Painted Modern Roll Top Desk Makeover

For less than $50 this Roll Top Desk got a modern paint makeover to provide a functional office space that can easily be hidden in style.

Sometimes you do projects because you absolutely can’t wait to see the finished product. And sometimes you do projects out of necessity. Today’s Roll Top Desk Makeover is a collision of those two for me. I’ll be honest, this isn’t my favorite project, but I desperately needed a place to keep all my work stuff and be able to close it off. I hate having things out in the open and I’m a big fan of hidden storage. One day we will finish our attic as an office space, but for now, in a desperate attempt to get my living room organized – this was completely necessary!

When I couldn’t handle the lack of office space I found this Roll Top Desk on the Facebook Marketplace for $40. You just can’t beat that when you’re trying to solve a problem, and it’s been so long since I’ve made over a good piece of furniture. Since I’m working on our formal dining room for the One Room Challenge I decided to put this desk in the space that sits in between this space and the natural line of the living room. And since I had all the supplies on hand it was a really affordable makeover.

Roll Top Desk Before

How to Paint a Roll Top Desk

Supplies: (this post contains affiliate links)

• Black Chalk Paint
• Chalk Paint Roller
• Small Paint Brush
• Clear Wax
• Lint Free Rag

Tips for Painting a Wooden Desk

The first thing you always do when making over furniture is clean it. This desk was stored in a garage so it was pretty dusty and needed a good cleaning. Make sure to get in those cracks and corners, because when you start painting all that dirt will come out in your paint.

I painted two full coats with the paint roller, and used a brush to get into the corners and any spots that needed delicate touches. I used this particular brush for the roll top portion of the desk. My biggest tip for painting that is to do very light coats of paint and don’t allow it to cake up or it will hinder the rolling feature. Mine rubs the paint off along the edge where it slides, but it’s not noticeable unless you are looking for it up close.

After I was finished with both coats and any touch ups I missed I applied one coat of the clear was with a lint free rag. I love how easy this wax is to apply. Chalk paint is a very flat finish, so this wax makes it more wipeable and easier to clean. It also seals it all up and helps avoid any scuff marks.

Wood Desk Makeover

Shop this space:

Desk – Thrifted
Gray Vases – Harp Design Co. (Use my code for 15% off: CHERISHEDBLISS)
Faux Stems – These and These from Harp Design Co.
Black and White Chair – Target
Throw – Ikea
Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig – Amazon

And that’s it. Super easy. I can’t wait to share this whole space with you. I’m thrilled to be wrapping up this whole room. It’s the biggest space in our house for sure and it’s where we hang out the most. It’s finally starting to feel like a home and I think it’s all going to pull together nicely!