Extreme Bedroom Makeover

My bedroom just got an extreme makeover.

You see, I have lived in this apartment for almost 2.5 years. I love it, don't get me wrong, but the bedroom has never been how I would really like it. I had this monstrosity of a dresser/bookshelf that was a nice piece of furniture, but not my style, and didn't match my bed, so I really didn't like it. But it served its purpose, and it was FREE.

Then, when Mark and I got married and he moved in, he brought some more mis-matching furniture, including another bookshelf, that was put in the room. This brought the room to a point of not really being a happy place for me. Actually, when I looked at it, it kinda made me a little... I don't know.... anxious? It was totally crammed full of furniture.

So, why didn't I get something else? Well, I knew what I wanted, but right now, it's way too expensive to afford. Sure, I could save for it, but we are on the Dave Ramsey plan and trying to get out of debt, so my extra money is going toward student loans, house savings, etc., before it goes to furniture. So, instead of settling, I was determined to wait.

But recently I decided that if I could find a super inexpensive piece of furniture that would look decent and make the room more homey (and more enjoyable), I would go for it. We are planning to be here a couple more years, so we need to make the most of it and make it as enjoyable as possible.

Mark and I are both readers, so our amount of books is really ridiculous. We had a five shelf bookcase full, a three shelf bookcase full, had thrown some away, given some away, and still had two suitcases of books in our cars because we haven't had a place to store them. So the new bookshelf was really a high priority.

Thank goodness for Target. I found a beautiful bookcase there that matches my furniture that is really inexpensive (it's not like really nice furniture, but for the time being and for my sanity, I went for it!). And it's so cute! AND it was on sale!

My hairbrained idea for new bookshelves occured on a Sunday while I was working my part time job. I convinced Mark that it was a brilliant idea and that we REALLY needed the bookshelf that day. Waiting would be not good. After Mark accepted my free spiritedness, he slowly agreed to the task. So, he and my brother got the old monstrosity out, bought the new fabulous shelf, and had it almost all set up before I could even get home to take a "before" picture!

I loved the bookshelf so much that we went back the next day and got another. And we have already filled them both up with books! And, even though it's still crowded, it looks so much better and is such a happier place! (-:

Ready to see the photos? Here's one of the shelves:

And here you can see them both:

And I have this one, so I'll include it:

Yay!! What do you think?

~Kathryn

P.S. Thank you guys all so much for the encouraging feedback on not looking my age. I've decided to embrace it, maybe adjust a couple minor things in the wardrobe, and be grateful for my youthful gene pool.  (-: