Do you have a boring spare room?  Do you use it for storage and it is so cluttered you can’t use it for anything else?  Here is a mini makeover for a very small space. It might inspire you to do something about all that clutter!  The boxes and bags stored in this room are not only messy but they are look ugly too-  this room has no windows but a large sliding door which goes into the hallway and overlooks a courtyard.  Not sure what it was used for originally but there are now large cream curtains across the sliding door and a single divan bed which served as a child’s guest bed and the rest of the room is filled with boxes and junk.  It does not look very inviting even with new quilt cover on the bed.

Dark and uninteresting room

Ugh! lots of stored boxes and linen.

This was a very dark and uninteresting room a pile of boxes and items in one corner.  Watch how  this room is transformed from drab to pretty and practical!

First, there is nowhere else to store the boxes so we need some nice cupboards.  I like to source wardrobes from Ikea to use for storage as they are easy to assemble and look as if they are built-in wardrobes.  These second hand Ikea Hopen corner and side modules are easy to assemble and then attach to the wall. They fit nearly to the ceiling but have enough space between top and ceiling for more stored boxes!

Ikea wardrobe. Easy to put together, if you follow instructions!

Pax range

Hopen is no longer available to purchase new,  but you can opt for the ikea PAX range which is very reasonable.

Next we needed to change the curtains.  Bought some pretty bright curtains (grey elephants with yellow foliage and grey background) and hemmed them using hemming tape.  Really quick and easy.  Added some curtain tapes and rings and in a couple of hours the new curtains were up.

  $5 a metre at Spotlight (6 metres required)

The room now been fitted with Ikea wardrobes to store all the boxes and spare linen, and the new curtains are hung – we now need to sell the divan bed and purchase a single folding bed which doubles as an armchair.

Single divan bed and mattress sold on Gumtree for $150

Next replaced it with the single chair-bed from Ikea – watch how easily this armchair turns into a bed

or try the single Futon bed from Kogan @ $139

The finished look :

Sits neatly in the corner and is comfy and cosy – an armchair nook with new cushions and a throw.

Doubles as a study with small desk and chair.

In just a few minutes, this nook/study can be turned into a guest bedroom – The sofa convert to a single bed.

Bed can be made up quickly for guests and looks fresh and comfortable.

and there is still room for the desk.

I found a nice shiny satin grey quilt cover for $10 at Spotlight and some cheap cushions $25 and a throw $20.  Also bought a new yellow side light for $10 and a grey round rug for $15.

Overall cost :  around $830 including the wardrobes.    Pretty good value for a mini makeover which includes storage for the many hoarded boxes of non-essential with all storage out of sight but still within arm’s reach, as who ever throws anything out?  You never know when you’re going to need that piece of rope, old curtain material, spare mattress cover or new hobby craft pack you never got around to trying!!  Eventually when boxes are sorted through and decluttered, the cupboards can be converted back for use as clothing wardrobes!