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You are visiting: Home » Decorating/DIY » Decorate Your Home » An Easy Way to Lighten Up Your Decor

An Easy Way to Lighten Up Your Decor

by Lindsay Ballard on June 4, 2009 37 Comments

One morning last week, I woke up and decided that something felt heavy. It wasn’t my down comforter or the fleece plants that I insist on wearing to bed even when it’s 100 degrees outside. Actually, it was the plate display above my head.

I love this display, but all of a sudden it was just too heavy feeling for this time of year. Does that ever happen to you? You look at something that you’ve always loved and then just suddenly decide that it needed to go? I do that kind of thing all the time. Please tell me that I’m not alone.

Anyway, I plopped Zack on my bed, turned on Little Einsteins on the Disney Channel, and while still in my PJ’s, got to work on rearranging my plate display. I stepped off the bed 30 minutes later and was happy with the result. And hey, look! My photography has gotten better, too!

I had all of these plates elsewhere around my house, and I just decided that a display of classic white and off-white plates would bring a crisp and cool feel to the hot Texas summer days.

A plate display like this is so easy! White plates are readily available at yard sales, thrift stores, dollar stores, and even grocery stores. Most of mine were purchased on clearance at Ross for about 50 cents each.

When possible, I like to buy at least two of the same pattern so that I can make a cohesive display.

Do you have anything you can change up for little or no cost to lighten up your decor? Think about it, because I bet you do.

And while we’re at it, I’ve had a lot of requests (especially following my guest post at the Nesting Place) to see my DIY toile headboard. Well, here it is!

I need to put together a tutorial because it was so easy to make, but I made this before my blogging days and didn’t take photos of the process. I’m planning on recreating it on a smaller scale to show you how to do it, but it’ll be a few weeks before I can get to it.

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

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Comments

  1. southerninspiration says

    June 4, 2009 at 7:22 am

    I agree with you! Love the slight change! I'm also a Texas girl, btw!!

    Suzanne

    Reply
    • karen says

      June 12, 2011 at 1:34 pm

      Lindsay, I love your plate display and the headboard. Can’t wait until you show us how to build that. I’ve been meaning to investigate your blog. Kim (daughter) has told me about it. thxs.

      Reply
  2. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    June 4, 2009 at 7:39 am

    I really like that arrangement! 🙂 I'm going to have to be on the lookout for some plates now. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Lindsay says

    June 4, 2009 at 8:00 am

    How do you hang the plates? I love love love your bedroom!!!

    frugalfab at gmail dot com

    Reply
  4. Jenny@ L.O.T.s of Love says

    June 4, 2009 at 8:08 am

    It looks great! At first I was afraid you painted all those lovely plates. I just had a friend help me with a plate display and LOVE it. I just need a few more to complete it!

    Reply
  5. Lindy says

    June 4, 2009 at 8:44 am

    I love it! I have plates above my bed as well! My sister insists on sleeping in fleece pants with several layers of blankets on top of her year round. She likes the weight of it all. I think it's crazy in the middle of the summer!

    Reply
  6. Songbirdtiff says

    June 4, 2009 at 8:48 am

    You sleep in fleece pants in the summer, in TEXAS?! Crazy lady! 🙂

    Your plate arrangement looks great. Very summery. I'm all about the turquoise these days. Did you see my new blog design?

    Reply
  7. Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam says

    June 4, 2009 at 9:10 am

    Yea – isn't it so fun to change things up for summer. My winter bedding is coming off today, and I'm replacing it with my soft yellow coverlet. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Vivienne says

    June 4, 2009 at 11:09 am

    It's gorgeous. And what a difference the plates make.

    Reply
  9. Kristen says

    June 4, 2009 at 11:40 am

    I love your color combinations!

    Reply
  10. the BLAH BLAH BLAHger says

    June 4, 2009 at 11:40 am

    You are HILARIOUS. And yes, your photo skills HAVE gotten much better. Go you. PS – love the lighter colored plates, too. ; )

    Reply
  11. Christina says

    June 4, 2009 at 12:27 pm

    Just the perfect change up for hot weather. Looks great. Oh and the dinosaur lamp below is fantastic. What a great vision!

    Reply
  12. Tricia Hicks says

    June 4, 2009 at 12:31 pm

    Lindsay, look at my new laundry room valance! How do you hang the plates?

    triciahi@gmail.com
    http://www.hicksinhendersonville.blogspot.com

    Reply
  13. Brenda says

    June 4, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    Fleece plants? That's what Eve wore in the garden during the winter, right? 🙂

    I love all the pillows on your bed.

    Reply
  14. Lou Cinda says

    June 4, 2009 at 8:26 am

    I love this~ and the blue one in the middle gives it just that perfect "pop"!

    I too, change things around…ALL the time!

    I love your blog and you continually inspire me!

