So I hit the thrift stores this past week to look for items for our living room, kitchen and front deck. According to my recent blog topics Instagram poll, thrift decor ideas was a close second behind DIY projects. (That blog post can be found here!) Specifically, I went out looking for some wall art pieces, a new lamp base, and outdoor furniture. In the process, I decided to check out a few different spots since I’m still new to the area. I took lots of pictures and I’m sharing tips and ideas so you feel like you’re coming to the thrift shop with me!

If you’re new to thrifting…

If you’re new to thrift shopping, let me first say, that you never really know what you’ll find! I mentioned in my first blog on Budget Home Essentials that I like to shop thrift stores for unique decor. And this is still true! So if you like to shop around, it can be fun! Thrift stores are an awesome option because the things you buy will benefit a charity or small local business. In addition, when you find a new life for one of these pieces, you’re making a sustainable choice.

Someone who shops luxury, quality wholesale, IKEA, and thrift stores the same week? Yes, that’s me! I like to mix things up and embark on a bit of a treasure hunt. And there’s certainly some treasures I’ve found! Keep reading to see more of my finds and ideas for how these can be implemented into a modern home.

Different types of thrift stores

There’s several types of stores can fall under the “thrift” category and I’ll share my perceived differences for those. The most common are Goodwill and Salvation Army, where people donate unwanted items and the sales go to the charity. You’d be shocked in the best way at what people will donate to places like these. When you find something good there, it’s such a win for both you and the organization! This is where you’ll typically get the best deals IF you can find what you want. In this week’s adventure, I shopped two different days at the Goodwill by the Paddock Mall.

Next, there’s small businesses who purchase large quantities from estate-type sales, to sell at a discount. Or they may sell consignment. These stores are typically privately owned by a family and they can be very motivated to sell. I shopped at the Bargain Barn Thrift Store Extravaganza and I was impressed by how much selection they had!

Lastly, you have the traditional vintage stores which typically have a more curated collection of vintage goods. I shopped at the brand new Ocala Antique Mall and Estates. The prices may be higher than the other stores, but the average value of the items is likely much higher.

I found so much at all three stores, so I’ll briefly share my thoughts and ideas for each.

Ocala Antique Mall and Estates Finds

Vintage stores are great about pairing like items. I love this old wash bin and selection of wooden bowls. Why buy the antique decor look from a high end store when you can get the real thing?

I love vintage silk scarves! They’ve come back in style since more people are using them in their hair or to dress up a bag. If you find one with a design or colors you totally love, you could even have it framed as an art piece. How pretty would this colorful yellow and black one be in a simple white frame?

I’m living for the idea of someone refinishing these high-back rattan chairs and adding plush cushions for a chic patio moment. (More outdoor living trends and ideas in this recent post.)

I saw these vintage art pieces in gold frames and thought they’re MEANT for a moody dark library gallery wall. Or they can go totally extra on a patterned wallpaper accent wall.

These mid-century glass pieces look like a school of colorful jellyfish, and I’m into it! With so many people opting for glass-front cabinets, colored glassware decor is an on-trend, vintage pick.

These ceramic birds are the stuff of Opalhouse at Target’s dreams. They could add a fun sculptural flair to a gallery wall over a couch or part of a vertical gallery on a narrow wall.

Is this etagere Pier 1, World Market, or Anthropologie? Nope, it’s totally the real vintage thing. This would be beautiful in an eclectic style living room.

These capiz shell chargers would help create a stunning table setting on a contrasting, dark wood table. One of a kind, investment pieces like this can dress up your table even when paired with inexpensive plates and flatware.

Ocala Goodwill Finds

I can tell we’ve arrived at Goodwill when an 80s brass/glass table is styled with a plastic blue kid’s chair! But how cool are these vintage chairs? I feel like this 80s glam, beach-style stuff is back in style in a big way.

You might see these two matching light blue lamps and think – hey, those look nice! I thought so, too. But then I checked the price and saw they were marked for $35 each. While this isn’t bad, you could get totally great lamps from Target or similar for the same price. Goodwill also gets retail items that may not be marked down as low as other items, and I think this is the case here. Keep scrolling though, because I did find a lamp for a better price!

I thought these green chairs could look really cool with dark wood stain and new upholstery. What you may have to invest to improve these chairs is a fraction of what they could cost new from a Crate & Barrel or West Elm.

These storage units I thought would make cool, tiered planters for a covered patio area. Tiered planters are very hot on sites like Urban Outfitters this season.

If you need a new lamp shade, check out your local Goodwill! I feel like this $3 lamp shade would be 4x more at Target.

Bargain Barn Thrift Finds

Bargain Barn definitely had a lot more furniture than the Goodwill. They actually buy storage units to resell in their store, nearly unseen. I recommend this spot if you’re in the Ocala area!

I’m very big on buying lamps in pairs, and these quickly caught my eye at the Bargain Barn. I could see these working as-is, or I could see someone switching out the shades for modern black ones. Another idea, if you have the DIY bug, is to paint the base detail blue and white and add sleek white shades.

The Bargain Barn had two of these matching archway window mirrors –which can create such a beautiful symmetrical moment in a space. You could rough them up for a farmhouse feel or touch up with black paint for a traditional look.

I love how this floor lamp has a tiki style that could add vintage character to a coastal-inspired home. Whether that’s in a neutral toned room with palms or against a jewel-toned, teal wall, this one had me dreaming!

Had to snap a picture of this larger-than-life pin board BEHIND the floral painting. With linen fabric and white, chalk-painted looking frame, this would be perfect for an open wall of a home office.

When trying to decide on something that’s a little out-there in style, consider if it’ll have friends in the room. Do you have something with similar colors? The two pieces above with the very similar color palette and matting style were recommended to be sold together by the owner, and I agree!

Even More in the Bargain Barn Back Room!

Cedar chests are timeless and popular because the natural material keeps bugs away. By mixing a piece like this chest with modern decor, you can create a customized, lived-in feel in your home.

Is this a thrift store or a 2020 Urban Outfitters? I couldn’t help but day dream about styling a whole room around the big rattan etagere on the right.

Again, more and more rattan furniture! A little reupholstery could make these look totally 2020. Rattan, along with other casual, natural furniture materials, are back and on trend.

