Hi friends, Today I am happy to share with you a super easy upcycle project using a soap dispenser (of all things.)  If you recently cleaned out a closet in your home and found an old soap dispenser, don't throw it away, instead upcycle it into a pretty vase!

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(I've included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you.) 
Materials:
Inexpensive Sources For Soap Dispensers:

You can buy soap dispensers at the dollar store, thrift stores, or find them at garage sales.  Would you believe I purchased this soap dispenser at a garage sale for a dollar!  Seriously you can't beat that!  I fell in love with the mother-of-pearl tiles on the bottle, but not so much with the dull silver finish.


Instructions:

If your soap dispenser needs a little TLC, you can always clean it up and use spray paint to renew the finish. 


Before you begin to spray paint remove the pump from the bottle by twisting it off.  To remove the metal plate, wedge a thin screwdriver underneath the plate and lift it, it should pop right off.  If you are struggling to remove the plate with the screwdriver you can wrap the dispenser in newspaper or painter's tape and spray paint the plate attached to the bottle.

Pro Tip for Spray Painting:

Place your object on top of a tin can, this prevents the edges from sticking or the spray paint from pooling around the object you are spraying.

Spray paint the pump with the same color spray paint.  (This is an extra step, but it will allow you to turn the vase back into a soap dispenser at a moment's notice.)  For help holding the pump, slide it inside the lid of a plastic container and spray.  This will ensure all of the sides get covered.


After the spray paint has dried you can glue the metal plate back onto the dispenser.


Fill the dispenser with water and fresh blooms from your yard!  Or if your flowers aren't blooming until spring, purchase a bouquet at the grocery store.  You can split the bouquet up to use in many different vases in your home.
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If you get tired of using the vase, you can always return it back to its original purpose as a soap dispenser. 
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There you have it, a super easy upcycle project that can be done in one day!  


If you enjoyed this project be sure to check out my REPURPOSE AND UPCYCLE PAGE for more ideas!
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how-to-upcycle-a-soap-dispenser-into-a-vase-lovemysimplehome.com

Welcome back to a new week, friends, I hope you had a good weekend!  My husband and I took advantage of the unusually warm weather and took a drive to the beach for some playtime with our dog B. 

I also spent time organizing my office and bookcases. It felt so good to clear the clutter and start fresh!  Usually, after one room is organized I feel encouraged to tackle another.  The next room I'd like to tackle is the kitchen, I would love to get the items that are stored in the cabinets and drawers under control.  My goal for this year is to organize one room at a time until I have the entire house organized.

To help with my goal I turned to Amazon.  I am always in the market for pretty storage solutions to organize our home and found some sensible organizing products that happen to be pretty too!  Here is a round-up of my favorites.

This post contains affiliate links




Storage Baskets With Cotton Rope Handle
Keep bookcases nice and tidy with six collapsible storage bins.  These durable bins are an ideal storage solution for the laundry room, nursery, office, and bathroom.  The neutral colors can match many home styles.  

Aluminum Bowls
These just took my breath away!  The smaller-sized bowls would be perfect for an entryway table to hold keys, sunglasses, and a wallet. The larger sizes are great for the kitchen countertop as a centerpiece to hold fruit or as a decorative planter for herbs.



During the winter months, we are in our pj's by nine and binge-watching NetFlix. Can you relate? This pretty piece is perfect on a coffee table to corral all those things you need while relaxing on the sofa.  Plus it's easy to keep clean, just wipe with a damp sponge. 



This pretty tray would be great on the bathroom counter to keep your beauty and skincare products organized.  It would also look great in the office on top of your desk or bookcase to keep papers organized.


Seagrass Belly Baskets




What can I say about these?  They are so darn cute and I love them as a pretty planter, but they can also be used to store many other things like blankets and logs or even laundry.  



Cotton Rope Basket

I love everything about this basket because I'm a sucker for blue and white and items with texture.  Store blankets, pillows, towels, clothing, pet toys, laundry and so much more!  This pretty basket will make your home more organized and stylish too. Don't you just love the leather handles?!




I love these for storing king-size comforters and seasonal clothing.  Use them under the bed or on a shelf in the closet. They keep the dust-out, have a transparent top so you can see what's inside, and zips for opening and closing.




