Each spring I try to rid my home of unused things…junk…or clutter, you might call it! My boys’ rooms can definitely use a thorough “de-cluttering” from time to time…and it’s a great opportunity to do some re-arranging! My youngest son’s bedroom needed a update–I wanted to find ways to keep it better organized and also make it more grown up–without loosing a youthful feel! (No need for him to grow up too quickly!) So we said goodbye to old toys and worn out clothing making room for new treasures and spaces to hold keepsakes! With his ideas on the forefront we transformed my son’s room into a comfy haven…without buying a single item! We merely recycled from the rest of the house and highlighted some of his favorite things that were shoved in closets or piled on the floor! Here’s a look at his new space still full of snips and snails…
and puppy dog tails…
a tent that used to find itself in the playroom…
now makes a great hideaway to relax in!
a comfy spot to snuggle in for the night…
i love to keep bedding simple…it makes it easier for kids to tidy up in the morning! not that it always works… but you can’t blame a girl for trying!
simply folding the blankets at the foot of the bed helps to keep it easily organized and there’s no struggling to get into corners or against walls! (the blankets don’t always get folded perfectly…but it’s a task that can be quickly accomplished helping his room to look neat..most of the time!)
add some personality…
a fun way to display favorite photos and mementos…creating a memory garland across the wall! strung with twine and mini clips the photos can be easily changed without any hassle!
paper globes add a pop of color and whimsy for pennies!
organizing…
rolling storage bins hide under the vintage kindergarten desk keeping toys gathered neatly. when my son was smaller he sat at this desk to play! another fun storage idea…a baseball card collection is contained in jars with the lid handles replaced with old trophies. i made these jars last year to hold candy toppings for a baseball themed ice cream party…now re-purposed for his collection!
more fun storage…
i saw this idea somewhere and think it’s a brilliant one! a cardboard wine case is recycled into a container for holding favorite artwork created over the years!
a little more updating & recycling…
we painted this old dresser in my son’s favorite colors! his idea and i love it! it’s a perfect way to give a piece of furniture some personality…and for minimal time & expense! my son had different ideas from mine…but what he chose ended up working wonderfully! I think the reason for his un-experienced success is that he did merely what he liked…no worries about “rules” or what anyone else would think…he just followed his heart!
a mini skateboard with wheels removed makes a great freestanding shelf…and his brother’s old nightlight gets a fresh look with some paint and washi tape!
a favorite find…
this fabulous locker my son picked out at a garage sale years ago got some fresh stripes of black paint at the bottom…making sure not to ruin the motorcycle & car stickers that came with it! this is a great storage piece for all kinds of treasures he’s not ready to part with…and comes in handy in an old home without much closet space!
my son is a bit of a sentimentalist so we tried to keep his treasures displayed where he can see them! they’re only kids once so i am happy to surround both my boys with those things that are dear to them…allowing them revisit those fond memories but still making room for new ones! this little sailor bank was a new find in a junk shop in Florida! (i guess we did buy one thing!)
mementos, books, school projects and treasures…we all love to be surrounded by our special things! one of his favorites…nestled inside the tent, the school mascot pillow was made from an out-grown t-shirt!
with my son’s input we managed to create a space that’s somewhat organized, playful, and full of his personality! and as he continues to outgrow his childhood things it will change as he does! but for now…
