Sunny Space - Take advantage of natural light by placing the desk near windows. How to Get the Look:
• Coat wood floors in cream paint to brighten the space.
• Put a slipcover over a retired dining room chair for fresh color and homey style (put casters on the bottom for mobility).
• Build your own desk by attaching a flat door to stock leg posts bought at a home improvement store.
Bright Ideas - "Why didn't I think of that?" ideas keep the budget low and the style quotient high.
How to Get the Look:
• A garden urn and vase hold pencils and pens.
• Tall table lamps shed more light than short fixtures would have, plus, there's no installation hassle.
• Buy inexpensive woven baskets for extra storage.
Message and Filing Center - Work board or work of art? You decide.
How to Get the Look:
• Attach inexpensive molding to a dry erase board and paint to match the rest of the room.
• Add new drawer pulls to painted file cabinets -- put several units side by side for an impromptu credenza.
Boxed In - You're only as organized as your shelving system.
How to Get the Look (and learn the system):
• Spray paint dark shelving white.
• Be firm with your labeling system -- it will force you to edit things you don't use or need.
• Look for a unit with adjustable shelves so you can tailor your containers to ever-evolving storage needs.
Good Use of Space
An awkward nook becomes a useful space with an old coffee table pushed into it, but click to the next slide to see an even better use of the space.
Better Use of Space - Voila! A cozy seating area appears thanks to cushions placed on the coffee table.
How to Get the Look:
• Buy box cushions for cushy seating (and don't forget throw pillows).
• Add wall art and a long, woven basket for
Smart Drawers - Assign each drawer one type of item, such as CDs, folders, and magazines to keep the spot uncluttered.
