We’re trying to redo the sunroom on a budget using as much that we already have as we can (since we have other projects like Clara’s big girl room, a guest bathroom, and a porch & carport overhaul that we’re saving our pennies for). But there’s a delicate balance between function and saving money. Sometimes you can use 100% of what you already have and achieve 70% function in a room, or you can spend a little money along with using 90% of the things you already have and end up with 100% function. So as you might guess, we’re going for 100% function on a small budget.
So far all we’ve bought is one gallon of paint for the walls & ceiling of the sunroom and everything else has been furniture, accessories, and art that we already have (except for these $7 frames we built here). But the time recently came to buy one more thing. The room needs storage, so instead of adding more seating or another table that we already have, we decided that a bookcase with eight whole grids of storage space was the way to go.
And thanks to Ikea’s not-too-bad prices, we scored this bad boy for $69. It’s this one (in the “white” finish, since the “gloss white” one was $20 more) and John and Clara had some bonding time on Saturday morning putting it together.
Looks like we have a little DIY lover on our hands…
As for how long it took to assemble, it wasn’t too bad. Maybe half an hour? Here it is all put together in the sunroom:
We opted to store items that would be the most functional for us, so it just made sense to use it to store board games, books, and a few toys for Clara since she plays in there sometimes and we play the occasional board game at the table in front of the daybed. And as for the books… well… we just love storing books in bookcases. Ha. And while there are some on the built-ins in our dining room, those are actually really narrow shelves, so our bigger design books don’t fit up there. Now those can live here in the sunroom. Cha-ching.
As for the things on top, I just thought adding color with some vases that John got me for Mother’s Day last year and tossing down a secondhand bike that Clara picked out a few years back would be fun. Does two pieces of bike art + a 3D bike = the bike trifecta? I think it does for John. Also, he’s wearing a bike shirt in this post. He’s gone off the deep end guys.
So here’s where the room is now:
And as for a little budget breakdown, everything in here was already owned except for the paint on the walls, those $7 frames, and this new bookcase, so we’ve spent under $135 to upgrade a room that used to look like this:
But we still have an empty corner to attend to, as well as adding some finishing touches to help polish things off (for example, that wooden side table still feels a little unbalanced to us, but we have a plan). You know we’ll keep you posted!
What Ikea furniture are you guys assembling these days? Or are you hunting things down on Craigslist? One tip: before you buy anything from Ikea, check if it’s on Craigslist (in this case the right size/color wasn’t available, but sometimes it is and you can save some money). Are you building bookcases instead? We thought about building something, but for this much chunky wood, it actually would have been more than $69! Hootie hoo for affordable shortcuts.
Oh and before I stop rambling, guess what Clara’s favorite part is?
Yup, the box. Who’s surprised?
Karen says
I must admit that I loooove Ikea. Our living room could be a picture out of their catalog. I also like the fact that putting together their furniture makes me feel like I know how to build things, which couldn’t be further from the truth!
Ashley says
I noticed “Racko” in one of the baskets! It’s such an old game, I didn’t know anyone else who had one. My parents got ours at a garage sale many years ago and I loved it!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes it’s fun!
xo
s
Lynn says
Looks great. We have that same piece in my daughters room in the brown/black. Took my husband (whos not handy) about an hour to put it together so it is pretty easy. I like that you can put things IN it and ON it. My friend uses her usde a half wall in her dining room for storage. Its such a relatively inexpensive piece, but looks great and is so useful!
Krissy says
Loving the extra storage!
Last week, we (meaning Nate, who am I kidding?) built a closet! I have an overabundance of shoes, so the new closet is my birthday gift of shoe storage! It’s pretty awesome and was ready for storing in one evening!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome! Go Nate!
xo
s
Christina P (NS) says
Looks great, you have such a knack for putting things together so nicely – the room looks lovely!
Is Clara wearing the fox jammies from Old Navy? My daughter Isabella(3 in June) has the same ones and whenever she wears them she says, “I’m foxy”
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! She says “Foxy Lady!” since John and I have said that to her. Hahah!
xo
s
Hollis says
If you ever decide you want it to look a bit more “custom”, it looks awesome on wheels or with little feet, e.g: http://pinterest.com/pin/410109109787210076/ and http://pinterest.com/pin/121034308706184195/
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
s
Ofelia, México City says
The little 3D bike is so nice. I love it!. I like the bookcase is wide as the bike frames above it.
