HOW TO MAKE AN INEXPENSIVE PIECE OF FURNITURE WORK IN YOUR DECOR
I recently ordered a little bench for my foyer. I didn’t pay much for it and did realize that it was not going to be a piece that would rock my decor world. But I liked the simple styling of the little bench and the color and it’s little baskets. When we (and when I say “we” I mean Bobby) put the bench together… now that should have been a hint about it’s quality… it became very evident that this piece did not even meet my minimum standard for something I would want in my home. HOWEVER, I decided to keep the bench and see if I could make it work! Sorta like a design challenge!
Okay, now that I seemingly bashed the little bench I should tell you it’s good points. LOVE the soft black and the baskets and it’s the perfect size. It’s also just what I wanted. A utilitarian piece that would give someone a seat to put on a pair of shoes or a great resting place for my friend’s purses. Do your friend’s leave their purses in your foyer like mine?
This little piece really got me thinking…
So, what do you do when you have a piece of furniture that is inexpensive or worn or not up to snuff and you have to live with it?
Actually, there is a whole lot!
1. STYLE IT
Put something pretty on or around a “less than best” piece to disguise it! A little bit of pretty can go a long long way!
My first thought was to style my little bench! I added a cute pillow and a small throw and a stack of burlap covered books. Like putting lipstick on a pig!
2. PAINT IT… UPHOLSTER IT… UPSCALE IT
Painting a “less than blessed” piece would be my first, go-to suggestion. A little bit of paint works wonders!!! Perfectly transformational. The same goes for upholstering or slipcovering a fabric piece.
The great soft black is one of the things my little bench has going for it so it didn’t need to be painted! I am going to add a little fabric seat to the bench at some point.
3. MIX IT UP… MIX IT IN!
Mix your “less than amazing” pieces with ones you love. Mixing the great and the stylish with the just okay works like magic. I love to mix high end pieces with economical ones.
Mixing up decor and price points makes for a fabulous look! Warm, inviting and your room looks like it has evolved. We all love that look!
My little black bench mixes right in with the rest of my decor.
4. REPEAT A COLOR OR THEME
Nothing pulls a room together and makes the “less than fabulous” pieces look great like repetition! Choose a color, like the black in the foyer to make everything look cohesive!
Or, choose to repeat a design element, like burlap or a great pattern to make a room work.
This “less than what I really wanted” little black bench turned out to be quite a blessing in disguise… literally! It has taught me that sometimes a sow’s ear is really a silk purse… even if you have to make it that way yourself!
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LOVE the pillow too!! Did I miss a tutorial for it???
Once again, I am amazed at how beautifully you pull everything together! Thank you for featuring one of my pillows again. You are so gifted!
Let me know if you would like to do another giveaway!
Readers may purchase that pillow here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/162066629/french-pillow-paris-france-postmark
Hugs,
Heather Elliott
Looks fabulous! I’m always amazed how you put stuff together:)
It is perfect! And yes you need a place to drop everything when you first come in or a place to sit and either put on or take off shoes. The little bench seems to blend in just right with everything else. Now, I also use the royal “we”. I’m sure somewhere in the grand scheme you had something to do with it — like handing Bobby a screw or getting him a drink. Something helpful I’m sure 🙂
Cute bench and I love your ideas. I have a bench that was just given to me and it’s not my ideal piece, but your ideas have given me some inspiration and I just might love it…it’s from my husband’s family so getting rid of it is not an option 🙂
I love this bench and the way you styled it! I have been looking for a similar bench for my small entryway. Would you mind sharing where you purchased it? Thanks!
I found it on amazon.com
Thank you! Also, I just noticed the baskets hanging on the wall above the bench! What a great idea, they look beautiful!
Oh my gosh, I love the baskets on the wall too!
Might I be so bold as to ask the source of this bench? I have a rather long entry hall and desperately need something in addition to what I already have. This bench seems the perfect solution, and now that I know how to make it look more high end, I could be good to go! Thanks.
Yes! I think it’s a cute entryway/mudroom option too. My husband and I are just starting out so inexpensive, yet stylish and functional furniture is a must! I’m also a sucker for anything soft black. Thank you, Yvonne!
You are welcome!
