5 Low Cost Bath Updates

Want to make big changes to your home for the New Year but need to do so on a budget? Try updating your bathroom. Whether it is the powder room, master bath or guest bath, the bathroom is one of the easiest places to make big changes.  The bathroom is the most used room of the house. Every occupant uses it and they use it multiple times a day. So why not create a space that you love?

Big changes don't have to bust your budget. Small but effective changes can turn the ordinary into extraordinary.  Here are some easy but amazing changes you can accomplish on a budget.

1. Paint. Every designer will tell you, paint can single handedly transform a space. It is an easy change and, in a small space, not expensive or time consuming.  Paint can instantly transform a space. It can update a tired bathroom and make it fresh and new. For bathrooms with loads of natural light you can go relatively bold in your color choice without fear of making it look like a dungeon. For bathrooms with little to no natural light, stay on the lighter side of a color to create an open and inviting space. 

Meddio Design

Also, don't just think about paint for your walls. Updating your vanity with paint can also result in a dramatic change in your space.

Pretty Distressed

2. Organize. Simply organizing your bathroom and getting rid of clutter can make large changes to your space. Having a home for everything can make your bathroom more restful and less chaotic. Choosing items that both organize and look great add style and function.

Schlimmsowas

3.  Add an accent. Rather than retiling your entire shower or sink area, just add a border of accent tile. You can pop out existing tiles and insert the new tiles. It is an easy way to update your space for a small amount of money.

BHG

4.  Add Wallpaper.  If you want a really bold change, add wallpaper to your space. If you don't like the commitment of wallpaper there are a large selection of repositionable wallpapers out there that give you the look without the commitment.

Homy Decor

5. Change your hardware.  Swap out your dated hardware or add hardware where none existed. It can instantly update a dated cabinet. No cash for new hardware? You can refinish your existing ones with spray paint. Just remove, paint and reinstall.

Live Love DIY

Make a fresh new start this year by updating your bath. Even just choosing one of these ideas can give your space a whole new look. It isn't necessary to gut your space and start over to achieve a new look. Making simple changes can go a long way to bring new style to your space.

Happy decorating!

Closet Makeovers on a Budget

Hooked on Houses

Everyone wishes they had a closet like the one pictured above. Essentially a spare room converted into a dream walk-in closet. However, this is not generally a reality. In my current home, we have the standard 5' reach in closet in every bedroom. When we first moved in, the closets were outfitted with the usual single bar to hang clothes with a wire shelf above to store items. So, to maximize our space we purchased a closet organizer system from a local hardware store and installed it ourselves to maximize the amount of storage in our small closets. In our room we chose a dark espresso color. The system can be customized online to fit your specific space and has numerous options to choose from. We chose a mix of drawers, shelves and hanging space to maximize our closets. Each of our bedrooms is outfitted with them. Although these were not inexpensive, they were certainly more cost effective than a custom closet system.

There are many ways to organize a closet on a budget. Here are some of my favorites.

Use a dresser and inexpensive shelving. Slide a dresser in the closet and hang shelving outfitted with bins above. Use the space on the sides to hang tension rods for hanging clothes.

Life Unexpected

Think outside the closet by utilizing things like bookcases. This makeover involved using IKEA Billy Bookcases placed next to each other and outfitted with baskets to organize items to make them easier to find.  Paired with hanging rods the closet is organized and stylish.

LandleeLu

For a really inexpensive makeover simply hang fabric storage hangers from the existing rod. Folding items rather than hanging them makes the most use of your existing space.

Land of Nod

Use storage cubes to create additional storage. Standard stackable storage cubes found at your local home store are versatile and add a significant amount of storage. They can be configured to suit your space and needs.

Cape 27

No matter the size of your closet, add some details like paint or a glamorous light fixture to give it some style.

View Along the Way

Give your closet a custom look with these simple changes. You don't have to spend a small fortune to make big changes. As with any organizing project decide what you are keeping and what you are getting rid of before starting the project. Take inventory of what you will hang and what you will fold so you know what items you need before you begin. Creating an organized closet does more than make it stylish, it also makes getting out the door a whole lot easier.

Happy organizing.

Work Space Dilemma REVEAL

Belle Maison Interiors

I have been in the process of carving out a workspace for myself in my bedroom. I know, it is not the ideal place for a workspace but, in our home, it is my only option right now. So I set out to make a comfortable workspace where I can write this blog, work on my client's projects and do the inevitable bookkeeping. Although space, as you can see in the photo above, is limited I was determined to make the most of it. Well, now it is complete and I sit here writing this very blog.

Here is the result. Drumroll, please . . . . 

Belle Maison Interiors

Belle Maison Interiors

Belle Maison Interiors

Belle Maison Interiors

Belle Maison Interiors

Belle Maison Interiors

Now I have a space all my own. I absolutely love it! the colors are soothing and coordinate with my bedroom (which is the next update on my list.)  The bulletin board is the perfect space to hang inspiration and design project materials. The artwork is simply scrapbook paper framed in inexpensive frames. A condiment bowl serves a paperclip storage and a bin stores my magazines and notebooks.

Like the reveal? Let us know by adding a comment below. I would love to hear from you.

Now what to write about next . . . Check back to find out.

Work Space Dilemma

I have a problem. Space in my home is tight, and limited. Despite this, I still need a place to work. Both for my design business, and this blog. So, what to do? My husband has his office in the basement which leaves me the kitchen counter as my office space. Although I have worked at the counter for well over a year, it just isn't cutting it. For one, my husband walks around the house talking on the phone which I find very distracting. Another, is that I have no place to store my paperwork and the like. What is a girl to do?

Put my office in the only space available, the bedroom. Although I am generally not one for placing your workspace in the space you relax at the end of the day, if it is the only space available one needs to compromise. So the bedroom it is.  Here are a few glimpses of the beginning of my project.

Belle Maison Interiors LLC

Belle Maison Interiors LLC

Belle Maison Interiors LLC

Check back with me to see the finished product. I cannot tell you how excited I am to finally have a real workspace to call my own.  Who knows, maybe it will provide me with inspiration for some really creative material.

Here's to hoping!