I like the lines of this mid-century side table. With a dark walnut stain it could look like it’s from West Elm in 2020, but with a bright paint color it could look like 1960s Palm Springs.

This table and chairs set appears to be vintage and high quality. My idea was to paint the chairs and table base black and add new upholstery. It could be chic, black and white 80s moment.

What I Bought!

So onto the next part – what I actually bought on these adventures! As mentioned previously, I was thrift shopping for new wall art, a lamp base, and outdoor furniture. And luckily, I was able to find a few of these items!

I found this frame for $10 that I can use to frame a large art piece for our living room. The white color should be a nice contrast against our slate blue walls and has a subtle, farmhouse feel. (Because even though I straight up live on a farm, I still like it with my modern and colorful spin.) This was found at the Bargain Barn.

I’d envisioned a narrow shelf piece that we can hang above our Keurig for a little coffee station. But I totally forgot about it when I went thrift shopping. Then at Goodwill, I spotted this shelf in one of the bins for $3! It even has the fixtures on it to mount on the wall! More DIY on this particular piece will be coming in the near future, so be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it!

Last but not least, I found this vintage beauty at Goodwill. (Sharpie for scale reference.) What’s funny is that this was hiding behind the lamps I mentioned were overpriced. If you remember from my epic 2020 DIY Recap, we needed a new base to replace the one that broke. And you better believe this means there’s another big DIY happening here in the coming weeks!

Does that leave you with a bit of a cliff hanger? 🙂 Are you inspired to go and thrift shop for your home this weekend? I hope you enjoyed this thrift shop with me adventure. Let me know what you find at your local thrift store in the comments below.

And hey, if you’re liking any of my ideas and want to make something similar happen in your space, I’d love to help! I’m currently accepting projects for summer and can do consultations in-person or virtually. Drop me a note here, and we’ll get started. Thank you!

About Kaitlyn Loos

Kaitlyn Loos [loh-s] is one of the newest designers for interiors and events in the Tampa, Ocala, and Gainesville area. She brings over seven years of graphic design, project management, and event planning experience to create amazing spaces and experiences for her clients. She is one of the only interior design companies in her area who offers modern, fresh, pattern and color-savvy designs. From styling an event to designing an entire home, Kaitlyn Loos Design is a full service company that delivers style for nearly any investment level. She also enjoys sharing her ideas and projects through her new blog which reaches over 325 people monthly. 

For more information about Kaitlyn, check out: About Kaitlyn: Interior Design, and About Kaitlyn: Event Planning.

You can also subscribe to the blog and contact Kaitlyn directly here.

Disclaimer: All of my DIY blog content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. I share what works for me in my home, but you should consult with professionals/landlords before taking on any construction projects. My blog does not constitute interior design advice for readers. I am not liable or responsible for any damages resulting from or related to your use of this information.

Hello again! Another big thank you to my Instagram friends who took my recent blog post topic survey. While the final results were pretty close, the winning topic you all wanted more from me is…DIY projects! This put a big smile on my face because I definitely have a bit of the “maker gene.” In my mind, I keep cutting back to college making a 5 ft hanging birdcage out of cereal box strips and hot glue. I love a good DIY, and this is the first year I’ve had this kind of platform to share them. I’m inspired do more! But I thought this was a great opportunity to recap all of my 2020 DIY projects so far.

I’m including all the related links you could ever want in case you’d like to try any of these yourself. There’s also some new photos of how it looked in the respective space that you may not have seen yet. Oh, and to make it a little more interesting, I’ve created a ranking system! The ranking is based on performance, durability, cost to value ratio, and overall aesthetic appeal. This is like when a beauty Youtuber shares at the end of the year which products they still love, and what they’ve changed their minds about. I’m starting with the highest score to moving down to the lowest. I hope you enjoy!

1. IKEA Fixtures Spray Painted

My office has quickly become my favorite room in the whole house since the One Room Challenge. (Check out my office reveal here!) Who knew a project from the last day of the challenge would make the number one spot? It was so simple! This was gold spray paint (this one specifically) to the knobs that came with my Billy Oxberg doors and wall hook set.

The inspiration photo I had of the Billy Oxberg pieces used custom pulls like you would find at Anthropologie. While I liked that, the spray painted hardware also has the elevated look I was going after. These two quick projects are highest on the list because the were very easy to do, low investment, and they’re ridiculously pretty IMO.

2. Mini Water Painting

This was another project from the last 24 hours of the One Room Challenge, though it was part of a set plan. I knew that I wanted a small pool water painting and I knew it would be a fun thing to try to DIY for the challenge. But on the day-of, it honestly took a little bit of experimentation and I picked the best of three. My arts background helped!

This painting was created by coloring a coffee filter with a water-based marker, dampening the filter, and pressing to print onto a piece of water color paper. Repeated a few times to create the desired pattern.

3. Dollar Tree Anthropologie Vase

If you are crafty or interested in this project at all, you absolutely must try it! I’m so happy with how this Anthropologie-inspired vase came out. You can see more details in this Instagram story highlight.

4. Spray Painted Coat Rack

Another DIY project that is very simple to do is my spray painted coat rack. This coat rack needed to move rooms after the One Room Challenge happened in my office and I loved the idea of finally getting around to spray painting it gold. I love how it looks against our slate blue walls in the living room. Get my favorite spray paint here!

5. The Dollar Tree Gallery Wall

The Dollar Tree Gallery Wall was a bit of a runaway hit compared to my other projects and posts on social at that time. And, I documented basically the whole process on my Instagram Story highlights, if you want to check it out! While I’m happy with the look and the low investment cost of this project, I don’t have the highest expectations for how long these Dollar Tree frames will last. You could achieve a similar look using a set like this one from Amazon for $43.

6. The Upcycled Wicker Lamp

I think all of my best DIY projects are when I have the opportunity to be brave and have some fun. I took this thrifted lamp from looking like it was ready to go to the dump, to looking like it’s ready for the pages of PB Teen magazine. All I used was a can (or two) of white spray paint and some embroidery thread. You can watch the full upcycled lamps saga, including this one, on this Instagram Highlight.

