Using Cubby Storage In Your BedRoom

I LOVE cubby storage, as most of you know who have followed me for awhile, so I decided to utilize them in our bedroom. I am in the process of slowly making over our bedroom.

We don’t have the finances to go into a beautiful bedroom set (that happens when you have eight kids right? Everything else like college and food come first! lol) so we do the best we can with what we have.  I also love Ikea, and I found some tall cubby storage units that we could use to help with our clothes storage.

We were storing our jeans, sweaters and sweatshirts on wire shelves in our closet. I tend to be more practical & functional than decorative, so I didn’t have a problem with open clothes storage in our room.

We have three of these cubby storage units in our rooms.  They are five shelves tall, with Dave having two of them and I have one.  This one is on the other side of the room from the top picture.  I got him two baskets also to help out with socks and T-shirts.

We also got two smaller cubbies that are on either side of our bed. We each have two baskets in them.  Yes that is my gun safe if anyone is wondering. You can see my cool pink gun on my pinterest board. (no nasty comments about me having a gun please)

There are plans to paint and also plans to make one of the cool headboards that I found on Evolution of Style  blog. Isn’t this awesome? I pinned it on my DIY pinterest board . This is in her little girl’s bedroom.   I loved it because it is right inbetween two windows which is the exact set up we have in our bedroom. I am still trying to decide on a paint color (not pink, I love it.. but poor Dave) and think my headboard will be the brown/black to match my Ikea pieces. Thoughts?

Refinishing a Sofa Table

I originally wanted the black/brown Ikea Hemnes sofa table. I traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio to the Ikea store there (two hour drive) and they were out of the black/brown. ugh.  I had my mind made up that I wanted that sofa table, so I decided to purchase the gray one and I would just paint it.

You can imagine my surprise when I opened the box (a few weeks later) and found it was white. It wouldn’t have been a problem other than the fact that the white cost $20 more. I can’t complain though, at Ikea you pick out the furniture yourself. I did have someone help me, but I didn’t check the box or the receipt.  My first thought was, even though I wanted this black, my dining room accent colors are black and white…. so maybe it will look fine the way it is.

We moved it inside to where it would go, but I didn’t like it.  This is bright white, my Dover white is just a shade off bright… more of a light ivory.

I also decided it would be easier to paint it put together. Anyone recognize this photo from my Guessing Game Post?

If you have never purchased anything from Ikea that has to be put together, you are in for a surprise when you look at the directions.  No words…. only pictures.  Really!

In steps the handy son…

The reason I wanted it put together first was because if you are painting you are going to want the project off the floor a bit. Otherwise you will have one side always having to lay down on the ground etc.

I had decided that I was going to paint the top, sides and front. I was going to leave the inside of the cubbies white.

I sanded the areas I was going to paint. The sides did not sand very well. I don’t think they were wood at all. I think it was more of a melamine or something maybe.

Then I primed it … and then used the same high gloss black paint that I used on my dining room table.

I taped off the edges so that the white wouldn’t get blotches of black on it. This was the first coat.  I used three coats.

Then I used the MinWax top coat that I used on the dining room table. I only used it on the top of the sofa table.

I used three coats of this protective coat, sanding in between coats as instructed.

The sides never did turn out great. The paint just didn’t cover well.. what ever that material.  But no one will really see the sides, so I didn’t stress.

Picture baskets in the bottom….. You’ll have to wait to see it in my finished dining room….. a few more days.

I Need More Help From You

Most of you know I’m not a decorating diva.  My idea of decorating is organizing. lol So, I once again need your help.

You all helped me with ideas for the dining room. Here is a before picture to refresh you.

Here is the advice that I got from you that I took:

1) Remove the old lady swag above the window – Done
2) Move the craft cart (you can’t see, but on little wall by this end of the wall.) out.  – Done
3) Move the china cabinet to the corner where the craft cart was. – Done
4) Move the pie safe out – Done
5) Paint the table and chairs so the chairs all match – Going to do.

I painted the room a periwinkle color. I know that many of you think I’m a bit crazy for that move. But I have seen a room that inspired me and I’m going with it.

My plan so far:

1) Paint the top of the table and the seat of the chairs black.
2) Paint the legs of the table (or leave them alone) and backs of all chairs cream
3) Use a combination of black and cream decorations on the walls
4) refinish the chandelier cream, with crystals a cord cover. Here is my inspiration picture for that.

I can’t remember where I found this picture, I didn’t label it like I normally do.  I know it was on a blog and I have searched for it, if anyone knows who’s it is, please let me know so I can give them proper credit.

