For any given category of home items, there’s SO many different ways to organize any given one. If you took my recent Decluttering Personality Type Quiz, I’ve received feedback that just taking it has inspired decluttering projects. As a type 3, I’m a closet connoisseur of organization inspo of all kinds. So in wanting to share some visually stunning organization ideas with you, I went to search the entirety of my Pinterest boards, and had pages and pages of options. From there, I selected my top 10 favorites that I felt were 1) beautiful, 2) practical, and 3) repeatable. And spoiler alert, most of them were created by fellow designers and professional organizers. So if you’re all amped up to tackle a closet or a whole room this weekend, here’s my 10 BEST designer inspired organization ideas for your viewing pleasure!

So my very first blog post “Where to Shop Budget Home Essentials” is definitely one of my most referenced articles on this whole site. This is probably because it’s SO on-brand for what I do for people. The process goes a little something like this… 1) I need something for my house or a client project. 2) I end up shopping between 2-7 different stores and give myself a total headache until I find something that I’m satisfied with the price and quality. 3) I share where I found said “thing” and why you should shop for similar items there. 4) You benefit from my picky and budget-friendly ways. So I thought I’d put together a similar list for the holidays for you, because if there’s any time of year you’d like to save a little money to use elsewhere, it’s now! Back by popular “demand”, I present the Budget Home Essentials – Holiday Edition list!

Happy Labor Day Weekend, friends! I hope you are spending some time safely with those closest to you, relaxing and savoring the extra time off.  If you’re like me and you’re hitting any of the Labor Day sales at furniture/decor stores this weekend, I have a few quick tips for holiday weekend shopping & some info on the Diderot Effect.

#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 ($73). Maybe you consider investing in a slide ($$$) addition to your pool or create a new seating area (new Adirondack folding chairs $74 ) around the firepit? A dartboard ($20) is a classic game that only requires an open wall and decent lighting. Some other game ideas are a DIY shuffleboard kit ($40), a giant set of chess ($485), cornhole ($56) or oversized Jenga-style blocks ($38). 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 ($210) 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 ($90) and a striped teak lounge chair with attached side table ($499 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 ($142) or a standing heater ($140) 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 ($90) 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 ($40 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 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.

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.

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.

From horrible to habitable!

You guys really need to know – when we got to the mini-farm, the bathrooms were rough. The second one didn’t even have a floor as you saw in my first blog post. Renan and I are in an atypical situation since we’re renting at a discount because it was mid-renovation. Basically, we’re allowed to do whatever we want to the space, and I’m thankful! But like many renters out there, we had to make it work on a budget. And while this bathroom may not be the stuff of your “dream house” Pinterest board, the improvement is visible. So this is my magical tale of how we completed our rental bathroom makeover for under $300. I’m sharing EVERYTHING in hopes that it inspires others to make the most of their space, at any budget!

In a few senses, I’m lucky because we now have two working bathrooms. One for “boys” and the other for “girls” – which Renan and I totally love. We found a lot of supplies on property like vinyl flooring for the house, new sheets of drywall, etc. I’m also lucky to have such a handyman, “Chip Gaines” of a partner. And hey, I get a good amount of counter space to myself! The get-ready surface space is priceless, no matter how expensive your bathroom is, am I right?

So let’s take a virtual walk through the bathroom and chat about the changes made in this DIY makeover.

Change #1: Paint it All ONE Color

With my interior design work, I always stress the importance of how a space makes someone feel. Since I’m the client in this scenario, I wanted to attack the the thing that drove me the craziest first. And that was paint! Who in the heck can even live with all these crazy paint colors and water-damaged walls?

I picked up a gallon of Behr Marquee One-Coat Cameo White Semi-Gloss and went to town in one weekend. Spoiler: it took more than one coat to cover the bathroom, but it covered the sins.

Two learning lessons from the painting process:

Say no to semi-gloss. I’ve never liked semi-gloss paint, so I’m not sure why I went with the Home Depot recommendation. I think a satin finish would’ve worked just fine for the bathroom. Semi-gloss has a bit of a latex texture and is sometimes harder to get even coverage, in my opinion.

