Several weeks ago, I updated my basement to make it a more livable space for our family at its current stage. One of the ongoing battles I have had with my kids, whenever I tried to organize this space, stemmed from their need to keep their treasured baby toys and my need to not see them anymore.
For a very long time they sat in bins underneath an old Ikea table in the corner of the room. The Calico Critter mansion and its residents were tucked away there, too. The stuff was out of the way and neatly contained, but I could still see it as soon as I walked into the room and that didn't sit well with my design OCD.
Well, I didn't want them to ditch their stuff. I mean, I am as sentimental about those toys as they are and besides, as an aunt of two little ones and a great aunt to two more, I wanted the toys to be accessible when little visitors came to town.
So, I went with the tried and true and made myself another skirted table. It was a quick, easy and inexpensive DIY that concealed the bins, kept them easy for even the littlest among them to get to and added a bit of flair to the room at the same time.
The skirt I made for my living room end table was basically several rod pocket curtain panels shirred on tension rods. That was the perfect solution upstairs where the panels remain fixed. There's nothing hiding under there...except maybe a few dust bunnies.
However, in the basement, I wanted the panels to move easily, so they could be opened and closed quickly and by little hands. To facilitate this, I simply made rectangular panels and attached them to curtain ring clips. I used the same technique to make my rooster valances in my kitchen.
Since my panels would hang from rings, I set the tension rod and rings up first. Then to make sure I had the proper length I clipped the measuring tape on to the rings and measured from there to the floor.
Now this was a very large piece of fabric. Whenever I have a piece that is longer than my yard stick and I need a straight edge, I take it to my kitchen, line the fabric up with my wood floor, lock one end of the scissors into the groove between boards and use it as a guide. Works like a charm and there's not a scratch on my floor! Well, not from the scissors anyway.
Don't sew?
No problem, just use an iron tape and you will get the same result.
So, I got out the one and only power tool I know how to use ~ my electric staple gun ~ and I tacked my finished panel directly to the inside of the table.
The best part was that I purchased this fabric on whim after finding it on the deep, deep discount table.
I think I paid five dollars for it and it is gorgeous, heavyweight upholstery fabric. I had no idea what I was going to do with it, but I knew I loved the pattern. When I decided to skirt the table, I already had the fabric on hand. Plus it matched the table, which we had stained green years ago.
...and of course, it makes me happy, to know that they are happy!
But really I'm just happy that those buckets are out of my sight.
Shhhh.
As always, if you have any questions about the process, please feel free to email me or post a comment. I always respond!
If you would like to see another skirted table, take a peek.
Brilliant idea about clipping the tape measure to the hanger!
ReplyDeleteI see you have started watermarking your pictures. It was looking to see where you would put it next. That reminds me - I suppose I should do that too. Also, make sure the picture file name is something that can be searched: 'curtains under table' or something. This bloggin' is a lot of work, isn't it?
That is such a clever solution to a problem that we seem to all face at some point. That is really pretty fabric.
ReplyDeleteKim - great project for hiding all of that basement clutter that never seems to go away.
ReplyDeleteVery smart idea, Kim. I have a couple of those tables I need to cover too..to use for hidden storage. You have spurred me on now. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteHi Kim! Excellent,easy and pretty solution! These are the types of "problems" I love to solve!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are enjoying a cozy November. We have snow and it's beautiful!
Happy evening, Anita
Don't we all wish our kids and husbands could understand?! I love what you did, your getting better and better at doing these kinds of covering Kim! I also like the fabric you chose, made the table prettier too!
ReplyDeleteThis looks great. It is so much easier on the eyes to see this skirted table instead of a table with storage underneath. The fabric is gorgeous and what a buy! I would have snapped it up, too, even before I knew what I would do with it. Love your stapled end idea. I do those same kinds of things.
ReplyDeleteThat fabric is so pretty and perfect with your sofa. I love that you make everything pretty but you are practical too.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great idea! The table looks sooo pretty. Enjoy your weekend! Maria
ReplyDeleteThank you MariaElena! It was quick and easy, just the way I like my projects! I hope you have a great weekend, too! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stacey! I was raised by depression era parents...frugality was drilled into my head growing up. I have to say, I really appreciate the lessons it has taught me. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Belynda! Yes, I am so much happier with the view now and I was thrilled to be able to use that fabric. Sometimes, I buy and it sits for a long while until I can find somewhere to use it. I think I should take up quilting! At least I'd always know that I'd have a use for my stash! ;) Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment!
ReplyDeleteI have a think for covering up lately, that is for sure! I spent so many years looking at all of the those rainbow colored baby toys, a phase I am sure you are getting happily reacquainted with!! I am sort of ready to reclaim a little bit of my grown up space! :)
ReplyDeleteSnow! Really Anita? They are predicting it for our area, but I don't believe it. I hope you are enjoying the pretty white fluff, curled up in your charming home! Have a great weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteDiana, you are such a super craft seamstress, I bet you could whip a few up in no time flat! :) Thanks so much for coming by to say hello!!
