For instance, the new-to-us bench in our living room operates as a child safe coffee table, a storage unit for magazines and toys, and a comfortable place to rest our feet while watching TV. Is it what I would have purchased for the space, look-wise? No. Is it exactly what this space needs nonetheless? Yes.
Today, I thought I would share the thought process I have when I'm picking a piece for our house. As we have slowly turned our house into a home, I have come across many situations that have stretched my design eye, my pocketbook, and my creative side. I want to talk about how I balance all of those things and how I prioritize to create a space that works for our family. Let's use the ottoman as an example.
First: Clearly identify the issue and the goal(s) you have.
Within our living room space, I originally had an old metal and wood trunk (please excuse the Christmas photo...it is the only one I could find with the trunk in it!). While it served the purpose that I wanted it to (i.e. a rustic and pretty coffee table with storage) it also was a hazard to our little boy who is becoming more and more mobile. Those metal corners are not child friendly. So, I decided it was time for a change and that I should be on the look for something to replace it. After much thought, I concluded that something with storage, coffee table capabilities, and child friendly aspects, would be the piece for us.
Second: Peruse Pinterest/ magazines for, talk with friends about, or just sit down and brainstorm possible ideas.
Think about your goal and evaluate various options based on your goal. Keep in mind, you may not be able to find the perfect piece. You may have to sacrifice one less important aspect for another. For us, the child friendly side of things was our number one goal. After reading a few blogs and thinking about what would work best for us, I concluded that some kind of padded storage ottoman would be nice. I liked the idea that it was padded (good for a toddling baby), it had a compartment for hidden storage (which would be great for not-baby-friendly things), and it also could be used as a coffee table (just throw a decorative tray on top and a drink-worthy space would be created). I wasn't sure exactly how it would look, but I left that part unanswered and started my search.
Third: After you have decided on a piece that will work for you, look, look, look and keep an open mind!
This is my favorite part. While it may be a bit time consuming, it is fun to finally find what you are looking for! Be patient, trust me, you will find it! While keeping your goals in mind, it's also important to think about size and material of your desired object. For instance, we couldn't have anything that was too big to fit in front of our couches and we had to make sure it was the proper height too. I also wanted something well made that could endure the beating of children and dogs.
Around the time that I started looking, my parents redid their bedroom and decided that they didn't have room for the bench that was previously at the end of their bed. My mom offered it to us and I couldn't refuse! It had storage (both open and hidden storage), it could work for a coffee table (if I put a tray on top), and it was a good size and seemed to be well made. Plus, it was free. Thanks mom and dad!
Let's recap. Looking to fulfill a specific need in your space? First, identify that need and clearly articulate the goals that you have for your future piece. Second, search high and low for inspiration. I love using Pinterest, magazines, blogs, and friends for this part. Nothing beats having a lot of options. Finally, after you have decided what you would like, search high and low for the piece. Keep your goals in mind and remember to be creative and flexible! You never know what might work for your space.
What are some of your favorite creative solutions? I love seeing what people come up with to fulfill a need within their space.
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