                                                                     
Why is it that pantry food items look better in these streamlined containers?  These airtight containers will keep your pantry more organized and keep your food fresher longer. Plus the clear container makes it easy to see what needs replacing.





A pretty alternative to plastic is bamboo wood.  This set includes five boxes in different sizes. Organize any drawer in your home including the junk drawer!  Use in the kitchen, bathroom, craft room even the shed!

No more shuttling items back and forth between floors!  Just tose them inside the stair basket and they're are out of sight!  At the end of the day make one trip up the stairs to return the items.

  A  Covered Storage Basket is a good solution for hiding clutter. Use one on a shelf like I did in the styled photo below or stack them for decoration.  Even the smallest organizing project can bring a sense of accomplishment and peace.  If you have plans to purge and organize your entire home don't let yourself get overwhelmed, break it down into small spaces one at a time, it's easier to manage.



I added a Storage And Organization List to my Amazon Storefront with a lot more pretty storage solution products to organize your home.  Find my store HERE.



Hi sweet friends, I'm glad you stopped by!  It's hard to believe that it's 2020 already.  I want to share with you some of the best design trends that stand the test of time. Certain design trends seem to return again and again or never go out of style.  Maybe these trends will surprise you and perhaps inspire you for a new look and fresh feel for your space this year.  I've been looking around my home and wondering what to do to bring it into the new year without spending a lot to make it look fresh.  I like to look to design trends for refreshing a space, and often choose designs that are simple, functional, and balanced.  There are endless ways to create a timeless design, but if you're not sure where to start, I made a list of 10 ideas with links that will help.  Remember, classic design elements always look good!

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Art is an easy way to refresh a room and simple to change out!  Even if your furniture or paint colors get a little outdated, you can always update your art.  There's nothing more timeless than beautiful photography or art pieces that you know you'll continue to love for years to come. 

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A timeless palette that has stood the test of time!  Blue and white porcelain patterns strike a perfect balance between casual and refined.  Layer different patterns and textures for a fresh spin on these sophisticated showpieces.

If you're looking to refresh your bedroom invest in white bedding, it's kind of like checking into your own 5-star hotel.  You can keep it simple and opt for white decor accents or liven it up with bright pops of color.

Yes, you heard that right. I personally love the material because it can be cozy and stylish.  Rattan furniture has a way of adding organic appeal, and a breezy laid back vibe that fits in beautifully with most surroundings.  Furniture designers are getting creative with eye-catching accent pieces like the ones featured above.


Wicker has evolved in fresh and exciting ways whether in tables, lighting, or chairs.  This budget-friendly material is the perfect layer to balance traditional and modern styles. I particularly like how it is used in lighting. 


If lighting updates are on your agenda this year, swapping out lighting can be the easiest design change to make in your home.  I particularly like mixed material pieces that serve equal parts style and function.

Sisal

At home in a traditional house or a contemporary one, sisal rugs come in every pattern and color under the sun.  They are practical, stylish, and best of all long-lasting and budget-friendly. 


Wide-Plank Oak Floors
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Wide-plank oak floors have been around for a long time.  They were used in early houses out of necessity but are now used in kitchens, bedrooms, and family rooms to create a feeling of coziness and ease. They offer a classic look that's easily integrated with many design aesthetics. 


Canopy Beds

Canopy beds no longer need to be draped in heavy fabrics and chunky headboards.  Modern versions are made with metal, acrylic, and sleek upholstered frames. Now is the time to make your canopy bed dreams come true.

Oversized Mirrors
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Mirrors are fun to decorate with and with a little creativity they can easily be the show-stopping piece in your room.  They are functional pieces that act as both art and decor.  Instead of art, try an oversized mirror for a focal point in your room.

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The most important advice I can give you is this: The designs that will genuinely stand the test of time are the ones that fit your lifestyle and that you'll still be happy with 20 years or so down the road.  Design trends that truly stand the test of time aren't based on passing fads they are based on these three principles: simple, functional, and balanced with the environment.

Simple: Think quality not quantity. A timeless design isn't cluttered or over the top, it's simple and straightforward with one or two main focal points in the room.

Functional:  No matter what decade you are in you want a home that is actually meant to be lived in. A timeless home is comfortable now, 20 years ago or 20 years in the future.

Balanced With The Environment: Everything is in proportion in a timeless design. For example, a large overstuffed sofa with heavy furniture pieces in a tiny room just doesn't look balanced.

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