Category: thrifty decor

2020, Blogging, DIY, finances, home management, priorities, project planning, projects, simplify, simplify saturdays, simplifying life, spending less, thrifty decor

Home Improvement: Things To Consider When Planning Projects

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on Home Improvement: Things To Consider When Planning Projects
Home Improvement: Things To Consider When Planning Projects

We’ve been blogging here for a good five years now, and in that time, we’ve had a lot of questions from readers. One question we’re often asked is this: “You all seem to always be doing something to your house. How do you do so much?” Today I’d like to share how we prioritize our projects.

1. Do projects a little at a time

We just did a small remodel of our master bathroom. We replaced mirrors, hardware and light fixtures. We eventually plan to replace the bathtub and surround and flooring as well, but it simply isn’t in the budget right now. So we started with the cheapest, easiest items on our “master bath to-do list” and we completed those.

2. Find cheaper options for the things you want to do

We love carriage house garage doors, but we neither need nor want to buy a $2,000 garage door at the moment… so we took to Amazon and ordered faux Coach house door hardware and a faux window kit for $50. We spent far less money something that looks like the real deal.

3. If you can DIY it, do it.

Custom closets are expensive, but my dad and I built this closet organizer ourselves for $100. It only took one day and it was a fairly simple project. We saved a lot of money by doing it ourselves AND it was a lot of fun.

4. Before you do any part of the project, ask yourself these questions:

1. Who will it benefit?

If it’s something that will benefit everyone in the home, bump the project up higher on your to do list.

2. Can I do the project in phases, or must I do it all at once?

If a project must be done all at once, but it’s small, it’s probably OK to raise it on your list. If it’s a big project and you can’t do it in phases, it’s probably expensive and should be lower on your priority list.

3. Do I need to do it, or just want to?

Projects that you want to do, no matter how much you want to do them, are never as important as the projects you need to do.

5. Save money for the things you can’t afford right now

Even if you can’t afford the things you want at the moment, save money until you have what you need.

How do you all prioritize projects?

Have a wonderful weekend.

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2020, budget decorating, cheap decorating, Free stuff, holidays, New beginnings, printables, thrifty decor, typographical art

Free New Years Day Printables

by LumberInMyMiniVan2 Comments on Free New Years Day Printables
Free New Years Day Printables

Are you planning a New Years Party but you’re struggling to find the perfect decoration? Look no further than Organized and Simplified! Today, I am offering two brand new, completely free New Year’s Printables just for you.

First, we have this simple, gold Happy New Year print. You can print this up to 11×14, but I think it would make a fantastic postcard to send out to your friends and family. You could have it printed and put a picture of your family on the back.

This second one is a take on the traditional song “Auld Lang Sine” and it’s pretty simple and elegant as well. I could see this framed and hanging on someone’s mantle.

For best results, right click and save to your device. It is always a good idea to have these Printables professionally printed by a copy house or print shop (I like to use Staples Copy and Print). They will often print an 11×14 for less than $5. I would not recommend printing these designs larger than 11×14.

Happy New Year! Join us on January 2 for our New Year’s Resolutions.

2019, Americana, Antiques, farmhouse, farmhouse decor, farmhouse style, flea market, Thrift shopping, thrifty decor

Farmhouse Friday: Favorite Flea Market Finds

by LumberInMyMiniVan2 Comments on Farmhouse Friday: Favorite Flea Market Finds

I absolutely love antique stores, resale stores and thrift shops. I love looking for specific things, but I also love finding random treasures too.

Recently, I found this pretty and unusual desk in a Habitat for Humanity store. For a split second, I considered buying it.

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Then, I spotted this pair of French toile chairs that would be darling in a little girls’ room.

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It made me wish I needed them. In the end, I said goodbye to the cute desk and the darling chairs and walked away.

But, I digress. I mentioned that I sometimes go in a store searching for specific items. On this trip, I was in search of a new large piece of art for our living room.

I didn’t find what I wanted, but I did find these two neat paintings.