7. The Upcycled Pineapple Lamp

The pineapple lamp was basically tied with the wicker lamp because the overall improvement was huge. However, the “extra” level of this lamp makes it a bit limiting for where you can style it in the home. I think it would look better with the gold spray paint from #1. Again, you can watch the full upcycled lamps saga, including this pineapple lamp, on this Instagram Highlight.

8. Chains on Frames

The chains on frames DIY from my corner gallery in my new office to me is absolutely beautiful. (Check out my office reveal here.) I’m so happy with my decision to go with the very delicate jewelry chain. (Similar chain here.) However, it was a bit tricky, and maybe not beginner-craft-level to hot glue the chains and do the faux/double “hang” like I did to protect the art from falling. It’s also a bit risky because the jewelry chain may discolor over time and not match the frames as well. For now, I absolutely love this detail in my new office and I would recommend this project.

9. Bathroom Vanity Update

And now this DIY countdown has taken us to the bathroom! Check out the details from my bathroom vanity makeover in my Under $300 Bathroom Makeover blog post.

10. Dollar Tree Linen Closet Shelves

I’ve gotten a few compliments on these Dollar Tree DIY shelf coverings in my bathroom linen closet. You can check out the full details and find the Youtuber who inspired me, by checking out the Under $300 Bathroom Makeover blog post.

11. DIY Window A/C Unit Filler Inserts

Not to toot my own horn, but I thought I was a frickin’ genius when I thought of these! If you’ve ever lived somewhere without central air conditioning (yes, hello from the mini-farm) you might like this DIY idea!

If you have a window A/C unit without the adjustable accordion attachments OR a large window, try this DIY. This was totally inspired by the linen closet DIY! I measured the opening and used extra foam core to cut out the perfect shape to fill it. Then, for both aesthetic and water proofing purposes, I covered in the faux wood contact paper. We’ve had several of these in use for months and they help keep bugs out. Even in this rainy season, and I have not yet had to replace them. And when I do, it’s less than $2 worth of supplies!

12. DIY Hem Taped Curtains

You can see more of this and before/after photos in my One Room Challenge Office Reveal. But basically I tried iron-on hem tape on my curtains and it worked! I love how this makes my space feel more put together and that I can always let the hem out if we move.

The one downside to this project is that sunlight may show your hem-tape work, as pictured above. It’s worth it for me, but if you do this project for a more permanent space, my advice is to cut them and keep the hem tape within about two inches of the bottom.

13. The Velvet Foot Stool

I still LOVE this foot stool, but I totally admit that the pillow is a bit delicately placed and can come off easily. In an office space I think this is fine, but it’s probably not going to stay if you have kids or house pets. Check out this DIY in my Instagram Story Highlights.

14. The Blue Bedazzled Upcycled Lamp

There may be a few of you scratching your heads as to why this lamp is so low on the list, and that is because it has broken! The tall lamp had taken many tumbles from its precarious side table, and the base has officially broken and the inside part of the shade has come out. However, I deeply love this lamp shade and I’m setting out to try to fix it and put it on a new base.

The tip to gain here is not to spend a lot of time/energy/resources on a lamp that is so easy to fall over/break. There are other fish in the sea! You can watch the full upcycled lamps saga, including this one (before its RIP), on this Instagram Highlight.

15. The 70s Upcycled Lamp

While I don’t want ANY of my DIYs to be at the bottom, our list has come to an end… I specifically have very positive memories painting this one during a beautiful sunset. I love how the painted lampshade gives a moody effect when the light is on. But I think it would look better one day on a more mid-century inspired base. If I painted something like this again, I would do slightly finer lines and more of them. You can watch the full upcycled lamps saga, including the 70s lamp shade, on this Instagram Highlight.

So this was a fun trip down recent memory lane for me! What did you think? Let me know your favorite DIY in the comments down below.

Be sure to subscribe here because more DIYs are on the way!

About Kaitlyn Loos

Kaitlyn Loos [loh-s] is one of the newest designers for interiors and events in the Tampa, Ocala, and Gainesville area. She brings over seven years of graphic design, project management, and event planning experience to create amazing spaces and experiences for her clients. She is one of the only interior design companies in her area who offers modern, fresh, pattern and color-savvy designs. From styling an event to designing an entire home, Kaitlyn Loos Design is a full service company that delivers style for nearly any investment level. She also enjoys sharing her ideas and projects through her new blog which reaches over 325 people monthly. 

For more information about Kaitlyn, check out: About Kaitlyn: Interior Design, and About Kaitlyn: Event Planning.

You can also subscribe to the blog and contact Kaitlyn directly here.

Disclaimers: a small percentage of purchases from select links will benefit me via an affiliate program. I appreciate anyone who wants to support my blog by shopping the products, but there is no obligation to buy.

All of my DIY blog content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. I share what works for me in my home, but you should consult with professionals/landlords before taking on any construction projects. My blog does not constitute interior design advice for readers. I am not liable or responsible for any damages resulting from or related to your use of this information.

#Outdoorliving is a big trend right now, especially with the coronavirus prompting us to stay home a bit more in 2020. Summer in Florida can be a bit debatable with “feels like” temperatures encroaching 100+ degrees and frequent thunderstorms. But we’re incredibly lucky in this state to have affordable property prices and a climate that welcomes indoor/outdoor living year round. While you might not be ready for an extreme landscape renovation, or starting over with new outdoor furniture, this is the year you’ll want to enjoy it. So I’m here to meet you in the middle! I’m going to share over 25 ideas to step up your outdoor living game without starting from scratch.

CAUTION: If you live with a partner, roommate or spouse, please prepare them that this article and the images presented may trigger those prone to DIY makeover projects. Side effects include: Amazon packages you are unable lift on your own, finding something new to paint every weekend for a month, and finding any excuse to host a barbecue. Please consider this fair warning before continuing to read the 25 ideas to step up your outdoor living game.

Tip #1: Simplify Your Outdoor Color Palette

A lot of people don’t treat their outdoor living space with the same rules as the indoors – and that’s okay. You may not have spent as much time researching the furniture, artwork, lighting, etc. as you would for your interior. Throughout this article I’m sharing multiple ideas to address and improve the overall design of your outdoor space. Let’s start with color since that is one of the quickest ways to step up your style game!

