Outdated/Cluttered & Made by a family Member

5 years ago

We have a tv cabinet that my husband would like us to keep using for now, it was built by a family member. I know I need to declutter but... How do I put a "Fixer Upper" like spin on this without painting/staining (offending person who built it - although the clutter might)...

Also, the living room will soon have a dark walnut stain on the floors (soon to be wide plank wood and not the brown painted wood you see), which means it won't match either... Decorating help needed! Galvanized baskets??? I don't know where to start.

Featured Answer

User

5 years ago

Hmmm. Talk your husband into a much bigger TV (most men think that's a super idea), then you won't be able to use it. ;-)

Sorry, not much help. Does it have shelves that can be added where the lonely component currently sits in that open space to the right? Right now, the piece isn't serving much of any organizational purpose, but the addition of shelves would help, as would baskets down below.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (24)

grewa002
5 years ago
Add baskets
0
User thanked grewa002
Related Discussions
'You can't organize clutter!'
Q
Comments (14)
Hi, Frankie! I'm new here. :) Your strategy sounds great. I had not heard of it. I have heard the mantra (can't clean clutter) from FlyLady, but not the box idea. I absolutely think clutter is delayed decision-making. Sometimes with paperwork it is related to a task I need to do . . .like figuring out why my ins. is denying a claim or something, but most of the time it's true. One thing that stumps me . . .I tend to change things around in my house a lot, and do not know when something will come in handy deco-wise. For example, I had some lamps I bought 10 yrs ago and used them only 1 or 2 yrs. I stored them all this time, and was going to give them away several times. I didn't, and now I am using them again. Are they my FAVORITE lamps in the world? No, but I like them, and am glad not to have to spend money on new ones. The other obstacle for me is my kids' artwork. I don't want to keep everything-- do not want to saddle them with it when I am gone-- but I have a hard time picking what to keep. I have 5 kids (4 of them who currently "create," since one is too young) so you can imagine we get a lot. I have started getting rid of their work right away to make it easier, but I'm always sort of sad about it.
...See More
Different types of clutter professionals
Q
Comments (23)
I appreciate the suggestions. I know it is hard trying to "solve" someone else's situation. I think maybe it is more moral support. MIL does not want, at this time, to set anything aside or take anything, other than perhaps some clothing, to Goodwill. She wants me and DH (who is her DS) to come and identify things we might want. I believe she probably wants the other available children and grandchildren to do the same. She says she does not want my visit to be used sorting into piles--just looking over and saying yea or nay, I believe. I'm certainly planning to nudge her a little on that when we go visit, as in, we're here, we're free, why don't we do some sorting? But I'm not real optimistic. What is frustrating is that I've already "reviewed" all of the china and many other items on past visits, but apparently that did not register, as she keeps mentioning the same items. That is just part of her letting go issue, though, I think, or kind of, this is your last chance! Yes, the company has a website, national listings, says it's bonded. Of course there is more that can be investigated to be sure. I'm not too keen on storing stuff--in their situation. I think the biggest issue is getting down to deciding do they think they need to have a "living" estate sale of the items they don't want to take with them. This is actually a big roadblock because a) it inhibits "letting go" of stuff, because it's being "saved" for the estate sale, rather than taking stuff bit by bit to Goodwill (or whereever) b) they can't really have the sale until they move out, and further can't have the sale until they've moved out AND removed a large volume of other stuff, like papers, and they're not working on that now and c) it doesn't make sense to tightly box up lots of stuff for estate sale (unless using one of those types of companies that holds it off-site),. So it may be possible for me to try to engage them in a discussion of, to have an estate sale, you would need to pursue strategy #1--estate sale readiness and also try to consider costs of doing vs. proceeds; if you forego estate sale, your de-cluttering strategy is then #2 approach. It's not so much that one is wrong or right, but just the pros and cons. It's interesting because, with all of their "stuff" and if priced right for vintage items, I think it would bring a fair amount of money, so you hate so sound like, oh, just give it away, when talking to people about their home furnishings and china and things of a lifetime. But, if you were to factor in a $10k fee plus estate sale percentage plus, perhaps, the constraints of the professional person , you then begin to ask, is the reason you need to have such a person, and such a sale, just because you think you need to have the sale, whereas,if you could just let go, your DS's and DIL's could be, and could have been, doing stuff for you all along the way.
...See More
Selling an outdated, ill kept house, cluttered house
Q
Comments (45)
We were fortunate that we had somewhere to store all of our excess stuff before putting our house on the market because I knew our house would be shown on several MLS sites. I even thinned out our wardrobe to make the closets look roomier and thoroughly cleaned every inch of the house. I've looked at properties all over the US on the same sights and not only are people not cleaning their homes, but there's often too much furniture, knick-knacks and pictures of family on the walls. Even if the house is huge and the rooms spacious you can't tell because of all the stuff they have crammed in them. In many of the homes, they allowed their house to be photographed with unmade beds and dirty clothes and toys strewn everywhere. The also don't bother to make little repairs to a hole in the wall or loose trim and paint over the garish colors that their children's bedrooms are painted. These are the exact same people that will complain when their house doesn't sell or they get a low-ball offer. I realize not everyone lives in a perfect house or has the money to fix everything but at least clean up and declutter! Fill your garage or outbuildings with boxes of your stuff if you have to but if you want to sell your house, at the very least clean up!
...See More
Clutter and combatting it
Q
Comments (16)
zzackey I agree Meanwhile, I am thinking of trying bonsai pots for AV's. Suyudor Part of the cluttered look is the display. My houseplants are all in cache pots, beautifully displayed. The violets are expected to be beautiful but not even all those flowers can completely disguise those orange plastic pots. I am collecting cache pots. Your idea of having all the pots identical may be a simpler solution. Speaking of pots, using all the available light spaces for Dixie Cup Horticulture..such as rooting leaves on the living room coffee table. Tacky Dixie Cup décor..the solution might be shelves and light stands in a closet. I am about to gather up all the plants, sort by size and tuck the Dixie Cups back of beyond. Then I can dress up the remainder in nice cache pots.
...See More
justcallmepool
5 years ago
How big is it? It doesn't look big enough for its initial purpose.

