We’re entering into a season where everyone becomes more aware of how fortunate they are and starts to count their blessings. A time of thankfulness and contentment.
In this time of reflection and thanks, I feel very fortunate for all I’ve been given. I try to appreciate all that I’ve been given and while I enjoy shopping as much as the next girl, right now I really don’t need anything. I may want things but I don’t need anything.
Acknowledging the difference between needs and wants is especially important when trying to teach lessons to my daughters. One lesson that we try to instill into the over and over again is not only thankfulness but contentment – being happy with what they have because there is always someone less fortunate than they are.
Instead of buying something new, I like to analyze whether or not something can be repurposed first. While it may seem like the American way, when you make the choice to repurpose or design something, you’d be surprised at all of the unique and creative ways you can imagine for things.
This summer I received the Sauder 3 Shelf Bookcase in the jamocha finish and have really loved all the organization and functionality it’s provided to our home. But once you’ve started using a piece in a particular area of for a particular purpose for any amount of time, you often forget that it can be used in other ways.
While the bookcase works well for organizing lunch boxes and craft supplies, I knew there were other ways we could utilize this area to make it both attractive and functional. The jamocha color is beautiful, but to give it a custom flair I used a self adhesive shelf liner to cover the back wall of the bookcase. I love how easy it was to decorate and how much extra depth and interest it creates! You could also use some fun wrapping paper and double stick tape to achieve a similar effect!
By adding artwork, decorative pieces, a plant, and colorful baskets, I was able to transform this piece yet again into a hub of another sort. With the help of some baskets, I’m able to stash diapers, blankets, and more in plain sight while allowing them to be readily accessible throughout the day!
With Halloween decorations making their appearance and more entertaining on the horizon, this month I’ve challenged myself to mix things up with this one piece of furniture and see how it can function in other ways.
At 5, Cakes is very much into art and projects so for my first revamp of the bookcase I decided to feature some of her art work and make a seasonal statement at the same time. We don’t have a fireplace so our mantle has become the top shelf of the bookcase and I used festive bat lights, pumpkins, candles, clearance decorations and my daughter’s art to really it up and make it our own.
And I love that with the same furniture piece, I can turn this into a seasonal display for the major holidays. Decorating for the holidays just makes the time more magical and fun for kids!
Looking for more ideas on how to use furniture pieces in multiple ways? Check out my Pinterest board for some creative new ideas!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Sauder. The opinions and text are all mine.