I had a nice black bookshelf in my office. For the first few weeks it looked like this.
Pretty piles of fabric, colorful ribbon neatly organized, all my favorite trinkets delicately placed together. Dear Etsy, please come take photos of my beautiful shelf for your featured office space--it's so charming.
Then it started looking like this. The truth is, I don't do crafts in this office. We decided I needed a writing office void of shipping boxes, hot glue droppings and overflowing boxes of trim and fringe. I'm so totally spoiled that we actually have an extra room where my husband and I both store our stuff--his books and my fringe. 
At first I thought the solution would be to move the shelf where it could be visible to anyone who walked in the house. I hoped that would keep me accountable and force me to not let the shelf clutter get out of hand for fear of embarrassment. I figured out that I have no shame and I am not embarrassed in the least by a cluttered shelf. Seeing the clutter simply drives me crazy.
The problem was, I really didn't USE anything on the shelf in that space. I just liked that stuff. All I really needed was a place to organize papers. I didn't need magazines and crystals and dominoes and an unopened box of books.
And, to top it off, I had a problem area in my house where I actually NEEDED to use the shelf.
It was time to edit and delete. Actually, it was more like cut and paste. I can't wait to show you where this shelf was actually needed. I can't believe I could have been actually using this shelf in a way that really helped our family stay organized. It was being wasted in my office. I really dreaded moving it because if it didn't work I didn't want to have to move it back but it was SO worth it.
Do you have a piece that you are not using to it's full potential? Maybe it's the solution to a problem in another room.
My Favorite Design Trick :: Cut and Paste
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57 comments:
I have a piece like that, a HUGE custom built armoire that I used to store all my scrapbooking stuff in. When we move, it's gonna be the entertainment unit. The one I have is just not big enough for the big wall it'll have to go on.
Can't wait to see where you ended up putting it!
That is so smart! Yes, it takes a while to put all the pieces in their proper order, and isn't it great that you found your solution without spending anything? Love it when that happens!
I love that shelf. its pretty. Since we downsized when we moved into the rental, there isn't enough space in the family room. My coffee table is on wheels. Even though there is carpet in the family room, the table still ends up scooted to the far right corner, or completely turned around, or in some random weird angle. that would be fine if there was space to walk around it! there is an ottoman that belongs with the chair in the way.So...I moved the ottoman to the bedroom, put it in a corner and threw a bunch of pillows on it!! PERFECT. its pretty and its extra seating;) now the coffee table has enough room to roam the living room as it pleases!
I am getting ready to paint and move four 8-foot-tall bookshelves from my basement upstairs to our playroom. I CANNOT TELL YOU HO WMUCH I AM DREADING IT for the same reasons you mentioned! But I know it will be worth all the effort once I'm done. It's just The Getting Started that's so hard.
That's a beautiful piece! I can't wait to see what you do with it. I have a few things like that around the house I need to get going on them.
Yep, I have a TV cabinet in the den with no TV in it. Instead it just collects fabric and crafts and random office supplies and whatever else. It would be useful in my office space, but I just can't bring myself to move it because I like to use the top for decorative arrangements in the living room.
It's a beautiful bookcase can't wait to see where it ends up. I did just have a vision of it being turned on it's side & used as cubbies with hooks for coats.
Have fun cutting & pasting.
Oh, you little teaser,you. But...I loved that shelf in your office with all the little crystals that weren't needed on those shelf. They just made you look so posh (which you are, of course :)
i have a huge china hutch w/glass shelves. It's been housing my china doll collection that I've wanted down for years but didn't want to hurt my moms feelings, SO..I finally boxed them up and was going to just get rid of the hutch on Craigs list for cheap. Now, I may move it into our school room and use it for books, but did I mention the shelves are glass and yes, the boys, and the friends boys have already taken bats to them (accidentally, of course)? Yep....well, I guess if any more break, I can just put a piece of wood there instead and paint it. It's gorgeous and now the thought of just getting rid of it doesn't seem right.
Show Me! Show Me! Did you turn it on it's side?? Put baskets in it for shoes or toys? Hurry!
I have had that happen before, and am always surprised that I never thought of it before. I can't wait to see where you've put it; sounds like it really worked out well!
I love your office. I wish I was a decorating savant like you. Am I the only one who noticed those gorgeous bird tassels on that bookshelf? I want to buy them!
I think I have the opposite problem at the moment, not enough pieces that I "need". You have a way of keeping us in suspense, cant wait to see where the shelf ended up.
Your office is laid out almost exactly the same as mine and I too have a shelf like that holding all my bits and pieces of what not. Unfortunately it is built into the wall so I can't move it. But it needs some maja organizing. Your office posts had me cleaning my office last night before I went to bed! Thanks!
You made me think of a recent change here...I took some quick pics and posted them.
I can't wait to see how you've repurposed the shelf!
LOVE that bookcase! Do you remembe where you bought it? I can't wait to see where it ends up!
Ugh-yes! I have an antique hoosier cabinet in my dining room that I hate there! It's full of candles, picture frames, holiday platters and paint samples and never gets used. It's blocked by the highchair and just sits in the corner-sad. lol. I've been itching to use it elsewhere but have no clue yet where it wants to live...
I am ALWAYS moving things around or giving furniture a new purpose.
This was esp. true with the arrival of our newest babe last year. It's crazy how one little person adds a rediculous amount of 'stuff' that needs to be contained/organized and also forces other things in the house to be re-shuffled as well.
I could use a nice big book shelf like that in our living room, for actual books! ;) The bookshelvels that used to house grown up books in our previous apartment are now in both our boy's rooms to hold books and toys and now ours are 'shuffled' around the rest of the house! HA!
it's so easy to forget that a piece in the living room could really help you out in the guest room, when that furniture has always been in the family room. i can't wait to see where it's going and what it's gonna be doing for y'all!
