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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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June 13, 2011

DIY Bookcase Turned Desk

bookcase desk
I really tried hard to come up with some cool new word for this project. It seems like everyone is able to coin a clever term for things by blending 2 words together.
Like “Clofice” (closet turned office) And “Brunch” And…ummm…”Brangelina“??
So, please allow me to introduce you to…The “Bookdesk“!!
Errr…ummm…the “Deskase“??
Ok, so I guess there really isn’t a cute word for this project.
But it is still one of my favorite ones I have ever done!

I had been trying to figure out some way to add a desk into my son’s room but frankly, I couldn’t see how to squeeze one more piece of furniture into that space.
And then, it came to me!
There had to be a way to combine a work space with his existing bookcase.
bookcase before
Out came the shelves and everything got a lovely coat (or 2 or 3) of white paint and then back it went into the room.
I know what you are thinking.
Ummm…that looks NOTHING like a desk, right?
I wondered if it would be possible to just simply attach a board to an existing shelf creating a “desk” coming straight out from the bookcase.
First I measured the width of the bookcase. Then I measured the depth of the bookcase.
I got a rough estimate of a typical desk depth as well and added that to the depth of the bookcase.
Does that make sense? You’ll see how it all comes together in the end.
I purchased a fairly thin unfinished piece of oak from Lowes and had them cut it to size.
bookcase turned desk
Then I purchased 2 table legs (plus the brackets for attaching them) and painted them to match the chair.
Once I had the “desk” painted, we simply attached the legs and then attached the entire thing to the shelf using wood glue. You could also use brackets or hinges but I was wanting to make it all look as seamless as possible as well as avoid the risk of splitting the oak.
desk legs
Now, this is IMPORTANT!! Learn from my mistake!
I forgot to allow for the 2 inches that the existing shelf (which was a non-adjustable one!) would add to the height of the desk. Which meant, when we went to attach it, the legs were too short. Lesson learned! We solved this problem by adding “blocks” to the desk portion and then the brackets for the legs to those blocks. And in the end, I ended up liking that they made the table look more substantial.
I also added a bit of trim to the edges to soften them and give it a more finished look.
Then it was done!
And here is our bookcase turned desk turned Bookcase/desk.
bookcase desk
Small paint cans are the perfect place to store pens, pencils or in the case of the one on the left…
your essential top secret Spy Gear!
I also had Lowes cut to size this piece of plexi-glass so Ian could put postcards and photos underneath while also protecting the surface of the desk.
My boy was almost as thrilled with the results as I was!
And when he tried it out for the first time, he gave me that, “thanks for understanding that I wanted a desk even though I never mentioned it to you mom” look that just melted my heart.
Thanks so much for joining me today at the Fence,

36 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Featured Blogger, Good Ideas

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Comments

  1. Heather says

    June 13, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    Oh my goodness, this is such an AMAZING idea! How smart too!

    Reply
  2. Judy says

    June 13, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    Now that’s a clever idea. I would have never thought of doing that. Your little guy must love it. It really did come out awesome.

    Reply
  3. Brooke @ Inside-Out Design says

    June 13, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    That “Deskase” (-haha!) is seriously brilliant!! You did an amazing job and I love the details like the pictures mod podged at the top. I’m filing this idea away so I don’t forget it!!

    Reply
  4. Little Brick Ranch says

    June 13, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    Such a great job! I have had a Ikea Billy floating around the house for awhile now…this would be the perfect revamp for it! It is now hanging in the guest room WITH a desk…why not combine the two!!

    Reply
  5. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    June 13, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    What a great idea! Looks fantastic and is so functional! I just read that Vanessa won the $100 giveaway over at ValSoCal! You lucky girl!

    Reply
  6. Christine @ Stonehouse Living says

    June 13, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    Hi Vanessa,

    What a great space saving idea!

    I love the glass top and the opportunity it allows for displaying photos and postcards!

    Good thinking!

    All the Best,
    Christine

    Reply
  7. Coley says

    June 13, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    This is so cute! and such a smart idea to use what you already have.

    http://www.whatyoumakeit-coley.blogspot.com

    Reply
  8. Traci says

    June 13, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    SOOOO CUTE!!

    Reply
  9. Bloomin Rose says

    June 13, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Awesome bookcase/desk.

    Reply
  10. Sue says

    June 13, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Such a creative idea! Functional and beautiful!

    Reply
  11. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    June 13, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    Your posts don’t appear straight away on my Google reader. They seem to appear a qhile after you’ve posted – like a few hours. Weird!!

    This is such a sweet project. I LOVE the matching poles to support the ‘desk’ bit. He’s a lucky boy!!

    Sarahx

    Reply
  12. Heather says

    June 13, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    What a great idea!!!

    Reply
  13. Becca says

    June 13, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    GENIOUS !! I love this … truly !! You guys are always chalk full of creativity … I would never have thought to do this. It’s the perfect addition to this cute, cute room. And, I’m so going to borrow the idea of using the paint cans to store items. Thanks for the inspiration !!

    Reply
  14. imsteelefullofscrap says

    June 13, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Wow what a neat idea!! Looks great so when u painted that bookshelf did you primer it with kilz? I have trouble when I paint something like that even when I sand it that the paint comes off!!