When you walk into a new home, you’re surrounded usually by light, neutral walls on 3-4 sides of you. Next, you move in and carefully add furniture and decor to color your space. When you go outside, your “blank canvas” is usually hardly blank at all. You may have beautiful trees, colorful botanicals, a bright aqua pool, kelly green grass, and some blue sky! What’s not to LOVE about that? I find that the trend now for outdoor living is to further emphasize the natural colors occurring in your outdoor space.

A great way to embrace this trend is to create contrast by limiting added color from the furniture and decor items. But this doesn’t mean your decor needs to be bland and boring! This can mean picking a monochromatic accent color like the blue table scheme above. Or this can mean playing more with pattern and texture in a neutral color palette like the example below.

By selecting a small, cohesive palette, you allow your space to feel balanced with nature. Once you have a color palette in mind, I recommend removing or repainting anything that doesn’t fall in with this plan. Secondly, you might want to pick up a can or two of outdoor spray paint here to try to give new life to some of your old pieces. A simplified color palette is such a timeless trend in general, and you’ll see this exemplified in many other outdoor idea photos shared throughout this article.

Tip #2: Create a Space Plan

If you’re reading this, like me, you’ve probably watched your fair share of HGTV in the past. So if you have a large backyard space, treat it like your fave designers would with a giant room. Create zones!

My mind instantly wants to visualize your backyard space as if it could host a party at a moment’s notice. This is typically when people are thinking of new ideas for their outdoor living look and feel. What areas would you want to create for a party? How many people would you typically host?

I love this example above from Studio McGee where they’ve created a small dining area and a good-sized conversation zone surrounding an outdoor fireplace. The sleek, modern furniture in muted tones lets the green, natural elements pop because it creates contrast.

If you have the space for it, I would start with a dining table, outdoor group conversation area, and one separate small conversation area. Space them out in a way that you can picture people moving through the space at a party. Play up your focal points and make sure all seating is actually comfortable and practical for the space.

Then make sure some of these things meet what your family could use day to day. Would you read outside more if you had a beautiful shaded pergola ($600)? Do you like to grill out on the weekends? (Lots of grilling products linked in my recent Father’s Day Gift Guide) Would you invite a friend over to hang by the pool with a glass of rosé if you had a set of chic loungers?

Tip #3: Make Room for Play

In the spirit of parties, I’m a huge fan of having games or an activity for guests. While you probably don’t want your whole yard to look like a game room, adding 1-2 can create engaging moments for family or party time. A game or activity is also a chance to express your family’s personality or traditions.

A swimming pool certainly counts for this, as would a fire pit ($76). Maybe you consider investing in a slide ($$$) addition to your pool or create a new seating area (new Adirondack folding chairs $75) around the firepit? A dartboard ($18) is a classic game that only requires an open wall and decent lighting. Some other game ideas are a DIY shuffleboard kit ($50), a giant set of chess ($359), cornhole ($56) or oversized Jenga-style blocks ($55). You may notice I chose options that are not colorful so you have the option to paint so it can be in your designated palette. 🙂

Inflatable outdoor movie screens ($160) are also an awesome option to use for kid sleepover parties, holiday parties, or family campouts in your backyard.

Tip #4: Utilize Repetition

One of my favorite design elements to make a big impact on a space at any budget level is repetition. This is because you’re not necessarily having to spend a lot of money on ONE big decor piece. I saw this outdoor space get made over on the new Genevieve Gorder show on Netflix “Stay Here” and I’m obsessed with the terra cotta cactus wall! As a seasoned designer, Genevieve also played with repetition with the stripe pattern fabrics and the plants along the walkway.

You can recreate a similar look with a set of same-size terra cotta pots like these and plants from your local home improvement store. You can also grab a set of these 48 ft solar string lights ($60) and a striped teak lounge chair with attached side table ($343 each) inspired by this space as well.

Tip #5: Take Greenery to the Walls

Living green walls are a newer trend making waves in 2020 that I’m seeing pop up in luxury hotel lobbies, new bars and restaurants, and design publications. So why not turn your back patio into the new neighborhood hot spot and create your own green wall? You could do this many ways with a wall herb garden planter ($15), a vine trellis/plant box combo ($70), or creating your own decorative planter.

The key is to treat the plants as the artwork itself. In my professional opinion, those metal decorative outdoor wall pieces are out and green walls are in.

Tip #6: Create an Outdoor Dining Space

I think there’s something special about having an outdoor dining setup that is ready within minutes of a beautiful weather meal moment. For some, an outdoor dining set might be the first thing you think of for outdoor living, but if it’s not, let me tell you, it’s awesome.

You know those moments when you find yourself at the host stand of a restaurant and they ask if you’d like to sit outside and everything in you says YES? You might not wake up that day thinking anything of the weather, but when it’s nice out, it’s a no-brainer. If you have the space and the means to create this kind of experience in your backyard, I hope you do! All you really need is an outdoor table, outdoor chairs, and some good lighting. When the weather is nice, you can wipe the table down and serve!

If your style is a little more extra, then you can create a beautiful table setting like the example above, and store the table cloth, chargers, and centerpieces in one box for quick access. So say hello to fast outdoor dining in style!

Tip #7: Address the Climate

Another trick that you can steal from restaurants is to add a level of climate control to your outdoor spaces by adding a ceiling fan ($109), shading umbrella ($86) or a standing heater ($165) as needed. You’d be surprised how additions like these seem to extend the life of your outdoor space because of their impact on the overall temperature.

Tip #8: Create Ambience with Lighting

Outdoor lighting creates a very inviting atmosphere for your family and guests – and there’s so much new you can do with it! One idea is to update your outdoor fixtures to something more modern like the example above which shows off these beautiful planters at night. You can use 48 ft solar string lights ($60) like these above your pool or dining area. You can also find solar accent lights ($37 for set of 2) for your garden or living green wall areas. And who doesn’t love some rainbow solar pool lights ($32 for set of 2) to add a little whimsy? Solar powered lights and outdoor living go together like PB&J because they’re earth-conscious and typically low maintenance.