Melissa says
Looks nice! Is it my imagination or am I noticing a lot of pink/orange/pastel colors coming out in your home? I honestly never thought one could decorate with pastels outside of a nursery but you two are making it work. Love your site!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! I don’t really love the word “pastel” but I definitely like adding warmer colors lately, like pops of pink and orange. Just to counteract all the blue and green!
xo
s
Bonnie says
I’m a little embarassed to say how much IKEA furniture we have in our house– three desks, two huge bookcases/storage units, a TV stand, two dressers, end tables, coffee table… and I’m sure there’s more I’m forgetting. Plus numerous decor items. You know that commercial where the family is living in IKEA? I feel like that when I walk into my house sometimes. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah!
xo
s
LARY@ Inspiration Nook says
Love how you guys are using what you already got. That’s what we did when we “renovated” our guest room makeover and only spent money on the desk and paint. Inspired by you guys too! Love rediscovering old things at home. Funny how I also remembered that cute bike post. Clara has grown so much. What a cutie!
http://www.larysubero.com/wp/?p=5367
YoungHouseLove says
So cool!
xo
s
Amy says
We’re currently updating the playroom with Expedit shelving on the walls, 2 sections of the linear 5 opening version. I stole my inspiration from playroom makeovers on Pintrest. We are wall mounting them as we have a baseboard heater to contend with on that side. We put one in and it looks so great we’ve decided to add another and line the whole wall. Toy storage nirvana! My 3 year old twin boys love the “new shelf mama!!”
YoungHouseLove says
So smart to mount them above the heater!
xo
s
Starr @ The Kiefer Cottage says
IKEA might be the only thing I wouldn’t buy used unless it was priced really really cheap. But there is a market for it. We sold a broken Hemnes bed for $50! (we even warned the guy it was broken!)
Our finds have recently been stuff given to us. I regularly share on facebook what we’re looking for and people then think of us when they have something to give away.
Dusty @All Things G&D says
Beautiful job as always, guys! I love all the fun, bright colors, and that bike print (and little vintage bike) are perfection!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, schmanks Dusty.
xo
s
Team Greene says
Man, Sherry! You guys make this stuff look way too easy! It is like magic how it all comes together!
Hubby (Jon) and I have working on our stairs for almost a month now – started 12/26 by ripping off the carpet, and now we are still waiting on finishing the priming part (ran out) and settle on the colors for the treads.
But I guess time flies when you’re in the middle of holidays, working full-time, and tending to a 9 and 1 year old.
The sunroom is looking Ah-MAAaAZING!
Kathleen @Home Wasn't Built In A Day says
What a neat piece of furniture, and I am in love with that little pink car on the top right! Adorable! I can’t believe you did that whole room and ceiling with only one gallon of paint. That’s awesome!
YoungHouseLove says
I definitely thought we’d need to head out for more, but since the room it has two walls that are basically giant sliders and a ton of windows on another wall with a window to the kitchen on the fourth wall… there’s not a lot of wall! It does have ceiling but maybe that was offset by all the glass on the walls that we didn’t have to paint. It definitely would have taken more than a gallon if we didn’t do Benjamin Moore though (they have awesome coverage, so we just did one coat on most places and touched up with a light second coat in spots (not a full one everywhere) and the brick only took two coats (painting brick in our first house took way more than that – maybe five coats? – with Glidden paint). Hope it helps!
