Kitchen Pantry Makeover

When we downsized 3 years ago, we felt the house had good bones on the most part. I say “on the most part” because the kitchen didn’t have a pantry in the kitchen, but instead there was was what I would have considered a hall closet which was located inside what we are calling the living room. It’s probably because the space we are using as a living room was separated into a small living room and formal dining room thus a closet as a pantry could be considered off the formal dining room.

We have since added a small pantry inside the kitchen in the breakfast nook area but it wasn’t big enough to provide much storage. Back in November I started researching on YouTube and Pinterest what others have done to organize their pantry. I began visiting Dollar Tree, thrift shops, 99 Cent Stores, Tuesday Morning and picking up containers to create general categories of items. I also purchased some chalkboard stickers and tags for labeling.

In January my husband went away for a few days which was the perfect time to pull everything out, go through items and get rid of anything with an expired date.

Here is where I started.


This is where I ended up. The empty spot is where my Instant Pot now lives.

Containers Labels: Bags, Kitchens Accessories, Seasonings, Snacks, Nuts and Seeds, Produce, Bags, Grains, Beans, Extra, and Paper Towels


t

It’s now been 5 months since I did this project and I only wish I had done this project years ago because….

  • my cupboards have consistently remained organized
  • seeing what I have on hand or need to replenish is easy
  • allows my husband ease in finding items or putting them away
  • the large tub for Extras provides a sealed space to store items that come in large bags from Costco, etc.
  • placing measuring cups and directions with storage containers for rice and quinoa expedite cooking
  • storing larger items that aren’t used often in the back of deeper shelves is a good use of these space. The front part of the shelf can be used for what is needed most often.
signature

Downsizing – Spare Bedroom 1 – Exercise

Now that the holidays are over, I am putting some time into completing Part 2 of the Spare Bedroom Makeover Series.  This room is used for several purposes – Library, Exercise and Sewing.  If you missed Part 1 – the Library, you can find it HERE.  

Since we’ve moved into the house, this room’s primarily purpose was a space for me to exercise.  My goal was to create a space that not only reminded me to exercise (one reason the weight rack is left out in the open), but allowed me to play a streamed or DVD workout, and have my equipment handy but mostly unseen.  

Again I found pieces around the house and purchased second-hand that when given new paint and hardware brought them to life.  When choosing pieces, the storage the pieces could provide was key.

The first step was to remove a solid oak entertainment center we had brought with us when we moved.  It was too large for the room and would later be donated to a thrift store.  We tried to sell it, give it away but there were no takers.  Sometimes you just need it gone so you can move on.

I purchased this piece for $50.00 from a young mom who was trying her hand at repainting furniture.  When I got it home, I went to clean it and the Windex took the paint completely off since a sealer hadn’t been applied.  My blue piece now had a gaping black circle. There was a moment when I thought “Well, that wasn’t the best purchase I’ve ever made.”  But soon Plan B was formed and I was heading to the store to choose a color of chalk paint.  I find this the hardest part – what color????  I chose a color that looked like a favorite pair of soft denim jeans.


I also pulled a wobbly metal file cabinet we have had for over 20 years out of the den (hmm! would the chalk paint adhere to metal?) 

Yeah!  The paint adhered beautifully.  New hardware was added.  To add a little height and stabilize the cabinet from rocking, I picked up some wooden toy wheels and painted them.  Jeff was able to screw them to the bottom.  I added foam pads to protect our hardwood floors.


Here are the pieces painted with new hardware.  I found a light that happened to have unfinished wood and a shade that had a similar blue.  The picture was a $10 find from Offer Up.  There is still room for my laptop and having the enlarged monitor is nice when I’m utilizing a streamed or DVD workout.


I was able to store my workout DVD’s and my step risers inside.  The file cabinet has binders that hold written workouts and also sewing information (I will talk more about that in Part 3)

I also bought a few small bottles of chalk paint in other colors for accent pieces.  What a difference painting the wood on the lamp brown made.  All of sudden it blends in with the picture frame as well as other elements in the room.

I was able to place my stability bench in the closet as well as the bottom part of my step bench.


An exercise tubing with handles is attached to my door along with towel holder.

Two bottom shelves of the library bookcase are used to house assorted plastic containers to hold miscellaneous exercise equipment.  I used some of the blue paint to paint the containers so they matched the furniture.  

I have an inexpensive dorm rug in this room which gives a little extra cushion to my exercise mat.  When the mat is not in use, it is rolled up and tied with a piece of ribbon and stored behind the file cabinet along with my foam roller.

My workout clothes and shoes, headband, hair ties are stored in a cloth bin so all I need to do is pull it down and get dressed.   I also have a bag packed with gym card, iPod, headphones, toiletries, flip flops, and makeup that is stored behind the gray library chair.  Having this packed and ready to go helps me eliminate excuses for early morning workouts when I want to head to the gym, shower and then head straight to work.

My workout clothes storage bin is stored on top of the library bookshelf.

I am pleased as punch with the exercise area of this room.  It is well equipped, functional and best of all except for my weight rack, the room doesn’t feel like a workout room unless it is in use.

Estimated Cost of the Exercise Portion – $200.00 

Related Posts

Downsizing – Kitchen Makeover

signature

Picture Makeover for Holidays

I am constantly looking for ideas that provide functionality and decor options as we continue to settle into our smaller home. 

I’ve wanted something to put over the buffet that had a Christmas theme but haven’t come across the print, size or dollar amount I wanted.   Plus I didn’t want another picture to store.  Then  I got the idea of covering the existing picture that hangs in this area with holiday gift wrap to provide a blank slate.  I’m pretty happy with how this project came out.


This is the picture I removed from the wall.


I used a good quality wrapping paper and blue painters tape to adhere.


My goal was to be able to use the bow and letters over each year and also not damage the picture  underneath.  Using a piece of jute in the corner (I glued with a bit of hot glue on each end) allowed me to tie the bow onto the jute instead of gluing the bow directly onto the paper.


I purchased 3 wood letters from Hobby Lobby and a $1.99 bottle of red chalk paint.  

Two coats of red, then a clear wax and finally a dark wax layer and they were ready to be adhered.  


I chose this product to adhere the letters to the paper.  They worked great.


Bow and letters attached.

Why I love this idea?

  • The roll of wrapping paper can be used for many years to come.
  • The only storage will be the bow and letters.
  • The motif can be easily changed up,
  • JOY – Jesus Only You is perfect to sit above the manger scene I’ve had since childhood.
  • It’s easy and fast.
  • Can be used for other holidays
  • It’s frugal.
signature