Do you ever get tunnel vision when it comes to doing something you want with your home? I know this happens to me all the time. I see something on Pinterest or I get an idea and all of a sudden that is all that can possibly work for that situation. I mean, there is no possible way that any thing else can possible serve a similar purpose, right? Wrong! Sometimes reusing something and using what you have can solve a problem just as well as that ideal thing you have in mind.
This happened to me recently concerning a kid’s table for the living room. Breakfast and lunch during the week are most often eaten in the living room. I had been putting Abby in a kid’s sized chair with her stool in front of her. It really didn’t work well and I didn’t like using her bathroom stool as a table. I really, really wanted a folding table and chairs set for her. We have a small house so I love anything that stores away easily. But we didn’t have the money for one. I was getting frustrated.
Then one day my husband brought my daughter’s picnic table from outside and put it in the tub for the snow to melt off. His reason? It would fit in the living room where I wanted to put a kid’s table. He broke my tunnel vision. Eventually I would still like to buy the kid’s folding table set so that the picnic table can be outside during the summer. But for now, using what we have is working great!
Another instance of this came into play with the backdrop for my Etsy shop product pictures. I had it in my mind that the best plan for my vinyl backdrop was to thumbtack it around a piece of foam house insulation. Again, my husband stepped in and used some old wood paneling we had in the basement and some spare two by four lumber to make a frame for it. It isn’t the exact dimensions I would like it to be but it works really well!
Sometimes all it takes is some fresh perspective and a change of thinking. Instead of thinking of one possible solution: “I need this type of table for my child,” think of the actual problem: “I need a solution for my child to eat in the living room.” It also really helps to share that problem with someone else. You will notice that for both my problems my husband was the one who came up with the solutions. He had a different way of thinking so that I was able to see a better solution.
Use what you already own to solve a problem and save money! #thrifty Click To TweetSo often you end up having something that will solve the problem already in your house, garage, etc. Instead of spending money on a solution, you can find something you already own. Start looking in nooks, crannies, basements, etc. and see what you have that will solve an issue. You’ll be surprised what you find!
Lisa/SyncopatedMama says
I get so stuck in tunnel vision myself, sometimes, but every so often I have a need, go hunting around the house, and am able to think outside the box and reuse something in a different way like this!
Julie says
As you can tell from the post, my husband is great at thinking outside the box for my problems. I need to be a little better at it on my own. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
What a great idea and not going to lie sometimes I have a bit of tunnel vision myself, but definitely have to try to do stuff like this here more often myself! 🙂
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Maria says
Great advice, Julie. I’m known for getting those tunnel visions too, and I wrack my brain to find something in the stores or online, when most of the time, what I need is just right under my nose–in the garage or in the attic! Thanks so much for sharing this thoughtful post with us on #shinebloghop this week!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
yes! I love this post. It’s basically my life story. I decide that I absolutely NEED something and then my husband shows me why I’m being crazy and that something we have will work just fine, ha!
Julie says
It’s always the husband, isn’t it? 😉
Betsy @ Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I have such a hard time breaking tunnel vision… when I want something I want it now! I love your tips on making things work and thinking outside the box… there might just be a solution we haven’t thought of yet! Thanks for linking up with us at Welcome Home Wednesdays! Can’t wait to see what you link up with us next week!
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Melinda Mitchell says
Having a man look at the problem usually works for me! They think so differently!
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Julie says
I find both my husband and I get tunnel vision in different areas so we end up being the “problem solver” for each other.
Emily says
This is great advice. So many times people just go out and buy “the solution” when something they already own will work. I love to decorate my home by using what I already have or moving furniture around (sometimes multiple times) so that a certain space in our home functions best. And yes, getting a fresh perspective from someone else is often helpful!
Julie says
Moving furniture around can be an excellent way to use what you have already.
Rachel @ Smart Mom Smart Ideas says
Julie, I try to repurpose furniture and items we already have around the house for new uses too, But sometimes it does take another person’s perspective to help me see what can be done.
Thanks for sharing on Mom-to-Mom Mondays.
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Julie says
Re-purposing furniture and other items is a great idea!