UPDATE: All new featured RV tours will be posted on my other website, Wanderful RV Interiors. Existing tours will slowly be moved to the new website, and anything already moved will automatically redirect.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase we (or those featured in this post) may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. View our full-disclosure here.
Today I am sharing photos of my DIY Rustic Industrial Desk!
I originally thought I would make my desk using file cabinets and bookshelves, but then decided I would venture out and see if I could be inspired but some thrifty find instead. If you follow me on Instagram you most likely saw this photo I posted a few weeks ago:
DIY Rustic Industrial Desk
I found the desk (or table) at a thrift store for $40! I was so excited because the hairpin legs alone were worth that. I snagged the table up right away and couldn’t get it out of the store fast enough. I should mention that I had visited 5 other thrift stores prior with no such luck (thankfully they were all fairly close to one another.)
Eric and I knew we wanted to build a new top for the hairpin legs and then re-use the existing top, which is hollow on the inside, as a work table in the garage. We could have just added the new wood on top of the previous tabletop, but we knew we could find a better use for it.
I originally thought we could use the wood from a pallet (which my AWESOME sister-in-law gave me) for the new tabletop. However, after cutting it up we realized there wasn’t enough wood and I decided we should use it as a trim around the table instead.
I am proud to admit that I finally used the jigsaw for the first time and it was sooooo easy. Eric could have taken the pallet apart in strips but I was worried the nails would make it difficult to work on the desk, so we used the jigsaw to cut the sections out. Eric cut a few pieces of the pallet and then I did the rest.
I’m trying to slowly ease my way into using more of the “scarier” looking tools and I think the jigsaw is a good starting point. Of course, Eric really enjoys working with tools so I’m cool with just being the helper for now.
Since the pallet wood wasn’t enough to cover the top we picked up 4 1×6 pieces of wood and mixed them in with a couple of other pieces of wood we had on hand. We laid them out in the order I liked, knowing we wanted to make the desk a little longer than the previous top. Eric then measured and marked everything off so he could Kreg jig the wood together and saw off the edges to make the wood flush.
I know I have mentioned it before but the Kreg Jig is seriously AMAZING! If you plan on building furniture or anything really I would highly recommend getting one. Plus it’s super easy to use.
After the top was built Eric added a couple of extra pieces of wood underneath for added support and then attached the hairpin legs.
Then it was on to adding the pallet wood sides!
Pallet wood isn’t the most consistent so our pieces varied slightly in size, color, etc. but as far as I’m concerned that just adds character and creates a more rustic look.
Oh and I may have gotten a little impatient while Eric was cutting the boards, and went ahead and put on the first coat of vinegar/tea/coffee stain on top (which you can read more about here)}.
Once the pallet wood was all cut we started to add it to the sides of the desk using our new super awesome nail gun, the Ryobi Airstrike. There were a few small gaps that Eric had to fill in so he custom cut some scrap pallet pieces and fit them in like a puzzle.
After the sides were on I flipped the table over and sanded down the edges to try to make them more flush with one another. this is a photo of the table upside down.
After I did a quick sanding of the rustic industrial desk I added a few more coats of the tea/vinegar/coffee stain and even added it to the pallet boards too. I hadn’t planned on doing that because I liked the blue/gray color of the wood but it just wasn’t looking cohesive enough.
After “staining” the wood I went over the pallet wood with a black wash (watered down black paint) to get the boards even darker so they would blend a little better with the top. Sorry but I didn’t get any photos of this part.
I also found some metal brackets I bought back when I wasn’t sure what size I would need for my pallet planked coffee table, and spray painted them black.
Here is a photo before I added the final coat of black spray paint:
Eric then drilled them into the corners, I added a coat of polycrylic to the top and sides and it was all done! Well, sorta. We actually need to drill a hole for my computer cords and whatnot but I wanted to use it and then decide where to drill the hole so we should get that done by this weekend.
So here is my new rustic industrial inspired desk! What do you think of our rustic industrial desk? I wanted a desk large enough for my computer but with extra space so I can work on things if need be. I LOVE how it turned out!
My office is a work in progress so there is still so much to do, but I look forward to sharing the transformation with you!
I still can hardly get over the fact you got this (beginning) table at the thrift store! I can NEVER find amazing things like this at mine. And then you took the table to a whole new level of amazing. Wonderful job!!
