I love creating dreamy tablescapes and environments – keyword “creating.” I’m always dreaming up ways to use common items in beautiful ways. I feel the most accomplished when I make something great out of something unlikely, and that’s why I want to share some of these goodies with you today! Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, decorating your space, or planning a wedding or event, you should leave with something good!
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Decorate with mirrors. If your space is small, you’ve found the right solution. Mirrors really can maximize your space and make it feel and appear larger. They’re great for highlighting any light that’s already in the room, and they’ll always blend with any space.
- Create Wall Art – Using a chalk marker, letter out a quote or draw a floral design. It looks great, and it’s easily removed with Windex.
- Event Signs – Same concept as the wall art – write in a welcome sign for a wedding or a party!
Collect glass bottles and vases. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna talk to you about Mason jars or glass Coke bottles! I save every unique piece of glass I can find – Italian soda bottles, olive oil jars, and my favorite – kombucha bottles! I love the amber tinted glass that kombucha and iced coffee bottles tend to have. I love showcasing single blooms, or using a variety of heights and widths on a tabletop to really give it dimension.
Two tips for using recycled glass bottles / containers:
- Getting the labels off can be a horrendous effort! I soaked and scrubbed to no end before I discovered this LEGIT hack. Lemon (or any other citrus) essential oil will take any sticker residue right off! Just massage a drop of the oil around the bottle and then wash it off in the sink – it’ll all be completely gone!
- A good high-heat dishwasher session with all your newly-found vases will really bring that sparkle to life.
Use books as decor props. I’m so sorry, but I’m just not a book person, and I don’t like the cluttery library look… but having said that, I loooove matching books! Sry book people, just skim over the next sentence – but I buy books based on their color scheme (lol). I use them everywhere – shelving, kitchen countertop, end tables, etc!
I have a couple approaches when it comes to books:
- Do a color block or color gradient. I love to pick up on accent colors in a room by creating little collections of matched books. If it’s too hard to find the same color, doing an ombre is an easier bet! I have a book gradient going on in my kitchen.
- Stack books pages facing forward. (Sorry librarians). This makes all of your books match, and it’s an easy way to go with a neutral look in a room. Good luck if you’re actually trying to read them all, though (lol).
Everything looks better in glass. Rice. Flour. Laundry soap. Spare change. Cotton balls. Earrings. Use thrifted glass jars to store your pantry items an airtight and simplistic way. Little glass bowls are great for jewelry or bedside trinkets. Cup sized glass bowls/jars are super easy for chunking spare change or storing bath salts and Q-tips. Unless you have a 2 year old, then sorry!
Dried flowers & greenery. I’ve found that the “filler” flowers and greenery that you find at your local market usually make the prettiest pieces once they’re dried out! Enjoy them fresh, and then flip them upside down in a closet for a few days before you enjoy them forever!
Anything can be a flower vase. Just kidding. But two of my favorites for a big bundle of fresh flowers are pretty pitchers and empty candle jars. For the record, this makes saying goodbye to your favorite used-up Anthropologie candle so much easier!
Whether you find some of these items around your house or you take a little thrifting adventure (tips on thrifting coming soon!), these little hacks are easy ways to add charm without taking away too much from your wallet. Holla!