Prep in one day, paint in one day. Between painting my bathroom and my office, I’ve learned this lesson officially. Use the first day to prep the room to high heaven! Carefully fill holes with a putty kit and use painter’s tape on trim pieces, fixtures, etc. Start with the putty work so you can sand it down later in the day. If you have textured drywall, you may also need a texture spray to help camouflage the repair prior to painting. On painting day, start early so you can run to a Home Depot or Lowe’s if you need more paint. This way you’ll complete the project faster and only have to clean the paint brushes, rollers, and trays once!

Change #2: Paint the Cabinets

This is where I’ll admit I’m a little braver than most people in the “GSD” department. I literally just took the same house paint to the cabinets. While I wouldn’t do the same for a client, this got the job done for me! The coverage was not great, and it may have taken three coats. It was worth it to save money and work from the same gallon of paint! Frankly anything is better than peeling, fake wood cabinets, so this was a win in my book. If you try this, take your time in prepping.

Change #3: Install Privacy Film

This blog is making me realize how much I did in just one or two weekends before I moved here! Ah, memories.

So when we bought the paint, I also had privacy film on my list for the bathroom. I liked the natural light, but having a transparent window in a bathroom was a hard no for me. Renan said “You don’t need this, we live far from neighbors.” But let me tell you, the privacy film was a savior!

There’s also cool rainbow privacy films that would be fun for a kids or teen bathroom. Make sure to buy a wallpaper kit like this to help smooth out and cut.

Change #4: Apply Contact Paper to Countertops

This is the idea I most welcome you to steal! I stole it from Sharrah Stevens who put marble contact paper in her rental kitchen. Though I prefer the gray marble contact paper, I thought the pink/beige went well with the 80s vibe windows.

Look for contact paper that is wide enough to to cover the surface + sides without a seam if you can. Purchase a wallpaper kit to help measure, cut, and smooth out. Be SUPER patient with it and take your time with the cuts. Especially around the sink. When you’re done, use clear or white silicone caulking around the edges to seal down. Props to Renan for his excellent sealing work!

Change #5: Dollar Tree Linen Closet DIY

I saw this video and was instantly inspired to cover my wire shelves in the bathroom linen closet. And Do it On a Dime shared my photo on her story, which makes her extra cool in my book!

There was originally just one shelf in the linen closet, so Renan was awesome and added two more for us. Then, I used approximately one roll of contact paper and one foam core board from the Dollar Tree per shelf. I chose the light wood grain option, as you can see above. Although not totally perfect, they make me happier to look at my linen closet with no door. And they’re easier to use! Watch her tutorial video for all the steps. This is a solid half day project, NOT including time to organize your stuff.

Change #6: Purchases for Functionality

Believe it or not, my apartment bathroom was one of the projects I completed the Marie Kondo method on. (Read: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.) Even so, my hair, skincare, and makeup products bring me a lot of joy apparently! The important thing for someone like me is to have an organization system in place that works in real life. Otherwise, it’s a total clutter mess.

When we moved here, the bathroom storage situation was different, so my system from my apartment didn’t all translate. The bathroom had no drawers and minimal closed storage. This bathroom works extra hard for us since it needs to act as a storage extension for our laundry room. It was a bit of a jigsaw puzzle and I may continue to move some things around. But ultimately for me it takes living life in the space to decide on storage solutions.

I share this because, for me, it’s important to be mindful about how a space is used. By thinking through the functionality and organization, I didn’t need to splurge on all new things for every corner.

What I did buy was this trendy pink rolling drawer cart from Home Goods because I deeply missed having drawers! (Similar one in white on Amazon.) I also bought the oval mirror and placed in a well-lit spot for putting in my contacts and doing makeup. (Similar mirror on Amazon.) I brought in the teak-style IKEA shelf that was from my apartment closet. And basically everything else was brought over from my apartment or repurposed.

Change #7: Accessories & Styling

For whatever reason, maybe with the new, all-white canvas I created, I went pretty hard with accessories in the bathroom. It’s all a mix of stuff I had, thrift store finds, Target Opalhouse collection, and my DIY Anthropologie vase knock-off. I can see myself changing this up in the fall, but for now, the color and pattern makes me happy! And that’s the whole point right?

But Wait…There’s More!