First question:  Should I use a medallion on the ceiling?  I was going to and I was going to paint it periwinkle, but my sister told me not to paint it.. it wouldn’t look good (and she is a great decorator). But I do like the looks of this one that is the white color. Do you think I should have it and leave it white or cream?  (my ceiling is white)

This is what the room looks like now after painting and before decorating

I bought my Hemnes sofa table at Ikea last weekend.  But…. they didn’t have the black brown color.  They didn’t know when it was coming in, so I purchased the gray color (which I don’t like) and I’m going to paint it black to match the table.  I am going to put this on the far wall, underneath the metal sculpture that is on the wall.  I plan to have an arrangement of things including the metal piece on the wall above it.  Here are the items I have gathered and want advice on how to use.   The black/brown metal swirl wall decor is just hanging on a big screw that was already there.

I was thinking of painting the metal sculpture cream color. Do you like it? Should I use it?

This is the  basket (I got four of them)  I got to go in the Hemnes table. You can see more of how they look and what the table will look like on my Saturday Shopping post I did on the Ikea table here… when I first saw this table and had no idea how I could use it in my house.

See the little lamp?  It is a candle holder. I found it at Old Time Pottery. I thought it was so cute and would bring the crystals from the chandelier (once I do it) together.  It will sit on the Hemnes table.

Here are some of the other things I got that I liked.

The black long picture frame has eight places for pictures. I am going to put a picture of each of our kids in there.  Not sure where to hang that yet. I could go above the window or a doorway if I wanted to. Or… it could go long ways top to bottom on a wall.

The small wooden mirrors I found at Ikea for just a couple dollars each.  I thought I’d leave the two black and paint the other two cream.  I thought they would somehow work in the wall arrangement on the big wall.

I also have this mirror.  I am not sure if I am going to use it in this room or not.  I also have considered painting it, although I am thinking this one came from my husband’s side.. and he isn’t a fan of covering up nice wood.

What do you think I should do?
Here is a better picture of the top of it.  I’m kind of thinking it would look good cream color.

I saw these two black metal shelves at Old Time Pottery and liked them. One is slightly larger than the other. I thought I could leave them the black or paint them. I thought they might work well on one of the smaller side walls. Suggestions? Do you like them? Should they go on a wall by themselves, or should I use them in the main wall decorating arrangement?

It might be easier to see what they look like from this picture:

I also thought I would hang the chore board / schedule board in here for the kids. I painted this frame the cream color to use in here.

I was thinking it could go on this smaller wall to the right.

The short wall that is next to the kitchen. The wall is larger than it appears in this picture. It is about 36″ across.

Here are the other walls that I need to decorate.  The wall to the left of the main wall, by the window.

I am planning on cream drapes of some sort, so some of that wall will have cream on it.

Here is my corner china cabinet.  The front door and hallway are to the right of this. The kitchen is to the left.

I also have the wall to the left of the window.

I am also thinking of getting the initial “J” and painting it cream to use in the main wall arrangement. I like how those look.
Although I like a lot of the decorating ideas that I see with the chalkboard, cream etc… in them – most of them are the older antique look. The wore edges, older decor, shabby chic I think.  I don’t like the antique look. I don’t want the older, or made to look older look.

Here is the room again, to refresh your memory.

So… help me.  Where do you think things should go? Should I paint them cream or black?

I need you comments and ideas!

Shop Till You Drop – Or Window Shop like me and Don’t spend

I have to stop shopping at Ikea ..what do you think?  Actually this was from the same Saturday a few weeks ago.

I kept seeing this table throughout the store at Ikea.  Again.. with cubby’s. I must have an issue with those.. what do you think?  lol

I am still working to see if there is a way I can use this at my house. If I figure it out.. I’ll be the first to let you know! It was $99 (guessing I was wrong on the $99, maybe I was dreaming that?)

I can see it behind a couch, but I love the thought of it in an entryway.

I looked it up for someone and it is  called the Hemnes Sofa Table and it costs $149 (plus the baskets cost extra)

What do you think?  Where could you use it?

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Disclosure: I am not an affililiate or working for Ikea in any way (although I wish I was..lol)

I might be in a bit of an Ikea mood for a bit! lol I went last Saturday and saw several items I’d love to have – but I don’t have any place in my small house to put them.

I’d Love To Have THIS!

Think of all the things you could use it for!   What do you think?  Do you like it?  Could you use it?

I want to highlight something I would like to have each Saturday.

Doesn’t mean I’ll ever have it, but if I had the place to put it, I would have something similar.

I don’t have a place to put one in my house right now, but I still am always attracted to them when I see them.  I would need a bigger or longer bench with more shoe cubbies for my family!

We are planning on purchasing a shed for our backyard. That way we can clear out some of the excess (5 kids… bikes, lawn mower etc.. ) from the garage and I plan to move a shelf and put something like this by the doorway.

This is from the Ikea store. I do not have it, but would like to!

Oh.. I get to go today on my way back home!!  yippee.  I’ll let you know what I find there.

