Ooh…do I have a fun makeover for you today. Not only is this one is not your typical dress-up-a-piece project, but also really a complete metamorphosis. I’m a sucker for the worn down and beaten, and this beauty below is no exception. Hang with me as I turn this upcycled desk into nightstands. {{enter in dramatic music}}
A few weeks ago, I told you the story about a lady named Donna, who had recently passed. Her daughters were working through finding homes for her estate items, and I purchased an antique dressing table and this desk. You can see the antique dressing table in this post. (It’s a good one!)
Today, it’s all about this desk. I will be completely honest and say that I didn’t want it. Initially, I went to look at both pieces and instantly said a “NO” in my head when it came time to purchase it. Further, the desk is beaten up and looks like more work than I felt like messing with. However, the softie that I am felt compassion for the ladies who were grieving, so I brought it home with me.
THE GOOD, THE BAD
I figured I could do something with it and didn’t realize how bad of shape it really was until I pulled it out and looked closer. That being the case, it’s not a high-end desk, but a desk, nonetheless. This silly thing is even held together by those boards in the back. Essentially, the drawers were all but falling to pieces and I had my work cut out for me. At long last, it was then I decided to make this an upcycled desk into nightstands project. In all honesty, this is probably where I should have stopped. haha!
First, I take out all the hardware and supports that were holding the top of the desk on. Those removed pieces go into my scrap pile for a higher purpose in the future. Hence, nothing goes to waste around here. Also, I’ve created a video demo of this below just because I wanted this fun on tape.
Now the top is off and I just have that one adjoining board at the back.
I just love finding these kinds of notes and marks like these chalk numbers. Some kiddo crawled up under the desk and practiced their numbers. So fun!
NEXT STEPS
Next, I pounded the board out and cut it into 3 pieces on my miter saw. The two shorter pieces are replace the empty spot at the back of the nightstands. Meanwhile, the 3rd longer piece heads to my stash.
You can see in the video how I used my circular saw and Rip Cut Jig to cut off the end of the desk top to make new tops for the nightstands. Here they are resting on the dry fit upcycled desk into nightstands. If you were to touch these at this point, the would crumble to the ground. eep!
It’s at this point I took them inside to assemble them and get the ready for the next steps. My nailer is my best friend when doing this job.
HOT MESS
Enter in the “what did you get yourself into” train. This is definitely not the first time I’ve had this joyride, but I am hoping this is the last. ahem. And so, after tons of wood filler and repairs are in order since most of the drawer faces are falling off or have nails protruding EVERYWHERE.
Now, my desk drawers are assembled, but still needing some lovin’. One particular drawer had a missing corner. I remedied that by cutting trim to cover ALL THE DRAWER FACES. ugh. Lots of hand miters and gluing and nailing. BUT…I’m gettin’ er done.
After the drawer faces, I created a scalloped skirt for the front of the nightstands. As a result, I make a pattern using the existing skirt, then cut out with my jigsaw.
After that, I create pocket hole joints to the skirt pieces using my drill and my Kreg Jig.
Alas, here are my upcycled desk into nightstands ready for a new lease on life.
ALMOST THERE!
As a result, can you see the awesome routed edges and all the new details? I’m excited!! Do you blame me?
I’ve started to stain the new additions of wood just to deepen the color a bit to prep it for paint.
Next, the stain has cured and it’s time to make these beauties shine again. I’ve chosen to use a flat black paint to apply two coats of paint. (letting cure in between, of course)
Then, I tackle the drawers. Believe me, they need some pep!
Last, but not least, I added paper liner to the drawers, and also black wax to protect paint. With that in mind, I use an older brush to apply the wax, and then buff to a low lustre.
ALL DONE
Finally, meet my upcycled desk turned nightstands COMPLETE and ready for a new life. WOOT!
With this set done, I can now say that I would do it again, but with a better project piece condition in the first place. Furthermore, what a challenging set to build!
The drawers got that fun peek-a-boo effect, and the new knobs really made a difference in the feel of this set. No worries as the old ones will be getting new life too.
