Home Updates | Savvy Storage


Living in our apartment we’ve had to become pretty creative with our storage options (you seriously don’t want to see what’s under our bed) and since we just re-signed our lease for our third year we are looking to do a little updating!!  There are two specific areas we’re hoping to spruce up! With storage space being a luxury here – hopefully with a little digging and your recommendations we can add, not take away any space!  






Sofa Table


The main source of contention is the back of the couch. We have enough space for something a little bigger, since we currently just have an over-sized ottoman that serves as storage. I love the idea of there being shelves and using the bins as storage, but I’m not sure it’s the best solution. I found this and this at Ikea and with some measurements – might be a good fit! 

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This is ideally what I’m going for, but not sure our couch is tall enough. 

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Bar Carts

This is sort a new idea we’ve been throwing around. Currently we have a leaning bookshelf that stores some of the odd’s and ends in our kitchen {cookbooks, wine bottles, liquor} and we figured out that by moving the bookshelf into our bedroom and getting a bar cart, would not only add storage, but change up the look of the entire kitchen! Mind you – we’re not talking a large space here – the kitchen feeds into (pun intended) the living room for the open-concept we all love!! This one is completely out of budget – but so pretty! I’m also loving the idea of a acrylic one like this

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{viaand I’ll take the wallpaper too}

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This print will have to be purchased regardless of what option we choose! And then can you even imagine all the fun I’ll have buying cute little things for said bar cart!? 

We’re not looking to break the bank since this isn’t our forever home – so pieces that can be easy to DIY or aren’t as expensive are ideal in our situation! 

I’m also in love with this night stands – but that’s another post…

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How do you feel about redecorating? What would you do to add more storage space?

Linking up with Annie and Natalie




xo,

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56 Comments

  1. Stacy G
    July 31, 2014 / 12:05 pm

    Hey!! I LOVE this post. These are my favorite types of posts to see on blogs. I could look at home tours for hours! I love both of the storage cubes. I would die to have a bar cart, but my children would surely ruin it haha. I have open shelving in my kitchen and I display my pretty glasses and straws and cookbooks and things up there where they are safe. That print is adorable and those nightstands are amazing. They have the same style in Land of Nod in different colors and they are sooooo pretty. I am pretty sure that Veronika that writes the blog Veronika's blushing did a DIY style campaign dresser or nightstand on her blog before. Check it out. I'll try to find the link for you later! XO

  2. Unknown
    July 31, 2014 / 12:19 pm

    Stopping by from the link-up. I love the sofa table idea! We hope to build in the next year or so and I don't want to feel restricted by design options…meaning I don't want to nix a plan I love just because there isn't a wall for the couch AND love seat. Thanks!

  3. Elle Sees
    July 31, 2014 / 12:35 pm

    obsessed with bar carts. i have no room for one, but man do i want one! can't wait to see the final results

  4. Karly @ What Karly Said
    July 31, 2014 / 12:40 pm

    I absolutely love all these ideas and updates you're thinking of! Bar carts are my obsession – we don't have the space for one, but rest assured that when we own our own home, there will be one in our kitchen or dining room!

  5. Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often
    July 31, 2014 / 12:48 pm

    I love the styling of the dark wood one, but I do like the look of the crispness of the white. A bar cart is so fun and it can always move with you.

  6. Kristen
    July 31, 2014 / 12:50 pm

    i love the ideas! i love the sofa table idea, our sofa backs up to a wall though, womp womp. It's a great way to separate rooms though. I really like the idea of bar carts but not quite sure what I would use one for, and the cats would eventually destroy it or take it over as another sleeping spot.

  7. Kathy@MoreCoffeeLessTalky
    July 31, 2014 / 12:51 pm

    you can pretty much repurpose anything into a bar cart; you just have to screw on the wheels!! look for garage sales for older furniture that you can clean up or even CL for that stuff.

    -kathy
    Vodka and Soda

  8. Pink and Fabulous
    July 31, 2014 / 1:04 pm

    These are all amazing!I am already pinning a ton! I am SO glad we got our bar cart! It is my favorite piece we have because you can do so much with it!

  9. Carly
    July 31, 2014 / 1:08 pm

    I think the first pin is one of my favorites– I just love that entire space! It sounds like a bar cart would look great in your kitchen area and you're so right about a small change making a big difference in a space! Our bedroom is the biggest place we need to really revamp!

  10. Becky M
    July 31, 2014 / 1:13 pm

    I love bar cart items! It's one of the reasons I opened my etsy shop because I love making them! All your inspiration pics are gorgeous, and that print will look great!

    madeintheshadeblog.com

  11. Pamela {Sequins and Sea Breezes}
    July 31, 2014 / 1:19 pm

    Obsessed with those bar carts! And I love the storage behind the couch thing. Currently my couch is against a wall but if it's ever out in the open I'm definitely doing that!

