Each day I get comments from all of you lovely readers… and I try to answer each and every one! Last week a sweet gal named Joy commented on a little post of mine called How to Pick Your YOU Decorating Style! Here’s what she said:
We just bought our first house and I feel like we have such sparse rooms right now. We are basically working “room by room” but I am getting so antsy for it all! The guest room is currently ready to be decorated, and this post gave me much better direction (I have been ALL OVER the place with what I want in there). My husband and I just started a house blog – I’d love if you followed along and gave me some decor pointers!
Well of course I couldn’t pass up an opportunity like that! So I hopped over to her adorable new blog (the Accidental House Blog) to check out her adorable house! She and her hubby have been doing a lot of behind the scenes work (check out the peeling paint in her guest room before pictures and you’ll see how far she’s come!) after all that point her guest room is finally at the fun part… decorating! Here’s a little sneak peek at her blank slate…
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Joy asked for a bit of assistance at the end of her post:
What do you guys think? Do you have an idea for good decor in here? I’m definitely planning on a standing vanity area so the girls have an area for doing make-up and such. I’m having terrible luck finding good side tables that are under $40. Any ideas there? Oh! What about making a slightly dated ceiling fan look more aesthetically pleasing?
I love to see a blank canvas like this… it really gets the wheels turning! I think I’ll tackle a mood board for her room like the one I did for my friend Karlie a while back! They’re so much fun to make… even if they’re only within my head 😉 Today however her plea for affordable side tables caught my attention… so I thought I would put together a couple options!
Now I know we’re suppose to be good and eat our dinner first… but I never was very good at following rules… sometimes you just have to go straight for the chocolate cake! So in the spirit of dessert first I am showing my absolute favorite idea first! After that… it’s completely random! (Psst… click on the picture to find out where it came from! Alot of these ideas have tutorials!)
Hanging Side Tables!
How cool is this? Side tables that literally hang from the ceiling! They’re light bright and airy… and leave so much visual leg room! These galvanized trays are adorable… but I love the rustic wood slice option as well! Plus you could totally DIY these bad boys with a cute tray! Sign me up… I’ll take two!
Bar Carts
Ever since IKEA came out with their adorable bar carts everybody and their cat has found an adorable way to use them (except me… but don’t worry I’m working on it! Thinking craft room storage…) I particularly like the idea of a bar cart bed side table for a guest room. One word: wheels! Your guests can move it around to make more space and use it to fit their needs! Plus with all that storage space you could include the cutest “Welcome to our Home” guest room kit ever!
Stacked Suitcases
If you haven’t noticed lately vintage suitcases are kind of my thing! If you’ve checked out our living room you’ve even seen how I use them as a side table next to my living room couch! The reason I love this vintage short stack (3 pancakes right? Or is it 2…) is the adorable colors and the mirror on top! The mirror makes it functional with just a hint of glam! Plus? All that storage! Think of what you could stash in here… extra linens, seasonal clothing, old stuffed animals… the list is endless!
Wooden Tree Stump
I have seen the wooden tree stump as a side table time and time again… but since I don’t like wood looking wood it’s never called to me. These painted tree stumps are right up my ally! They’re DIY so you can make them go with any color story… and if you are in the right place at the right time you could totally make this a completely free project! Just don’t cut down your neighbors tree alright? Or if you do… don’t tell them I sent you!
Vintage Chair
Okay y’all this one is a little out there… but it makes total sense! If you have a small space (or just like the minimal look) a chair bedside table makes total sense! You can use it to store you nightly reading and glass of water… plus it’s additional seating if you need it! Anything that meets two needs instead of one is winning in my book!
Console Tables
I love console tables as bedside tables for the same reason I love dressers… they hold so much STUFF! The perk of the console table is it’s slender… so you have a large surface in an itty bitty floor space! Think how awesome this would be with a little poof tucked underneath and a mirror hanging over head. Instant tuck away vanity!
Garden Stools
I absolutely adore the metallic garden stool trend going on right now! They’re so glamorous! Plus I’m like a cat… attracted to anything that sparkles! The typical garden stool is fairly inexpensive (I’ve found the metallic ones to be a bit pricier than the normal ones… but hey we all have metallic spray paint right?) and tuck sweetly next to a bed (or chair!) I love the amount of charm they add to a room!
Floating Shelf
Okay this one is genius! It was born out of necessity… see those drawers under the bed? They need to be able to pull out… therefore a typical bedside table would be completely in the way! Therefore the floating shelf was born and just like with it’s sister the hanging shelf… I am completely smitten! Anything that leaves open floor space opens up a room so much! I love how functional it is too… a shelf and a drawer! Plus you could totally rescue an old table and fix this up… you’re going to be chopping it up so don’t worry about the condition!
Bar Stools
A re-purposed bar stool is the perfect solution for a small space… plus it covers that whole extra seating/ nightstand thing we were talking about earlier! The thing I love most about the yellow bar stool is how she wrapped the pegs with jute… instant extra shelves! So clever!
The Half Table
Do you have one night stand that you love? Or that’s just too wide for your space? Just cut it in half! Now you have two tables for the price of one… works every time!