Bathrooms are never simple, right? So the last piece is the second closet that had the water damaged wall. Thankfully, Renan has some construction background so he was capable of removing the bad drywall and replacing. We still need to paint it and put shelving in. So I decided we’re going to do a video tour on my Instagram stories in the next week or so. Be sure to follow me to see even more of this bathroom!

What a whirlwind! I hope you enjoyed this Under $300 Rental Bathroom Makeover (in my relentlessly honest style.) Are you planning to try any of these ideas in your home? Let me know in the comments below!

You can also subscribe to my blog here to see more of our rental makeover projects and watch me grow! I absolutely can’t wait until I’m writing about my own bathroom with custom tile, stone surfaces, and built-in everything. I hope you’ll be here for that day, too. ❤️

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.

So if there’s one comment I’ve gotten a lot in response to my recent move, it’s people saying “Really? I can’t picture you on a farm!” I’m not quite sure if it’s intended as a compliment or a veiled insult, but I am definitely enjoying the change of scenery. There’s things I’m still adjusting to and new problems to solve in this new life at the mini-farm. But getting to wake up and see little animals playing outside in the morning is pretty amazing.

If this is your first time “meeting” me, I’ve recently moved from Tampa, Florida to a rural area outside of Ocala, Florida with my farrier boyfriend, Renan. You can see even more back story on my first blog post. And while I still visit Tampa for both professional and personal visits on the regular, the new home base was quite a shift for me! So I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite moments so far and along with a list of products that helped with adjusting to life on a mini-farm. I hope you enjoy!

Favorite Mini-Farm Moments So Far

1. Getting Used to Having Horses as Pets

Before moving here, I don’t think I’ve ever had a pet I couldn’t carry! Enter Hunter and Nate, our beautiful 9-year-old dark brown/black Friesian horses. With lots of training and a background in dressage, Renan was very quick to begin educating me on the ins and outs of horsemanship, so I could take part in their training.

The above photo was taken from a video of my first morning feeding and taking off their jackets by myself. I remember it was a little scary getting so close to these two green, 1200+ pound animals, but after it felt like a rush. One of those times where you think – man, if I can do that, I wonder what else I’m capable of!

Now, I’ve ridden one of them (briefly) and I help Renan with training by taking them one at a time for mile walks around the property. Hunter has become attached to me and pretty much lets me “catch” him and even puts his head down so I can put his halter over his ears. Even though he’s still pretty wild, I just love that horse so much!

Nate, is our “nosy” horse who always wants to be in the action and to find out where there’s any feed he can get into. I’ve read that Friesians are one of the sneakiest horse breeds, and that certainly holds true with Nate! A few weeks ago, Nate came back from a training session and walked around the house checking three different windows for me. Very few dull moments with Friesians apparently!

2. Piggy Cuddle Time

There’s nothing that could’ve prepared me for the amount of instantaneous love we felt for our piglets. Renan says it’s because they toyed with our emotions when they ran away in the first 24 hours. But when they came back, we would give them a bath and they would rest their little heads on our chest for hours, wrapped in towels. But the next day, they’d find another hole in the fence, and the cycle would continue!

I could write a novel-length blog just about what I’ve learned as a co-owner of eight pot-bellied pigs, but I’ll just stop here with – they’re both ridiculous and ridiculously cute. I’m totally wrapped around their little piggy fingers.

3. #Goatjogs

When I walk outside, it’s so funny to see all the little animal heads popping up and making their respective racket over the idea of getting a meal. But there’s two animals on this farm who are excited to see me regardless of food, and that’s Mia and Lyla.

So the #goatjogs started one day during quarantine where I decided I wanted to go for a quick jog down our half mile road. The littler goat, Lyla, escaped under the fence to come join me. And she was a great running partner since she could easily keep pace with me! Then I decided to make it a thing and invite Mia to come with us next time. They LOVED it, and I loved the added motivation to work out.

Nowadays, we keep the jogs to our own property to avoid #animaldrama (other farm people know what I’m saying.) But those two would follow me on a jog to the ends of the earth!

4. Having the Space for Creative Projects

I’m very lucky on the mini-farm to have my own office space – with a view and a door – for my first year of owning a business. But in addition, I’m really enjoying having the yard space again where I can paint and DIY to my heart’s content. It’s something I definitely missed when living in an apartment. If you’re interested in seeing some of my DIY projects, check out my Instagram.