Tip #9: Consider Adding Color or Pattern to the Floor

While outdoor rugs are a nice addition to create zones in your outdoor space and add a pop of color or pattern, many of them don’t hold up a long time. Whether this has to do more with maintenance or style, I’m noticing an increase in painted/patterned tiles and pavers. These examples should stand the test of time a bit longer than a rug if you are in an area with a lot of rain/humidity like Florida.

You can easily update your existing outdoor tile or stones with a Mediterranean inspired stencil ($21) or star tile stencil ($24) or many other various pattern and size options. A little DIY time here can go a long way to stepping up your outdoor game because it adds unlimited style for the cost of paint and a stencil. No pun intended! 🙂

Tip #10: Create a Feature Focal Point

Much like a beautiful fireplace in a living room, your outdoor area will feel more designed if it has a focal point. A focal point is something that the eye is first drawn to when viewing a space. It could even BE an outdoor fireplace or fire pit. The focal point is often at the center view or it can be the biggest/tallest/widest thing in your landscaping. You may already one, and if so, it can be fun to play it up. I love how the example below takes an outdoor fire pit to the next level with a hexagon of swings. And Pinterest makes everything look so easy!

The focal point could be the beautiful view itself, so the best way to play that up is to create seating areas that frame and provide opportunities for your family or guests to enjoy it. It’s also typically a good photo taking space.

You can also create your own focal point with a few modern pieces that express your style placed in a key area. Love the rattan sofa and bold egg chair for this purpose! You know your guests are going to want to snap their Instagram pictures here!

Oh my gosh, this feels like one of my longest articles yet. There’s just SO much you can do to extend your living space outside. Like I mentioned earlier, you don’t need to completely start from scratch and redo your space. The idea is to assess your own space and take even just one or two of my 25 ideas or tips to implement and really step up your outdoor living game.

Let me know in the comments which ideas were your favorites. And be sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see your finished projects!

About Kaitlyn Loos

Kaitlyn Loos [loh-s] is a virtual e-designer for interiors and organizing. She helps busy moms with young families create dreamy spaces that function for their unique needs. She notably developed the Decluttering Personality Type quiz which has helped hundreds of people break down mental barriers about clutter. Kaitlyn loves to collaborate with clients to bring modern, fresh, and color-savvy design into their homes. Kaitlyn Loos Design delivers style for nearly any investment level. She also enjoys sharing her ideas and projects through her blog and discussing hot design topics on Instagram live.

Kaitlyn is located in the west-central Florida area (Tampa, Ocala, Gainesville, and everywhere in between) with availability for select in-person projects for 2021.

You can also subscribe to the blog and contact Kaitlyn directly here.

Disclaimer: a small percentage of purchases from select links will benefit me via an affiliate program. I appreciate anyone who wants to support my blog by shopping the products, but there is no obligation to buy.

It’s almost that back to school time of year! And this is another topic on my blog post bucket list I’m so excited to do. College bound this summer or fall? Those weeks before leaving for college are so fun to prepare ideas for your space! I’ve got 40 decor ideas to transform your dorm room. You’ll never want to leave campus again!

For me, my college years were some of the best of my life. As someone who spent the majority of my time in college living in dorm rooms, I learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t. It’s such a great time for fresh high school graduates to get a taste of freedom and personalize a new space of their own. However, it’s so easy to go overboard and buy things that are gimmicky or just won’t work.

But I’ve got a ton of ideas from my personal experience that you can steal from my book! This is not just a list of cute decor items; this is how you take your space to the next level.

Tip #1: Create a Stylish, Cozy Corner

Dorm rooms are often equipped with classroom-style florescent lighting, blah furniture, and minimal storage. So the fastest way to add a splash of personality is to bring in elements to intentionally warm up the space to feel more like a home. And what’s more homey than a cozy reading corner?

The image here show here shows multiple tactics you can borrow to make a small, corner space feel inviting. Create a similar space with these products.

A comfortable, stylish chair adds instant style and creates an inviting space for reading or guests. A lot of times, popular college shopping stores like Target, Walmart, and Bed Bath & Beyond will have chairs in the back-to-school section that are often cheap or uncomfortable. My recommendation is to avoid these and get something that you’ll totally enjoy for years.

You can top your adorable new chair with a fun throw pillow, like this geometric gold velvet one.

A floor lamp virtually dissolves the need to have bright florescent lights on which creates a more zen vibe for you and your roommate. This is another area where you can shop the main home section!

Be sure to order low energy LED bulbs in a warm white color to help combat the cool tones and make your space feel cozy.

Rugs add color, texture, and warmth to cold dorm room floors. Look for flat weave, washable rugs that can handle college life in “high traffic” areas.

Tip #2: Make Your Bed a Sanctuary

Dorm room mattresses are probably nothing like what you’re used to at home, being much thinner and firmer. So you may want to order an XL twin memory foam topper. The one below comes in different sizes, depending on how soft you want to make your bed.

A down alternative duvet and duvet cover can also add to the cloud-like bed vibe. Look for duvet covers and inserts that are both machine washable and dryer friendly so that you can wash them every few weeks.

The other thing to take into consideration is that some dorm rooms might not allow you to control the temperature. It’s often colder than you’re used to! In that case, it’s great to layer up your bedding with a super soft throw blanket. I love these three options to add a pop of color/pattern for this white bedding scheme.

While the inspiration bed image is beautiful, it’s really not that practical to have five or more pillows on an XL twin size bed. (They’ll be piled on the floor quicker than you know!) I recommend getting one pillow to sleep on, one to go in the matching sham, and one accent pillow. Below are some ideas for those.

Tip #3: Create a Custom Plan for Clutter

Clutter in dorm rooms is really public enemy #1. But I’m not just your mom telling you to keep your room clean! I’m the type of person who believes that orderliness can come to most if you have a strategy. If you come into it thinking it’s not going to get messy, that’s like going to a water park and forgetting a bathing suit! It’s just going to happen.

And it totally sucks if you’re like I was and you spend money and time decorating your dorm room and it hardly looks tidy. It’s a smaller space, plain and simple! You’re often sharing the room that may also be your kitchen and bathroom, all in one. It’s inevitable that it will look more cluttered than your bedroom at home. The trick is to take the time to create a plan to minimize the look of your clutter.

