I am always looking for ways to re-purpose things in my house. I really do get a “high” from it. Nothing makes me happier than to solve an organizational dilemma using something I already own often in a new way other than what it was originally intended for. Creativity really isn’t my strong suit so sometimes it really hurts my head to figure something out but eventually I end up coming up with something. Now it’s like a game to me and I’m addicted! Many shelves, bookcases, dressers in my house have been used over and over again for different purposes. For instance, a garage sale shelving unit I found last summer has so far been used for this and this. Who knows what it will be used for next.
The one I’d like to share with you today is an old TV stand I use in my closet to create extra closet space. Many years ago I wanted somewhere to throw put my clothes from the day that I knew I was going to wear again the next day (heaven forbid I hang them up, I’m much to lazy for that!). I don’t like a cluttered bedroom and didn’t want to have to see them. This TV stand, that use to hold our TV, solved that problem for me and was given new life in my closet. Take a look:
The bottom shelf holds my laundry basket (gotta love my hot pink basket) perfectly and the space on top is the perfect shelf for me to place my sweats (that I practically live in and wear most everyday anyway) or the clothes that aren’t necessarily dirty and I will be wearing again the next day. My rule though is if I’m NOT going to wear them the next day they either get put into the laundry basket or hung up. It’s not the prettiest shelf going but you know what, it’s in my closet and it didn’t cost me any money. That makes me very happy! This works so well for me in fact that I haven’t found any reason to change it in many years and for me that’s saying a lot!
It’s all about zeroing in on the problem and figuring out a solution or system that will fit into your budget and lifestyle. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, you can create a solution with what you can afford now.
Would you agree or not agree?
Have you been able to do this in your own home?
Beth/Mom2TwoVikings says
Ya know, Laura – I was thinking about you when I was standing in Lowe’s last weekend thinking ’bout closets! LOL
Flicka’s is bare – no bar or anything. Trying to come up with a system that’s age-appropriate for her now that she can grow into but I *HATE* spending all that money on Closetmaid-esque stuff.
I’m trying to think outside the box…maybe 2 expandable rods (one the full width high and one half width low) with two of those 3-cube stands in the other half. Est. total cost: $36
Whatcha think?
Marcia says
Absolutely, I agree with you. In fact, I really don’t like spending a lot (cheap) so I make things work for very little or no money!
Organising queen and
Take charge blogs
Rebecca says
I love to re-purpose items. I’ve used an old tv stand, similar to yours, to hold a fish tank in my sons room. It was perfect height for him to have a good view of the fish & the shelf underneath held a small train set that he had. I’ve also reused boxes for storage, usually while waiting to get the item I really want. Currently I have a box in our entry way for shoe storage while I wait to get some sort of bench with cubbies or something. And I have a plastic tote next to it for items that need to go upstairs so I can make one trip rather than many throughout the day.
Twisted Cinderella says
Great idea. I love to repurpose things too. It is so much for for me.
Debi says
Oh, I can definitely relate on this one. There’s just something about finding a way to re-purpose something that leaves me feeling giddy. And as I am in the midst of changing half our house around at the moment (moving whole rooms around, that is), I’ve had lots and lots of opportunities for feeding his “high”. That really is a good use for the TV stand, by the way…you must have been thrilled to see how perfectly your laundry basket fit right in!
Sarah says
My closet is way out of the way in my bedroom. Especially when it’s cold, I hate to go shiver in there to get dressed/ undressed, so I usually get dressed in my toasty bathroom. I was ending up with 2 weeks worth of shoes in my bathroom. I now keep a bin in my bathroom for my shoes. Occasionally I’ll walk the bin back to my closet and put everything away. I’ve done the same thing with my exercise clothes that were living in my bathroom anyway waiting for me to put them on! They now have their own bin and I pick out which ones I want to wear!
Susanne says
Oh you just reminded me my closet majorly needs work. Not fair! ;v)
Great idea. Why didn’t I think of that before I gave away our tv stand. How ingenious!
Lori - Queen of Dirty Laundry says
I just love your organizing posts! They always get me thinking about what I can do with what I’ve already got.