5. That the Animals Support My Professional Development

This year, I started with a goal to read one book a month that could help me professionally in my first year of business. This was already going well, but apparently I need to get more hard copy books to read during the piggies’ siesta time. Again, I can’t handle the cuteness of the piglets at this stage.

Additionally, I’ve started to get hooked on audiobooks and podcasts for interior design and entrepreneurship. And apparently these are perfect listening for my horse walks. Maybe Hunter will be able to run a company one day, too!

Products that Help, Big Time

So, we all know farm life doesn’t only consist of Disney-like animals following me and frolicking around. You’re also frankly going to need a tetanus shot and a credit card to make this work. #Justsayin

This brings me to the products that have helped me make the city to farm life transition more doable. I’m hoping these can help others with adjusting to life on a mini-farm (or a farm-farm). As I created my list, I realized many of these products were actually gifts, which I’m so thankful for! So if you are looking for glam or practical gifts for farm girls, this is a good spot. Some of these products would make great, gender neutral housewarming gifts in general.

For Keeping My Hair in Check

When I told my hair stylist about my move, she accurately guessed that we would be on well water and recommended a water softener. While I do know the value of a good water softener, this was not an investment that was realistic to make in the move. However, this water softener shower head has saved my hair from turning crazy colors, for under $30. It comes with two filter cartridges and was relatively easy to install. I’ve been using for months and can highly recommend.

My mom bought me this dual sided silk/bamboo pillowcase for Christmas and I actually noticed a difference in my hair. It’s perfect for farm girls who blow dry their hair at night and don’t need to heat style it every day. You can find it cheaper in this black silk set option as well.

Are you sensing a theme here? Hair is important! Since I style it less and wear it in a hair tie more now, I notice more tangles. So in general, I’m using more hair mask treatments to comb through, and this one is my absolute favorite. If you’ve not tried any products from Briogeo, this mask is your gateway drug.

For Keeping Cool

Shout out to both Victoria & Amy who bought me some insulated wine tumblers for our new place. These are speakin’ my language! Renan and I love sipping our ice cold wine during our quarantine date nights or when celebrating things like my website launch. If you in general live somewhere warm and enjoy chilled beverages, you will like these!

Please don’t judge me for the love of my inflatable pool! This thing was awesome when we didn’t have any A/C for a hot minute, literally. In general, it’s nice to have on a hot day after working outside in Florida! Renan’s brother recommended a mini-blower to fill up with air and it’s a game changer for your inflatable pool dreams. Hello again, weekend pool days!

To Keep Me Safe from Sunburn

This is another great item I was gifted as part of the Costco k-beauty set from my mom. This sunscreen is the only one I know for sure doesn’t break out my skin, so of course it’s a Sephora-level price. It’s perfect for a long day outside.

This is mandatory for my #goatjogs and otherwise outdoor activities, because farmer tans happen, but farmer burns I try to avoid. Hey, if it’s good enough for Jennifer Lopez, it’s good enough for mini-farm life. 🙂

For my Mental & Physical Health

I’ve had this elliptical for years and have recommended to several friends who want to try more home workouts. I include this from a practical standpoint, because living in a rural area often means you are farther away from a gym. In my case, my gym is 30 minutes away, so this is perfect in between. If you check this link later in the year, you’ll probably find deals that are a third of the price of a Peloton (which I think would also be great for farm life.)

If you live anywhere with questionably high humidity, these Damprid bags pull water from the air to dry out your space. I’ve been using these since my college days and I find it helps a space to feel fresh and take away dampness.

Another practical device! I was very lucky to receive an older version of the Dyson Cordless Stick Vacuum as a hand-me-down from my mom. This is so handy for quickly getting farm dirt out of the house, but it can work for anyone! Fingers crossed this is the first of my growing Dyson appliance collection. 🙂

For Convenient Lighting

Outdoor solar lights are so fantastic for our Florida mini-farm life. Renan bought some motion-activated lights that he has put up all over the property, and even on the golf cart. They all work very well. He’s also bought a set of string lights like this, but not solar. I love when he plugs them in on the front porch when I’m coming home after dark. These solar string lights would definitely be an upgraded version of this!

