IKEA Desk Update and Alexa Lamp

Watch the video above for an easy and pretty way to update an IKEA desk for more function

Here I go again with a particleboard furniture update…but I just love the transformation!!

This corner of Kelsey’s home office was fairly drab and dark despite the abundance of natural light coming through the windows. But more than adding a very cool lamp and a good coat of paint, we created a larger work surface and made the whole thing look beefier and more substantial.?

The first thing I did was cut off the rounded edge on the right side of the top.

This made it possible to do 2 things-add a larger top and a 1×2 edge band. We used 1/2 inch sanded plywood for the new desk top. The piece on the left side of the desk is 4 inches wider than what was already there. Giving Kelsey just enough space to add a swanky new lamp and still have adequate work space. We used wood glue and set the plywood on top of the existing desk top. Then we used a nail gun to fasten the two pieces together from underneath. That meant we didn’t have any nail holes to putty on the top of the desk!

We used a piece of leftover plywood and attached it to the left leg of the desk. This helped make it look bigger and nicer but also added more support for the heavier new desk top.

Next we added a smooth 1×2 around the front edge of the desk. This created the illusion that the desk top was one chunky piece, like a thick piece of countertop, instead of the two small pieces of plywood that is reality. I used this same beefy trick in a video I did on building a fireplace mantel.

With all of the new materials in place, it was time to paint! I’ve used this paint from Woodcraft before on my Christmas bar cart makeover, but this was the first time I used it on new wood. And let me just say it was great that we didn’t have to prime the raw stuff and then wait for it to dry before we could paint the next coat!

The paint dried fast and then we coated the whole thing with the Guard Dog Topcoat (in Matte) that protects the paint from use and abuse. (I’ve used this on several occasions including these shelves for my little guy’s room. And it’s holding up well!)

We let it cure overnight before accessorizing Kelsey’s ‘new’ desk!

**This episode is sponsored by Woodcraft and GE Lighting. However I only work with brands I love! All opinions are honest and 100% my own.

I hinted at it above, but one of the accessories we added was a lamp. But oh my goodness calling it a ‘lamp’ just doesn’t seem right because it’s much more than that. It is actually an Amazon Alexa base station. So anything your Echo or Dot can do, this can do while also illuminating your bedside table, sofa table or desk! It’s called C by GE Sol and it’s now available on amazon.com*! (Don’t forget to watch the video above to see the Sol in action!)

Now Kelsey has a bright, happy spot to spend her working hours without having to buy new furniture. With many of my upcycle projects, it just takes a little bit of imagination and (wo)man power to completely transform it into something brand new!

Thanks for Checking In! ~Chelsea

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