    Reply
  15. Conspicuous Style Design Blog says

    June 13, 2011 at 6:55 PM

    That is so cute and such a great space saving idea! I love everything about it, but especially the plexiglass, which I didn’t know you could have cut to size. So excited to know that!
    Stacy

    Reply
  16. michelle says

    June 13, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    That is so amazing and such a great idea!! I love it! Love the red too and his room is just adorable. 🙂
    xoxo

    Reply
  17. Val says

    June 14, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    Congrats, on your win sweeetness!! Love this idea.

    Reply
  18. Janette@the2seasons says

    June 14, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    What a great DIY project. It is so practical and still so cute.

    Reply
  19. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    June 14, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    What a great idea Vanessa, I love it! Martina

    Reply
  20. Debbie says

    June 14, 2011 at 1:42 AM

    I love this idea, and you did a great job on it. I can’t tell you how much I wish that I had your skill.

    His room is really great!

    And I’ve been a longtime blog friend of Miss Leslie the Homemaker. Good choice.

    Reply
  21. NanaDiana says

    June 14, 2011 at 2:39 AM

    GREAT job on the bokesk..lol It turned out really great and what a practical idea!And a free chair too…perfect!

    I will pop over and check out Leslie’s blog too! xo Diana

    Reply
  22. Katie says

    June 14, 2011 at 2:59 AM

    This is such a cute (and functional) idea!! I love it! So creative!!

    Reply
  23. Jo says

    June 13, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    Heather you did an amazing job on this project, love the modgepodge theme, hubby has been working on the railroad(CSX) for about 35 years now.
    I spoted the train immediately,and adding the plexi glass ,just makes this bookesk,brilliant.The chair is perfect too!
    Come see me on Loblolly!
    Hey I’m having my first giveaway June 15th!
    Sure hope you can join us(HappierThanAPigInMud),we are having a cookalong with the Pillsbury Doughboy and I’m giving away a Pillsbury cookbook and a doughboy.
    ~JO
    Lazyonloblolly

    Reply
  24. Something Nice and Pretty says

    June 14, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    Oh, my goodness what a great idea! It is wonderful how you put everything together to create such a neat desk! Lucky boy you have there and I’m sure he thinks so too!

    Rondell

    Reply
  25. Paula Jo @ Outdoor Garden Decor says

    June 14, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    You did a marvelous job. What a cute idea. The red chair and bedding goes all together so well. I’m sure your son loves it.

    Reply
  26. Judy says

    June 15, 2011 at 12:28 AM

    You know I love this project. Thanks for stopping by and sharing at my Swing into Spring party.

    Reply
  27. Emily says

    June 15, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    Seriously creative!!!
    I Love this idea. Your “deskase” turned out darling!
    -emily
    nestnestingnested.blogspot

    Reply
  28. time worn interiors says

    June 15, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Great transformation!
    tot

    Reply
  29. Jo's Corner says

    June 15, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    Wow! The combo desk-bookcase is awesome! Can I just make a suggestion? I think the bookcase needs to be anchored to the wall for safety reasons. I immediately thought of how a little person could crawl on the desk and have the bookcase fall forward on them. I’m not trying to be negative, but I saw several serious accidents as a Pediatric nurse, with large furniture tipping over on children. Love his bedroom, by the way! The curtains behind his bed are so cool! ~ Jo

    Reply
  30. At The Picket Fence says

    June 15, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    Thank you everyone for your very sweet comments about my project! It was so fun to do and my boy is loving it. I wanted you all to know that I agree 100% with Jo’s comment above that all large furniture (especially bookcases) should be anchored to the wall for safety purposes. The one in my son’s room actually already is anchored to the wall but the bracket isn’t visible in the photos. You just never know do you? And while some accidents are unavoidable, we do our best to prevent the ones within our control. Thanks again for your advice Jo! 🙂
    Vanessa

    Reply
  31. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    June 19, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    Hi Vanessa, This is such a cute and creative idea and I bet your little guy loves his new desk. Thanks for joining my party this week and sharing this great project.
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  32. Judy says

    April 16, 2013 at 4:08 AM

    It’s been a while since you did this project. I think this would be a great solution to my space and $$ problem. Wonder how the desk has held out? Is your son still using it. Anything you would do differently.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 5 Home Office Solutions For Small Spaces | The Work at Home Woman says:
    June 17, 2013 at 9:46 AM

    […] you can set up a more permanent solution with legs salvaged from an old chair – you can find these at thrift stores easily enough. […]

    Reply
  2. 9 Fantastic Ideas for Repurposing Unwanted Bookcases says:
    March 2, 2014 at 12:00 AM

    […] Turn an old bookshelf into a desk – with a little modification, and old bookcase can become multifunctional with this great idea and tutorial. […]

    Reply
  3. 6 Ways To Repurpose Your Old Bookshelves | BargainMoose Canada says:
    August 21, 2014 at 5:01 PM

    […] at AtThePicketFence.com, they had a great idea for a bookshelf to be turned into an office desk. They have all of the […]

    Reply
  4. | BHG Style Spotters says:
    August 6, 2015 at 6:01 AM

    […] 11) All you need to create this small office space: a bookcase, two table legs, and a tabletop, from At The Picket Fence. […]

    Reply

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