This was one of our last upgrades to the mini-farm and I’m loving it. I went to my parents house a while back and noticed they had their Christmas trees and some lighting decorations plugged into this little remote control system. They likely found theirs at Costco and not long after complimenting it, I got a set of my own as a gift! We have some wonky electrical here, so a remote power outlet set like this helps to control lights not connected to switches.

So that’s a wrap! I hope you enjoyed this life update and product recommendations from my experience adjusting to life on a mini-farm. Feel free to share any additional tips or recommendations in the comments below. If you find this article because you are moving to a farm, please be sure to comment so I can say hi! I hope so much that this helps make you feel happy and adjusted in your new home. 🙂

If you liked this article, you will almost definitely enjoy my first blog post on Where to Shop Budget Home Essentials. You can also subscribe here or use the social share links below to share the article with your networks.

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

Related: About Me

Good wallpaper in a well-designed space, to me, is like drinking a glass of fine wine. This is because it brings an instant, unique flair – that says “we mean design business here.” However, I’ve noticed many steer clear of the product. Is this because they are afraid of the commitment? Or maybe they’ve seen too many examples of it gone wrong? As a self-proclaimed mega-fan of pattern I want to help break the cycle. So I’ve put together a list of “Ten Times Wallpaper Got it Right.”

My hope is to inspire others (or future clients) to make the leap in their homes or work spaces. If the pattern brings you joy, then why not put it somewhere that will affect you everyday? Secondly, this list provides some inspiration for new styles and creative places to implement.

And I made sure to include some peel and stick varieties that would make excellent quarantine, #stayathome projects. So I hope you enjoy!

Future me talking now – this was actually a hard list to assemble, because wallpaper gets it right pretty often. This assortment is to show ten different room placement ideas and styles, but there’s much more out there!

1. Forest Wallpaper in a Modern Boho Nursery or Bedroom

2. Botanical Blue & White Wallpaper In a Coastal-Chic Home Office

3. A Dramatic, Dark, Whimsical Print Backing a Bathroom Vanity

4. A Photograhic Print Wallpaper in a Work Space

5. Brushstroke Print Graphic Removable Wallpaper

6. Behind Floating Shelves in a Rustic, Coastal Kitchen

7. Textural Print Wallpaper in a Monochrome, Boho Dining Room

8. Dalmation Spot Print Built-in Bookshelf

9. Extra Fun Color Statement Removable Accent Wall

10. Peel & Stick Wallpaper on Stair Risers

I think this shows a lot of ways you can implement one of these “wallpaper wins” into your home and instantly boost the style! Which was your favorite? What do you think is the biggest reason people are turned off by it? Are you #teamwallpaper like I am? This I need to know!

If you enjoyed this article on “Ten Times Wallpaper Got it Right” please be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any upcoming posts. In addition to sharing my design perspectives and ideas, I will also be chronicling DIY projects, product recommendations, and sharing some of my mini-farm life.

If you try out any of these projects or products, I’d love to see them! So please sure to tag me on Facebook and/or Instagram which are both: @kaitlynloosdesign

Related: Where to Shop Budget Home Essentials

So this being the first blog post on my new website, a little back story is pretty much required 🙂

When I quit my day job to go full time with my interior design freelancing work, my boyfriend who is a farrier, had a strong interest in shifting our home base from Tampa to Ocala, Florida. Since I can now work from home, I opened my mind to the possibility so Renan could be closer to his clients and their horses.

What I didn’t know was that we would be soon adopting two beautiful 9-year-old Friesian horses ourselves – and would soon need a considerable amount of property to accommodate them. No doubt, Renan found it in under one day and shook hands on the rental agreement, sight COMPLETELY unseen to me.

While Renan negotiated a deal to rent a two-acre property with a barn, chicken coop, and stall for the horses, the inside of the house was something of a nightmare. It was left mid-renovation, lacking a sink, cabinets, or appliances in the kitchen. The second bathroom was merely a huge hole in the floor! There was shoddy paint work in the bedrooms, and the whole property was lined with dirt and sand any which way you walk.

Renan had a strong sense of optimism and had begun repairs to the property immediately. It was not long after the first visit that I decided to accept the challenge myself. What a whirlwind the entire month of December was for us!

