The Best Painted Desk Ideas

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As fall approaches and school starts back up, it’s the perfect time to refresh your workspace! While I love summer and all the fun that comes with it, I also love getting organized and starting fresh come September. If you’re like me, that means cleaning and updating things around the house. And if you have kids, giving them a fun and fresh workspace is the perfect way to start the school year off on the right foot. These DIY painted desk ideas are sure to inspire your next furniture makeover.

collage image of 4 painted desks. Clockwise from top left - purple, off white, navy, olive green.

1. Navy Kidney-Shaped Desk and Chair

Before photo of kidney shaped desk with a coordinating chair.

Desk painted navy blue with coordinating chair with ticking stripe upholstery on the seat.

I love this style of desk – the kidney shape is classic and fun all at the same time. All this one needed was a refresh,in Fathom Blue by Melange paints, along with the matching chair and updated upholstery.

2. Taupe Campaign Desk

Before photo of wood Campaign style desk.

After photo of Campaign style desk painted taupe.

These cute campaign-style desks look great in any color. They are small and are perfect for kids, or work well as a vanity too! This desk was painted in the beautiful neutral Turtledove Taupe, by Melange Paints.

3. Olive Green Campaign Desk

Before photo of a previously painted while Campaign style desk.

After photo of Campaign style desk painted in green.

Same style, totally different look! While the basics of this makeover are the same as the neutral one above, if you are looking for a pop of color, this one’s for you! This desk got a complete makeover in Talley Green by Melange Paints.

4. Olive Green Secretary Desk

Before photo of secretary desk in a wood finish.

After photo of secretary desk painted green.

Same color, totally different style! This secretary desk makeover was a lot of work, but definitely worth it! Also painted in Talley Green by Melange Paints.

5. Large Navy Desk With Bare Wood Legs

After photo of large wooden desk painted navy.

This is one of my all-time favorite desk makeovers! I love the classic navy, along with the raw wood legs and new hardware. Painted in the color Deep Navy by Mudpaint.

6. Small Desk/Vanity with Bleached Wood Top

I wanted to keep the rustic look to this cute little desk/vanity and chair, but the faux wood paint had to go! After stripping and bleaching the top, I was loving the raw wood look, so I simply sealed it and then painted the body in Fusion Mineral Paint’s Goddess Ashwagandha (sadly a discontinued color).).

7. Black Writing Desk

After photo of pine wood desk painted black.

This Ethan Allen pine desk from the 1990s was given a sleek new look in Jett Black by Melange Paints. A classic update for sure!

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8. A Double Desk Makeover

After photo of wood desk painted black with gold Hepplewhite style hardware.

One desk, two looks! During the pandemic, my daughter needed a desk and dedicated workspace, so I found this wooden vintage desk on Facebook Marketplace and painted it black (to go with the Harry Potter theme in her room (even the drawer liners were Harry Potter themed). Fast forward a couple of years, and she was ready to update her space. When your mom paints furniture, it’s an easy update, right? Painted in Lamp Black Milk Paint by General Finishes, and then in a pink mixture by Melange Paints, these makeovers show just how easy it is to change the look with paint color!

9. French Provincial Writing Desk

Before photo of French Provincial wooden writing desk

This French Provincial writing desk was beautiful, but the top was in terrible shape. Some thick, bubbling veneer needed to be fixed, and after that, I decided on this light peachy neutral, Ginger Apricot by Melange Paints (a discontinued color). Not quite pink and not quite orange, it is a beautiful color that adds warmth to your space. I should know – I loved it so much we ended up keeping it for our primary bedroom!

10. Eggplant Purple Desk/Vanity

After photo of wood desk painted in an eggplant purple

I was so excited when my client picked this dark eggplant purple for this desk! It is fun and elegant all at the same time! While this actual color (Nevermore by Melange Paints) has been discontinued, I still would encourage you to find a dark purple like this and go for it! You won’t be disappointed!

11. Off White Maple Desk

After photo of maple desk painted in an Ecru color.

I recently updated this vintage maple desk for a client and love how classic and clean it looks in the color Epiphany Ecru by Melange Paints. To modernize the piece a bit more, I removed some of the dated details from the base and added some new gold hardware!

Summary

Whether you are starting fresh this fall or looking to update a desk or vanity at any time of year, these desk makeover ideas are sure to inspire. I’d love to know which is your favorite! Let me know in the comments. And as always, I’m happy to answer any questions you have about painting furniture.

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