If you’ve been playing along with my Making Your Dream Room a Reality series, I’m sure you’re ready to move on to the next step of your planning, right?
Though this series, we have:
- Identified our decorating inspiration;
- Decided why we think each photo is inspiring; and
- Determined what won’t work in our households
Now’s it’s finally time to get those creative juices flowing!
Even though it’s more fun, this part of the process is actually more difficult than the previous steps. It’s always hard (for me at least) to envision how items I currently have in my home will work in a different space. This is a process that you just have to let go a little bit and trust yourself, which is a hard thing to do.
Hang a mirror on a bookcase to completely change the look – from Pottery Barn.
When working with what you have, it’s perfectly acceptable to change the look of an item or use it for a new purpose. Some things to consider:
- Can it be painted? You can even paint that cheap laminate bookcase.
- Can it be restained? Sometimes, all you need to do is repair a few surface scratches and give a piece of furniture a fresh new coat of stain. Kimba says that the gel stains are super easy to use.
- Can you add fabric? New window treatments and throw pillows can make a huge difference in changing the look of a room. Have you seen the Nester’s 30-minute pillow makeovers?
- Can it be repurposed? Find new uses for common items. Emily has even used chairs and stools as nighstands!
- Don’t like your flooring? Cover it with a rug, a much cheaper (and quicker) alternative to hardwoods, tile, and new carpeting.
- Need new-to-you furniture? If your family’s sofa has seen better days craft a simple slipcover, check CraigsList, garage sales and thrift shops before you hit the furniture store. Be patient and the right piece will almost certainly fall into your lap.
- Accessories aren’t the right match? Does your current Southwestern style accessories not match your Beach Cottage dream room? No worries! Think about how you can transform them (think spray paint!), and if that doesn’t work, hit the CL, garage sale and thrift shop trifecta again. You could always sell your old accessories to make some cash for new ones, too!
Use a scrap piece of moulding to hang an outdoor bench cushion to create a unique headboard – from Better Homes and Gardens.
So, this week, make a list of the things you already have or can repurpose to fit into your new new dream room. You will be amazed and how close you are to your dream room without even knowing it!
Have questions about how you can reuse or repurpose an something? Email me or leave a question in the comments! I’d be happy to offer you some suggestions.
Such great ideas. I do this all the time, especially with my LR/DR combination. A different arrangement of accessories and pillows in different color schemes changes the room totally. Love it. Hugs, Marty
These are excellent tips. It's amazing what a bit of paint will do for a room.
Great tips! Thanks! I am quite the repurpose-er. My inlaws don't quite get it. Great blog!
It was hard to read this post b/c as I was reading it, I was thinking of little things in my own home that I can repurpose. 😉 Great post, Lindsay!! 🙂
I like this step! I love that you're encouraging your readers to use what they have – it's green and thrify! I'm loving this series.
I LOVE Repurposing! It's both fun and rewarding to find a way to make the things you already own work in your home in a new and improved way!
You give such good tips and break it all down in easy to follow steps…I've just added a link to your blog on mine. (That's how much I love it!)
Thanks, Janell
Hello Lindsay – thank you for sharing such great tips with us! You are so sweet. Oh, and I'm lovin' that fabulous bench cushion headboard!
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
I just happened upon your series and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Such great tips.
Thanks for sharing.
XO*Tricia
oh my gosh, that moulding with the cushion hanging from it as a headboard is so fabulous!! I love ideas that are totally outside the box and that much more wonderful because of it. Thanks for getting us all thinking about new ways to make our houses homes.
I just found your Blog! I love you ideas. Very Creative. Great inspiration.
Hi, i Love the covers for the duvet & pillows. Is there anywhere i could order those?
Regards Angi