A BASKET IN EVERY ROOM

Once we put Henry to bed, the first thing I do is pick up the toys off the living room rug and toss them into a basket. In a minute, the room is tidy, and a chaotic afternoon transitions to a quiet evening. While I'm not one to advocate hoarding storage containers for superfluous items, there are some daily necessities that require containment. A basket bestows warmth to a room while maintaining a practical purpose.

We have baskets in every room - some tucked into discrete corners to contain items that would otherwise be strewn across floors, becoming encumbrances to startled feet. Others are displayed haphazardly on shelves, while secretly containing sentimental notes or our stashed electronics.

Keep a large basket in your living room for blankets and pillows, or in your bedroom to crisply tuck away dirty laundry. Use another to keep piles of books within reach of a favorite reading spot. Hide mismatched toiletries in a basket where they remain easily accessible. What would elsewhere be labeled "a mess" appears quaint and endearing in a clever basket.

APPRECIATE THE EMPTY WALL

We've kept the walls in our apartment sparse. In our bedroom we have a beautiful little painting of a ship, gifted to us by my parents last Christmas. The other walls are blank because I can't bring myself to hang anything cheap in the presence of such a quality painting. But in my opinion, the windows and the little ship are enough to make the room feel cozy and complete.

I've struggled the most to decorate the wakeful areas. I've considered a gallery wall, but right now even cheap artwork isn't in the budget. So we've left a few walls completely empty. I've contemplated adding a few hooks to hang a blanket and bag or two behind my grandma's cane chair... But for now, that wall stays empty too.

While in the future we'll welcome fine paintings and Henry's scribbled masterpieces, right now "less" is the economical decision. I've had to come to terms with this, and I'm beginning to appreciate the quiet walls which give me space to think.

DECORATE WITH WHITE AND WOOD

If you're like us, you're furniture shopping has been limited to what's cheap on craigslist or available in your parent's garage. One of the great challenges of decorating on a low budget is dealing with mismatched furniture. I've found that the best way to create a sense of cohesiveness is to create a simple color foundation.

When we moved into our apartment, our landlord graciously painted over the beige walls with white. We opted for neutral rugs, and kept most accents and accessories white - with the exception of the occasional fresh bouquet.

If you have one piece in particular that especially struggles to join the crowd, move it a little to the side and give it it's own simple backdrop. You will find that even the most disparate will find their place within the room.


photo found here