DIY: Make Over a Desk with Temporary Wallpaper

I’d been itching to do something fun with this cheap-but oh-so-perfect-in-size writing desk we’re using as a desk/nightstand situation in my girl’s room.  The desktop is laminate, with that want-to-be-wood feel.  It’s like dorm room furniture, but as I said, the size was just right not to mention the price, so I went all dorm room style up in here.  But I also really loved the turquoise hairpin legs.  I mean, the modern retro style is super fun paired with her brightly painted vintage four poster bed.  At least I think so.  😉

Anyhow, I wanted to dress up the desktop a bit.  And I considered spray painting.  Because, have you met me?

Before:

Enter Target Stage Left – #dramaticmuch?

But then, Target came to the rescue.  As Target usually does.  😉   Have y’all checked out the new Opalhouse line?!  Because it’s amazeballs.  I dig it all.  And I especially LOVE the peel and stick wallpapers.  Every pattern is just so fun!  And what’s not to love about a fun pattern that you don’t have to commit to like traditional wallpaper.  I like pattern so much but commitment is hard, ya know?

The pricing of these peel and stick papers are just too good to not add to your red cart.  So this cutie jumped in, and I decided to give her a test drive.

The Simplest, Easiest, A-Monkey-Could-Do-This DIY

If you’ve got scissors you can do this.  You don’t even have to be able to cut a straight line.  Everybody all together now ~ HOLLA!

Ready for the tutorial?

Step 1 – Buy the Paper

Step 2 – This is where it gets a little tricky. – You peel the back & then you stick it on.  #sarcasmismylovelanguage #andIreallyloveyouguys

You might also noticed I also painted the edge of the desk white.  Just a couple coats of Amy Howard’s One Step Paint (you can find it at Ace Hardware) did the trick.  Bonus to using this kind of paint ~ no priming.  I did use a fine grit sandpaper between coats for an ultra smooth finish.  Then finished it off with some polycrylic to protect the paint job from an 11 year old girl with an attitude.  😉

All Patterend & Pretty!

I’d say this little “diy”  – (and the quotes are so perfect for this scenario because this is hardly a diy, although I did do this myself) – but I think this took maybe an hour start to finish?  Like hardly any time at all to do this.  Took longer to take all these photos.  And I have tons of paper leftover…….so you know, now I’m dreaming about maybe using this paper to line her dresser drawers.  If we were’n’t going to be moving in a year or two, I would totally use this paper in her closet.  It would be so pretty!  So, maybe I’ll just save it for the future because I really, really love this ikat pattern and this pretty combo of colors.

For now, this wallpapered desk is making my pattern-loving heart go pitter patter.

It’s not super noticeable from afar.  It’s really a pretty subtle change.

After:

But it’s such a fun detail!  And I big time love fun design details that add personality to a space!

This was such an easy project!  This wallpaper is pretty durable, but I am on the hunt for either a piece of lucite or glass to lay on top.  I think it will be fun to be able to add photos underneath and really protect the surface.

This is such a fun, non-committal way to play with pattern!  And it totally dressed up this inexpensive writing desk!

My girl’s room has such a fun, happy vibe!

I know this post was a little light on photos.  I’ll try to do better next time guys.  😉

Here’s the source list if you’re curious.