    <3, Pamela
    sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com

  12. Unknown
    July 31, 2014 / 1:25 pm

    I love the first storage solution behind the couch…and I've been dying for a bar cart for a long time. I found an old changing table that I plan to convert into one. That will be a fun project and I'll definitely share it on my blog when I do it!
    -Morgan
    California To Carolina
    The Gym Bunny

  13. Ashley
    July 31, 2014 / 1:38 pm

    Yes on the bar cart and especially with that print! I can't wait until Brian and I move into a new place and I get to re-decorate again!

  14. Brittany @ Perpetually Daydreaming
    July 31, 2014 / 2:01 pm

    Great inspiration photos! Love the bar carts of course and that's great that you have room for a sofa table! We have an Ikea expedit (with the bins) and I love it! It can hold so much stuff. Good luck and I can't wait to see the after pics!

  15. Cait | Home Sweet Ruby
    July 31, 2014 / 2:09 pm

    Love that first white storage option! I wish we had room for one of those in our place, the baskets are so cute and hold a ton of stuff! Also those nightstands are totally doable! I painted our Ikea Rast nightstands and changed out the knobs all in one weekend!

  16. Caroline @ Windy City Chic
    July 31, 2014 / 2:16 pm

    I like the gold bar carts, and those small shelving units with the bins are really nice too. I guess maybe just measure your couch so when you look at shelving units you'll know what works and what doesn't? Chris blames me for our lack of storage because of the craft projects that I've made and our wedding gifts. Oh and both of our parents because they keep trying to give us stuff that we don't need. Sigh. Oh Chris!! Haha.

  17. Shannon Jenkins
    July 31, 2014 / 2:30 pm

    I need some savvy storage in my life! I've been wanting to make this little table in my dining room in to a mini bar! So cute!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com

  18. amanda @ as the wine cork turns
    July 31, 2014 / 2:55 pm

    loving the idea of a bar cart on wheels. it's a cute place holder for things yet easy to move when you wanna get your drinkin' on 🙂

  19. P!nky
    July 31, 2014 / 3:05 pm

    SO, so, pretty! Love all your inspirations!

  20. Ally- Life as I know it
    July 31, 2014 / 3:13 pm

    I want to redecorate my house everyday but then I remember that requires $$. I have a bar cart and love sprucing it up when I have company over. There are so many things you can add to it for different occasions. It's a great piece to have in your house!! Life as I know it

  21. Emily @ Martinis | Bikinis
    July 31, 2014 / 3:18 pm

    I love the sofa table from Ikea and then adding some baskets in them for extra storage. Really cute style!

  22. Christina
    July 31, 2014 / 3:18 pm

    please come decorate my sad apartment…see you tonight!!!

  23. Pamela @ alittleglitter.com
    July 31, 2014 / 3:39 pm

    OMG! I love that print! I want that someday for when I have a gorgeous walk in closet! I love all those sofa tables! Very pretty and the baskets will give you some good storage solutions!

  24. Unknown
    July 31, 2014 / 3:45 pm

    i love these storage ideas! we have downsized in space in our apt and i can allllways use new ideas! xo jillian – cornflake dreams

  25. awhite
    July 31, 2014 / 4:18 pm

    You have great taste, lady! I'm sure these storage updates will help out + look fab- share pics when you're finished! 🙂

    -Ashley
    lestylorouge.com

  26. Zelle B.
    July 31, 2014 / 4:21 pm

    Love your ideas! I love my bar cart and it definitely spices up an area! And loving shelves behind the couch — I may have to look into doing that eventually because I love it! xo

  27. Unknown
    July 31, 2014 / 4:41 pm

    I love everything you have picked!! I don't know if I've really noticed the cute idea of putting the cute cubbies behind the couch for a console table. Genius! I love a wonderfully styled bar cart and I think that side table is so cute! Can't wait to see what you decide on 🙂

  28. Katie Elizabeth
    July 31, 2014 / 4:43 pm

    Ahh organization makes my heart happy! We went with a console table behind our couch but when we move I'm definitely going to do something like the Ikea cubby table since it can hold SO much more stuff! I'm also going to be needing a bar cart just due to the cuteness factor!

  29. M @ The Sequin Notebook
    July 31, 2014 / 5:16 pm

    I can never resist a bar cart! I was able to snag one that was actually marketed as a bathroom towel rack, but it works perfect as a little bar cart and was a lot cheaper than some of the other pricey ones I had been lusting after!

  30. Sarita @ it's my girls' world
    July 31, 2014 / 6:31 pm

    Love these ideas… and you don't have kids so a bar cart would totally work… you can check marshalls and tj maxx, sometimes you look out with storage stuff.

  31. MakeMeUpMia
    July 31, 2014 / 6:53 pm

    I'm an organization NERD, so I love both ideas! You can't go wrong 🙂 Can't wait to see what you create!

  32. Anonymous
    July 31, 2014 / 7:00 pm

    You can never have enough storage space is my motto! We (I) found some great pieces on Overstock (and used ebates for that cash back – holla!) so peruse there when you're getting serious about buying 🙂

  33. Julie @ Just the Joy's
    July 31, 2014 / 7:11 pm

    Oh my gosh I love all of these ideas! I especially love the sofa couch with storage baskets!!! 🙂 I am in dire need of doing these sorts of updates in our home! 🙂

  34. Rebecca Jo
    July 31, 2014 / 7:12 pm

    I want that sofa table with the baskets…. I could load that baby up in a blink!

