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DIY Desk: An Old Door Makes a Great Desk!

by | Apr 15, 2009 | Decorating Inspiration, Details, DIY, Organization

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DIY Desk: An Old Door Makes a Great Desk!

DIY Desk

Have an old door sitting around? Why not repurpose it? There are many uses for old doors, but if you need a desk or table, check this beauty out!

I saw this lovely home office & studio at Meredith Perdue (check out her dog photography, amazing!) and thought you would all enjoy a little peek. Meredith gave me permission to show you her fabulous room and her DIY desk!

DIY Desk: An Old Door Makes a Great Desk!

We talked here yesterday about creating a little space of your own, and if you have room for a desk or work table, this is a fabulous way to make one yourself! It is not only functional, but very charming too!

  • One old door
  • Glass for desk surface
  • Two sawhorses

I love how open and airy the saw horses look. But if you are short on space or need a place for files, you could also substitute file cabinets!

How do you use old doors? Other than using them as, well, doors, I’ve seen them set against a wall for architectural interest, hung on a wall as art, made into headboards…what are some other good ideas for using old doors? You guys are so good with ideas.

Thanks Meredith, for sharing your lovely studio and office!

If you enjoy repurposing and DIY ideas, you’ll love the new DIY pages on The Inspired Room! Take a peek, I think you’ll love all of the DIY tips and inspiration!


54 Comments

  1. Jennifer

    Oh, I love this! I have been trying to get him to use an old door like this for a table in our breakfast room. He’s not convinced yet. What a great desk, she did an amazing job. I have a few old doors in the basement that I would love to give this a go with. Still working on the ole hubster.

    Jennifer @ Southern Charms inspiring blog post..Bookcase To Showcase

    Reply
  2. Kim

    I have seen old doors used as a head board! Just use a little molding! I think the desk idea is just awesome!

    Kims inspiring blog post..Back

    Reply
  3. Joy Cronauer...Joy at Home

    Great idea! I guess this would also work with a flat door? The doors we have laying around in the garage aren’t as charming as the one in the photograph! BTW I loved how you did the post on driving by homes and looking at curb appeal! I do that to….as well as many other things you mention on your blog. Great to know I’m not the only one! Take care and thanks again for all the inspiration.

    Joy Cronauer…Joy at Homes inspiring blog post..

    Reply
  4. Becky K.

    We did this at our church. We found some cheap cabinetry for storage underneath and to hold up the door. It was a lovely way to create a desk space that didn’t overtake a small room. We purchased all of the materials at Habitat for Humanity’s Re-Store so we were helping a great cause at the same time that we saved money.

    Win-win!

    Becky K.s inspiring blog post..Answering Questions and Favorite Things

    Reply
  5. Marsha

    Love this! I use a flat door as a work desk in my craft room now. I painted it and put a skirt to the floor around it to hide stacks of fabrics underneath.

    Reply
  6. Jodi

    I have an old french door waiting to be put up above my daughter’s bed. I have to wait for my Dad to visit because I will never convince my husband to put it up.

    All of the glass is intact so I want to use the panes as frames (some with just plain paper or fabric and others with photos).

    :-)

    Jodis inspiring blog post..Last cold weather goals update:

    Reply
  7. Gypsy Mom

    That’s awesome! I’m always on the lookout for cool doors and knobs.. this is a great way to use them!

    Gypsy Moms inspiring blog post..The Gypsies Go On Vacation

    Reply
  8. Vee

    I’m giving this a lot of thought. My desk is too small and too low. This also makes such a decorating statement, but perhaps I’d prefer to rest it on some file cabinets or something. Either way, it’s a terrific tip!

    Vees inspiring blog post..Romantic Vignettes

    Reply
  9. Kim

    We’ve had one or two desks made from doors. The size was great for Tim to be able to read a set of plans.

    I love Meredith’s desk! Thanks for introducing us to her blog.

    ~Kim

    Kim @ Everything Etsys inspiring blog post..Alexandra Ferguson – Featured Artist

    Reply
  10. Tonja

    I have used an old door for my sewing/craft table…
    took the door knob off and was then able to run my
    cord to my sewing machine and an extra extension cord
    through the hole so it didn’t have to being hanging off the
    front…and instead of stacking it on the horses I used totes
    and put material all around the edge to hide them…
    Tonja

    Tonjas inspiring blog post..Adorable Giveaway…

    Reply
  11. Erin

    What a fantastic idea!! I’m planning on purchasing a house this year and am planning on decorating on the cheap – but not letting it look cheap. What a wonderfully creative idea!

    Erins inspiring blog post..Tuesday Night Italian Meatball Soup

    Reply
  12. Christy Boeckholt

    A friend of mine lives in a college town. The island in her kitchen is made from an old lab desk with a classroom door on top. It’s fabulous!

