Explore Your Creativity With These 23 Amazing Painted Desk Ideas
Check out these 23 gorgeous DIY painted desk ideas and get inspired to give your old desk new life with a fresh coat of paint.
painted desk ideas
Looking to give your home office a fresh new look without breaking the bank? Furniture makeovers are a great way to transform your office area while keeping costs down.
The first step to any office makeover is to find the perfect desk. As a second-hand shopping junky, I love the challenge of finding an old desk, or other piece of furniture to use as a desk, and transforming it into a beautiful desk that is unique to my home.
When looking for a furniture piece you want to make sure it is the right size for your space and that it is in good condition.
Look past the finish that has seen better days and think outside the box when it comes to finding a desk.
That is the fun part of a good DIY makeover! You may find an old table, side tables, coffee table or other antique furniture piece that would work great as a desk with a few modifications.
The most important step is to make sure the furniture piece that you plan to use as your desk has “good bones”.
The best way to do that is to check for any damage to the top of the desk or table tops. If there is damage, is this something you can repair with wood filler and a good sanding?
Next, continue to check the rest of the desk, or the entire piece, to ensure it is solid and can withstand lots of use.
Where to find furniture pieces
There are several places that you can look for old furniture. Here are some of the most common:
- Thrift Store
- Facebook Marketplace
- Yard Sales
- Garage Sales
- Antique Stores
- Craigslist
In this article, we’ll explore 23 DIY painted desk ideas to inspire you when painting furniture. Grab some paintbrushes, pick your favorite colors and the best furniture paint for your project, and get ready to give your workspace a stylish makeover!
01
VINTAGE PAINTED DeSK
This vintage furniture piece is a large solid desk with plenty of drawers for storage. The drawer fronts have gorgeous original hardware and the desk is finished with a dark wax. This is such a statement piece!
02
CHALK PAINTED DESK MAKEOVER
Chalk paint is a type of paint that can be used on pretty much any kind of furniture. One of the reasons it is so popular is because there is very little to no prep needed. This sweet little painted desk is perfect for small spaces.
03
MID CENTURY MODERN DESK
Check out the detailed step-by-step tutorial in this mid-century modern desk with tips for achieving a smooth finish.
04
grey and black painted desk
This classic dark wood desk is a family heirloom that was given an updated look with a rich gray paint color. 120 grit sandpaper was used to achieve a smooth finish. Clear wax will protect the finish to last for years. There are also some good tips for avoiding brush strokes too!
05
colorful blue and white desk makeover
It’s important to choose the best kind of paint for the type of furniture you are painting. Go bold with paint in different colors like this two-toned blue and white beauty.
06
budget-friendly desk makeover
Easily add beauty to an office with a budget-friendly painted desk makeover. For the best results add a top coat to protect the desk finish.
07
vintage wood desk makeover
The details in this vintage wood desk are simply stunning. The French linen white color and original hardware stays true to the vintage style, while still achieving an updated look.
08
gorgeous green painted desk
Fusion Mineral Paint is a popular choice for many furniture projects like this gorgeous green painted desk. Once painted, the final step was to finish with an oil-based topcoat that soaks into raw wood.
09
Custom-built painted desk
Cabinets from Home Depot were used as a base for this custom-built painted desk. The bold color choice blends perfectly with the colorful wallpaper. The cabinet drawers have plenty of space for desk storage.
10
pretty blue and white desk makeover
A great idea for taking a white desk to the next level is to add pretty detailing like a beautiful blue floral design as shown in this makeover.
11
painted green desk from a baker’s cabinet
Learn how to turn a baker’s cabinet into an office desk painted in a lovely green color with a warm wood top.
12
QUEEN ANNE DESK MAKEOVER
This Queen Anne desk makeover is so soft and feminine in a gray wash with ivory details. The final step is a transfer on the desk top that really takes this desk to the next level!
13
pair of wall-mounted desks from a table
You have to see how to turn wood tables into a pair of wall-mounted desks. This is such a clever and unique idea. The desks are great for homeschooling too!
14
BEAUTIFUL BLUE CHALK PAINTED DESK
Bright colors in a bold blue color scheme were the perfect choice for this desk finished with a chalk paint makeover.
15
vintage french provincial desk
Fans of French Provincial style will love this feminine desk finished with a shabby chic vibe. This desk would work great as a makeup vanity too.
16
annie sloane desk makeover
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint was used on this small desk makeover. The antique style cup pulls look simply amazing with this style. The antique typewriter is the perfect piece for this desk!
17
homemade chalk paint for antique desk
Get the DIY tutorial for homemade chalk paint. You can make it any color you like. The light blue color used on this antique desk is so pretty!
18
vintage desk transformation
When you are painting an old desk, it’s important to give the entire desk a good cleaning. It is also a good idea to paint on a drop cloth to avoid any mess.
19
thrift store desk makeover
This thrift store find was a steal at $12, but it was in an outdated natural wood. New hardware and acrylic paint a single color give it a more modern look. It’s a good idea to apply a clear wax with a lint-free cloth for added protection.
20
CUSTOM STENCILED DESK
Create a unique look on your painted desk by adding a geometric pattern. The end result is simply stunning. To ensure a durable finish on the desk top that will last for a long time, add a top coat to withstand heavy use.
21
ELEGANT BLACK PAINTED DESK
Using a paint sprayer is a great option for painted furniture. It can be used with latex paint, milk paint and even acrylic paint. This elegant black painted desk is stunning.
22
EMERALD GREEN BEAUTY
Go with a bold color for your desk makeover like this emerald green beauty! The matching chair with a black and white covered seat is perfect.
23
colorful office makeover
Get inspired to add color to your home office with this beautiful makeover. The painted and stenciled desk brings in that wow factor.
With these creative ideas, some paint and a little elbow grease you can turn an outdated desk into a stylish statement piece that reflects your personal style.
I hope these painted desk ideas have inspired you to get started. Let me know in the comments below which design style is your favorite.
Here are a few furniture painting tutorials that you might be able to use on your desk makeover project: