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Copper Pipe Child’s Desk DIY

D.I.Y. Project, Home Decor, Kiddo, Kids Room, Renter Friendly, Wood working
By Rachel Denbow

Create a trendy copper pipe and blush pink children's desk with this step-by-step tutorial on www.aBeautifulMess.comLong live the copper pipe and all its many uses! I designed this child-sized copper pipe desk after being inspired by a vintage set of stairs that were probably taken out of an elementary school’s music department. I made some changes to help with stability and have already apologized to Ruby for deciding I need this desk to stay in my studio instead. Since copper is a softer metal, I only recommend this desk for younger kids that weigh under 60 lbs. But it is a beautiful option for adding a special piece of furniture to your child’s space (or your own)!

Make a Copper Pipe Children's Desk for a stylish piece of furniture that you'll both love. Full tutorial with photos on www.aBeautifulMess.comThe best way to test out a child-intended project is to let the kids loose on them. Smith wasted no time in taking a seat to draw his favorite mama some pictures.

Children's Copper Desk DIYCopper Desk Supplies
Supplies:
-2 – 3/4″ x 10′ L copper pipe
-8 – 3/4″ copper slip tee fittings
-6 – 3/4″ x 3/4″ 90 degree copper slip elbow fittings
-4 – 3/4″ copper end caps
-10 – 3/4″ 2-hole pipe straps (these are also available in copper but are twice as expensive and aren’t likely to show)
-20 – #8 x 3/4″ flat-head, zinc-plated wood screws
-1 – 3/4″ x 7″ x 36″ cut of pine wood for seat
-1 – 3/4″ x 12″ x 36″ cut of pine wood for desktop
-light pink spray paint for wood
-clear enamel to seal copper piping so it doesn’t tarnish
–pipe cutter
–super glue copper bond epoxy (instead of GOOP glue shown in photo)
-light grade sandpaper
-nail polish remover
-power drill
-5/64 drill bit

Copper Pipe Cuts

Copper pipe cut list:

Pipe A

-10 – 10.5″ cuts from one of your 10′ pipes
-2 – 7.5″ cuts from the rest of 10′ pipe

(One of my pipes is larger than the rest in the photo above, but I cut it down to fit before fitting it all together. You do have a little wiggle room with these cuts but try to be as consistent as possible.)

Pipe B

-2 – 26.75″
-2 – 4″
-4 – 3″

You’ll have leftover pipe from this project, but it is still less expensive to purchase two 10′ lengths than to purchase the exact amount. You might also find you make a wrong cut and will need an extra piece. If you need to cut your pipes down to size to fit them into your car, cut them down at the 5.5′ mark so you don’t have any wasted pipe. Also, don’t cut your pipe down to size and then leave the shorter piece in your cart while rushing home to make dinner because it was dark outside and you were distracted. Not that that happened to me or anything.

Remove MarksUse nail polish remover and a baby wipe or cotton ball to remove the red or blue marks on the copper pipes. They come off easily and will help things look more polished.

Step 1Sand down your two cuts of wood and wipe off the sawdust with a damp cloth. Spray paint with 2-3 light coats and let dry according to manufacturer’s directions.

Step2Fit your copper pipe pieces together one side at a time as shown above. Repeat with the other side. Then add the two longest pipes to join them together. This is important for making sure you’ve cut everything consistently enough that nothing is crooked when assembled.

Step3This is how it should look when you’re finished.

Put It Together NextPlace your desktop and seat where they should be and make any adjustments if needed. Remove your stickers from your pipe joinings.

Glue TogetherTake your desk apart and place your pipes in specific zones to make sure you keep the correct lengths in the correct places. Glue your pieces together with your copper epoxy glue (not the glue shown) while following manufacturer’s directions. This can be the longest part of the process as you need to let the epoxy cure for a minute before attaching joints, and then you have to let all of the joints set before applying any real weight to them.

Mark and Pre-drill your HolesOnce the pieces have been glued together and it’s safe to apply pressure, place your seat and desktop in place and make sure they are even on both sides. You should have about 3″ of overhang on each end from the placement of the pipes. Get down under the desk and place your pipe straps over your pipes. They hold tightest when you fit them over the closest pipe fitting available. Due to the nature of the design, the desktop will have a pipe strap attached over the back pipe fitting but not the front as it would be visible. The pipe straps on the seat should fit as snugly over the pipe fitting as possible. See photo below for visual of where to place them. Also place two pipe straps along the long pipe under the seat. Make marks where your screws will go.

Pre-drill your holes.

Screw your seat and desktop to the pipePlace your desktop and seat in place and screw your pipe straps in place. Step back and enjoy your beautiful new piece of furniture!

Make A Stylish Copper Pipe DeskCopper pipe desk for kidsI love when a project ends up turning out even better than I planned and the fact that it’s both beautiful and practical is a big win!

Copper Pipe Desk Tutorial Child-Sized Copper Pipe Desk tutorialIf you love this type of design but don’t have any little ones, you could make a few adjustments to turn this into a plant stand or display shelf. The warmth of the copper base paired with natural wood would look great in a minimalist or bohemian space or you could go black or navy for a more masculine look. This isn’t a cheap project (around $100), but it’s also one of those that feels extra special and will be enjoyed for years. Now, excuse me, I need to go make sure Ruby isn’t trying to move it back into her room. –Rachel

Credits//Author and Photography: Rachel Denbow. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions. 

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