  35. Nadine
    July 31, 2014 / 7:15 pm

    I absolutely adore bar carts!! I wish I had a space for one in our house, I would totally do it!

    I am loving the box shelves with some open and some with baskets. I always like a "textured" look like that when it comes to decor. Redecorating is my favorite!

  36. Elise @ High Heels and Glittering Eyes
    July 31, 2014 / 7:36 pm

    I love the first sofa table you posted. Very pretty. I will have a bar cart one day and it will be gold and white and obvs have tons of sparkle! I love that Pop Fizz Clink print, so cute!

  37. Anonymous
    July 31, 2014 / 7:51 pm

    I am in the middle of redecorating now! My Fiance is moving in and I had to get rid of somethings in my bedroom to make room for him, as well as get some new things for more storage space. We are getting a Kallax (formerly named Expedit) from ikea to serve as our TV stand, and we got a similar storage unit for the bottom of his closet. It seems to be working out well so far!

  38. Maggie
    July 31, 2014 / 8:20 pm

    You are killing it with this post!! I am having a similar struggle! We rent our condo and I'm so over our decor and set up and everythinggggg! I love the couch table storage solution – it is perfect!! and the bar cart YES PLEASE!! 🙂

    Maggie
    PolishedClosets.com

  39. Nadine {Great Scotts}
    July 31, 2014 / 8:46 pm

    Great picks! We have a sofa table and I was always constantly pinning pics for ideas to spruce it up and change the decor – this post definitely helps! And I love the bar carts! Although I'd probably have to start removing furniture at this point to make room for it or wait until we buy a bigger place!

  40. Kelli @ A Deeper Joy
    July 31, 2014 / 9:22 pm

    What a great idea! We love our storage thing like that! I made cute storage boxes a while back for it…you may have seen my post about it. In our next house, I want to put it behind a couch like that. That's perfect! And that print is awesome!

  41. Leslie Lukens Martin
    July 31, 2014 / 9:55 pm

    So many options….and I love them all! I definitely agree that the "Pop, Fizz, Clink!" print is a must!

  42. nancy @ adore to adorn
    July 31, 2014 / 10:00 pm

    totally doing the same thing in our apt! We're on the same track too with not spending/investing too much into any piece since it's not our permanent home and we don't know if anything will fit into the "one day" permanent home. =)
    I love the idea of re-decorating since it definitely helps make the space feel like new again. =)
    xo,
    nancy

  43. Unknown
    July 31, 2014 / 10:49 pm

    I absolutely love your ideas and your taste! Bar carts are the cutest! I am a big fan of functional and pretty storage.

  44. Kristina @ Medicine and Manicures
    August 1, 2014 / 12:16 am

    That's such a great idea for behind a couch and bar carts are SO fun and pretty to look at (and they contain yummy drinks too). Unfortunately, we have room for neither of those, but excited to see what you come up with!

  45. Amanda - Voyage of the MeeMee
    August 1, 2014 / 1:05 am

    Bar carts are bad ass!!!! I want one so bad and I don't even drink that often… they just LOOK cool/cute! hahaha

  46. Kate at Green Fashionista
    August 1, 2014 / 2:45 am

    One of my fav additions to our living room is our sofa table. And loving those bar carts, definitely need one of those too 😉

  47. 365HANGERS
    August 1, 2014 / 3:10 am

    So much amazing inspiration but seriously loving all the bar cart ideas. LOVE!!

    xx 365hangers

  48. JMO
    August 1, 2014 / 3:31 pm

    yes yes & yes- we are looking for more of an entry-way table but I search 'sofa table' and 'console table' for more results. These look fab! Also, let me know if you find a bar cart- I'm looking for one not so outrageous myself!

  49. Niki {Glossy Blonde}
    August 1, 2014 / 4:57 pm

    Those night stands are so cool! I love that first sofa table too! And pretty much all the bar carts 🙂 Gorgeousness!

  50. Mary-Katherine
    August 1, 2014 / 7:57 pm

    i really love all your ideas for how to make more space, especially the shelving behind the couch! we just recently decided to stay in our apartment a second year and one of the first things i did was go out an buy a similar thing as a new tv stand. it looks so nice and offers more storage (always nice), plus it spruces things up a bit! i got ours from target and it looks very similar to that first and third picture but with doors on some of the cubbies, so you might try there!

    xo mk
    gold-hatted lover

  51. Meghan at Champagne & Suburbs
    August 1, 2014 / 9:10 pm

    Your ideas are awesome! We are still in the process of finishing our updates. One of them is storage in the bonus room. There is a dormer where I put my "home office." DG is building me a window seat with inside storage. Way to go girl! xo

  52. Lauren {at} Life.Love.Lauren
    August 2, 2014 / 5:24 am

    Oh I so want that first white bar cart! Super cute!! Of course it is styled perfectly too!

  53. Crazy Shenanigans-JMO
    August 2, 2014 / 7:50 pm

    I want a bar cart and sofa table sooooo bad!

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