you bring it all together. I have a couple of table leafs in my stash...

        gail

    2. Margaret Mary Myers

      January 04, 2014 at 3:20 pm

      Wow! I am so totally amazed by what you do. I "save" clothing for myself and my family, but have never tried furniture. Maybe some day. In the meantime, I just enjoy looking! 🙂

      Reply
    3. Kelly

      April 21, 2012 at 12:50 am

      So cute, beautiful work!!!!

      Reply
    4. Latter-daycrafters.com

      October 06, 2011 at 2:57 am

      You are so talented! I love this idea! I am looking for re-purposed items to sell in my online store, http://www.latter-daycrafters.com Take a look and see if there is any of your items you would like to list for sale then let me know what you think! Trina

      Reply
    5. Joselyn @ The DIY Spot

      September 25, 2011 at 9:27 pm

      I think you should be crowned "Queen of the Repurposed World". That is one heck of a transformation. Well done!

      Reply
    6. The Rosegarden in Malevik

      September 24, 2011 at 8:27 am

      What a Lovley job 🙂
      and do not miss.....

      S
      A
      T
      U
      R
      D
      A
      Y

      S
      H
      O
      W

      O
      F
      F

      WELCOME 🙂
      Håkan ( The Roseman)

      Reply
    7. The Miller's @ Prezidential Life

      September 05, 2011 at 12:55 am

      Cleaver idea! I do love the blocks as hardware and the poppa snuff shout out!

      The millers

      Reply
    8. Kelly @ Mom's Workbench

      September 05, 2011 at 12:39 am

      This is amazing!! I love how you made the transformation but the cutest detail is the knobs!! This really inspires me to think "out of the box" and imagine what furniture could be instead of just what it is. Thanks so much! 🙂

      Reply
    9. Sharon

      September 04, 2011 at 5:44 pm

      This is adorable. Love the wood blocks for the handles.

      Sharon

      Reply
    10. Good Time Charlie

      September 03, 2011 at 4:20 pm

      That is the cutest darn thing! How creative! I can think of lots of shorties I have around that could fill in for this project. How cool!

      Reply
    11. Full Circle Creations

      September 03, 2011 at 4:16 pm

      Very nice! I love the way it turned out. I did sort of the same thing a few years ago for my nephew. Only instead of legs on the end, I made a book case and turned it to the side. Great job Gail!

      Holly

      Reply
    12. Love Of Quilts

      September 03, 2011 at 2:44 am

      Thats just amazing! Trish

      Reply
    13. - Brittany

      September 02, 2011 at 11:55 pm

      Gail, I love your creative, think outside the box, problem-solving thinking! your kid's desk turned out adorable!

      Brittany

      Reply
    14. Becka

      September 02, 2011 at 10:55 pm

      Wow. This is truly amazing! This project was obviously A LOT of hard work, and it turned out beautiful in the end! LOVE the chalkboard top!

      ~Becka

      Reply
    15. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal

      September 02, 2011 at 1:33 am

      Wow, that turned out great! It was a terrific way to repurpose that nightstand. I can't wait to get my jig to try it out!

      Reply
    16. Toqua's Crafts

      September 01, 2011 at 4:30 pm

      Another ingenious idea from you! I "Love" the handles! I can also see a kid really enjoying that chalkboard desk top!

      Reply
    17. Sherrylr

      September 01, 2011 at 1:48 pm

      Great idea! I just happen to have 2 sets of night tables in my shop. Guess what will happen to one set. I love the step by step pics.

      Reply
    18. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.

      September 01, 2011 at 3:13 am

      Now that is repurposing at it's best!

      Reply
    19. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.

      September 01, 2011 at 3:13 am

      Now that is repurposing at it's best!

      Reply
    20. Mimi@blueroofcabin

      September 01, 2011 at 3:01 am

      What a great idea, love how you think! The chalk board paint is the perfect touch. I see you have two Kreg jigs, lucky lady 😉 Oh and the knobs, darling!

