I have a quick and easy computer desk makeover for you today, in fact it makes me wonder why it took me so long to get to it.
I’ve had this old desk for about a year, I got it from my friend Leann. It’s just a run of the mill old computer desk—at least I think that’s what it was.
Here you can see some roller drawer glides.
They were holding this keyboard tray before it slid out and landed right on my toes! OUCH! Maybe someday I will learn to wear real shoes when I do my projects. I was, of course wearing my “steel toed flip flops”.
You may notice that there is no front brace allowing this to be a desk. However , I want it to be a table now. I had a lot of repair work to do to get this little gal ready for her makeover. I added a brace across the front and had to lower the one in the back. In addition, I had to re-glue most of the joints with Gorilla Wood Glue.
I knew I wanted some slats for the bottom shelf, so I used a couple of these store display shelves.
Then, I dismantled the slats and cut them to size on my miter saw.
I used my nail gun and combination square along with a scrap piece of wood to get uniform spacing.
It was time to remove the hardware from the desk and the keyboard tray so I can prepare to paint.
This desk had a really shiny finish so I did some light sanding.
As always I set up my Homeright Spray Shelter and laid the table down so I could paint the underneath side of the old computer desk.
In this picture you can see that I used Kreg Jig pocket holes to reconfigure the back cross board. I also used pocket holes to attach the front cross board. I think it’s pretty obvious how difficult it would be to paint all those slats by hand. My Finish Max will easily tackle this job.
Need more details on using a Kreg Jig? See my article How to use a Kreg Jig Pocket Hole System
Notice the Homeright Spray Shelter is no longer in view. It was a very windy day and since I spray on the driveway, I was unable to stake the front of the shelter to the ground.
Of course I used my favorite DIY chalky paint primer for the base coat.
Upon standing it up, I can see where I need to spray with my Finish Max.
I laid it down on the other side so I can get a good look.
Then it was back up on all fours. You can see that I also was busy spraying my cabinet door coat racks.
After 2 light coats of the DIY chalky paint primer on the computer desk, I used the semi-gloss paint as a topcoat giving 2 more light coats with the Finish Max. If you’ve ever painted slats by hand, you know that there can be a lot of dripping going on, causing you to paint one side, then catch the runs on the other side. My Finish Max gave these slats a flawless finish. It never disappoints.
In between the semi-gloss coats I did a light sanding with some brown paper, wiping away the dust before the final coat of semi-gloss to seal the chalky paint primer.
TIP I prefer to paint the surfaces of my pieces while they are in a vertical position rather than a horizontal position.
I drilled small holes in each of the legs and added some caster wheels to make it glide so easily across the floor.
The former computer desk makes a great wrapping/shipping station for my Etsy sign business.
By adding my new pallet coffee cup rack and a coffee maker, it makes a great coffee station with extra storage.
If you have projects to paint, they really will go faster using a Homeright Finish Max. How would you use this repurposed desk? This desk makeover from Confessions of a Serial DIYer is soooo pretty!
gail
Related Content: See More Desk Projects Here
disclaimer: I am happy to be a Homeright brand ambassador so I can share great projects with you. All thoughts, opinions and projects are my own.
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
KariAnne
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!
You go girl! I love how it turned out and I know someone is going to LOVE it in their home!
Happy day!
karianne
Mindi
It looks awesome Gail, and sorry about your toes, ouch! I love the slats!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thank you for your comment Mindi. I bet you wear tennis shoes when you DIY it, right? This old gal gets so hot when her feet are confined to shoes. š
gail
Donna Marie
You know you are quite a whiz when it comes to furniture makeovers. I love this one!!!
JJ Crouch
Cute! I suggest a stencil on the top to top it off.
You do great work!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
A stencil is a great idea, but since I don't know who will buy this, 's difficult to know what a perspective buyer would want.
thanks for the suggestion!!!
gail
Catherine
I LUV the outcome!
AND the color you picked out!
I may not drink coffee but I would love to have this for guests-
Catherine
Susan
Another beautiful redo, Gail. Gorgeous!
Brette
Stylish.
Margot C
I am just fascinated by this site. You are a a genius.
grannyL
I know this is off subject, but I need some advice. I need to refinish my kitchen table top. I am wondering if the rub on poly would be okay to use or should I go with the brush on? I need to use the one that will last the longest under hard usuage. Thank you for any advice you can give me.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Hi,
That's a good question. If the table is going to take a lot of abuse, wipe on poly probably wouldn't be your best choice. I think that a polycrylic product might be your best choice. Just know that nothing you DIY is really going to be as tough as a laminate manufactured surface.
I would recommend several coats of whatever you use, lightly sanding in between coats.
good luck!
grannyL
Thank you.
girlfromwva
i wear flip flops all the time, too. so i can feel your "pain" (hope it is minimal).
this is a wonderful project. i would use it as a coffee/drink station probably...lots & lots of room!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
I get so hot, that I feel the need to wear the flip flops to help me stay cooler. I got some bruising and some scrapes, but I've definitely had worse. You would think I would have learned by now.
I am up to date on my tetanus, I hope everyone else is too!
gail
Carol
You had me as soon as I saw the coffee station! I don't think most people appreciate just how much effort goes into "the little things" like dismantling pieces and reconfiguring them to make something suit your needs. I know that what looks like a few quick photos and steps really does take time and skill! As always, another great multifunctional repurpose!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
You are so right Carol, that's why I didn't take any pics of all that process. I was so busy with clamping and gluing that I forgot to pick up the camera.
gail
Yvonne
Gail you always do such a great job......But, I have a problem, and that is I have a Couch that has a fold up bed in it and it is warped, and I need to discard, the bed.....But what I would like to do is, take the bed out, and build a storage box inside and keep the Couch, as I am on a limited income, I guess what I am asking is how to do this, and I am sure that you would know how.....could you please show us how and me as well, Thank-you if you can, if not thanks anyway.....Keep up the good work and the details of how to's......
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Yvonne,
I am of no help with this problem because I've never had a sofa sleeper, so I'm not sure how they are constructed. I will post your question to my facebook page, so check the suggestions there.
gail
Serena - Thrift Diving
How cute, Gail! This reminds me of something I could do with an old crib I have in my garage where I've got a million slats that need to be repurposed. And I totally didn't know you had an Etsy sign business. I'll have to ask you more about that!
Oh, and I have my spray shelter that needs to be put up! I bet your grass is thanking you! š
debbiedoos
What a great makeover Gail! It's perfect. I have never used a sprayer. I think I need to invest in one. Seems simple enough for even me:)
Christina in FL
Oh Gail, this turned out so well! I hope your toes did not bruise ... or at least not badly. Looks like you turned the keyboard shelf into a shallow drawer? Brilliant bottom shelf. Thank you for the inspiration!