Refurbishing top of wooden desk - suggestions?

Sure you could put tiles on, but it will be more work than stripping or using furniture refinisher and you will have a surface unusable as a writing desk.

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/tile-top-tables/?lp=true

Hi JGOOLD,

If you don't want to strip it and stain it, you might consider painting it or covering it with contact paper. If you want to use tiles, I'd suggest covering it with a glass top because the tiles would not give a smooth finish for writing. You might even want to decoupage pictures on the top and cover the finished top with glass to protect it. Wishing you the best.

I would just top with glass to keep old character! Got any old pictures, forms, passports, etc. to display??

Could I see a photo, please.?

Take the measurements and add the depth of the desk top + another inch or two. Find a nice piece of leather or heavy upholstery cloth you like and glue it to the top of your desk. I did this with a very damaged top of chest of drawers and have received many complements on it. People think it is "high-end" when in fact it was a spur of the moment diy. :)

epoxy, look up stone coat countertops on you tube.

I love the Rustolum transformation kits in home depot. If you're willing to take the time it's worth it. I have used the one that makes a counter top look like granite. And also the ones that do exactly what you're looking for. You can change the color or redo it the same. No stripping, sanding, or priming. And it looks nice! Sorry if I sound like an advertisement ad 😊

Cut a piece of plywood to size of the top, paint, stain or do something special to the top

when you are ready you can remove the plywood and refunish