      Reply
    21. My Cottage Charm

      September 01, 2011 at 2:37 am

      Hey sweet girl! 🙂 Glad you liked my mirror molding post, I love how much it changed the room. 🙂 Funny that you knew who was behind the camera before I told....was it the angle of him looking up to me in the video that gave it away?! lol He's such a good little boy! I felt weird going the vlog, but I figured nobody really cares what I look like as long as I'm teaching them something. 🙂 hee hee hee OH and yes I do know about the caulking guns with the pokey things on them...I'm just too cheap to go buy a new one as long as this one is still working. 🙂 lol
      Love ya girl!
      Missy

      Reply
    22. Ellie

      September 01, 2011 at 2:21 am

      You are so creative! I would have never thought to make a desk out of a night stand. Love the chalkboard top!

      Reply
    23. Sara

      September 01, 2011 at 2:08 am

      SO gorgeous!! Would LOVE it if you would link this up at my turquoise lovin' party going on right now!! 😉 http://www.sweetlittlegals.com

      Reply
    24. Heidi@TheCraftMonkey

      September 01, 2011 at 1:47 am

      Looks fantastic!! You really did a great job repurposing that night stand!

      Reply
    25. Jennifer

      September 01, 2011 at 1:46 am

      Very creative Gail! You may just have given me an idea. . . Thanks for sharing!
      jen

      Reply
    26. ivenad

      September 01, 2011 at 1:22 am

      This is super cute! I like the knobs! I finished a large vintage library table with chalk board paint on top then mod podged newspaper on the legs. Looks cute I think!

      Reply
    27. Coley

      September 01, 2011 at 12:50 am

      I love this! What a great and creative way to use old pieces of furniture

      Coley @
      http://www.whatyoumakeit-coley.blogspot.com

      Reply
    28. The DIY Show Off

      September 01, 2011 at 12:12 am

      You are so good! Awesome transformation, Gail! Love it! 😉

      You'd be proud - I used my air compressor/staple gun finally! haha! Thinking the Kreg Jig is next on my list.

      Thanks SO much for the vote! Your help is appreciated!

      Roeshel

      Reply
    29. dana @ wonder forest

      August 31, 2011 at 10:38 pm

      this is amazing! So creative, great job!
      xo dana
      thewonderforest.com

      Reply
    30. Kelli

      August 31, 2011 at 9:35 pm

      Yeah, you're a GENIUS! Seriously. You come up with things that are brilliant! Thank you for the tips on the miter saw...I need to get out there and try it again! I also love the knobs! 🙂

      Reply
    31. Maggs Creates

      August 31, 2011 at 9:28 pm

      That childs desk is fantastic. I really love the furniture tranformations you do. I so want to try some myself.

      Reply
    32. Cousin B

      August 31, 2011 at 8:47 pm

      OK, I'm speechless....I could NEVER seen this vision like you did. It's SO CUTE!

      Reply
    33. Amy @MaisonDecor

      August 31, 2011 at 8:08 pm

      Wow this is a serious project with great results!! You know how to work the tools!

      Reply
    34. Corn in my Coffee-Pot

      August 31, 2011 at 5:08 pm

      I love the tools you work with and am making a wish list for myself!

      This little desk...is the bees knees! I love it!
      I think it's my favorite too!

      some lucky child is going to get this cute desk an make lots of memories there!

      Pat

      Reply
    35. Sandi @ The Primitive Skate

      August 31, 2011 at 4:43 pm

      WOW! What a transformation! You've done an awesome job! Looked like it was alot of work, but you pulled it off. You amaze me with all your talent!

      Reply
    36. Suzanne@Meridian Road

      August 31, 2011 at 3:12 pm

      This project is the best! What a great repurpose! You are so SMART, Gail! I don't think I'd have thought of this in a million years.
      I really love the knobs~ and the chalkboard top.

