Melissa from The Roane Home was in need of a desk with plenty of storage to tame the art supply and computer clutter that had taken over her current desk.
She happened upon a gorgeous two-tone desk from Pottery Barn with filing cabinet drawers on each side and was in LOVE – just not with the price.
Fortunately, Melissa was able to snag a similarly styled desk from the thrift store for only $10 and refinish it to resemble her PB inspiration!
You too can get a great looking, made-over- desk like Melissa’s. We’ve all seen the second-hand wooden desk in our travels, but what to do with it is another story. Melissa gives us a terrific idea courtesy of Pottery Barn.
Make Your Own Expensive Looking Desk for Cheap
Creating this same look and style on the cheap can clearly be done thanks to Melissa’s own inspiration. So let’s simplify your steps so you can get started right away on yours.
Find a Desk
Plain and simple you need a desk. You need to not pay more than $25 or $30 for it either. You want solid wood, because we’re after a better quality piece of furniture here.
The age doesn’t matter so much because your transformation will give it everything it needs to look great.
You can check your local thrift stores, but you may find that many of them want more for pieces like desks than they’re really worth.
Your best bet is a search on Craigslist. Check daily until you find one that’s the right size for your space and that is close by. Don’t make it harder than it needs to be.
You’ll find that most people will take next to nothing for an old, unwanted desk like Melissa’s because it’s on the bulky side. They want back the space it’s taking up being stored in the garage or wherever, and they can’t easily transport it away.
If someone can come get it (that’s you!), then they’ll be happy to let it go for less. Melissa really lucked out getting hers for ten bucks. Check the “free” section or “curb alerts” in Craigslist, and you just might do one better than Melissa…but, hey we’re not keeping score, right?
Repair
It’s okay if you find a desk that needs a little cosmetic TLC. If it’s real wood, you can do exactly what Melissa did and touch up any dings and scratches with stainable wood putty.
Marks and discoloration don’t matter of course since you’ll be staining and painting.
Sand
Sand surfaces to help prep for stain and paint. This goes without saying, but it’s an important step.
Paint/Stain
For this two-toned, natural wood and white look, simply prime the lower portion of the desk. For the top, stain and add a couple of coats of paste wax.
This will give your smooth surface added protection. You can also use a colored wax for a richer, more even color tone on top if desired.
Swap Hardware
Some might say the most fun part is adding the new hardware. Melissa found hers at Target so don’t hesitate to start there for something durable enough, yet not too pricey.
All-in-all you can pull off this desk makeover for not a lot of money. The key to it all is obtaining an old, forgotten desk for next to nothing.
If you’re lucky, you’ll spend only a few dollars on it. Then go enjoy the process of turning it into a look-alike catalog piece Melissa was inspired by the Whitney Rectangular Desk Set from Pottery Barn.
Head on over to The Roane Home for a few more details on Melissa’s project. Or, get to clicking over on Craigslist and let your journey begin.