I have spent many months trying to find a bookcase that I liked for Nathan's books. On most accounts, the bookcases were just very, very expensive! In other instances, they didn't appear to be safe, despite being advertised for kids!
A few weeks ago, I was de-cluttering the laundry room and decided to get rid of my "cart" that fit in between the washer and dryer. It has three shelves, but I had really only been utilizing the top one. The other two stored cleaners. With Nathan getting more freedom and exploring more, the cleaners had to be put up or discarded. I started to think how the cart was the perfect size for his books!
I cleaned up the cart and dragged down ALL of his books to the main level. I couldn't believe what a perfect fit they were! Those little board books fit great in the openings. I turned the larger books sideways and put them on the bottom shelf. I did have a few that didn't fit, just because we have so many. (I'd have that problem with any bookcase!)
To "spruce" it up, I added sticky foam letters that spelled out "Nathan's Books" on the side. (I found these at Michael's on sale for $4.99 for a huge tub! Enough to last us many, many years!!)
All in all, I saved us quite a bit of money by utilizing what we already had for a new purpose. If I had to buy this cart, it still would have only cost me $5-10, as opposed to the $60+ dollars all the others seemed to run. Nathan has helped himself to the books many times without it wobbling or looking like it was going to fall over, either.
The best part of this shelf is that Nathan now has access to his books and is constantly bringing me one to read. Our reading time has increased immensely by having them out and displayed! (Sometimes, I'll find him sitting on the floor, just flipping through them himself. It's the cutest little sight!)
Have you found an item that you re-used for a new purpose? Share your creativity and frugal ideas with us!
Wow Jaycie, what a great idea! I think I still have one of these in the basement! (ours became useless as well). We have a bookcase in Daniel's playroom but we've still got so many books. I think I'll dig ours out and see how it works in Daniel's closet. We have a strange area (about this size!)that's kind of useless so this might be just what we need!
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Nathan loves his bookcase:) I really like your idea of re-purposing something! It feels great to use something we already have instead of buying new.
Take Care,
Trixie
Woohoo! I love being able to use something or make do with what we already have. :D
ReplyDeleteWow, don't ya love repurposing things you already have on hand. How perfect is that! Love how you dressed it up with the stickers.
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