I love to "cut and paste." It's so refreshing to be able to move something I already have and actually use it like I should in another space!
Can't wait to see where it ended up. Love your blog. Hugs, Bobbi Jo
can't wait to see where it ends up. i can't take the suspense!
I need to some "cutting and pasting" all over my house.
Yes! A console in my entryway. Used to fit between the beds in my son's room in our previous house, but doesn't fit in the new room.
So...it is on my list of items to repurpose and make use of all its storage potential. One of these days!
Janell
I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with.
Can't wait to see where it went!
Storage is always needed. I can't wait to see where you put it. Hugs, Marty
I'm guessing you're going to hang it sideways some how, some where (not that you've asked for guesses... gosh I'm bossy, huh?). ANYHOW - I have an ENTIRE house of funiture no used to it's full potential!! I can't wait to see what you do!!
Don't ya just LOVE it when you figure something out like that? I recently did something similar with a hutch in our dining room. Um...yeah. It mostly had cookbooks on it because I have a TON of cookbooks! Anyway, I redid the hutch and am now using it for my cream colored plates and cups - and for some storage on the bottom. It's not quite finished, but I just felt refreshed or something after figuring it all out! And YOU were my inspiration, Nester! (Well, and Martha Stewart, too! ;-)
I'm constantly seeking out ways to reorganize our home and most of these projects include ways to get us out the door quicker on school mornings. I've created a little spot near our back door complete with sock basket for the lil one, shoe basket for all, backpack hook and key hook. It works so well for us!
Can't wait to see what you're doing wtih that shelf.
Can't wait to see the finished product! Actually, my mom gave me an old dresser awhile back and I wasn't doing anything with it. So I finally painted it, replaced the old hardware with new silver knobs from Target, and it now houses our linens. :)
So I just found your blog. Wow, no wonder you have so many followers! Love the tour of your rental. I also love to decorate, homeschooled for the last few years, and I'm renting. You have fabulous ideas! I'm definitely going to follow. Come and see me at the town square!
this post was just what I needed to read today! I love your thoughts on clutter, and the best is the last picture, your shelf there on its way to the new home. suspense :) I cant wait to see your good ideas. thanks nester
nester
please help
it looks like you have the same table in your office space as i have in my kitchen....but my table top drives me nuts as it looks AWFUL...and since its in the kitchen i look at its AWFULNESS all day...did you paint yours? are you glad? can you give me some tips? it looks like mine has some dorko finish on top that sometimes seems to rub off...never looks great even when polished
help...
surely you can see my pitiful white flag waving...
I need something like this in my kitchen. Stat!
oh don't even get me started ! but the answer is YES...OH YES !!
The wall in the breakfast room? The laundry room? The front porch? The deck? Can't wait to see what you did!
I am so like this- fix up a space and then before long- messy comes to visit!
Can't wait to see what you did with the shelves!!
blessings
mary
I think I have 5000 pieces I have in rooms that need to be in other rooms. Decisions decisions!
Tease. LOL.
You've got me moving stuff around repurposing and reusing. Keep up the inspiring posts.
Thanks bunches.
Great idea! It is so smart to use space to your needs instead of what is expected.
XOOX
Jen
I, too, have recently moved a piece of furniture to another room. Much more attractive and everyone can now see it!
Just found your lovely blog...thanks to tinsel & company. I am so happy to have found you...I honestly don't know how I have missed you! Anyways your shelf unit does look lovely...I am off to read some more of your lovely blog!
I feel that way about the dresser from our guest room. It held seasonal clothes and gift wrap, but it works so much better downstairs for office supplies, phone books, files, etc. and the bottom drawer is great for our diapering supplies, since our son is too old for the changing table anymore.
Can't wait to see where that shelf migrated to.
The suspense is killing me!!! I am the same way... can't work with visual clutter. It wasn't until I finally got my own office, with a shelf-lined wall filled with all my favorite things that I figured that out. Closed cabinets were the solution for me! And table skirts to cover up everything under my tables. (Now I just hot glue them, thanks to you!) Blessings!!!
Ok, where are you putting this shelf and how are you using it? The suspense is killing me!!!
I have several pieces in my house that just "aren't" in the right place, but I get a block and can't think of anything to do to fix it! That's when I visit blogland for inspiration! Thanks for all your inspiration!
Great design tricks huh. I love it.
Deirdre Gonzales
Can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve!
I can't wait to see! We have been in our home 2 1/2 years now. Son is off to college and one whole floor is no longer needed and really very lonely. I'm thinking about "cutting and pasting" in several places to make our home more user friendly. Timely post for me.
I love a good bookcase! I look forward to seeing what you do with it!
I gave you the Honest Scrap Award today... see my blog for details!
I NEED a black bookcase just like that. Where did you find it? And may I ask how much you paid? ;)
TIA!
Oh I can't wait to see where the shelf ends up!! When do we get to see?
I just spent a week moving furniture from one end of the house to the other...and then some pieces went back to the original spot. I'm shocked my hubby puts up with me.
Oh the suspense! Can't wait to see where your bookshelf works its magic.
My spaces always start off organized...for a day!!! Can't wait to see where you put it.
I have made my old furniture look new again by just moving it (or them) to other rooms. It's always very exciting.
you sound so excited by it all so I'm dying to see where it goes lol...love your blog and I have a giveaway on my blog you may like x
I just filled an glass gallon jar (from dill pickles, we eat a lot!) with a bunch of spools of thread I got at an auction for a dollar! Now I have more room in my kitchen cupboard and a fun way to see - and hopefully use - my lifetime supply of thread!
Please please please-show us where it lives now and what you did with it!! On pins and needles here! ha ha
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