Okay I am pretty sure I responded to this yesterday but maybe I didn’t hit post, haha. Thank you Amy and to think I almost didn’t go into that thrift store either. So happy I did!
I looooveee thissss and everything you do Katieeee. I have yet to find something awesome at a thrift store and I get terribly jealous when I see something like this. Such a gorgeous desk, and I can’t wait to see how the rest of your office turns out!
Thanks Amy! I have to admit that I find a lot of items overpriced at thrift stores lately but was so excited to come across this guy!
Absolutely amazing Katie, the wall, table, rug I want it all!!!! Pinning 🙂
xo, Tanya
twelveOeightblog.com
Thank you so much Tanya! Now I just need to pull the other 348723424 projects together, haha.
Girl, you are on a roll! Everything you are doing lately is AMAZING. Love, love, love those table legs. What a find! And good job on the jig saw. I need to get over my fear of power tools.
Awww thanks Alexis! I’m definitely excited to put together my own inspiring space to work in, although we still have a dining room filled with boxes that could use some unpacking, ha. Too many projects, not enough time…
I love this transformation! Great find and great upcycle!Pinning!Xo~
Thank you Aniko!
I love it and have been thinking about what kind of table I want in my craft room…this is it! I too love the Kreg jig and it is amazing for building furniture. We built a console table not to long ago and it was invaluable! Your table is awesome!
Thanks Carole! Yes, that kreg jig is crazy awesome! Now it seems like we really can build the furniture we want and I LOVE it! I’ve had my eye on an x console table via Ana White and just switching up the design a little bit to make it longer. Did you go off of a specific plan or site for yours?
Very cool desk! Love the hairpin legs, too!
Thanks Denise!
so so good!
Thank you so much!
Love this! That table was a great find, those legs are awesome. The mix of the plank top and pallet trim is great, and the black corner brackets finish it off so well. Great job!
Thanks Steph! I was definitely excited about the hairpin legs and since we were able to use the previous top as a workstation it was a double win! Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!
great job! I love those legs 🙂 and i love that rug you did too – very creative
Kelli
Thanks Kelli!
Love this table! Too Cute!! The sharpie rug is unbelievable! Great job!
Emily @ elizabethjoandesigns.com
Just gorgeous! The husband is just about to furnish a new studio and was looking for industrial style furniture, and this looks perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Eliza.
I LOVE that desk Katie!! Great choice of legs. You are very creative and always do such a great job! Jacqui @ Brooke Eva
Thank you so much Jacqui! Have a great weekend!
What an amazing find! Love those hairpin legs!
Thanks so much for linking up at Thursday STYLE! I am obsessed with this desk, your triangle accent wall and Sharpie rug! What an awesome room you have assembled with these amazing projects! Love it! Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
I love this table! What a fun statement it makes in the dining room! My three friends and I created a lifestyle link party called Be.You.Tiful, where we focus on interior design, beauty, fashion, healthy living, and what inspired us! You’re the perfect match for the party and I love your creative content! You can link up here: http://www.frysauceandgrits.com/2014/03/beyoutiful-link-party-10.html
Hi Katie! I love your desk and am featuring it on my blog tomorrow morning. Thank you for sharing! ~Lisa
You’ve been featured at Link’n Blogs! The party goes live tonight at 10pm MST, so stop by to see your feature. Congrats! 🙂
http://iputabirdonit.blogspot.com/2014/03/linkn-blogs-16-giveaway.html
xo
Daniela
so beautiful katie!!! Thanks for linking up at Creativity Unleashed last week. Featuring you on the blog tomorrow and hope to see you back!
I just wanted to let you know I’m featuring this beauty tomorrow at our Link it or Lump it party! Be sure to stop by and grab a feature button.
http://www.delineateyourdwelling.com/2014/03/link-it-or-lump-it-party-no-30.html
Hi Katie! I just wanted to let you know that you won the title of MEGA Rockstar from this week’s Creativity Unleashed over at The Bold Abode! Yay! I’m going to pin the mess out of your blog tonight!!! 🙂
I love this desk and all of your work. I am currently working on my office as well and want to work on the industrial railing you did. I can’t wait to go through all your other projects and maybe I will get more ideas for my office. I want to see how yours will turn out.