Don’t just push your cart down an aisle at Target or IKEA grabbing every organizer product you can find. I challenge you to really think about this and create a custom solution.

Do you have a humongous collection of hair or beauty products? Does your desk tend to get cluttered? Do you have an overflowing closet? A coffee addiction with lots of machine accessories and an abundance of flavors? Do you have more books than one person could read in a lifetime? I’m no Marie Kondo, though I do know there’s a lot of value in decluttering your stuff before you move. However, I believe you can have the things you love in excess if you have a smart storage strategy. A few ideas below!

If You Keep A Lot on Your Desk

If You Have a Lot of Beauty Products

If You Have a Big Closet

Use behind the door racks to contain the overflow of heavy coats, scarves, and handbags. Think of every behind-the-door space as an opportunity to store items from your closet!

Tip #4: Your Stuff is Now Your Primary Decor

When you’re in college, pretty much everything in your dorm room should serve a purpose. So I’m really big on the idea of making everything you NEED look like decor. Or sourcing things you need that look good to you stylistically. Some ideas below.

When I went to school, I had a bookshelf from home that followed me to every dorm room. A tall bookshelf can be extremely helpful with organizing your new space. And whenever you can arrange something in a systematic or styled way, like the bookshelf examples here, it looks less cluttered.

Your costume jewelry can be a part of the decor parade and save you valuable surface or drawer space. Just make sure you hang the driftwood pieces from a command hook and NOT a nail in the wall.

As I mentioned earlier in this article, bringing in your own lighting is a key decor element to transform your dorm room. Instead of standard desk lamp, why not get a cute table lamp like the owl above? Get something that works AND makes you happy to look at it!

Tip #5: Go Crazy with Wall Art

Just because you can’t put holes in the walls, doesn’t mean you can’t transform your walls with decor. The walls will be the first expression of your space, so take time sourcing the items that will communicate your vibe. Some ideas below.

If I had to go back to college today, I would be doing a washi tape gallery wall for sure! It comes in so many patterns but it’s about as sticky as painter’s tape, so that means it usually won’t destroy walls. You can print your own photos, quotes or use favorite cards and notes from your friends. And you can get a huge pack of washi tape in a variety of patterns that will last you all four years. A few options I found on Amazon below.

While I am NOT the first person to suggest fairy lights in a dorm room, I want to suggest an accent wall of lights. I love how this example uses super long strands of fairy lights ($14) with photos clipped on. Mini pack of 50 craft clips ($5). Be sure to use mini command hooks for hanging and arranging so that you don’t damage the walls.

You can make your own ethereal, boho art piece with a branch, string, and florals from the Dollar Tree or Michael’s. Just be sure to hang from a command hook. Oh and leave your cat at home! 🙂

Tip #6: Decorate with Plants

Real plants, if you can take care of them, are awesome in a dorm because they look great and really bring the essence of home. Some of them may even clean the air a bit for you! Just to be sure to read up on their care instructions and find places where they can live that don’t cut into your valuable desk or dresser surface space.

While it’s best to purchase plants from your local grocery or home improvement store, you can order cute plant stands or pots online to up your style game.

Hanging planters are a great way to bring the look of live plants to your space without taking up surface space. Lightweight ones like these should be able to hang from a command hook as long as the total weight doesn’t exceed three pounds. I can’t get over how cute these are!

Tip #7: Consider Going EXTRA with Home-y Touches

Without decor, dorm rooms really aren’t that different from the vibe of sitting in a hospital. This is why no one will fault you for taking the cozy home accents a little over the top!

I love the idea of bringing in a faux sheepskin rug to be the first thing your feet will feel in the morning. You can also use to soften up a chair like the example below.

Usually dorm rooms are pretty good about having blinds or some way to block light, so curtains are totally in the “extra” zone. I had a bay window in my first RA room in a building that was over a hundred years old. The future designer in me could NOT resist dressing up that space with beautiful sheer curtains. You can accomplish the same with a set of cute sheer curtains and a tension rod like you would use for a shower curtain!

Tip #8: Consider Repurposing Items from Your Home

The set of chairs in my floor plan drawing were created by picking up some used chairs from Craigslist and reupholstering in a funky fabric. I kept those chairs for nine years because I loved them so much! It was so cool to transform something that could’ve easily gone to the dump. If your family has offered you some old lamps, chairs, mirrors, etc. don’t be so quick to turn them down! Nowadays you can find upcycled DIYs for all sorts of things on Pinterest. The sky is the limit for these type of projects, and why not try it out?

Oh my goodness, this was a lot but SO much fun to put together. I’ve been even unintentionally listening to some of my college music favorites on Pandora as I worked on this. I hope you enjoyed these 40 (or more) decor ideas to transform your dorm room!

If you try any of these ideas, please be sure to tag me on Instagram as I’d love to see it! @kaitlynloosdesign

Moving into an apartment or renting a new house? I have lots more interior design inspiration and budget design recommendations under the Interior Design section of this blog. Lots more ideas where this came from!

About Kaitlyn Loos

Kaitlyn Loos [loh-s] is one of the newest designers for interiors and events in the Tampa, Ocala, and Gainesville area. She brings over seven years of graphic design, project management, and event planning experience to create amazing spaces and experiences for her clients. She is one of the only interior design companies in her area who offers modern, fresh, pattern and color-savvy designs. From styling an event to designing an entire home, Kaitlyn Loos Design is a full service company that delivers style for nearly any investment level. She also enjoys sharing her ideas and projects through her new blog which reaches over 325 people monthly. 

For more information about Kaitlyn, check out: About Kaitlyn: Interior Design, and About Kaitlyn: Event Planning.

You can also subscribe to the blog and contact Kaitlyn directly here.

Disclaimer: a small percentage of purchases from select links will benefit me via an affiliate program. I appreciate anyone who wants to support my blog by shopping the products, but there is no obligation to buy.

I can’t believe this day is here! I feel like it was a blink of an eye when I first read about the One Room Challenge and decided to try it out. About 1800 shopping trips and five ambitious DIYs later, and the end is here!  The One Room Challenge is an 8-week community event in partnership with Better Homes & Gardens. More info in last Thursday’s blog post if you haven’t checked it out. Today I’m so excited for my One Room Challenge office reveal.

