Living Room Refresh for $100

We had a bookshelf we inherited waiting to be painted, chalkboards hanging above a console because we had them and random stuff sitting on the console because that is what clean surfaces are for. My pillow covers were clashing with my carpet (online ordering error) and there were nail holes in desperate need of a patch and paint job.

Last weekend I we put a little elbow grease in and around $100. I repotted a plant that desperately needed it and bought a basket at TJ maxx for $16 for the pot to live in.

I use to have a mirror above the console and it drove me crazy because it reflected everything back! The mess of shoes in the front entryway, the toys from the kids, me 😉 –all doubled by the darn mirror. The chalkboards were just an empty black hole. This mirror from Target was the perfect solution! On sale plus 5% off from our Target debit card put it at around $40. The mirror bounces some light around, offers a neutral background, but the actual reflective surface is quite small.

I fixed the clashing colors with $5 HM pillow covers in a nice dark blue and then threw in an expensive pillow cover from Society6 because it was too pretty to pass.

Ross and I mostly work on laptops now, so we decided to move the desk out. The shelf got a makeover.

The husband painted it with trim paint we already had lying around.

A little furniture rearranging, a new mirror, repotting a plant and some few fresh pillow covers.

Over the years, we have simplified a lot. We have gotten rid of a lot. One day I literally rented a 17 ft Uhaul and filled it and donated all of it. Also, now that the kids have their rooms on the first floor, we keep a lot of toys in their rooms. We also cleaned up basement up so much that the kids can actually play down there! It isn’t finished, but it offers much needed space.

My obsession with hand lettering means the front hall closet got some love too.

Just a few simple changes, but it feels like a big impact. Have you done anything to refresh your space lately?