Thanks again for putting it out there to inspire the rest of us!
Thea says
You know what? I will never stop marveling at how well you repurpose things! That’s so cool…
Lyn says
Laura,
That’s a great idea! Thank you for sharing it.
What I love about your posts is that you are so creative with what you have – I can actually “relate” instead of feeling I have to go out and spend money I don’t have to get organized!
As always, you rock. 🙂
Lyn
Corin says
Awesome idea! Thank you for sharing! We usually end up with piles of clothes that nobody remembers if they can be worn again, or they need to be washed. This will work out great! Now to clean out the closet so that the cart will fit in there… **blush**
I’ve been reading for a few weeks now, and am slowly but surely getting my house organized. Thank you for sharing such do-able ideas!
ChupieandJ'smama says
I have a microwave stand I’m using as a TV stand. I’m all about repurposing:) I gave you an award today 🙂
Maria@losninosadams says
Love that idea!! Do you use the basket for laundry or for clothes that you are giving away?
Org Junkie says
I use it for dirty clothes.
Heather says
That is great! I bought a small, cheap wooden shoe shelf for our mud room a couple of years ago. We had enough room for shoes, but we needed a spot for my hubby’s lunchbox (which is a small cooler). His shoes can be put under the shelf or on the middle shelf and his lunchbox fits right on top.
I also use my SIL’s old entertainment center to extend my pantry. It is set up in our basement and cans fit right on the shelves that were intended for video tapes and DVDs.
Tiany says
Great idea! I love it! I have been known to leave my clothes laying on our bed and hubby cant stand it!! (Also too lazy to hang it all back up again) Now you have my wheels turning and I am going to have to “repurpose” something myself! :-)I have a very similar whicker table/ dresser sitting in our garage! I think it may get cleaned off and thrown into my closet! LOL
Thanks!!!
Faerylandmom says
I agree 100%. For what it’s worth, I think you’re more creative than you give yourself credit for.
annie says
Thanks for this post Laura.
My closet is a constant hot spot.
I think because it is big and deep things get thrown in there when they shouldn’t. Kids play hide and seek in there and mess things up. I get to the point that I don’t even wear the clothes in there and just wear what is hung above the laundry area clean. Love your shelf idea. I keep Matt’s clothes together for a whole week and need to come up with a creative solution for that too, so you’ve given me lots of food for thought.
Krissy says
This is why I love your approach to organization. You don’t come from the angle of “Go spend $1 Million at Organize.com and get perfectly matching items so everything looks perfect”. I should email you a picture of my desk – I used 2 tool stands that my hubby had to add some shelving/height to my desk (I think they are for holding metal toolboxes and/or tool drawers). They are not super attractive (being all brown-painted metal) but were new and unused and are working out well for me!!
Gretchen says
What you’re doing is what my grandma calls “making do”. I love it. You’re kind of like a depression era soul in a modern year. We are all blessed to be organized by you.
Karen says
We’re using a very nice oak microwave cart (that hasn’t been used for a microwave since 2003) to hold a small television and Nintendo playsystem in my daughter’s room. There is a drawer to store games and controllers in, and 2 shelves concealed by doors underneath for her to store other toys and playthings in.
Maureen says
I HAVE to know…WHERE did you find a hot pink laundry basket?? I must have one!
Org Junkie says
I think it was from Zellers actually. It must have been on sale for me to buy a hot pink one…lol.
Candace says
Great idea!! Glad I’m not the only one wearing sweats day after day :).
Jennifer, Snapshot says
I’m so glad to hear that someone else has (and admits to) my same habit. If my casual around the house clothes aren’t dirty, I do generally throw them on the next day.
Morgan says
Where in the world did you find your laundry basket? I’ve been looking for a hot pink one and apparently they are hard to find! Please let me know, Thanks!
maureen elgar says
I have just filled 10 boxes from out of my wardrobes and 3 bags for charity so it was good to click on to you about organising. My bedroom is having a makeover and i have promised myself to try and be organised hope it lasts. best wishes Maureen in England