How to upcycle a desk to a coffee table with wheels

Many of us have an old desk lying around that we no longer use. Instead of letting it gather dust in a corner, you can upcycle it into a coffee table with wheels! This is a great way to repurpose an old piece of furniture and give it new life - and save some money along the way. Here’s a very simple guide on how to do it:

Things You'll Need

Before we dive into the steps needed to craft your new mobile coffee table, you need to make sure that you have the following:

To strip the desk - Fine and medium-grade sandpaper may sometimes be enough to remove a thin varnish or you might need varnish stripper.
To paint the desk - Matt emulsion, paintbrush, sandpaper, duster, and cloths for applying wax.
Wheels - The castor wheels you choose for your coffee table are dependent on the size of the table itself. For example, if your table is larger and heavier - you'll need a more robust castor that has a higher load capacity. But if you're making a smaller and lighter coffee table - a less durable castor will be needed. For the perfect castors that will be fit for your coffee table, you should head on over to Tente - for a wide range of castor wheels.

Step by Step Guide

Choose a table or desk that will have appropriate proportions when you cut the long legs off, and decide which areas you want to paint and/or strip. If you do choose to saw the legs off, make sure your cuts are straight and equally distant from the tabletop. Let’s get into the crafting process now:

Step 1

Paint/varnish remover should be used to strip all of the varnished or painted visible surfaces back to bare wood. After the piece has been stripped and is dry, go over it with fine and medium-grade sandpaper as needed for a smooth finish.

Step 2

When all of this is dry, apply two coats of paint. After that, use sandpaper and wire wool to smooth out any rough spots until you're satisfied with the finish.

Step 3

To give the table an aged look, use fine and medium-grade paper to sand the edges. Don't be scared of this - if you go too far, you can always add some more paint and start again. Then move on to areas such as corners that would get natural wear and damage.

Step 4

After you're happy with the paintwork, use a cloth to clean the dust away, then use another clean cloth to remove all traces of residue and buff the finish to a gleam. Attach the castors using the screws provided, placing them in front of any obstructions so that the table can be easily moved about; but is also secured.

There you have it - a simple guide on how to upcycle an old desk into a coffee table with wheels! Not only will this save you some money, but it'll also give your living space a new and unique look. Enjoy!