House Ideas Binder

This weekend, I added a House Ideas binder to the Family and Coupon binders. Being on a budget limits what you are able to do as far as decorating goes. Keeping a binder full of potential ideas allows you to hunt for bargains and put together rooms as you find what you want. Not only do I look for ideas on pinterest, I also look for ideas in magazines. The problem was, my collection looked like this...

I created a section for each area of our house. My goal at this point was just to get my clippings organized and out of a big pile. Each section is a different color paper, and I simply wrote the name of the room on the top of the first page. I can also add notes on the pages.

Some sections are more detailed than others, depending on our plans. For example, our kitchen is pretty much complete, so I don't have a big section for it. For our bedroom, I have colors and fabrics already in the room included in that section.

Eventually, I want to record measurements for each area. I might not include everything that I put into this binder, but it allows me to keep track of what I've found and liked.  
In the end, I had a few clippings that didn't fit in any of my rooms. I made a section in the back for "Tips and Other." That is home for those ideas. Sometimes, magazines will offer information on how to measure for things. For example, I have drapery measurement guidelines, how to hang a picture easily, etc. Keeping track of them in this section makes them so much easier to find!

This book also becomes very important during yard sale season. It is always so much better when you can find what you want for a fraction of the price! You can reference your binder to see if something is appropriate for an area of your house.  
The measurements will also let me know quickly if something will fit. I make sure to carry a tape measure in my purse so that I always have the option to measure furniture or other items. Right now, I measure what I find and call my husband to measure the space at our house, which isn't always successful if I can't get him or he's not at home. Having the measurements on hand will eliminate that need. That prevents purchases not working or being really happy that you know it's going to be perfect.
Go pull out all of the magazine clippings you've been saving... Happy planning!

Visit {HERE} to see the link parties where you will most likely find me.  Thanks to all of the wonderful hosts!

Or check them out from the links here: The Prudent Pantry, Here Comes the Sun, Jane's Adventures in Dinner, Project: Inspire, Melting Moments, The Artsy Girl Connection, Confessions of an ADD Housewife, The NY Melrose Family, Someday Crafts, The Dedicated House, Adorned From Above, Organize and Decorate Everything, Six Sisters' Stuff, I Heart Nap Time, Positively Splendid, Heatherly Loves, Kayla Creations, Debbiedoo's, A Stroll Thru Life , The Thrifty Home, Beyond the Picket Fence, Stone Gable, Here Comes the Sun, Mom on Timeout, Dear Creatives, Or So She Says