This is something I would never do unless I had the space and was an avid piano player, but how great is this paint job on an old fixer-upper piano? Instead of having to deal with the aesthetic pitfalls of a less expensive, second hand instrument, why not take advantage of the chance to customize it and really make it a focal point in your living area? Just loved this idea! What about you? Too wild? Better than having to settle for this…
The one kitchen splurge I do allow myself? Little homey, folky accents from Anthropologie. Take the above Script and Posy Salad Plates! Adorable – mixing up your dinnerware is an inventive, charming way to keep costs down as well. You can keep one eye on your local Goodwill or thriftstore for some funky finds, to flesh out a smaller set of more expensive plates like these from Anthropologie!
These Homegrown Monogram Mugs, also from Anthro, add a personal touch to your little cabinet treasure trove. Just splurging on one makes for a colorful display and a cozier kitchen. Mixing it up allows your to keep with a linear theme while still having variety.
This Cadiz Mug adds a splash of color – you don’t need to go crazy on an Anthro spree, but keep a look out for folky patterns. You never know – TJ Maxx, Goodwill, Ross… it’s really nice to sit down and have cute teatime spread.
A super bohemian alternative to coasters, agate discs make for beautiful and functional alternatives to boring cork. Anthropologie sells these these bad boys for $12 a pop, but I found a treasure trove at Ralph’s, far more colorful and originally meant to put candles on, for $7 a piece! Believe me, easy to clean and a conversation starter, they look fantastic in the kitchen and on the table.
Now this is more of a brag than anything – Anthropologie charges $14 for this Farmer’s Egg Crate, but at Ross, you can find these for $5! Always hold back and look for less expensive alternatives, because chances are, you can find pretty much the same thing at TJ’s or Ross. Also, dish cloths, adorable as they are at Anthropologie, can be found for half the price and are basically identical at the aforementioned stores.
Now sometimes, it’s worth a few dollars for a one of a kind, adorable piece. These Karvina Salt & Pepper shakers are totally unique and would be pretty difficult, yet not impossible, to find at a thrift store. It’s all about saving on the fluff and splurging on the centerpieces. For example, your dinner plates can be high quality, but your salad plates and little side dishes can be adorable Goodwill finds or mismatched TJ Maxx scores from Ralph Lauren at a quarter of the price. Remember to not get too busy, and just pick a few key items that stand out and have a more low key look for the rest of your kitchen supplies.
Best of luck – have a potluck to celebrate your new plates or a tea party with some girlfriends! They’re designed to be used, not stared at on a shelf!
Via Pinterest
When you’re decorating, you quickly realize the expense of two things – chairs (OHMYGOD) and lighting. Chairs are easy to find at thrift stores and the like to make-over, but what about affordable lighting?
Via 100 Layer Cake
These bubble chandeliers retail for some pretty insane prices – click here to make an equally as beautiful version at home!
Talk about affordable! Using old lace doilies, glue, a balloon, and a pendant light (Ikea now has swag light cords and fixtures in black and white for around$6.00) you can create your very own beautiful fixture! Click here for instructions!
Via Harmony
With my sister going off to college soon, I’ve been helping her come up with some dorm decorating ideas. If you’re like me, you’re highly affected by your surroundings, and lets face it – sometimes dorms can be downright depressing.
DIY decor projects can be cheap, and are perfect for a student budget. One thing that always warms up a room for me is the addition of twinkle lights!
Via Harmony
Via Harmony
Although candles are strictly forbidden, you could even try stringing twinkle lights around some handcrafted lace “candleholder” jars… find out how to make them here.
Via Green with Envy
A unique idea – decorate the outside of your door a little differently! These roommates blew up a photo of themselves inside their dorm and posted it outside!
Via College Humour
Apartment Therapy also gives some tips here:
Inexpensive Artwork: Dress up postcards by framing them in a grid. We got these frames from Ikea so it wasn’t very expensive. But even just using postcards without frames could be a nice focal point if you use versions with a bright blue sky. But check out etsy, ask your friends
Curtains: Find some fabric, or even some dropcloths from the hardware store and replace those dorm room curtains with some you make yourself. Hang them from the ceiling down to the floor to make the space feel bigger and to create a focal point (if you choose a fabric with a lot of pattern). Check out this video for more help.
The Bed Make the bed a focal point (since it’s probably the biggest thing in the room). Mix and match bedding from Ross or TJ Maxx or even Overstock so you aren’t spending a fortune. Comb thrift stores for fun accent pillows and don’t forget about that quilt you got from gramma, it might be chic now!
Craigslist: Comb craigslist for deals on interesting side chairs, artwork and lamps. You can get crazy deals if you’re patient and just having one or two pieces that aren’t brand new will lend a lot of character to a space. Check out our daily craigslist scavenger and classifieds section for a headstart.
Lighting: Lighting is key, and if you’ve only been using one overhead light plus a desk lamp, do yourself a favor and bring in 2 more lamps asap. Look on craigslist, look in your parents’ garage, see what’s possible. Sometimes just adding a new lampshade can make all the difference. And having 3 points of light in a room (in a small space we’ve heard of people using 11 lamps and it wasn’t over the top) helps soften the space and makes for flattering light on faces and a warm ambience.
A Little Luxury: Granted, being a student normally means you’re pretty broke, or at least not rolling in cash. But a little luxury can go a long way. Make sure you have a nice hand soap or shower gel so it isn’t all bottom of the barrel. Maybe soap isn’t your thing… splurge on a nice air freshener, candle or sheets.
Plants Bringing a litle bit of life inside makes a world of difference. Start small andyou can do it for free. Check out some inspiration here and here. And here’s a link to foolproof houseplants and some indoor plantscapes.
Less is More: This is maybe our favorite tip/reminder. IN a small space, it’s not always about jamming it full of stuff or seeing how good at reality sized Tetris you are. Sometimes simplifying your posessions is what actually makes your living space more liveable. And sine a Dorm room is normally no more than your home for 9 months, take advantage of living simply, if only as an experiment.
Hope some future grads got some ideas! <3
Via Ninja Diva
Whenever I go to pack my suitcase, it seems a little Stella crawls in every time for a quick nap. I found this great repurposed suitcase pet bed project over at Houzz, click here for the instructions.
I think these are just adorable!
Via This Art That Makes Me Happy
A few months ago, I found myself in Newnan, Georgia. While perusing the local Goodwill, I stumbled across these two beautiful little creatures for $1.99, not even on the shelves yet and poised in a bin. They look like something you’d pay a fortune for at Anthropologie, and are a good size, about eight inches tall. I’m not sure if they’re bronze or brass, but lord are they heavy and solid. I was thrilled because the Austin bungalow I rented had a larger version of the stag sitting in the entry way by a potted floor plant and I always wished I could have taken him with me! Another Goodwill victory! I felt like I had found buried treasure. Happy hunting – share some of your finds with me!
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