      Reply
    37. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper

      August 31, 2011 at 2:43 pm

      you are so stinking clever!
      and papa smurf rocks!

      Reply
    38. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper

      August 31, 2011 at 2:43 pm

      you are so stinking clever!
      and papa smurf rocks!

      Reply
    39. Cath

      August 31, 2011 at 2:28 pm

      Gail
      This is one of the cleverest ideas yet!

      I often pass up single nightstands but this would make a super gift for the grandkids.

      May I borrow your idea?

      Reply
    40. Korrie@RedHenHome

      August 31, 2011 at 1:36 pm

      This is amazing! I love how your mind works. Super cute project, and love those pulls!

      Reply
    41. Debilou ~ Mississippi Mama

      August 31, 2011 at 1:30 pm

      Hey, Gail,, that is just so cute. Never can tell it used to be a nightstand table. Some little kid is gonna love it.

      Reply
    42. Paige (Final Clothes-Out)

      August 31, 2011 at 1:24 pm

      That's so smart! And I love the blue.

      I'm probably not repurposing anything this week, but I am doing a mirror removal in the bathroom. It's glued to the wall. Ugh.

      Reply
    43. Becky

      August 31, 2011 at 1:23 pm

      Great job! I love it! 🙂

      Reply
    44. jamie

      August 31, 2011 at 12:37 pm

      adorable! 🙂

      Reply
    45. Terri

      August 31, 2011 at 12:23 pm

      O-M-G...is there anything you can't build?! This is freakin' adorable! Love how you used those blocks for the knobs...genius~

      I wish you lived around here...I just bought a new (to me...it was actually purchased from an estate sale) miter saw, and I have no idea what to do with it...I haven't even had the nerve to turn it on yet (although I know that it does work). Sadly there was no owner's manual and I have not been able to track one down yet. I am very intimidated and sadly my hubby knows less about this stuff than I do! LOL! I just knew that I NEEDED it though!

      Reply
    46. Jan

      August 31, 2011 at 12:19 pm

      You never cease to amaze me! So cute and what a great job. I bet this gets snatched up quickly. I love the "knobs"

      Do you have a "photo album" at your booth of all the projects you have made?

      Jan

      Reply
    47. Carole @ The Blue Chateau

      August 31, 2011 at 11:59 am

      I never would've dreamed of turning a nightstand into a desk like this. It's genius!

      Reply
    48. Cynthia

      August 31, 2011 at 11:52 am

      This is so neat! You did a great job, and I especially like the blocks you used as knobs... so cute!

      Reply
    49. A Pretty Pastime

      August 31, 2011 at 11:38 am

      Absoultely Fabulous! Love the smurfiness too 🙂 I bet this desk will get sold in a hurry!

      Reply
    50. kathie

      August 31, 2011 at 11:21 am

      GENIUS, Gail!! I LOVE what you come up with!! The desk is so fun!!!

      Reply
    51. Sewandthecity

      August 31, 2011 at 11:06 am

      Your recreations leave me speechless every time, great job, love the desk! What amazes me the most is what you are able to see the potential of an old piece of furniture. Here in Frankfurt in Germany people can bring all unnecessary items on Tuesday evening out of their house and just leave them on the pavement for Wednesday rubbish collection. I check out the little piles of furniture every time in the hope of spotting something nice…but my eyes always let me down. Any tips?

      Reply
    52. I Play Outside The Box

      August 31, 2011 at 10:27 am

      Whodathunk!! What talent you have!

      Reply
    53. Granny

      August 31, 2011 at 10:25 am

      I like the transformation. Great job of repurposing the nightstand and also making the top a chalkboard. Some child is gonna love that desk.

      Reply
    54. Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic

      August 31, 2011 at 10:17 am

      Love the whole thing! This is truly awesome. Thanks for showing how to attach legs w/pocket holes...I've been wondering about that.

      Reply
    55. Michelle

      August 31, 2011 at 10:09 am

      Your talent amazes me, and you are an inspiration. Good job!

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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