apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

The great thing about the steelcase desk is that it's sleek while simultaneously providing storage and covering up all the unsightly phone and computer wires that normally dangle down the back of more minimalist desks.

Awesome desk and all. But i work for a university and we have these available at "surplus" for about 20 bucks. A huge variety. Any government office would have them, probably sitting out by a dumpster (read: free!). We have a friend that does auto-paint on things for pretty cheap, so we had one of these desks and a matching filing cabinet done in glossy white. Pretty successful overall, and cost about 150 total!

Colin, if you are in NYC, please pass on your friend's name! I have a steel medical cabinet that needs painting!

$150 is too much. Usually colleges try to get rid of them. I got one for free back in Cali. I was the third owner down the line from the college that gave it to the second owner for free. And then I left it in my dorm so the college owned it again.

Steelcases are sturdy but they heat you up in the summer and cool you down in the winter (see thermal properties of metal), and that totally, totally sucks.

sorry...I'm in AZ.

I bought my desk off of Craigslist for $30, it was listed for $50. I'd love to get mine repainted (boring beige currently), do auto-body shops repaint furniture often or will they look at you crazy for asking?

I would say to ask somebody. If they don't do it themselves, they may know a hobbyist. The idea, I think, is that getting good at "powder coating" or whatever is something that takes time, so for them to recoup some cost on their education is helpful. Don't quote me on that, but in the end it never hurts to ask!