Finishing Week was the Toughest!

If my office looks easy breezy now, just know it took a lot of work to get here. And if you’ve been following me from the first One Room Challenge blog post, I have to be totally honest and say it got messier before it got better. But now that the office reveal is here, I want to snap my fingers and make this happen for the rest of our house!

The first thing on my list was to purchase new storage bins to sort out my Poshmark inventory for all of the concealed storage areas in the new cabinets, since my old bins were too large. Word to the wise, the Dollar Tree is an excellent place to save money on organization bins, but be sure NOT to rely on their online measurements. Bring your own measuring tape to make an accurate call. It took going to three Dollar Trees to find the white bins pictured below and they ended up being about two inches too wide for the shelf. Luckily, I was able to correct this before the big reveal day!

They don’t call it the One Room CHALLENGE for nothing! 🙂

You’ll also see above that I sprung for the matching door for the single Billy shelf unit. I was worried there wasn’t enough space to open it, but I made it work, and the door opens freely!

New Corner Gallery Wall

One of my favorite additions to the new office was this corner gallery wall. The piece of wood on the wall was here before us, and I had a vision to hang a few pieces from it. The gallery theme is watercolor which is something I’ve consciously added upon learning more about the principles of Feng Shui. While some people might include a fountain or aquarium to symbolize the water element in their office, I thought this would be cool to do with the artwork. As noted in the caption below, the sunset piece is by Omar Richardson. The sea turtle is by Marie Holdaway. The monstera plant print is from Target. And the last 4×6 blue piece is actually a water color that I created…TODAY…to further bring in the symbolic element.

The gold frames are from IKEA and I love them. None of them actually came with the chain, so this was a DIY. If you’d like to replicate this in your space, Home Depot didn’t have any gold chain that was fine enough for my vision. I actually ended up purchasing jewelry chain from Hobby Lobby and learned that they are like Michaels with their coupon situation. Although I paid full price, (ugh) I definitely love them! I hot glued the chains to the back of the frame, but actually hung the frames from the wall and tacked up the chain so the chain is not the only support.

More Before and After Photos

So much of this project was reorganizing, unpacking some final boxes and decluttering! As you can see in the photos below, that alone made an impact, but so did my new furniture design plan. 🙂

Other Final DIY Successes

If you checked out my story yesterday, you saw that I was spray painting with less than 24 hours left to go. I feel like I’m on HGTV’s Design Star! Working down to the final minutes. But I’m really happy with how the wall hook piece and cabinet knobs came out in the gold. The reason I have lots of hooks on the walls is for taking photos and hanging pieces that are part of my Poshmark inventory.

I definitely felt like I was part of a design reality show when I was hemming my curtains also TODAY. I used iron on hem tape which is great for me because I could let the curtains back out later. A great idea for people renting or in a situation where they frequently move. I love how it made the bench area look less cluttered.

Overall, I’m extremely pleased with what I’ve been able to accomplish in my office in under three weeks. I feel like I’ll be able to do better work for my amazing current and future clients from this space. I love how my Poshmark inventory now is arranged more like a store or a beloved closet. It’s definitely not as overwhelming as it once was. I love how the vertical and wall spaces are now more maximized, making my space feel more open. Everything is easier to find and it makes me even more excited to do my work.

What do you think of my One Room Challenge Office Reveal? Let me know in the comments and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you try any of these little DIYs.

Now Offering Strategy Sessions Online!

Also, if you want help in 1-3 areas of your home that you’re stuck on or want design guidance on, I’m currently offering Virtual Design Strategy Sessions through the end of the year. This consists of a style assessment, a concentrated strategy discussion on three areas of concern, a prioritization roadmap, and linking you to relevant resources with a summary PDF at the end. All totally remotely by the way. And in as little as three business days. If this sounds like a fit for you, click here to learn more.

Hope you enjoyed today’s post! Stay tuned for part two. 🙂

About Kaitlyn Loos

Kaitlyn Loos [loh-s] is one of the newest designers for interiors and events in the west-central Florida area. (Tampa, Ocala, Gainesville, and everywhere in between.) She brings over seven years of graphic design, project management, and event planning experience to create amazing spaces and experiences for her clients. She is one of the only interior design companies in her area who offers modern, fresh, pattern and color-savvy designs. From styling an event to designing an entire home, Kaitlyn Loos Design is a full service company that delivers style for nearly any investment level. She also enjoys sharing her ideas and projects through her new blog which reaches over 325 people monthly.

For more information about Kaitlyn, check out: About Kaitlyn: Interior Design, and About Kaitlyn: Event Planning.

You can also subscribe to the blog and contact Kaitlyn directly here.

So we’re just one week from the finale of the One Room Challenge and I’m proud to report progress! The One Room Challenge is an 8-week community event in partnership with Better Homes & Gardens. More info in last Thursday’s blog post if you haven’t checked it out, but I’m doing my office! Week 7 for me was focused getting all the new furniture pieces in.

Last week, I had a big breakthrough when I decided to treat this project like a client’s. In the past, I might’ve done more “winging it” for my own spaces. But I came into Week 7 with a plan.

Office Storage Inspiration

I pinned the image below a few weeks ago before I started the One Room Challenge. I thought this was an aspirational piece for my office – especially for the Poshmark items. To be honest, I didn’t think this would be accessible for me now. I had no idea at first that these were IKEA Billy bookshelves with the Oxberg door attachments! IKEA and I are longtime friends – if you didn’t know – so this was an exciting find.

Originally I wanted to upgrade the fabric storage cubes and hang new floating shelves above my Kallax units. (See last week’s BEFORE photos and the original sketch.) Both the Billy bookshelves and Kallax cube-style shelves are signature IKEA styles. But the inspiration image with the doors looked much more luxe and grown up to me. It’s an added bonus that they’re about twenty inches taller.

I took my measurements and determined that the Billy and Oxberg doors approach could be both more sleek and affordable. But I wanted to check myself before I took the room apart. So next I entered my measurements into my 3D planning software. While this doesn’t show the new furniture pieces to total accuracy, it’s built to the dimensions. It’s a great exercise to help further visualize the space planning of the space – especially one with so many functions.