So I’m starting this blog to chronicle some of the projects and challenges we are tackling here. We’re working under a true beer budget with my champagne taste!

But hey, I can’t be alone in that. My challenge is to turn this place from dirt pit into a home for us and our (now over 20) animals. I envision a home where we can welcome friends and family without the disclaimer of “under construction” or “please don’t judge my interior design taste on THIS.” You know this has happened!

So knowing I’m not alone in my search for quality home essentials on a budget, I’ve put together a list of where to shop first for each. I hope you can use my experience going in and out of dozens of stores (before pandemic) and anecdotes of product regrets to help your shopping experience go without a hitch.

1. For a Mattress, Shop Amazon

Let’s start with a positive: oh my goodness, I love our Signature Sleep mattresses. I first ordered when I moved into my apartment in Tampa and always enjoyed it – especially with a 1.5″ memory foam topper to make it extra princess. In moving to the new place, we needed another for the guest room and I actually bought the same one again. We had guests come into town for Christmas and they raved about their sleep. It’s a great, balanced mattress, leaning on the soft side. It comes rolled up in a box and delivered right to the door.

Hot tip: Do not let the Amazon prime two-day promise fool you! Mattresses have to be shipped ground and typically can’t arrive sooner than the 4-5 day window. Learned that lesson here at Christmastime (ugh!), but the mattress is great.

2. For Stylish Lamps, Shop Target

Lamps are probably what inspired this article! I feel like we all went to sleep one night and woke up to almost every new, cool-looking lamp costing $50 at the minimum. And if you need a big one, that’s $70+. Even at HomeGoods! And while those prices might not be jarring on a normal day, when you move, it can add up fast.

So unless you’re into retro, thrift store finds and have time to shop, my advice to you is to go shop your local Super Target on a Wednesday or Thursday night. I find that’s when they put the NEW sale stuff out, but it could always change. I feel like my longest Target “disappearances” have been around 8 p.m. on a week night. But it’s not a bad thing when I come out with a stash of upcoming birthday gifts, half-off candles, and beautiful decor items. I think I found the Opalhouse lamp in my bedroom, complete with the shade, lightbulb, and all on sale for $25. You cannot beat that for a new lamp!

Hot tip: buy a full lamp, even if it’s not on sale, it usually saves money over the mix and match varieties.

Quarantine alternative: I would use Target.com over Amazon. They have better prices and styles in my opinion.

3. For Area Rugs, Shop HomeGoods

Rugs are tough, but if you’re on a budget, your best bet is to measure and check out the selection at your local HomeGoods. I got my apartment’s living room shag rug there and I love it to this day! You’ll find rugs there come in non-traditional sizes, so that’s why I recommend measuring your room and furniture before you go so you can make a decision. Don’t try to eyeball-it with a rug!

Most HomeGoods have a 60 day return window that you can take it back if you’re not happy with it, so as long as it fits in your car, it’s easy to return for a full refund. Double check with your store, though!

However, if decision-making in a store is not your jam OR if you are currently quarantining, Rugs USA & Wayfair are good resources. I love how these websites show customer ratings and have tools to estimate how the rug will fit/look in your space. Make sure you are buying during one of their promotions or sales. This is not my top choice for the purposes of this article because: 1) Sometimes the rug can look slightly different in photos, so be sure to look close-up and read about the materials. 2) You will often have to deduct $25-$65 of your refund to pay to ship back a return.

Hot tip: even if it’s a great deal, don’t buy a rug from a non-reputable source. We bought a woven style rug, new with tags at a thrift store for a great deal and it ended up tearing and bleeding color in under a month.

Quarantine alternative: Rugs USA & Wayfair

4. For Sheets, Shop Amazon

Sheets are another product that I see creeping up in price everywhere. While you can’t deny high-end material sheets can last a long time, when moving, it adds up. I discovered these sheets on a blog list when I just needed an extra set for my apartment. They are soft and lightweight just as described. They’ve held up so well, that when I needed another set of sheets this year, I ordered the same in the print above. Hello great sheets for under $20!

Hot tip: when you shop anything on Amazon, double check that the reviews are legit before ordering. I’ve noticed a few products with hundreds of reviews, but when you read, you’ll see some are about a different product. Scam alert!