    Christy Boeckholts inspiring blog post..Where have I been?

    Reply
  13. kirwin

    My husband really wants a desk made out of an Indonesian door with all the beautiful carving in it. I’ve promised him that it will happen one day.

    A friend of mine finds old doors and turns them into headboards. They are gorgeous. Especially the ones with lots crackled and peeling layers of paint. She has found a way to seal them, so that it’s not (as?) dangerous to bring the lead paint into your house.

    kirwins inspiring blog post..5 vegan recipes an omnivore will love

    Reply
  14. Gina

    I love this-I’ve got an old door in the garage just waiting for something cool. How about as a dining table? Perfect size for a big family and a narrow space.

    Reusing at it’s best!

    Ginas inspiring blog post..Lisa Leonard Giveaway

    Reply
  15. LaDonna

    What a fantastic idea for a new desk for my office! I will be looking around to see what I can use. I, also, like Vee’s idea of using file cabinets, that way there wouldn’t be wasted space.
    When we moved we brought along an old window with the wood strips dividing it and my husband applied the mirror paint to the glass panes. It now sits in a corner of our living room adding character (I left the old paint on) and depth. Just another idea for reusing old house parts for new purposes!

    Reply
  16. Remodeling Guy

    Oh yeah! Doors make great desks! I’ve never had one that looked as cool as this though!

    Every time I’ve ever opened a new office we would get flush doors (flat, smooth) and span them between two, 2-drawer, file cabinets and we were off and running! Starting a business on a budget was always my goal!

    Again…they never looked this good! Thanks for showing them!

    Remodeling Guys inspiring blog post..Y’all Ready for a Round-Up! Announcing The Spring 2009 Remodeling Guy Round-Up

    Reply
  17. Beth H

    yes, doors do make great desks – i can attest to this! my door-desk was made from a new door (we didn’t happen to have any old ones, but old ones would def. have more charm!), set upon 2 cubby-shelving units that my lovely husband built just for me. the bottom cubby is the perfect size for my sewing machine. i love my desk!

    Reply
  18. alaskalark

    I did this once years ago with an ugly hollow core door. I tightly covered it with felt and then stapled fabric over the whole thing. Propped it up on tall sawhorses. It was perfect for that time in my life!

    Reply
  19. Jeri

    Those doors are charming. That is a great idea. The doors have interest and character, things that are lacking in a lot of newer desks. Awesome pics! Thanks

    Jeris inspiring blog post..Five little questions

    Reply
  20. Cheryl

    This is so great, thank you for posting this!

    I have a french door that I bought and turned it out to be too big for my opening. I have it leaning against the wall right now, which I like, but my husband needs it to have a purpose.

    As soon as I have room, I am doing the desk thing. Surely he won’t make me get rid of it now…? :)

    Cheryls inspiring blog post..Easter Recap

    Reply
  21. JaneyS

    I bought a door at Ikea for my desk, it was the only thing big enough to put all my equipment on, but now that I need more space, this is a perfect solution. I will be looking at a local salvage yard this weekend, great idea for saving money. Thanks for the beautiful ideas on your blog.

    JaneySs inspiring blog post..How To Budget As Your Best Weapon

    Reply
  22. Holly

    I do love old doors-such character! I have seen doors used for display in craft shows, to hold pictures, etc. I have seen them made into hall trees, with hooks and a bench attached. . .so many fun ideas. . .

    Hollys inspiring blog post..Experimenting. . .

    Reply
  23. Polly

    I’ve used old doors for so many wonderful things over the years. They are still my favorites! Blessings… Polly

    Pollys inspiring blog post..The Ol’ Standby

    Reply
  24. Ashlyn Carter

    this is too cute! I love this and the room it is in! so fun :)

    Ashlyn Carters inspiring blog post..tuesday thoughts

    Reply
  25. Emily

    I have an “idea file” and one of images i ripped from a magazine was this same idea for a coffee table. I love it! It’s amazing the beauty we can find when we dare to get creative.

    Emily@remodelingthislifes inspiring blog post..Going Without

    Reply
  26. Pat

    We know someone who bought doors from an old hotel renovation, in Kansas City. I don’t know how many they bought, but the waintscoting they made from them was gorgeous. They were turned on side and attached to the wall of their very elegant dining room.

    Pats inspiring blog post..~A Porch Table~

    Reply
  27. Beverly

    It looks wonderful!

    This is definitely not decorative, but we use old doors on sawhorses to display sale items when having a yard sale.

    Beverlys inspiring blog post..What’s My Question Wednesday

    Reply
  28. Angie

    i. want. that. desk. (or the room for that matter!) LOVE IT!

    Angie @ The Creative Mamas inspiring blog post..what i found wednesdays!

    Reply
  29. teresa

    Love the desk idea- that is such a lovely and inexpensive way to get a great office desk.
    I used an old door as a head board once for a bed.
    Have a wonderful day!