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Disclosure:  I am not representing Ikea in any way. I am not an affiliate, nor being compensated by them in any way. I just love their store… I wish they would ask me! lol

More Storage Solutions

I am going to take you on an Ikea shopping trip with me.  These are all pictures I took when I went the year before last.  I love this store, but I am not getting any kind of affiliate, commission or any other compensation by telling you about them or posting this.  I just love some of the solutions they have for toy storage.

Keep in mind that there are many other alternatives for where to purchase like items. Target has great cubbies, and is where I get mine.  So look around, this is just meant to give you some ideas.

If you read me at all you know I LOVE cubbies.  There are many different styles and inserts you can get for cubbies.  Many stores have them, although not a lot of others have the full wall units like these.
Like OMG isn’t this the cutest?  These are slide out bins.  I do wish the colored ones were clear though.  But I still love it. You can mix and match and make your own set up with this system.

Here is another option with the same kind of units.

To have an art desk or homework desk would be awesome in a playroom. (Keep in mind that doing homework in a playroom is not a real good idea unless your child can really focus).

Here is another desk idea for a playroom. These also would be great in a child’s room if you had space for them.

This is a cubby unit that hangs on the wall. Then you can have storage space underneath it.  You could also use this above a desk or higher on the wall to keep the games away from the little ones.

These hanging net cubbies are cute for those little stuffed animals or trinkets.

Here are some other little cute storage ideas for the walls.  Of course these are fabric and you couldn’t hand anything too heavy in them, but wouldn’t they decorate a wall cute?

Here is something for the little bit older group.  A locker.  They could use it for game storage, DVD or CD storage like pictured. But they could also put books, have fun decorating it inside and out and use all those cool locker gadgets you see at the stores (but a lot of schools don’t allow).

I also saw these cute colorful frames there. They were only $1.99 each. What a cute way to showcase their most special artwork!  It would be another cute way to decorate the walls of the playroom and make them feel really special.

So I took you on my Ikea shopping trip.  It is to give you ideas. If you see something you like…shop around for it. There may be other places you can find it…or try ebay or amazon too.  Or you can do like me….garage sales, dollar store and Target & Walmart. Really Ikea’s prices are not bad at all….I want to take a shopping trip down to the one in Ohio again soon. The only one I went on was with my husband….and how fun is that?  LOL

This is the “before” picture of my office. We have a very small office and have desk for my husband and I, file cabinets and a bookshelf. But I still needed some more space.
Think “up” is always what I tell my clients. Shelves right? But I wanted to do it on my own without having to have my husband help me and I love cubbies. I would have loved to have gone to Ikea and gotten one of their cubby units, but they are over an hour and half away. So I went to Target and got 2 of their 8 cubby units. They were on sale for $39.99 each and they worked great.
I turned my 4 drawer (2 side by side) file drawer perpendicular to the wall and moved the desk against the wall. I now have the wall to use for a large calendar and message board.
I also had a 3 drawer unit on the left of my desk. Since I moved the desk over to the wall, I put that on the right of my desk and brought the printer down so it is actually more accessible than it was up on the 5 drawer file cabinet. I know in these pictures it is hard to see the detail of what I did with the other furniture, but it did make it better and more accessible to wear I sit.
Here is the finished picture.

Organizing a Child’s Playroom

Would this be cute in a kids playroom or what? It would be great for keeping all those little stuffed animals in.
Although there may be bins and baskets and toy boxes in most playrooms, what usually happens is that you get too many different toys together and everything gets mixed up. When you have one container with 5 different toys with little pieces in it….it takes too much time and is not fun to dig out all the pieces necessary to play with the one toy that the child may want to play with. Its much easier to pick up the toy beside it that is altogether. So many times there are toys that aren’t played with anymore, just because its more of a pain than its worth to get the toy out.
A toy unit like this would help in that there are several smaller drawers that you could separate toys into. Its at a good level for most children. It is bright and colorful, so that they may remember that their legos are all in the big red bin and their race cars are in the smaller blue bin.
It would make clean up very easy also.
This is something that I found at the Ikea store that really stood out to me and looking fun and cute and the cost was not that bad.

You can find these at Ikea.com

Ikea Bookshelf – Great Organizer

I love this piece! It is so functional. The cubbyhole’s can keep your books neater than a regular bookshelf. You either need bookends or you have all your books fall over when you take out several on a regular bookshelf. You have spaces to display things and the size of the cubbyholes are big, so that taller books and albums will fit.
I would love to see this in a playroom. It does come in white so that it may go better in a playroom with that.
You can add either doors (like on the bottom ones) in different colors, or you can get the little bins to go in to hold little things. It would work especially well if you have several ages of kids. The younger ones can use the toys at the bottom but would be unable to access the upper levels (where games that had small pieces and books could be kept).
If and when I get a different office, this piece is going to be in there! (At least I hope so).

You can get this at Ikea.com