    Thank you

    Lou Cinda 🙂

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says

    June 4, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    ummm pretty…but living in earth quake and tremor country I would not put something like that on the wall over my bed……………………please urge readers to consider that and to be very careful!!
    barbara

    Reply
  16. Rebekah says

    June 4, 2009 at 9:47 am

    Such a pretty bedroom! I love the combination of black, white, slate blue & red.

    Reply
  17. Pam says

    June 4, 2009 at 10:22 am

    Oh, yeah. Much, much better for summer. It's looks very fresh and clean now. Great job.

    Reply
  18. Stephanie says

    June 4, 2009 at 11:32 am

    Very pretty! I want to do the same in my family room to help brighten it up as well! 🙂

    Reply
  19. Christy says

    June 4, 2009 at 12:39 pm

    I do the SAME thing! Love something, and then feel the need to rearrange after a while. My colors are almost identical to yours – tan, white, black and red, and often I feel the need to insert more of the white to lighten things up. I think you succeeded and it looks great!

    Love the headboard too, and can't wait for the tutorial!

    Reply
  20. Jennifer DeDonato says

    June 4, 2009 at 6:17 pm

    looks really great…it's amazing how that brightens things up.

    Reply
  21. Simply Susan says

    June 4, 2009 at 1:27 pm

    I really like the new plate display. You are right, so much lighter and brighter.

    Reply
  22. Living With Lindsay says

    June 4, 2009 at 7:03 pm

    I've had a few comments on how to hang plates. It's super easy!

    You can buy plate hangers at the home improvement stores. They are a few bucks each and have little springs on them so they expand to fit different sized plates. They are so easy to put up and can be taken off the plates without damaging them. Here's what I use: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId;=-1&catalogId;=10053&productId;=100017472

    Reply
  23. Kimba says

    June 4, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    I love it! A perfect way to lighten things up for summer without spending any money.

    Kimba

    Reply
  24. M.L. @ The House of Whimsy says

    June 4, 2009 at 2:55 pm

    I came over from the Nester's lamp party. All your lamp makeover's are incredible! And I love the slight changes you made here in the bedroom. Beautiful!!

    Reply
  25. Tina says

    June 4, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    I'm sort of new to all of this, and maybe you've already written about it, but how can I mount plates to the wall? I'm sure it's easy peasy, but could someone let me in on the secret?? I'd love to play! 🙂

    Reply
  26. Tina says

    June 4, 2009 at 8:26 pm

    Omigod. What. An. Idiot. Well, thanks for answering my question! Apparently I need to pay closer attention to previous comments. So sorry! I'm really not usually this much of a 'tard. 🙁 Loves!!

    Reply
  27. Living With Lindsay says

    June 4, 2009 at 8:44 pm

    No big deal, girl! 😉 Glad you saw it. I was just trying to find your email addy to send you the info!

    Reply
  28. Angry Julie Monday says

    June 4, 2009 at 11:08 pm

    Much lighter! The photography has gotten better and it's fabulous!!

    Reply
  29. Alison says

    June 6, 2009 at 8:27 am

    Love the plates! And of course, your headboard. I'm anxiously awaiting the tutorial for that. Or perhaps, as a fellow Texan, I can coax you to come do mine for me!;)

    Reply
  30. Farmgirl Paints says

    June 6, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    Hi Lindsay,
    Just stumbled onto your blog and love it. I really love your bed. Did you make your headboard yourself?? I'm wanting to make one for a spare bedroom and am always looking for inspiration. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  31. Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend says

    June 6, 2009 at 10:03 pm

    I enjoyed reading your blog today.
    I am still finding my way around blogland….
    I always love making new friends..

    I am posting about Disney so hope you will stop by.
    Each comment enters you for the June giveaway.

    Reply
  32. arkie says

    June 7, 2009 at 11:35 pm

    Love your plate display and headboard! Hope you do a tutorial on the headboard soon, as I would love to do a similar one. What color is the paint on your bedroom wall? It looks really good with the toile.

    Reply
  33. Kristin says

    June 20, 2009 at 9:46 pm

    Hey Lindsay, it's Kristin, Leigh's old roommate from college. Just stumbled across your blog. It's great. Love the plate display and your headboard is gorgeous!

    Reply
  34. Bromeliad says

    July 31, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    I just lightened up last week – by putting half my stuff away. It felt good for summer.

    Reply
  35. Dreams of Perfection says

    December 1, 2009 at 8:00 am

    This is exactly what I had wanted to do over my fireplace but my mind wouldn't let me put it together. Thanx so much. The colors are even dead on for what I want to do.

    Reply
  36. Krystal says

    December 1, 2010 at 4:57 pm

    I was debating whether to put up glass art or canvas art above my bed. I ended up getting a piece from http://www.gallerywallart.com and I’m really happy with the way it looks. This is neat too…never thought of this idea.

    Reply

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About Makely

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.


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