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DIY Pallet Standing Desk Vintage Makeover

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Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY DIXIE BELLE PAINT, BUT ALL OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN.

When we sold our third fixer upper and moved into this rental house, Zach got my secretary desk for his own use, and then I started using my old desk from high school that we had in storage.

It is not the most ergnomically friendly set up, and if you have no idea what desk ergnomics are, then you definitely want to check out this post on ways to create an ergnomically friendly desk set up to reduce neck and back pain.

So I started the search for a high quality adjustable standing desk with a solid wood desktop that didn’t look like it was laminated.

I couldn’t find one even close to what I was looking for less than $300 let alone one with the vintage old world writing desk charm I was going for.

standing desk base

So I decided to build my own desktop out of a pallet I found for free on the side of the road and attach it to this awesome adjustable base that can be extended to a length of 37” to 74” and a width of 23” to 43.” If I want to change the size down the road I can just build a new top for it.

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

If you want more pallet DIY projects, then be sure to check out this super easy pallet mug rack, tips and tricks for a pallet accent wall, how to add farmhouse style charm in your kitchen with this pallet hack, and an entire post with lots of DIY ideas for pallets from around the internet.

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

Ready to transform this worn pallet into a functional standing desk that oozes old world charm? Let’s go.

DIY Pallet Standing Desk

1.Cut a piece of plywood to size.

You need to determine how big you want your desktop to be. I wanted a 40″ wide by 24″ deep desk. If you plan on adding a border with the pallet wood then you need to take into account the thickness of the wood which typically ranges from 1/2″ to 3/4″ in my experience. The thickness of my pallets were 1/2 ” so I cut the plywood 39″ wide by 23″ deep..

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

You do not need to use plywood as the base. I have used leftover cabinet panels, attached old shelves together, several pieces of leftover plywood etc to create a base. It will not be seen after the boards and border are attached, so use what you have laying around.

DIY Pallet Standing Desk

2. Lay out the pallet wood and attach.

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

One pallet usually has similar board thicknesses, but often has different widths as was the case with this pallet. The boards were all 1/2″ thick, but some were skinny and some were wider. I went back and forth between widths to help give that old world appearance to the top.

Cut each board down to fit the row with a table saw, miter saw, or circular saw and then adhere with liquid nails and a brad nailer.

For all of my favorite power tools scroll below! Do NOT be afraid of power tools. They all come with instruction manuals. You CAN do it!

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DIY Pallet Standing Desk

3. Cut the trim for the border.

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

The pieces to the right are what the trim looks like. You want to cut the pallet wood to the same thickness of your final desktop which in this case was 1″. The plywood was 1/2″ thick and the pallet wood was 1/2″ thick.

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

Make sure you keep the worn, discolored edges facing outward.

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.
Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

DIY Pallet Standing Desk

4. Sand the top.

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

Using my hand sander I very lightly sanded the top with a high grit sand paper. I used 220 with the hand sander and then 440 by hand. The key to pallet wood is “softening” and blending the tones in the wood that have come about from age, dirt, and the weather.

If you want to stain the wood, then sand it completely down with a 60 or 80 grit, but pallet wood with a lot of color tones can result in a really pretty aged, old-world finish after blended with a high grit sandpaper. Keep reading. I cannot wait to show you!

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

Also a side note you can attach the top to the adjustable desk base at any time after the desktop is finished being built.

DIY Pallet Standing Desk

5. Top with a clear coat.

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

I used Dixie Belle’s Clear Coat in Satin to finish the top Anytime I finish a heavy duty worksurface I always do this step 3 times. The key to getting that soft smooth finish is to brush on the clear coat, and then let dry overnight. Sand by hand with 440 grit sandpaper. Wipe down well.

Add another clear coat. Dry overnight or several hours. Sand by hand with 440 grit. Wipe down. Add the last clear coat. I recommend satin or semi-gloss for the finish as these are easier to clean.

DIY Pallet Standing Desk

6. Paint the base.

Painting the metal base is entirely optional, but again I was going for an older world writing desk aesthetic not an industrial wood on metal look.

The secret sauce to painting over any shiny surface whether it be metal, laminate, or vinyl?

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

Dixie Belle’s Slick Stick. This stuff is fabulous for adhering paint to glossy surfaces.

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

After I painted on the Slick Stick I finished the base with two coats of my very favorite Dixie Belle paint color – Dried Sage.

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

I finished the base with a clear satin coat as well.

DIY Pallet Standing Desk

After

Let’s remind ourselves where we started.

diy pallet standing desk

Weathered and worn pallet.

diy pallet standing desk

With paint marks, marker, and dirt.

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

To old world writing desk charming.

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover with Dixie Belle dried sage.
Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover with Dixie Belle dried sage.

When you run your hand over the top it is soft and smooth without snags or spinters.

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover with Dixie Belle dried sage.
Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover with Dixie Belle dried sage.
Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover with Dixie Belle dried sage.

Here is what you need to get this look:

What do you think?!

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Pin any of the images below for later!

Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.
Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.
Use this tutorial to create a DIY pallet standing desk and give this modern convenience a vintage old-world writing desk makeover.

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