DIY Office Makeover

Tips for redesigning your office space on a budget

Having a space to call your own is highly important for a maker. My crafty mother always talked about having her own Craft Room in our little house. She waited and waited for the day when one of the rooms in our home became vacant long enough to transform it into the studio she always wanted.

So naturally I wanted the same thing for myself. I knew that I would one day have a room all to myself in my home where I could escape to. A room that was so inspiring that you couldn’t help but create something the moment you sat down. I recently got the chance to design that very room for myself.

Mind you, I don’t have a TLC budget when it comes to interior design so this process was slow and steady. I know a lot of you are in the same position I was in when it comes to decorating a special space in your home : Lots of inspiration and no moo-la. Don’t worry! If I can design my dream space on my hubby’s teacher salary, you can too!

Here are my top 5 tips for designing your creative space on a budget!

1. Make a plan

I know it’s more fun to go out to Hobby Lobby, TJMax, or Burlington and just shop till you drop but when you can’t shop like that you have to be a little more strategic. Think about how you want your space to run. What are the necessary things you need to work? How close would you like certain tools to your desk? Do you need a space to house all your yarn or bulk supply? If you have a business, like me, where you ship things often, do you need a shipping station? Make a list of the items that would benefit your work environment and make life as easy as possible.

2. Use Amazon Wish Lists

I’m a wish list - a - holic. Nothing is more relaxing to me than laying in bed on my phone thinking up things I want to buy and adding them to a wish list. I have lists for everyone in my family. I have a list for things I want to buy for the business. I also have a running list of things that I want to add to my dream office. SKY’S the LIMIT when you just add it to the list! You can add and click whatever you want with no pressure! Then when you’re ready to buy, you go to your list and get it! Seriously, if you’re not using lists on amazon... man, your missing out on a good time!

3. Buy On Your Time

This goes along with the previous tip, but when you’re kinda living paycheck to paycheck like we are, you have to really time out your purchases. When we get paid, I use my list and buy 1-2 items I’ve been really wanting for my new space. This last paycheck I bought a fantastic desk organizer to house all those little bits and bobs I use to make my crochet toys. Next time, I want a super plush fluffy RUG! Pace your purchases and sooner or later you have exactly the space you want!

4. Look For Sales!

Guys, y’all know that I’m in Hobby Lobby no less than once a week and let me tell you, there sales are on a SCHEDULE! Honestly, every other week yarn goes on sale for 30% off! And on the off weeks, furniture and wall decor are on sale for 40-50% off! When you know the sales schedules, you save lots of moo-la! Sign up for coupons, check sales online and go to the stores even if you’re just looking around. You’ll start learning the schedule and then when you have the cash you can go get something while it’s on sale.

5. And before you start this whole process, Declutter Everything You Don’t Use

When I finally got ready to reposition my office to a new configmutation, I went through every drawer, every box and every knick knack and only kept what I KNEW I would use every single week. If you haven’t heard of Marie Kondo and her magic tidying system... go read her book and watch her Netflix show. When I did this to my office space, even though I don’t have most of the pretty things I want for it yet, it still feels like the happiest room in my home because it “Sparks Joy” the moment I step through the door.

What room in your home are you DYING to redecorate? Do you have an idea of what you’d like to do with it? Let me know in the comments or tell me on Instagram. I had so much fun designing my space and I can’t wait to get into it each day.

Have fun decorating and as always Happy Crocheting!