Re-purposed Laundry Cart
Okay this is just too clever for words… find an old laundry basket (the kind with the metal bones like in the picture) and make it into a sleek modern side table! Seriously this thing looks like it could cost mega bucks! Don’t you love how inventive people can be?
Pssst… deals ahead!
While I was searching for side table ideas I came across these little beauties at Kmart… they’re available for delivery and come in different colors (white, yellow and teal!) plus they’re under thirty bucks a pop… score!
Well y’all if you made it to here you are officially my new best friend… that was a lot of side tables! Which one was your favorite? Did you like any of them Joy? Check back later this week y’all… I’m right in the middle of a killer mood board for the rest of Joy’s guest room… I can’t wait to share it with you!
Linking up with: I Heart Naptime!
Janae Smith says
Hi! Thanks for sharing these ideas! This will defiently be handy when I’m decorating my home. I found your blog through SGBC!
Janae
http://www.hiyallblog.blogspot.com
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Thanks so much for stopping by Janae! I’m so glad that you found the post helpful… I’d love to see one of these fun ideas in your home!
Liz Joiner says
I so have that Ikea cart! we use it in our bathroom so versatile, we move it in and then out of the bathroom as needed. I want to invest in a few more! And what a great way for a tree stump, we don’t have any downed trees to use though. I’m basically in love with all of these ideas! Definitely bookmarking this.
liz @ sundays with sophie
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
You’re so sweet Liz! Isn’t that IKEA cart awesome! I’ve been wanting one for a while now! Hopefully now that we’re in our new house I can find a fun place for one! 😉 The tree stumps are so much fun too… I bet with a little luck you’ll be able to find one! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Erica @ Coming Up Roses says
OK OK, the hanging tables and the bar cart are just amazing. I can’t decide which I like better…but ONE has got to make it into my next apartment!
Coming Up Roses
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
No reason you can’t have both! The bar cart is so versatile… I’ve seen it in bathrooms, kitchens, craft rooms, bedrooms, playrooms… the list goes on and on! I’m so glad you stopped by Erica!
Hannah says
I adore the chair and the floating tables! My bedside table is actually an old glass patio table that we spray painted red. Super cool post!
xoxo
Hannah
http://www.frecklesandolives.blogspot.com
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Patio tables are super cute… love that idea! I think the floating tables stole the show… although the chair is a great choice! I love how simple it is. Thanks for stopping by Hannah!
Karen Patten says
I love all of these ideas! The hanging tables were genius!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
You’re such a doll! Thanks for stopping by Karen! The hanging tables are so pretty I think I could have just posted those and had a great post!
Cynthia @craftoflaughter says
I love the bar cart!! Definitely my favorite although so many others are incredibly cute!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I completely agree Cynthia… the bar cart is adorable! Thanks for stopping by!
Rachel says
We are remodeling our house right now and these are amazing!!! I absolutely love the suitcase idea and the bar cart!
So cool that you could use the suitcases as storage for stuff you don’t want to be seen too. Bookmarking this (and pinning some!) … thank you for sharing!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I absolutely love vintage suitcases… so that pick is one of my favorites! Plus anything with extra storage is a plus in my book! Thanks for stopping by Rachel… and the pins!
Joy says
Thanks for the shout out! I should have you do a post on every blank slate room of my house! We found a little something at IKEA (of course) so once I get the finishing touches I’ll do a room tour. The hanging side tables is definitely the chocolate cake. Next I would say the floating shelves, then the tree stumps, and then the garden stools. I am definitely keeping this post as a reference. You have such and eye and awesome ideas! New blogging bestie? I think so.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I’m so glad you liked the options Joy! It was a fun post… I’m having such a fun time coming up with affordable, clean, streamlined IKEA guest room options for a guest room 😉 Can’t wait to see the finished room… although I’m still working on my own version of a mood board! I just can’t turn down a blank slate even if the finished room is only in my head! Feel free to keep asking questions… I’d love to give whatever help I can (in the form of mood boards, furniture posts, or just comments!) Can’t have too many awesome blogging besties! 😉
joni mitchell says
You read my mind. I am currently looking for nightstands but don’t want to go traditional. These are some inspiring ideas
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
It makes me so happy that you liked these! Hopefully you found a great idea for your next nightstands! Thanks for stopping by Joni!
Amberly says
What a fun way to add some character to a room!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I love homes with character… little personal touches mean everything! Thanks for stopping by Amberly!
Jessica Lasseter says
I love this! I currently have boring cheap side tables I’ve been meaning to paint for ages. I used to sell antiques, so I have a lot of vintage suitcases I can use instead. Thanks for the idea!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I’m so glad you found something that could help! Vintage suitcases make a great side table… and it’s perfect that you already own some! I love working with things we already own! Thanks for stopping by Jessica! P.S. you should check out this post by DIY Ready… she has some awesome ideas on making over vintage suitcases! http://diyready.com/7-diy-ways-upcycle-vintage-suitcases/
Stephanie says
Love these ideas! Especially the hanging ones and the tree stumps.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
So glad you liked them Stephanie! It seems like those are the two favorites… they’re so pretty! Thanks for coming by!