ReplyDeleteI like the basement much better now, Beth! They get to keep their stuff and I get to keep my sanity...well, the part that relates to decorating, anyway! ;) Hey, thanks for the visit and the comment. They really do make my day!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol. I think I may have a small fabric addiction! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy! Blogging is a lot of work, yes, enjoyable work for certain, but it does take me so much longer to post than it did in the beginning, back when I didn't know about such things! ;)
ReplyDeleteDear Kim ... I love the idea of the fabric skirt to add that pretty touch in your home. I have thought about taking the two doors from under our kitchen sink and adding an old fashioned fabric to add a bit of charm to our little kitchen. Weekend Blessings ♥ Teri
ReplyDeleteNow that is a fabulous idea, and it looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim! YEP, we got snow, but not much, thank goodness! It is however, very cold but we are used to it. The beauty of the season is here and we are taking it in! If you get snow, just be very careful driving because that first snowfall can be tricky! BIG HUGS!
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to do that same thing, Teri! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tuula! The Calico Critters are cute, but I like this view much better! ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree! Enjoy the pretty and be careful! :)
ReplyDeleteA very pretty and practical project, carried out with the perfect prowess of its creator!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday!
Poppy
Thanks Vanessa. The green desk was a piece from Ikea. It was just an unfinished pine table that we stained years ago. The skirt really does do the trick! Thanks for popping by! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Poppy! I am even more sentimental about those baby toys, now that I can't see them! Ha! ;) Have a super week!
ReplyDeleteI remember you re-doing the table / basement etc but this tutorial is great ( went and checked out the rooster one ) I am certain that I'll refer back to it at some point in time. I've had my kitchen valances since I moved here and while I love toile in there I know I'd like to make something myself at one point. For the bucket list! :) No I am NOT going to your Pinterest board...I'll want everything I see, lol...
ReplyDeleteWell maybe I'll just go for a minute :)
I understand wanting to hide toys and games, and you certainly found the most clever and pretty way to do it. I like that idea so much and plan to implement it into my décor too. Thanks so much for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteYou're so funny, Deb! I hope you didn't have any fun on Pinterest! ;) For the record, I have had those rooter valances up since I made them...about 10 years ago! I've taken them down to have them cleaned a few times and during those times, I always contemplate a change, but I just like them too much!
ReplyDeleteThanks Judy! This tiny house is always crying out for more storage. This was an easy fix...and cheap! Just my style! ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea - love that you have hidden the toys and everyone can now be happy.
Many thanks for the kind visit to my blog.
Happy new week
hugs
Carolyn
Thanks Carolyn. I like the view much better now! That was kind of you to pop on over to say hello! I hope you have a great week! :)
ReplyDeleteI love this. It is so pretty. xoxo I've made one before, but never thought to use a tension rod!
ReplyDeleteHi! I love your idea of a tension rod to hold the fabric in place! Also, your color-scheme is so beautifully fall-themed and is so cozy for winter!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sara! We were downstairs last night, curled up by our lightbulbs...uh, I mean fireplace! ;) Thanks for the visit!
ReplyDeleteThe tension rod is so easy, Sue! This girl is not well acquainted with power tools and I am not patient enough to wait around for my handy husband to do it for me, so I work with what I've got! :) Thanks for popping by!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! ;)
ReplyDeleteI like this very much. Pretty fabric and one of the best skirt on rings I've seen. So many of them aren't full like yours, and so they don't have that "pleasing gather". Thanks for this, Kim! xxx ~ Nancy
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty solution for more storage. Thank you so much for your clipping the tape measure to the curtain ring idea. So smart!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurel, that was a trial and error process! First I measured from top to bottom and then later (before I cut, thankfully!) realized that the clip would make it lower. I was hoping that tip would save someone else a bit of time, too!
ReplyDeleteI like full, Nancy! It hides the stuff better! ;)
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDeleteGreat Project, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome tips . . . hanging the tape measure, and using the floor boards for a straight line! Those are the kind of things I see and wonder why I didn't think of them myself :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Thanks so much, Kathleen! I am glad they were helpful! :) Thank you for popping by and taking the time to comment! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThank you Patricia! It really made a difference in the room! :) Thanks for popping by to take a peek!
ReplyDeleteYour skirted table are always so homey & cozy Kim. I get obsessed, too, about stuff always in sight cluttering up the landscape. This is a great solution! I approve!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Florence! It works very well for everyone involved now! Especially me! 😉
DeleteThis is such a charming way to decorate the table
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maria!!
DeleteHello. I need help with a skirt to hide my stuff for a pool table and a ping pong table.
ReplyDelete