4 Poster Bed Becomes a Desk

8 Materials
$150
5 Hours
Medium
This could easily be entitled the "transformer desk project" because most people are just stunned when they see how I disassembled an antique bed and created a desk!
I have had this idea in my head for well over a year and I couldn’t be more excited that the end result is even better than I had imagined. The size and scale of the desk is perfection in my opinion and of course, I adore the way it looks.
There obviously many variables in a project like this, but I am going to attempt to demonstrate how doable this project is.
Here is what I started with.
I began by removing the runners that connected the bed posts to each other at the head and foot board.
After cutting them with a jig saw, I moved to a more precise tool, a multi-purpose tool to cut as close to the rounded part of the post as possible.
Then, I needed to carve any pieces that were left that extended beyond the rounded post. The goal was to recreate this curve around where the hole was so that you couldn't tell it had been repaired.
On one of the legs the runner came out completely so I filled the holes with wood.
Then I filled all holes with a plastic wood filler. It dries extremely hard and is perfect for this application. Shape the filler to match the post as best as you can and then sand smooth. Repeat as necessary.
Next, you need to cut all of the "legs" to be the same height.
Using a miter saw, we cut the legs to the same lengthe. We used a "stop" or a jig to ensure they were all exactly the same.
Then we began to map out the general size of the desk. We actually ended up using the top from an old desk we had previously abandoned for another project. (We had used the base cabinets for the desk.) I had intended to use a piece of cabinet grade plywood, which would have worked fine, but it made sense to reuse this wood.


See the blog post for more details on assembly.


We were actually able to use more wood from the bed to create the left and right sides of the desk apron.


For more of this tutorial on how we attached the legs, and married the new and old wood pieces please visit legs, and married the new and old wood pieces please visit the blog. HERE!



The thing I love most about this desk is I was able to make it a fully functioning computer desk, complete with a sliding keyboard tray.


You've got to see it!
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  • Ter14471138 Ter14471138 on Sep 19, 2017

    I'm in my late 50s,and I have my Grandmothers old bed that I slept in (with her) in my guest bedroom. I have thought ,for a VERY LONG TIME to try and make it into a kitchen island. I think it would be beautiful,but I just don't know how to start :( and I really do not want to ruin the bed. It also has 4 cannon ball post. You did a great job...any suggestions for my project would be deeply appreciated. Thanks

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