Thanks so much for this post. I am having the exact same kind of dilemma right now. You made the bench look like it belonged and it is the perfect size for the space it’s in. Lovely!
Absolutely beautiful and couldn’t be a better size. Where on earth did you find that cute “less than perfect” piece? I love that it has storage.
I absolutely love it!!
Yvonne, I am new to your wonderful blog and loving it!!! I love how you have plates hung on your walls without plateracks. What is the best way of hanging a plate on the wall? Thank you for taking the time to answer.
Hi Cherly,Welcome to the StoneGable family! Here is a post about the best way to hang plates: https://www.stonegableblog.com/the-best-way-to-hang-plates-on-a-wall-without-wires-or-magic/
Thanks for posting the link. That is exactly what I needed!
SO HAPPY!!!!
Looks great and I’ve done this before. I remember years ago I did painting on a TV stand that didn’t please me. By the time I finished it looked fantastic
Cindy
“Lipstick on a pig” gave me my first chuckle of the morning! This is a great reminder that everything we use doesn’t have to be expensive. Yvonne, I used your tutorial to cover the bottom of one of my trays in burlap and just LOVE it! I live in Memphis, TN, and we have nearly baked for the past few weeks and it’s not over. I’m SO READY for fall and am going to use my tray on my den coffee table this year. Covering some books comes next! I can’t tell you how much I have learned about creating kitchen vignettes from you. No more floral arrangement or candles on my breakfast room table for me! I have dishes coming out my ears, so that’s what I have now seasonally on my table. So many thanks to you for being willing to share. I can’t wait for your tutorial on how to cover the top of your candlesticks with burlap. Happy Thursday to you!
Martha
Martha! You made my day! I just want to help and encourage and inspire people to LOVE their homes and make them a sanctuary for them and their families. YOU GO GIRL!
I think it works perfectly in your foyer! Like others I’m curious where you purchased the bench from. The bench is really cute but the basket storage underneath just knocks it out of the park for me.
You go girl! I have a bench similar to that and I followed some of your tips!
Happy day!
karianne
Coming from you… what a compliment!
lovely ways to make it work my fiend. I invite you to share at my Thursday hop ( you can link up through Saturday at midnight) xo
Your bench looks cute and a great looking pillow. . You made it look great in your foyer..
Have a great day.
Your foyer is beautiful! The bench is just right. I have always loved the head chairs at your dining room table. The whole room is perfect. I love it all. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us.
Great tips! The bench looks good all styled up!
Best,
Michelle from simplysantabarbara.blogspot.com
Hi Yvonne ~
I have the same bench ~
I love it – it sits in my entryway – I live in a condo, so space is limited – we use the baskets for our shoes. Surprisingly I get a lot of sandals in the baskets. My husband can only get one pair of sneakers in his side.
I covered a piece of foam with black & white check material and found a cute little pillow that reads “Just one more kiss – I covered the back of the pillow with the same black & white check material – it came out so cute.
Have a wonderful day
Rose
Very lovely, I like how you recycle old pieces and bring them to life. I am at at age however, were I yearn for a less cluttered look .
I want things more on a clean simple design and look. I feel when a room is too embellished with articles than lend no value other than it becomes one more article for me to dust and fuss over it all makes me over exhausted just being there, and over stimulates my senses…but that is just my personal taste.
Your place as mentioned earlier is just charming .
Good Morning,
I love the burlap A-Z fabric — where did you find it?
I think the bench looks very nice.
I am also glad to see you use something that you feel is inexpensive to make the room pop.
Sometimes we get way too caught up in what things cost instead of how they will work in our design world.
I work with people on budgets all the time and although it is challenging to get a nice look, I think it can be accomplished with a bit of searching for the right piece.
I think you have used the little accent piece well, and love the choice of your pillow and the covered books ground the piece very well.
Keep up the good work, and happy decorating. 🙂
I love your post and just wish i could visit your house just once and leave my purse on that bench! It is beautiful
Love your ideas.
Love the little black dress views, wants to make me redo every room in my home
Can you tell what kind of paint you recommend on furniture and what color or shade of black this is?
Hi Brittany, my favorite furniture paint is Amy Howard’s One Step. Go here to see all her gorgeous colors! Her paints have no LOC’s and smell like vanilla because they are infused with essential oil. And they do not feel chalky. You will love them.