xo
s
Erin says
Hi guys! I’m such a huge fan but I’m having a hard time loving the interior window side of the room. I normally love exposed brick but this time around it’s not working since it doesn’t go all the way to the ceiling. Adding all the small artwork and small furniture makes it look even more awkward in there. I think you could cover the entire wall in a brick-patterned stained wood (using pallets) and take it all the way to the ceiling. Adding shutters to that interior window would embrace the window and make it more substantial. You could paint the shutters in a crackled coastal blue (pulled from the pillows) or stick with your traditional bright white. You could even add a window box and add plants (this could be corny or possibly fun!). Maybe embracing the window wall by treating it like an exterior wall is what that room needs (talk about bringing the outdoors in). Maybe you could lean an old wooden ladder next to the window and use it to shelve books. Just some thoughts but I hopefully did not offend. I love your blog.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Erin! Love the ideas. Without a doubt we could cover that whole wall with something (like wood) to make it an accent, but as we mentioned in this post, we don’t like the oddly sloped ceiling (it leans just to one side)… so making that wall a focal point would just make the room feel like a wonky spaceship to us since it would bring out that odd slanted roof (which feels very disjointed from the rest of our house). It’s more apparent in person I think, but painting the whole room the same color has really helped to tone it down. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Abigail Stender says
I have the same bookcase as my TV console. My favorite part was the instructions. There are a couple of Ikea graphics that are the best (which I added my own titles to): “Don’t do it yourself, do it with a friend!” and “Nope, I’m not a ladder!” I actually saved the instructions and plan to frame them because I thought they were so funny!
YoungHouseLove says
Ha! We had the same reaction ourselves back when we put together our bed: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/12/mister-ed-the-bed/
-John
Katie @ Suburban Fervor says
Whoa whoa whoa, one gallon of paint? Is this the Fishes & Loaves brand of paint?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, well if you look at the room it has two walls that are basically giant sliders and a ton of windows on another wall with a window to the kitchen on the fourth wall, so there’s not a lot of wall. It would have definitely have taken more than a gallon if we didn’t do Benjamin Moore (they have awesome coverage, so we just did one coat on most places and touched up with a second coat (not a full one) and the brick only took two coats (painting brick in our first house took way more than that with Glidden paint). Hope it helps!
xo
s
Melissa says
Looks great! I also love the white and yellow vases you have on it. Do you remember where you got them?
YoungHouseLove says
Those were Mother’s Day gifts from John last year (from West Elm). Love them!
xo
s
Brittney Saffell says
Giant boxes are GREAT for playing :)
Are you guys still happy with your Ikea sofa? Sofas and chairs are the only items I have been nervous about buying from Ikea, just from a comfort and durability stand point.
Thanks! Sun room is looking good!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes still very happy with Karl the Sofa! No complaints!
xo,
s
Victoria R says
I have always wanted a sunroom at our house, and I love this one! I wish I could just transport the whole thing. And then paint the table top with chalkboard paint. I’ve always wanted to be able to have a table for board games that could have a chalkboard paint top, but alas I have nowhere to put it… So jealous!
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh that’s a fun idea!
xo,
s
Sheri says
Hooray for Expedits! I got the unit you have there plus a 2X2, put a bit of plywood underneath to get a little more height/support and added some casters. Now they’re behind my sofa as roll-out storage! I started with your gorgeous, long, custom sofa table as inspiration and the idea evolved into a hidden storage solution.
My sectional is in one of those funny spots where there’s an archway to the kitchen and one to the dining room on each side, so with the 2 expedit units, I have the 2X2 on one side for my craft stuff and the 4X4 on the other side with extra toys for my toddler. I trade out a couple cube’s worth of toys at a time to mix things up for her!
By the way, the paper that they pack with those expedits is AWESOME for toddler coloring time – I was taping big pieces of it to a play table until we finally ran out…
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip!!
xo,
s
Carrie says
Your room looks so cozy. I would love to have that.
P.S. Clara’s hair is getting long and would be really cute in pigtails! : )
Bella says
We did that ikea thing on austrian craigslist when we moved. We got some bookshelves (Expedit 4×4 and a tall white wide billy) and expedit desk an ektorp sofa and a really nice round bjursta dining table with 4 henriksdal chairs (which needed new sleepcovers) and I think for all this stuff we spent like 300 euros. Considering the sofa alone is supposed to be 300, the dining room set 420 and the 2 bookshelves 100 something I’d say we scored a pretty sweet deal :)
plus we could get a malm dresser with 4 drawers on clearance from ikea for half off.
