Frugal Tips - bedrooms

**peanut** · 12-09-2005, 05:50 PM

I'm going to start with the master bedroom...

- quilts handmade by me
- wallhanging handmade by me
- artwork traded for with an artist friend
- curtains made by me from fabric given to me by a friend who moved.
- blankets given to us as a wedding present 25 years ago (Hudson's Bay wool blankets...6 point).
- mattress heating pad given to us by dmom.
- bed was secondhand at $300 22 years ago. The couple bought it and then found out they were being transferred overseas. They'd had it all of 3 months. We found it through "The Bargain Finder". We've managed to extend it's life by flipping and turning the mattress on a regular basis (about once a month or two).
- vanity a family heirloom from dh's family.
- dresser a family heirloom from my family.
- bookcases are more of those 2x2x1' ones dh made 21 years ago.
- lamp on sale at Canadian Tire.
- chair part of that IKEA solid pine set for $200.
- fake fig tree was expensive, at $50, but it's lasted 15 years now. I need a new one.
- rugs are hand hooked by me.
- CD player was a garage sale find...complete with speakers.
- stained glass vase was made by dsis and given to us. The fake silk flowers in it were bought on sale from Lewiscraft (50-70% off).
- votives and votive holder from The Dollar Store.
- dresser scarf hand embroidered by me (a gift from someone originally).
- clothes are mostly thrift store and secondhand. In fact, my biggest complaint is when I buy new, the clothes don't last. I'd rather buy secondhand.
- wicker laundry basket was $10 at Lewiscraft...at the most. I think it was actually closer to $7. I got it on a 40% off sale.
- an ornate classical style container to hold matches and tea lights bought at a gift shop for $10...a splurge.

This is where I do most of my spiritual reading and have afternoon tea. I use mostly library books and secondhand books. I have a special drawer in the vanity devoted to comfort items that make me feel cozy at home. I have special teas, candy, sentimental letters, a family photo album, etc. When I'm feeling a bit down, I have all the stuff I need to pamper myself for a bit.

I also have a paraffin spa treatment unit in the bedroom for a nice in-home spa session if I want. I can light the candles on the dresser, treat my feet and sit back on the bed with a warm cup of tea and some goodies...aaaaahhh! The frugal life!!!

Jean

**Darlene** · 12-09-2005, 08:29 PM

These post are really nice Jean. Shows others how piece by piece you made your rooms into a home. Little homemade, little bought, some given all add up to home sweet home. Great ideas for others. Thank you.

**lacyj** · 12-10-2005, 08:10 AM

Pictures please. I'd love to see you hook rugs, quilts and wall hangings. I want to learn to make some type of rugs... And. I just love quilts...

**peanut** · 12-10-2005, 09:10 PM

Argh! I knew that would come up. I haven't a clue how to post pictures on the internet. Are there directions somewhere? Maybe I can get dd#2 to help...

Thanks for the comments. I'm hoping people can see that a home doesn't have to come with thousands of dollars worth of furniture to be homey. You just need a bit of creativity and an eye for seeing the potential in things.

Jean

**YankeeMom** · 12-10-2005, 09:40 PM

I'm afraid our bedroom is not very frugal at all. Our one treat to ourselves. Our first ever matching set that was not passed down or bought second hand.
The kids bedrooms on the other hand were all free. My oldest daughters bedroom set was given to her by the inlaws. My youngest dd's bedroom set was dh's bedroom set when he was a boy (solid maple and in EXCELLENT shape). My boys are in bunkbeds that were handmade by my aunt & uncle. Their dressers are freebies or handmedowns from family.