MORE FUN
Oh, and in case you had forgot… While most of the remnants of the desk are awaiting new life, I did make good on my promise to recreate the middle drawer. This is, again, to honor the prairie style I felt would emulate Donna’s life.
It’s filled with a remnant of a tattered quilt I found at a garage sale and made use of HERE. Also, I used a vintage hankie to put a few of the words of wisdom by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Likewise, the little crochet doilies are the icing on the cake, as well as the scrap of chalk-written numbers from the desk. Did you notice I even salvaged the tiny corbels for the upper corners too?
Are you inspired yet? I sure hope so! If you like either the nightstand (end table) set or drawer wall art, they are now available in my online shop.
SHARE
In addition, pin and share this upcycled desk into nightstands fun. I’m sure there’s another desk out there somewhere waiting for a rescue! 🙂
Up next, I’m going to tackle this pile of drawer fronts to give them a whole new life. SEE THEIR NEW PURPOSE HERE.
Before you go, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!
Also, more projects like this upcycled desk into nightstands:
Night stands are cool and what a clever idea turning desk into night stands. Love them.
I do have a few items that are in need of a new / updated paint job but right now the weather is just a bit too cold to do any painting being I have no heat in my shed.
Dang, I wish now I had bought a desk very much like yours the other day that I passed up. 🙁 I never even thought about turning a desk into night stands. What a Great idea.
Thank you for this giveaway opportunity. (I got my fingers crossed)
Maybe go back for the desk? hee hee. Thanks so much, Colleen. I wish I had a set for everyone ! 😀
Soooo creative and they are beautiful! Well done!!!!! I love seeing your vision and transformation of things. ?. Such good ideas!
Totally awesome to hear, Wendy. Thank you!
I have some chairs and a dresser I would like to paint.
Sweet. I hope you like my efforts today too. 😉
What a Beautiful transformation Larissa! I so enjoy following along & watching you bring new life
To these furniture pieces. You do amazing work!
I sure am glad to hear it. It was a heap of work! 😀 Thank you.
The nightstands look amazing! And I love your wall art piece. I’m hoping to win the brushes to paint a few pieces I own. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks! That was my favorite part.
Boy, you had a job with this one. They look great!
You ain’t kiddin’! {{head smack}} Thanks!
I would paint an unfinished shelf and a vanity. Thanks again for the giveaway.
Sounds good. I hope you like what I worked on for you today. 🙂
Great job!! I love the middle drawer you should pass it to donnas family
Thanks! I have considered that.
I am going to be making my daughter a stuffed animal bin . So it would be the first thing painted.
Fun! I hope you enjoyed my work project today too. 🙂
So wonderful that you have the vision to repurpose something in such bad shape into something so beautiful! The brushes could help me revive an old nightstand that I have.
Or more like enough crazy. haha! Thank you so much, Cindy.
Oh……I was wondering when we’d see this bad boy! Well, all that work paid off! Amazing job!
What a mess!! haha! Thank you.
Hi Larissa! Love your creativeness. I learn so much from following you. You have a sweet soul, sister! Cannot wait to use my Zibra brushes i bought from you and i hope to win all of them so i can have an entire set and i can give my new 3 to my daughter in law. God Bless you
You are a sweetheart, Cheryl. I am delighted to hear you are enjoying the brushes. Blessings to you!
Great idea! Perfect nightstands or end tables for those areas with limited space and taller furniture! Like my bed with the 18″ mattress! Love this!
Yes! I always have to roll out to reach and these are sweet. If only they fit in my bedroom. Ah well! 😀
Love this project! But my favorite part is the drawer. I collect buttons, so I would add a couple to this. Keep up the great work!
Mine too. Just so fun for me to do. Thank you!
Thank you.
The night stands are awesome..
Your patience is outrageous! What a job!!! Those night stands will be perfect for someone in tight quarters!
I need to paint a basket with a ho-hum top, and my boys closet shelves… I’ve putting that one off.
More like insanity…haha!! I had such a job, but glad it worked out. Thanks!
I love everything that you have posted! The nightstands are fabulous…great for space-saving in smaller bedrooms. ~To win the Zibra brushes would be such a blessing. I have countless furniture projects to work on. ?