Of course it is way easier to go to ikea and just pick everything up at once and it took me a month to gather the things but still :)
what we saved on the other furniture could be spent on our kitchen redesign :)
LOVE that bycicle art… We have been hunting around for some art for the walls. Thinking instagram pics blown up ^^
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome! So much saved!
xo,
s
Bethany Darragh says
We are planning an IKEA visit in February in Charlotte while we are there for your BOOK SIGNING!! Two good reasons for a middle of the week Charlotte trip.
YoungHouseLove says
Woot! Can’t wait!
xo,
s
shannon says
Speaking of design books… I would love a post (or an update to your Amazon page) of the design books and magazines that you love. I’m building a collection of books and would enjoy seeing what you guys like and find helpful in your own home endeavors. (Yours, of course, is part of my collection!)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Shannon! That would be a fun post!
xo,
s
Nancy says
We just put together 2 Hemnes shoe cabinets for my front hall that I love! Your sunroom is looking great!
Erin Port says
We have that bookcase in brown-black and are making a trip (not as convenient for us – 3 hour drive) in February to pick up another for our toy room. We figure when the kiddos are done with toys, we can use it for another purpose…and I love a “use what you have” kind of makeover, as a stay at home mommy, we have to do that kind bunches! Thanks for sharing your blog with me – always so inspired ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Erin!
xo,
s
Nicole says
i purchased the exact bookcase that was in the IKEA CLEARANCE section. It was a floor sample, and it was the one with the gloss finish. Paid, 49! ;) Always check the ikea clearance center FIRST! You would be surprised what you can find! ;)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome!
xo,
s
Caroline says
WOW!! Love the wall with the bike posters and Expedit! The little tricycle on top adds just the right touch juxtaposed with the hex patterned vases! The colors are wonderful in the space. Great job!
Melissa G says
Seriously Expedit is my favorite! I’m currently waiting to go to Ikea so I can buy 2 more of the size you bought, PLUS two more of the large 4×5 grid ones! Seriously – our house needs a storage overhaul!
Carla Hinkle says
Just out of curiosity … how usable is the sunroom in the winter? Is it heated at all? Does it get really hot in the summer?
YoungHouseLove says
It has a heating/cooling system that we can turn on whenever we want to use it.
xo,
s
Amanda says
I love the pillows on the daybed so much. They make me think of a dish of beautiful pastel candies. Is that weird? I just can’t get over the bright colors grounded by the white in the pattern and the grey around them.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks!
xo,
s
Sandra T says
Love all the white and gray and pops of color! I just noticed in your pics that the window + white framed art around it makes the window look like art, too! Clever, clever!
KathyG says
I never pegged you for pastels, maybe it’s the precious baby girl theme? Sweet. I don’t think you specifically mentioned what “100% function” you are going for in the room, but it sure looks like a little girls dream playroom to me!
Saw the instagram pic, mysterious! But still no bangs, guessing you really hated them after all.
YoungHouseLove says
They take time to do in the morning so when we’re busy they get clipped up (it was a crazy busy morning) but I break them out for special occasions like meals out, etc. You’ll see them again I’m sure, just not every day :)
xo,
s
Hanna says
I love all the bicycle related items! When we lived in a 900 sq ft apt, even though it was tiny, we would bring the bikes inside during the winter and the kids would ride them up and down the hall. When you first bought this house and there were pictures of the sunroom my first thought was “that would be a perfect place for tricycling!” So now I have to laugh every time I see a bike related item. The poster and the statue are so cool! It looks like a very comfortable room for entertaining.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha that’s so cute!
xo,
s
Sherry in BC says
That is hilarious. I have a big play area in the semi finished basement that my grandchildren have all their stuff in (Barbie sized doll house, Little tykes kitchen, comfy couch and craft table). In the winter they do laps on trikes and toy trucks. I even have a few cones to make it more interesting. It sure helps burn off some steam when the weather is nasty.
Jennifer says
I love Ikea’s Expedit bookcases. Obviously, because I have three of them! In my defense, they all look different because of the inserts and baskets you can put in them.
