Decorating. :) cheaply.

So many people think that they need to spend in order to have a nice, beautiful space.

And by no means am I saying that I think my space is "beautiful",

but it is definitly an improvement from when I first arrived!

.....

For example, just re-evaluate your furniture arrangement.

Notice how small and cramped my apt looks?

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:window looks hopelessly small and wierdly off-center

:bookshelf is tucked away in the corner, behind the topply lamp.

and who knows what that picture is of? The only way to see it is to

stand on the far side of the table, or right in front of it.

:table is no-where near the kitchen

:coming down the stairs (they are along the wall

behind the bin of trains, to my back from where I took pic),

on way down stairs you can see a long narrow path right between

the table and blank wall to the baseboards. Makes room appear short.

not to mention the first thing one sees as coming downstairs is a train bin.

: couch is along the wall facing the bedroom door.

who wouldn't want to enjoy a cup of tea, facing no one else for company

and gazing into the usually messy-ish bedroom?

...

there are many tiny details that I did not appreciate in the original layout,

but carrying on.

:Oh, one more thing- the only perfectly useful chair

that could be used in a cute nook is by the fridge. and not at all facing the other seating.

so that lucky person could sip tea while enjoying the hum of the fridge. Such loveliness! haha

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Okay here is the new layout:

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Fixed:

-the topply lamp is in no more danger of toppling. Properly placed in a corner.

-The nook chair now has a 'nook'. Facing the couch for company and

with good lighting to read books from the bookshelf, and a place to put that cup of tea.

-The couch is now facing the other chair for proper visiting, and also it stops your eye

as you come downstairs. So it acts as a 'half-wall' visually.

(See how there is a 'floor line' along the far side of the table that continues

along the near side of the couch?

It subconciously makes it two separate spaces. Dining and living, making room appear larger.)

-with the picture and bookshelf lined up beneath the window, it appears more in center of the wall.

and the couch taking up more of the floor space on the long side helps as well.

visual trickery! :)

window also looks less small b/c it is part of a larger structure now, instead of being alone.

-table: near kitchen!! :)

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The room could be left just rearranged, and would be a completely free 10 minute makeover.

 But I was bored and feeling the need to get crafty.

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Being on a limited income- I made a budget of $30 to re-do the bookshelf area.

It is not what I would 'dream' of but it was fun to re-think items

and use as many freebies as possible :)

Curtains: burlap (they need an extra length still, so will hit the heat register once finished): 10$

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Frame: micheals "oops" bin 5$.. Wire mesh hand-done: 2$

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Flowers: dollar tree 1$ ..Vase: oatmeal box covered in contact paper 1$ for roll

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Rosette Pillow: upcycled free sweater from free bin at a ski swap.

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Curtains: handpainted napkins 1$ each. Blue craft paint: .80

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Picture frames: 1$ for all from dollar tree

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Gold mercury glass candle holders: clearance from holiday items 2$ for all three.

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Books: from free bin at library-just picked nice looking colors :)

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There are two little wooden blocks that were free from nanny guys' burn pile, painted with nanny family's white craft paint and then decorated with paint chips.

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Free picture book-gift from mom :)

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Chalkboard in wire frame: 2$ for flat paint board. 7$ for chalk paint.

1$ for chalk.

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Total: 35$ :) five over, but for a completed temporary bookshelf, was worth it!