    Reply
  30. Sissy

    I also used an old door for a desk set on top of old painted file cabinets. It was just an old, ugly hollow door so I painted a trellis pattern on it. It looked great and the file cabinets added tons of storage.

    Sissys inspiring blog post..Gwenyth, Goop and ebay

    Reply
  31. Kimm at Reinvented

    I love the desk, very cool! I recently used a door for a headboard when recorating my master bedroom. It was a new door, but a little aging with paint worked perfectly!

    Kimm at Reinventeds inspiring blog post..Trash to Treasure Tuesday–Reinvented on the Road!

    Reply
  32. Miss Sandy

    Wow, Meridith’s room is awesome! Love the door desk. I have to say I am truly blessed to have two private creative spaces of my own, my writing cottage out by our garden pond and my studio space, a former small bedroom. I have graduated over the years from crafting on the dining room table to a little closet nook to a full room as space allowed, all in the same home.

    One of the most creative uses I have ever seen for old doors is turning them into a day bed. One door serves as the back, another is cut in half and used on the ends for the sides. One half of a bi-fold door is attached to the front with wooden supports added to hold the mattress. This same project also used reclaimed moldings and finials to trim out the bed. The whole thing was painted out in a fresh crisp cream and dressed out in floral linens. It was an awesome project.

    You can see a similar project on HGTV website at the following address: http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/sunroom-redo-how-to-make-a-door-daybed-and-lattice-canopy/index.html

    I hope the remainder of your week is wonderful!

    Miss Sandys inspiring blog post..Romantic Vignette Blog Party…..

    Reply
  33. Pinky

    HI! I wanted to share that I had some vertical blinds that I didn’t want to use in the room they were in so….I cut some off the bottom, hot glued the new hems and VIOLA! Had “new” verticals for another space in the house! The glue has held up for YEARS!!!!! And the verticals were a SUPER good sale originally so I definitely got my money out of them!!!:):) Pinky

    Reply
  34. Betty Jo

    Beautiful room! I used an old door resting on file cabinets as a desk for years. Now, thanks to a tip from Kim of Daisy Cottage, I’m switching to a farmer’s table, which is more spacious. My door was a plain one though, not as interesting as the one Meredith is using. I plan to use an old door, resting on it’s side, behind the desk/table to hide the wires from my computer. Haven’t found the right door for that yet. ♥

    Betty Jos inspiring blog post..deals & steals

    Reply
  35. Val

    I have an old door in my painting studio as a table…I never worry about it getting slopped up with oil paints or acrylic. It sits atop on old repurposed dresser vanity. I have cut doors down to make chalkboards as well, and I have seen them used as headboards too.

    Reply
  36. Kelli

    I need an old door quickly so I can repurpose it!! Great idea and look!! Love it.

    Reply
  37. jennifer perkins

    I love this! I have an old door in my office as a work table as well, but this is much cuter using the textured desk and glass top. I have also used a door as a headboard in a bedroom.

    Reply
  38. Lauren

    Really Really Cute Idea!

    Lauren @ Porter Design Co.s inspiring blog post..Windsor Smith

    Reply
  39. Sarah

    Love it!! Thanks for the mention on my sofa table! I appreciate it so much. :)

    Sarah @ Thriftydecorchicks inspiring blog post..Garage sale season is here!

    Reply
  40. Donna at Funky Junk Interiors

    Flat doors also make wonderful thick looking shelving. They have alot of substance and look wonderfully important when you step back on the other side of the room and glance up. And don’t bow in the middle from weight!

    Love the door desk!

    Donna at
    Funky Junk Interiors

    Donna at Funky Junk Interiorss inspiring blog post..Taking care of windows and music

    Reply
  41. Novie

    I used an old flat door with two half-height filing cabinets to hold it up (a few bricks on top of the cabinets adjusted the height) for my desk until my son took the system to college with him. I am going to set up a new system with bookcases set sideways as the base. I like a door because it hold the computer system, a TV, a small tabletop bookcase, and a ton of supplies, all in one place. The next unit I use will have a small plastic storage drawer system on it as well. Then, I can just put a screen around the whole unit when I want it to be out of sight.

    Reply
  42. Reba

    I want to do something like this but how do you connect the door and sawhorses together?

    Thanks!
    .-= Reba´s last blog ..Primal Book Review =-.

    Reply
  43. Cheryl Elsbree Interior Design

    Great idea! I like the idea of a paneled door. Leaves a space for artwork or memorabelia between the glass and the panel. Thanks for the post!
    .-= Cheryl Elsbree Interior Design´s last blog ..The Powder Room =-.

    Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Clever Home Office Solutions - [...] out this fabulous DESK from a recycled [...]
  2. More Doors to Adore - [...] An old door as a desk ~ The Inspired Room [...]

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