Treating myself like a client was immediately paying off! With this plan feeling good, I made a list, and hopped in the car for an epic IKEA trip. Since my Kallax shelf was purchased in the last year, IKEA Tampa let me return it for store credit.

Office Progress Report

For whatever reason, normally all of my IKEA trips are on a tight timeline. I made sure to go early this week and allow plenty of time for a change. And thank goodness! Everyone and their mother seems to have flocked to the Tampa IKEA since its recent reopening. Even on weekdays, it’s been packed the two times I’ve gone. I was 17th in line for my return! Whatever time you think you need at IKEA normally, double it. FYI – returns have also gotten a bit more strict.

This gave me two days to build them, which ended up being perfect with balancing with my other design projects. While I’m no IKEA assembly expert, I was very proud of what I was able to accomplish all by myself! Photos of my progress below.

Walking into my office at this point already feels totally different. The new shelves sit a little more flush to the wall and the height feels really right in the room. Not unlike my 3D rendering! I’m so happy with this progress on this One Room Challenge office. I’ve also bought some additional decor items that you’ll have to tune in next week to see!

The Final Week Ahead

With the final week, I’m excited to ride on this positive momentum! My plan is to load my Poshmark Inventory into the new shelving system and finish organizing my supplies. Then it’ll be all about accessories and finishing touches – which spoiler alert, there will be a LOT of. (This designer is not afraid to go a little EXTRA.)

I’m excited to have this room feeling more like a reflection of my creative personality. I already see a palpable change in how I feel working in the space. Which is great for future clients and projects!

If you had to do the One Room Challenge, what space would you tackle? Let me know in the comments below.

Be sure to come back next Thursday for the grand finale reveal of my One Room Challenge Office! If you are enjoying following along, be sure to subscribe here.

I hope you enjoyed this progress update. Thank you for being a reader and supporting my new career!

For Mother’s Day, I created a gift guide this year because I genuinely enjoy shopping for the women in my life. It was so easy and natural for me! But dads…they’re a whole other story! I couldn’t be left to my own on this one. I consulted many dudes to put together a list of 20 Father’s Day gift ideas you can steal right now.

I’ll group them together by a few types of dads that you might have in your life. I’ll include a variety of price ranges, in case you like to go the group gift route. But the great news is, you can order any of these things online TODAY and you’ll have it in time. (Father’s Day is next Sunday, June 21, if you didn’t know!)

For Dads with a “Man Cave”

One of our friend’s owns a custom metal creation company in Florida and shared this piece on Facebook. I loved the idea of having something custom created for your dad or grandfather’s garage, property gate or “man cave”. There’s even more ideas on their Facebook page! I include this first since it would be totally custom and has the most lead time. If you’d like to order for Father’s Day, Knott’s Quality Metal Works can accept orders through Sunday, June 14. You can select an idea from the Facebook page and call to order from the number included.

For New Dads

Matching outfits are all the rage! Another friend of mine owns an Etsy Shop and creates lots of custom and pilot-themed attire for kids and adults. I can’t get over how cute this set is! You can check out her storefront here and order. The last day to order before Father’s Day would be Monday, June 15.

For Dads who are REALLY into Cooking Right Now

My dad highly recommends pellet grills, but he was way off on how much these are going for! This pellet grill is the #1 best seller on Amazon that’s currently on sale for $309. It would definitely be a great gift to go in on!

For individual gifts, steel grilling tools ($24) and a Caphalon pan set ($42) are tried and true. For dads into trying something different, grilling salt plates ($33) are a new trend in home cooking. The salt block was a recommendation from my brother who loves to cook fish. This Himalayan salt plate comes with a recipe book, so they won’t be totally lost.

For Dads Looking for New At-Home Hobbies

This is a category to explore in this unprecedented year! With home gardening becoming a big trend this year, I thought this stackable herb planting system ($50) was super cool. Perfect for getting little herb sprouts started or for balcony gardeners. My dad says binoculars ($25) are a thing, but you know he just wants to look for cruise ships!

And I include the tricked-out drone because I’m quickly realizing that flying remote toys are something men apparently never grow out of. (Looking at you, Renan!)

For Dads Who Look Like “What Not to Wear” Contestants

Ok, so this subheading was more for my personal laughter than the truth. I’ve personally gifted the exact polarized aviator sunglasses ($16) and vintage style wallet (on sale for $23) to men in my life, and they loved! It’s always a good idea to refresh some of their style staples – because dads can be picky! For example my dad, who wants a 100% cotton polo ($16), no blends. I love using Amazon for these types of things, because all the reviews and descriptions help. I also love the fresh pattern on this tie (on sale for $20).

For Dads Who Need Upgraded Tech

Again, another category full of ideas! I start with this smart watch ($37), which look again, is not an Apple Watch (though I’m obsessed with mine!) Not only would this be useful for an upgraded watch and fitness tracker, both are equipped with heart and sleep monitoring capabilities. So it’s really a gift for them and more peace of mind for you!

The air pods ($130) are extremely popular this year, great for younger dads or dads that spend a lot of time at the gym. For dads who want to jam in their man cave or garage, sans-headphones, this wireless speaker ($17) is highly rated (and I want it in rose gold!)

Another thing I’m learning at the mini-farm, is that men are SUPER into lights. And during hurricane season, don’t even get my dad started on the importance of flashlights. Renan was gifted similar LED camping lanterns (on sale for $15) for Christmas and we use them all the time! Renan has also inspired my dad to want some of these solar LED motion sensor lights (four-pack on sale for $29.)

For Dads that Don’t Know They’re Going to be a Grandpa

Oh man, this mug ($20) would be such a cute way to tell them!

For Dads Who Use Memes

Your dad might want these Kermit the Frog cufflinks ($11), but that’s none of my business.

Quickest “add to list” product ever!

I hope this list of 20 Father’s Day gift ideas might inspire you to wow and thank the father figures in your life this crazy year of 2020. I certainly feel more inspired to shop now. Let me know if you have any other ideas you want to share in the comments below!

If you liked this article, you can subscribe here or check out more of my blog posts.

Disclaimer: a small percentage of purchases from select links will benefit me via an affiliate program. I appreciate anyone who wants to support my blog by shopping the products, but there is no obligation to buy.