My darling Frannie (who turned 7 yesterday) had been asking me about rearranging the furniture in her room, so one day last week before she got home, I took it upon myself to do so. The girls' rooms are fairly small (10 x 12) so there aren't that many options.
One piece of furniture had to go, so I (tentatively) peeked inside my hope-chest-turned-toybox and was relieved to see that Frannie was only storing a few items in it, which could easily fit in the unused under-bed drawers. (The hope chest is now in my bedroom, as I ponder what to do with it. I know some people shudder at the thought of painting natural wood - especially a beautiful item that my Dad lovingly made for me - but painted wood is all the rage now...okay, I digress.)
So when Frannie arrived home, I told her I had a surprise for her, led her to her room...and based on her reaction, you would think that Santa Claus had come. Her eyes lit up and got really wide, and she threw her arms around me, thanking me profusely (days later, she's still thanking me). I'm telling you, there wasn't a single new item in the room, and I had even left a pile of junk for her to sort sitting on her bed, but for some reason she was just thrilled, and has been super excited to play in her room ever since.
Here's a before and after of the incredibly dramatic transformation:
From this (desk and bookshelf hidden around the corner on the right):
To this (dresser and bookshelf hidden around the right hand corner):
Seriously, that was it. Then, of course, Maggie was terribly disappointed (those of you who know her and think she is always smiling would be very disheartened to know what she looks - and sounds - like when terribly disappointed) and we quickly did her room too.
It's a great chance to freshen things up (and do a little Spring dusting/vacuuming behind the furniture) and if my kids are any indication, inspires them to purge unneeded items and rediscover their old favourites.
Let me know if this works for you!