There are a handfull of items I am always on the lookout for in a resale shop or flea market. There are a few things I love to collect and I almost never pass up. Today, I’d like to share those lovely treasures with you.

milk glass

1. Milkglass

I have several pieces of Fenton milk glass, and while most of my collection has been passed down to me from my grandparents and great grandparents, I also frequently purchase small pieces when I encounter them. I have passed on milkglass pieces just as often as I’ve purchased them, in an effort to keep my collection small.

pottery

2. Seagrove Pottery (especially blue)

I was raised in Central North Carolina, so I’m very familiar with Seagrove pottery. I remember being absolutely gobsmacked by how expensive the pottery is on Ebay, so I am always excited to find a piece for sale in a flea market or resale shop. I’ve emassed a decent collection from yard sales, thrift stores and family members.

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3. Vintage tea cups and tea sets

You can often find one or two matching cups and saucers. You can do so many cool things with these- decorate with them, make bird feeders from them, make candles with them, gift them to a friend with a box of their favorite tea…the list is endless. I use mine beside my kitchen sink to store my rings while washing dishes.

quilt

4. Vintage quilts

Quilts often cost a pretty penny. If you find a nice vintage quilt that is still in great shape, buy it! That’s what washing machines are for! If it has a small tear, you can fix it. If it’s faded, use it for a picnic blanket. Vintage quilts also make great wall hangings.

picture frames

5. Vintage picture frames

Have you ever seen vintage picture frames with the glass removed and painted with chalk paint? I’m telling you right now, you should do this! These frames would be lovely in a little girls’ room painted pink. They’d also make a lovely statement wall on a staircase. Or just a cute collage wall in a hallway. Hang them up empty or with photos in them.

Other things I love to search for are antique signs and advertisements, household items like wash boards, and old license plates. What do you love to buy from resale stores and flea markets?

2019, budget decorating, burlap, cheap decorating, decor, decor tips and tricks, decorating tips, Dollar Store crafts, fall, farmhouse decor, farmhouse style, pumpkin, seasonal, seasonal decor, shopping guides, thrifty decor

Fabulous Fall Finds at Dollar General

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on Fabulous Fall Finds at Dollar General
Fabulous Fall Finds at Dollar General

I have been itching to decorate for fall lately, and now that it’s finally September, I just might. Have you all been to Dollar General recently? They have so many beautiful fall things and for such awesome prices! There were many things I wanted to buy and I still may go back and buy them later.

This comfy fall throw is soft and I love the colors. This muted gray would be beautiful thrown over my couch.

This pretty tea towel would look great in a kitchen or a bathroom.

These cute little fall bowls are reminiscent of Rae Dunn and I am seriously considering going back and buying about six of them.

I want this cute little sign so bad. My aunt was with me at the DG and she talked about buying this and putting it in the center of a deco mesh wreath, which would be really pretty.

These pretty little metal baskets would be great in a fall vignette.

These small canvas fall signs are available in several different designs and are another thing I’m debating on going back to buy.

I’ve earmarked this cute little clock for a project I’m about to do. Isn’t it cute?

These cute little galvanized pails could be used for so many things.

I want some of these little candle lanterns.

This photo frame is so pretty. I’ve almost bought it many a time.

There were also some really cute candle holders and some fall vase fillers that I liked and didn’t get pictures of.

Which of these fall finds are you crushing on?

Tune in next week for some sweet fall wreaths!

2018, cheap decorating, crafts, decor, DIY, farmhouse, farmhouse decor, farmhouse style, Fixer Upper Inspired, junking, spring decor, summer decor, thrifty decor

From discarded basket to farmhouse planter

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on From discarded basket to farmhouse planter
From discarded basket to farmhouse planter

I found a neat looking basket in the discard pile at my job.

Yes, I trash pick. #notashamed

I liked this basket because it had feet and I liked the shape of it. It was also in great shape. I thought it would make a cute planter.

I promptly painted the basket white with some chalk paint.

I let the paint dry and painted a second coat of white chalk paint.

I then popped in some boxwoods and I thought it was perfect!

This thing would be cute with some faux apples in it for fall, or some mini gourds. I can’t wait to see how many different ways I can decorate with it!

Have you turned any trash into treasure lately? Comment and show me your projects!