Larissa, I actually liked it as a desk, since it reminds me of the one I had as a schoolgirl. But I do love the makeover! They are great slim drawers and perfect for that awkward spot in the bathroom or some place else you can’t put full size furniture. You put so much thought and love into these!! And the middle drawer is great as a wall hanging for memories! I would love having the brushes! Even though I have a lot to do, I was thinking yesterday I need to paint the small table and chairs which I would like to go to an organization I learned about recently. It’s called Vet Strong and they get homeless veterans off the streets and into homes. Because they are usually small spaces, they need small furniture. Thank you for the opportunity to win these!
Cute nightstands! I would use the brushes on a buffet for my dining room.
Alot of hard work but you were up for the challenge. Love these black beauties and also the arch window hanging behind them!! I have a table and chairs that I need to paint so I’d start with that. Thanks for the inspiration and the giveaway Larissa.
These are so pretty and elegant! I am sure Donna would be very impressed.
Whew! A lot of work, right? But isn’t that what we are here for? To take a lost and broken vessel, give some love, and create a whole new piece. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds”.
Beautiful job, Larissa!
The nightstands turned out beautiful. You never cease to amaze me with your clever makeovers!
What fun for me to hear, Janet. Thank you!
You make me want to learn woodworking. Would love to win the brushes so I can paing the old cedar chest i bought when i got engaged in 1965. it needs refinishing!
That’s the spirit! I seriously love it and wish I had a woodshop…one day.
I love how you have staged the middle drawer with the quilt piece, hankie and doilies; its given me inspiration for displaying some vintage items that I have. Thanks!
Thank you, Jo-Ann. I’ve done many of those in the past and they’re always fun.
Oh my goodness… I have been on that “what did I get myself into?” train waaaay too often! Lol!
This transformation came out beautifully! The trim makes the drawers look so much better. (Happy accident!) And I love the drawer color with the liner!
Thanks so much for your blog. I really enjoy it!
yeah, baby!! I have done it too many times in the past and am getting over that feeling. haha!
You never cease to amaze me! You can take something so ‘meh’ and make it awesome. I would love to have just a small percent of your talent. Maybe if I win the brushes I can at least fake it 🙂
Well, that just made my day, Michele. Thank you! And… I know you can do it. 😉
Love the makeover!! I would love to use the brushes on a vintage Cosco kitchen stool I scored for a song.
Sounds like fun! 😀
I love my zibra paint brush as well! Would love to use the whole set!
Great to hear. 🙂
That was a lot of work! Blessings to you for trying and succeeding! They are beautiful!
You ain’t kiddin’! haha Thank you so much, Danelle.
That is an amazing transformation! I would love these Zibra paint brushes and the frist thing I will paint is my twins’ bedroom set that were hand me downs from a relative. I don’t have the heart to donate them because they were given with love and they are solid wood.
Thanks! You sure will love the brushes and I totally get it on the furniture.
I want to do this!
Yay!! That’s the DIY spirit!
Wow! They’re perfect nightstands! How creative! Thank you also for the great giveaway!
I’m delighted you think so, Jennifer. Thank you!
Hi Larissa, You createdsuch great looking nightstands out of Donna’s desk. I also love the sweet wall art you created with that adorable little desk piece!
I nearly quit, but I’m glad I didn’t. Thank you so much, Kaycee.
They look great.
Thank you.
Wow your tenacity for saving pieces is extraordinary! I could tell from the first photo that this desk was all out of aliment! Your ability to us all of your different tools and gadgets to recreate is truly inspiring, you have great talent. I also love the use of the drawer (looking at it on the wall proved that I was right about the alignment lol!) Such a beautiful ending to such a sad start Larissa!
It was literally like a leaning tower…haha! Thanks so much for your wonderfully encouraging words and the giggle. Tee hee!
Nice save, Larissa! A heck of a lot of work but you did that desk proud. I’m sure Donna would have loved what you did with her desk too. Love how you salvaged the middle drawer, especially displaying the chalked-scribbled numbers which were probably written by one of the daughters you met.
Like nutcase crazy kind of work. hahaha! I’m glad you like it. Thank you, Marie.