I'm a fan of konmari and if you don't love it, then you don't need to keep it. The "gift" has been given. The moment has passed. What remains now doesn't sound like anything someone would want their gift to be remembered as. And honestly, it doesn't look a very nice woodworker piece in the pick. Like why don't the vertical bars line up on the top and bottom sections?

But if you HAVE to keep it for now, I'd maybe see about putting a new piece on the back to have a solid surface and hanging it as a cubby somewhere. Maybe in the bathroom for towels? At least move it to guest room or somewhere so it becomes out of mind and make it easier to get rid of in the future. baby steps haha
User thanked justcallmepool
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
5 years ago
This is NOT a TV cabinet. This is for toys with baskets. Get him a larger TV and he won't miss the cabinet.
User thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
Danielle Black
5 years ago
0
User thanked Danielle Black
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
5 years ago
Don't use if for the tv put other things in it, like baskets and books. and move it somewhere else.

Or use it in a kids room where I can be for storage.
User thanked RL Relocation LLC
chiflipper
5 years ago
Measure carefully. You should be able to install two glass shelves in the space above the TV for the DVD & tuner. All you need is a drill and some shelf spades from HD. Ask a "handy" friend for help, it ain't rocket science. Ditto with the other "spaces" in the unit. Prime and paint the unit to suit your taste, the wood used isn't of a grade meant for stain.
User thanked chiflipper
User
5 years ago
If you're able to remove the feet, I would turn it onto it's side. Have the part with the back be the uppermost section and put the tv in that, for a start.
User thanked User
arcy_gw
5 years ago
Or hang a new BIGGER TV on the wall or set it on top. I think it looks nice stained. Baskets would finish off the look nicely and give you some misc. storage.
User thanked arcy_gw
Jane
5 years ago
put a few plants on top and in the various cubbies, water them very well and often... let the water do its job... Oops
User thanked Jane
erinsean
5 years ago
Penny, your idea was the same as mine....lay it on it's side, but put the TV on top. Add shelves or baskets...may have to put a piece of plywood over the hole where the TV is now. If the legs won't come off, disguise that side with a bushy tall artificial plant. If she wants to use it as is, I would still put the TV on top and add shelves and baskets for lower storage. Maybe if she doesn't mind, she could even put doors on the top section.
User thanked erinsean
leelee
5 years ago
What are the measurements of cabinet?

