How to Creatively Decorate a Metal Desk

Decorate a metal desk with colorful accessories such as staplers and pen holders.

Metal is a durable material, though it doesn't always make appealing furniture. Decorate an old metal desk creatively to add interest to your office and create a custom piece that complements your style and decor perfectly. Stick with gray, black and white for a minimalist, modern look or add bright bouts of color and some of your favorite images and accessories for a cheerful look. The best way to decorate your metal desk will depend on your style, creativity and artistic abilities.

Things You'll Need

• Primer or sealant
• Paint
• Masking tape (optional)
• Stencil (optional)
• Wood laminate or wood
• Glass or plexiglass
• Tiles
• Glue
• Sea glass
• Hardware
• Knobs
• Pictures
• Magnets
• Accessories

Instructions

1. Give your metal desk a fresh coat of paint in any color you choose. Clean the desk and remove any rust, then apply a primer or sealant to help the metal absorb the new color and prevent rust. Remove any hardware or put masking tape over the parts you don't want to paint. Use a spray paint designed for metal for the best results. Make a large stencil to paint a design, such as circles, squares, polka dots, stripes, waves, damask or a floral pattern, on the desk.

2. Add wood laminate to the top of the desk if you prefer the look of wood. Alternatively, combine a few different materials by adding a thin border of wood cut to fit and a glass top. Design your own desk top with peel-and-stick tiles or create a mosaic using glue and shards of sea glass or mosaic tiles. Add a plexiglass top for a smooth working surface.

3. Replace the hardware with elegant glass pulls for a sophisticated look or novelty knobs that complement your decor, such as heart and star shapes for a young girl's bedroom.

4. Create a collage of pictures under a plexiglass surface if surrounding yourself with pictures helps you concentrate or keeps you motivated to work. Decoupage the pictures onto the desk if you want a permanent result or stick photo magnets on the desk if you enjoy rearranging the pictures and want easier access. Alternatively, use goal sheets, to-do lists, a calendar, inspirational pictures or poems under the plexiglass or novelty magnets.

5. Accessorize your metal desk with other metal items, such as mesh baskets, trays, pen holders and digital picture frames. Alternatively, add color or texture by using wicker baskets, vases as pen holders, plants, water fountains or decorate shoe boxes with paint or contact paper. Colorful desk accessories, such as staplers or pen holders, can add personality and visual interest to an otherwise boring work station.

Tips & Warnings

• Change the accessories or images on your desk to match the season, such as making paper snowflakes to put under the plexiglass during winter or pressed flowers during spring.

References

• "Good Housekeeping"; Make Over Your Office Accessories; Julie Mihaly
• "Good Housekeeping"; Outdoor Spray Paint; GHRI

Resources

• Metal Paint: Metal Spray Paint