Sabrina says
Looks great! We are fixing up our sunroom which is actually a 4 season room! Making it into a diningroom. We need to put down a new subfloor and take the old one off. I am scared! Do you guys have a 1800 help number? lol
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, sure! We’ll be right over!
xo
s
Judy says
The room looks great! Can i ask you a non -sunroom question? pleeeeease — Do you still love your giant karl sofa and is is comfy? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we love Karl! No complaints at all! Still looks great after a dog and a kid repeatedly beat on it. Haha.
xo
s
Sherry in BC says
That room is looking wonderful. So much change for so little money. I do love Ikea too. Did you buy the baskets at Ikea too or did you have them already? I have to say I have been itching to get some of those white recycling bins you used in your closet a while back. Now that Christmas is behind me I may just have to get out and get some. I have an open shelving unit in the stairway leading up to my attic spare room. It has been a nasty catch all for some time but I have been working on getting rid of and rehoming stuff on it to make it more usable and attractive. Have to finish repainting it a fresh white (it was a baby blue that always bugged me. I have picked up some simple moulding to trim it out and make it look better and then hope to store some craft items, games etc there and want some of those bins. Hopefully that will happen this weekend. I just don’t get much done after work during the week anymore.
YoungHouseLove says
The baskets were from Michael’s for 50% off (they have basket sales a lot!).
xo
s
Joyce says
Love the room, looks amazing. Great job as always!
Kara says
Didn’t you guys have a 2×4 Expedit with a desk at your old house? First in the third bedroom then in the basement? I remember it because we have a 4×4 with a desk.
YoungHouseLove says
We only had it in the basement I think, and it was the one with the desk attached (we sold that with the house since it conveyed, so the previous owners bought it along with our house and our built in closets and bed).
xo
s
Heather @ What Does She Do All Day? says
I’m starting to think every house has an Expedit in it! It’s such a great piece of furniture at a great price. We have 3 of them!
Michele says
Love it!
And you may want to save that box. I just read this blog post:
http://www.howjoyful.com/2013/01/nursery-name-type-wall-art/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HowJoyful+%28How+Joyful%21%29
YoungHouseLove says
Really cool!
xo
s
Jenni says
I just need to say this. I’m jealous!!! I wish my career was making my house cute. Instead, I have another boring full-time job and a reluctant-to-make-any-changes husband. Boo.
That being expressed, great job. You guys continue to inspire!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, well the good news is we don’t think there’s anything special about us, so if you blog for around five years and write around 2,500 posts you’ll probably end up here too. Ha! So we say “blog on baby! and someday it could be your job!” – haha!
xo
s
Alexa says
The sunroom looks great! We have two Expedit’s – one in the family room for toys & etc. and one in our daughters room. We painted a solid back in blue for her room to match a painted vintage dresser.
What are your long term plans for the sunroom floor? More cork flooring?
YoungHouseLove says
I think since the tile is neutral and in good shape we can live with it but if we were to come into some bonus money someday we’d jump on cork or hardwoods so it flows with the rest of the house too.
xo
s
Georgia says
I have put together so many of those expedit bookcases. We had 5 of various sizes in our previous house which I then pulled apart and put back together when we moved to our next house, and then when we moved to our temporary house here in singspore, I went and bought 2 more. I love the biggest size as a room divider (how I’ve used it 3 times) and you can’t beat those boxes filled with baskets for hiding clutter for a child’s room or craft room!
Sunroom is looking good.
Sarah says
Love the expedit! So versatile. I have the same one in glossy white. I attached legs to it (the capita legs, also from ikea). I use it to store my dishes, glasses and other pretty kitchen-y things. This was my inspiration: http://www.livecreatingyourself.com/2011/06/lcy-home-tour-dining-room.html (third pic down).
Sun room is looking great! Love you guys!
YoungHouseLove says
So cool!
xo
s
Rina says
We bought an Expedit book case last weekend too here in Melbourne Australia. But guess how much it was!? $169!! = $178US!! (This was the high gloss white).
I’m putting this down to the fact that we live on an island as far away from Sweden as possible… still seems like a pretty big difference don’t you think?! Sheesh!! http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/50185483/#/80194891
YoungHouseLove says
Woah! No way!!!
xo
s
Lauren says
Thought of you guys today as I shopped the knob aisle at Hobby Lobby…they have bike knobs! Round, white, with little black bikes…super cute!
YoungHouseLove says
No way!
xo
s