Turn it on its side and get a larger TV for the top.

Have your family member make doors for each of the cubby holes. A simple door like below. Offer to pay them.

I will say it looks sturdy and well made.

Right now it's an eyesore.
User thanked leelee
chispa
5 years ago
Why are there holes all around the face frame that have been filled in and touched up badly?
User thanked chispa
User
Original Author
5 years ago
You have all given me a lot to think on. Thank you!
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
5 years ago
Chispa, i see a magnet door closer still attached, I think they removed the doors?
User thanked RL Relocation LLC
gustaviatex
5 years ago
New life as garage storage, inside a closet or even for plants on the patio.
User thanked gustaviatex
PRO
JudyG Designs
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Put it on the floor, open side up. Invest in a good piece of glass for the top and turn it into a coffee table. Fill each compartment with some interesting items…silk fern for the box which has no backing, stack of books in another, etc.

Of flip it so it become a storage bench…add a cushion on top.
User thanked JudyG Designs
iheartsix
5 years ago
I think it’s nice a family member made this, my grandpa and dad used to do the same thing - they’re gone now and I treasure their handiwork today. I would take the suggestion of turning it on it’s side and putting a tv on top with baskets and such in the cubby’s. Would the person who made it for you understand a desire to paint it so it fits into your new decor?
User thanked iheartsix
decoenthusiaste
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Lay it down on the floor, add a birch ply back to it for a nice smooth surface. Call the back a top and you have a monster coffee table. Paint any color that works with your new look. It will be more versatile if you add some corner supports underneath it so you can attach hidden casters. It will be movable and you can add some coffee table books, a tray and some big candle sticks.

Might be about this size...
Hampstead New Build · More Info
User thanked decoenthusiaste
User
Original Author
5 years ago
Well, yes there were doors and even glass at one point. They made it look even more outdated. The right doors, like a mini barn door slider would be fine, but I don’t want to invest too much. I loved hearing all of your creative options. Thanks so much!
0
suezbell
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Finish closing up the back of the cabinet with plywood. Add a pair of doors ... even if it means adding a vertical board left of the center dividing board. Then add a couple of solid wood doors, perhaps wheels -- the heavy duty kind intended for tool boxes. Then roll your cabinet into the bedroom and fill it with bedding, with or without using two baskets as drawers behind the doors. If you kept the door frames, replace the glass with luan -- plywood.

If and when the builder of the cabinet asks, tell him/her that you needed a cabinet for storage, and, since you've been contemplating getting a larger tv anyway, you used the cabinet you already had and like.

You could add a floating shelf or a modern box shelf on the wall and set your tv on that or hang it on the wall above it. No nearby shelves to enable the larger amount of clutter the other one provided.

https://www.google.com/search?q=modern+box+wall+shelf+beneath+tv&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjXlLy92KncAhUjVt8KHXCJAcoQsAQIJg&biw=1366&bih=628

You might even make the box shelf yourself if the individual that made the original cabinet no longer does that sort of work.
User thanked suezbell
leelee
5 years ago
Close this thing up and don't leave any opening for messes.
User thanked leelee
partim
5 years ago
These bookcase shades are a simple way to cover up all or some of the openings. https://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/projects/how-to-make-bookshelf-shades/
User thanked partim
User
Original Author
5 years ago
Most of the clutter is out! Working on it.

Outdated/Cluttered & Made by a family Member

User

Comments (24)

grewa002

Related Discussions

justcallmepool

BeverlyFLADeziner

Danielle Black

RL Relocation LLC

chiflipper

User

arcy_gw

Jane

erinsean

leelee

chispa

User
Original Author

RL Relocation LLC

gustaviatex

JudyG Designs

iheartsix

decoenthusiaste

User
Original Author

suezbell

leelee

partim

User
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Outdated/Cluttered & Made by a family Member

Comments (24)

Related Discussions

UserOriginal Author

UserOriginal Author

UserOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

User
Original Author

User
Original Author

User
Original Author