Budget & Small Space Friendly Home Improvement Projects
Project #1: A clever way to hide clutter.
It may not always be evident, but even the neatest people have a clutter problem, especially if they live in New York City. Another issue for small space dwellers can be lack of storage space & shelving to actually hide the clutter.
The solution? Use a basic (and let’s face it, boring) shelving unit fitted with a custom curtain to create addition kitchen cabinet space.
What you’ll need:
1 shelving unit (cost: $30) Favorite fabric of your choice (cost: $5-10 depending on amount & type) Fabric glue (cost: $7.69) Small extendable curtain rod (cost: $12.99)What to do:
Step 1: Measure the width and height of the shelves you would like the curtain to cover. Add 5 inches to the height and 5 inches to the width. Cut fabric to this size.
Step 2: Lay fabric flat on the floor. Make a mark that is one inch from the edge of the bottom and both sides of the fabric.
Step 3: On both sides and the bottom, place a small amount of glue just below the line you have marked.
Step 4: Fold up the bottom of the fabric so that it meets the one inch mark. Press flat making sure glue is evenly distributed. Do the same on either side.
Step 5: Again, make a mark at the top of the fabric that is 4 inches from the top. Place the glue this time right along the line and fold up the fabric to meet it. Secure the fabric only along the marked line so that there is a space where the curtain rod can be placed.
Step 6: Place some heavy book on top of the fabric so that the glue can set. Let sit for at least an hour.
Step 7: Once dry, place curtain rod through the hole at the top and hang in the shelving unit.
Project #2: Painted wall design
To create the illusion of more space, choose one wall in the room and using painter’s tape trace and mark your geometric pattern. Paint over the tape with the same color as the other walls in the room. Let dry and remove the tape.
Project #3: Extra Bathroom Storage
While our new apartment is a step up in terms of bathroom square footage, we still don’t have nearly enough space to keep all of our stuff. Especially all of our towels (when a family member owns a monogram business – you’re bound to collect a lot of towels).
Enter: Wicker basket shelves.
I first got inspired to install these rustic shelves from Hollie over at I’m Busy Procrastinating. While her towels are a lot crisper, whiter and perfectly folded – I’m finding my new shelves useful for holding whatever wouldn’t fit under the sink and loving it so far!
To re-create, simply:
1. Purchase wicker baskets in your favorite color. These are two baskets from a nesting set. Keep in mind that the sturdier the basket weave is, the sturdier the shelf will be.
2. Using picture hooks secured through the back weave of the basket (two on each side), hang baskets in desired location.
