Get the Look | A Desk Side Table

How to create a little girl’s desk that doubles as a side table.

If you have been following along on Pinterest, you may have noticed that one trend I’m loving is a desk that doubles as a side table! It’s functional & beautiful, especially for guest bedrooms, children’s bedrooms & weekend getaways. These are just a couple of my favorites:

Isn’t this bedroom designed by Lauren Liess everything?

Since my little girl is growing up & ready for both a night stand & desk, I decided to find a piece that would serve both purposes. After furniture shopping, I realized I needed to look to an alternative. I wasn’t quite prepared to pay $600 for a piece of furniture for a child’s bedroom, even if it does double duty. If you have seen Isla & Ani’s cribs, you’d know why! These from RH Baby & Child are gorgeous…

I considered Craigslist, but didn’t find any pieces I loved & was worried Chris wouldn’t be pleased if I brought home yet another piece of furniture that needed to be painted! I thought about what I loved about these pieces & realized they’re similar to console tables! I found a console table at HomeGoods for just $119 & with a smile, asked Chris how much effort it would be to make it shorter. “Not much” he said as I took a breath in relief.

To tailor a console table {or any piece of wood furniture}:

Measure the height you want (in our case, it was 3″. I referred to other children’s desks to determine height).

Using blue painter’s tape, tape the legs where you measured to prevent splintering/chips. (You should be cutting through the tape later)

Remeasure & mark your height drawing a level line, on the tape.

Using a circular saw, slowly cut along the line. Remove tape.

There’s still a lot of “touch up” to do to this room, but we’ve come a long way!

As I mentioned yesterday, I’m focusing on creating vignettes rather than completing an entire space. With a hectic schedule, it feels much more doable -& fun! When I became overwhelmed with our home, I decided it was time to make a change. One at a time, actually. The walls & furniture may not be perfect, but it’s what’s inside them that’s truly a reflection of my family & I. A room is filled with unlimited moments. Moments of beautiful objects grouped together & even better, those little celebrations that happen on a daily basis.

Adalyn is growing up all too quickly. I’m amazed at how much she learns each day. She is growing into a beautiful little girl & I want her room to reflect who she is & what she loves. Currently, that’s creating art, learning, & storing. I found a “desk” {more on that tomorrow} that doubles as a nightstand. I like to use versatile pieces. They’re especially great if you’re decorating a small space or your needs change often.

The piece of furniture fits all of the standard requirements for a night stand. I added a clock since Adalyn is learning how to tell time. In fact, she knows if the hand has yet to reach the 7, that it’s not time to wake. There are some glories to your little ones growing up, aren’t there?

Since the piece will also be used as a desk, I wanted to leave plenty of workspace for her. I grouped a lamp, decorative dish & flowers to give her ample room to work. She keeps a few of her favorite finds in the dish, which are currently sea shells & rocks. I rarely use silk flowers, but they’re practical for a little girl’s bedroom.

After months of searching desperately for the brass lamp I used in Isla’s old room, I finally purchased this brass & glass lamp. It gives the table height, but I’m just not sold on it. I’ve come to realize sometimes, I just have to make compromises – at least until the right piece comes along!

Why this vignette works:

height

grouping – items of 3 in various heights grouped together add interest

balance – the alarm clock balances the grouping

art – it’s a great focus piece

Sources:

chair | bowl | lamp| art | clock | paint color Soft Chamois Cream Paint Color

Do you have a piece of furniture you love that serves multiple purposes?

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Table of Contents

How to Customize the Height of a Console Table

Take a new piece or furniture or one you already have and cut it to a shorter desired height. In this situation, we took a console table and turned it into the perfect desk for a child's bedroom.

Course DIY

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 1

Author Julie Blanner

Cost n/a

Equipment

• Blue Painter's Tape
• Circular Saw
• Tape Measure

Ingredients

• 1 wood furniture

Instructions

• Measure the height you want (in our case, it was a 3'. I referred to other children's desks to determine height.
• Use blue painter's tape, tape the legs where you measured to prevent splintering/chips. (You should be cutting through the tape later.)
• Remeasure and mark your height drawing a level line on the tape.
• Use a circular saw, slowly cut along the line. Remove tape.