5. For Curtains, Shop Target.com

If you follow me on Instagram and you’ve gotten this far into the article, it’s probably abundantly clear that I am a HUGE fan of the Opalhouse line at Target. These curtains, oh my gosh. I love curtains for the function of blocking light, framing a beautiful room, and introducing a punch of pattern/color.

The love of my Target curtains starts way before this Opalhouse line was introduced. This is because they constantly have a great pattern selection and you can touch them in store and order in the length you need online. For a Target price!

My mom found a few panels of my white/blue paisley curtains in the sale section of Target for my apartment for a steal of a deal. All I had to do was order 1-2 matching panels online and my apartment was transformed in the first week. I still use them now!

Hot tip: be sure to measure the length you need for every window. My recommendation is to hang as close to the ceiling as possible and have the curtains hang within a half inch of the floor. It’ll make your ceilings look incredibly high! If you already have curtains and need to adjust, you can try doing the iron-on hem tape! I may be trying this out soon myself.

6. For Unique Decor Items, Shop GoodWill or Local Thrift Store

I shock myself nearly every time I browse a thrift store home section. In addition to the pineapple mirrors, I found a Crate & Barrel tiered server, a cute jewelry dish, and some vintage china I’m obsessed with. Treat it like a HomeGoods. They may not have exactly what you’re looking for, but you can almost always find something good. Plus it’s SUPER budget friendly!

Added benefit, your money is usually going towards a charity and you’re keeping products out of a landfill. While I can’t recommend thrift stores for everything on my list here, it’s an awesome resource for unique decor items!

Quarantine alternative: Poshmark Home – this is also a great resource to check if a product you love from a big brand has gone out of stock.

7. For Mirrors, Shop HomeGoods

This is a close one to call, but I think HomeGoods is still the best bet for a one-stop-shop for accent mirrors. I think the prices have gone up, but it’s likely lower cost because there’s no shipping involved. When I needed another wall mirror for my new bathroom, HomeGoods was my spot!

Quarantine alternative: Amazon for accent mirrors and Ikea for basic and larger mirrors.

8. For Kitchen Utensils, Organization & Hardware Items, Shop the Dollar Tree

Nothing really grinds my gears more than when I see something at the Dollar Tree AFTER I spend 3x-5x on the same thing elsewhere. In this move, this happened with a set of super long zip ties, #neverforget!

It seems silly, but when you’re on a budget, it’s a good idea to make a big Dollar Tree run when you first move in. I really like their kitchen accessories, especially the knife above and their wooden spoons. I also like their organizational products and have used for the notorious pantry & linen closet organization projects.

They also carry a lot of random decor, garden, and craft items seasonally that are worth checking out.

Quarantine alternative: Amazon add-on items

9. For Kitchen & Entertaining Essentials, Shop Ikea

My love runs very deep for Ikea. Because their products are widely tested before releasing internationally, you can find great basics there for many categories. But I can’t possibly sing their praises enough when it comes to their cookware, serving utensils, glassware, and ceramics. They just get it. And the value is always there.

Hot tip: If you find a colored/printed plate set, glassware set, etc. that you absolutely love, stock up! These type of products seem to be limited-time. We broke a few plates in the move that I’m still thinking about!

10. For Random Batteries, Shop Dollar General

Most random addition, but you will thank me if this happens to you! We needed a random size battery for one of our remotes. Walmart was out of stock and I didn’t have the patience to wait for Amazon so I phoned a friend. Apparently the Dollar General is notorious for having batteries.

Hot tip: Take a photo of the old battery like I did before you go to the store. There were several options nearly identical in size with different numbers. Thankful I did this!

Quarantine alternative: Amazon

Thank you so much for checking out my first blog post! I hope this is helpful! Leave me a comment below if there’s any home essentials I didn’t include that you’d like my shop recommendation on.

If you enjoyed this and would like to see more posts, feel free to subscribe here.

Also, if you want help in 1-3 areas of your new home that you’re stuck on or want design guidance on, I’m currently offering Virtual Design Strategy Sessions through the month of September. 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.

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.

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

Related: About Me, About Me: Interior Design, About Me: Event Planning