Fancy Free Nancy says
I’m just saying goodbye to my amazing night stand and asking hubby to cut it in half lol. Many thanks for these ideas 😀
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Haha! I wonder how he’ll take that! I loved the idea but my hubby would probably look at me like I was nuts if I asked him to cut a nightstand in half! That’s ok… you can do it! Thanks for stopping by Nancy!
Crysta says
My favorites are the bar carts and the stacked suitcases. So adorable! Our end tables are the two ends off of an old wooden desk. Fun, too!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Two ends off an old wooden desk? I would love to see that! Thanks for stopping by Crysta!
Katy says
Love those suspended tables so much! Stinking adorable! What a beautiful space you have here!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
They are cute huh? And you are so sweet! Thanks for stopping by Katy!
Chellie says
I love the suitcases! We are re-doing our bedroom, maybe I can implement that one! Lots of cute ideas here!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
They’re so easy… I bet you can find super cute ones to incorporate Chellie! Thanks for stopping by!
Allison Gallagher says
These are so fun! I’m moving into my new apartment Saturday and now I feel so inspired!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
That’s such an exciting time… having a new apartment! I’m so glad you found a little inspiration here… thanks for coming by Allison!
Nicole Keener says
I have to admit that I just fell in love with the hanging bedside tables. These are gorgeous. I cannot wait to move out of my in laws house to implement these!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
They’re just so beautiful! I feel like everyone who sees them will want a pair! Good luck with the move and thanks for stopping by!
Miranda @ Miranda Writes Blog says
I would love some hanging bedside tables! We are currently using a garden stool and a laptop table as our living room side tables. So much better than a traditional table!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
The hanging bedside tables are definitely amazing… and would be so much fun to diy! The garden stools are adorable… you must be ahead of the power curve! Thanks for stopping by Miranda!
Alex from Sew, Simmer, and Share says
Such cute ideas! I love the bar cart — lots of extra storage space for books, Kleenex, or whatever else! I feel like my bedside table is always running out of space.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I completely agree! The bar cart would be great for a small room… since you can store so much stuff on them! I never have enough room on mine… maybe I need a bar cart in the corner to catch all the over-flow! Thanks for stopping by Alex!
Mandie says
Love this!! I’m all about giving a space character 🙂
Check out this trunk I made: http://wp.me/p6sC4a-F
Would be a great nightstand 🙂
Mandie from YellowDogPinkPig.com
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
You’re right Mandie… that trunk would make a good night stand! Thanks for stopping by!
Mimi says
Oh how I love the hanging ones. My daughter’s room doesn’t really have space for traditional ones. These might be the answer.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I bet these would be adorable in a little girls room! Glad you found something you like Mimi! Thanks for stopping by!
Jazmine says
I love the stacked suit case and bar cart. Such cute ideas for bedside tables. 🙂
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I love the suitcases (I have a set in my living room!) but the bar carts are new… can’t wait to try those out! Thanks for stopping by Jazmine!
Leigh Powell Hines says
These are some great ideas. I love the garden stool one. That’s also a great price for $25.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I absolutely love the garden stool… if I could find a metallic blue one for $25 it would be in my house right now! I’m keeping my eyes peeled… one day! Thanks for stopping by Leigh!
Stacey @ Dohiy.com says
Thanks for featuring our floating nightstand! I looove the hanging ones, though, and might go there next. Great post!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
It was such an innovative idea! The hanging ones are so pretty though… and they would work great in your space! Thanks for stopping by Stacey!
Megan @ Wit & Wander says
I love these ideas! Those hanging shelves are gorgeous!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I think the hanging shelves stole the show! Everyone loved them! They’re my favorites too though… so I can’t blame y’all! Thanks for stopping by Megan (I love your instagram feed by the way!)
Gloria @ Potentially Chic says
Great ideas!!!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
You’re such a sweetheart! Thanks for stopping by!
Ashlie Langston says
Oh my!! I love the silver and wood hanging ones!! So pretty and unique!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I think hanging tables are my new favorite! Plus with wall sconces being so affordable the whole look is killer! Thanks for stopping by!
Lisa B. says
I love all the different ideas for bedside tables. I wish I had house large enough to try this in every room. 🙂 I really like the Ikea cart! Who would have thought!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Thanks Lisa! The bar cart is adorable… You should definitely get a house with 11 rooms do you can use every idea! Haha! Or just a really big room with all 11 ideas in one room! Thanks for stopping by!
Tracy Snyder says
Great post! I have been on the look out for matching night stands but I want to do a different idea on each. Now I am rethinking that whole idea. I LOVE the hanging tables!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Aren’t they cute! Plus you could totally DIY them! Thanks for stopping by Tracy… Can’t wait to see what you pick!
Alayna @AlaynasCreations says
So many unique ideas! We will be starting on a new house within the year and I can’t wait to get to the part where I get to start finding things to decorate with. Thanks for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Ohhhh just starting to decorate is so much fun… It’s a blank slate! Thanks for stopping by!