Rustchic Living

DIY

Easy Narrow Sofa Table

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When your sofa is up against the wall, a narrow sofa table can add just the form and function you need to give your living room extra style.  A narrow sofa table uses just enough space to take a blank wall or window and give it spice by adding lamps, candles, filled vases, plants and more!

If you live in a small space as I do, a narrow sofa table is perfect. It takes up very little space. However, the return on investment is huge when it comes to taking that little bit of space and adding a whole bunch of style. I made my easy narrow sofa table out of reclaimed fence boards. I’ve made other DIY projects using them like living wall planters and a rustic hat rack. However, you can use any type of boards to make your narrow sofa table.

The following step-by-step instructions include supplies to build a 66-inch x 5-inch x 29-inch narrow sofa table. You can adapt the measurements to fit the size and height of your sofa.

This post includes some affiliate links. If you click on these and make a purchase, I earn an itsy bitsy commission but it doesn’t cost you any extra.

Supplies

Electric Drill

Tools

  • Saw
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Palm sander or sanding sponge
  • Drill with Phillips bit or screwdriver

Chop Saw

Cut

  • two boards 29 inches long and one board 66 inches long (or adjust to your dimensions)
  • two pieces of the 2×4 board the same width as the above boards (see picture)

board

Wash & Dry

If you are using reclaimed fence boards or barn wood, wash it and allow it to completely dry.

scrub brush

Sand & Tack

Sand off any rough edges and then wipe off all of the dust with either a damp rack or tack cloth.

palm sander

Assemble

  • On a flat surface, screw the top of one of the shorter boards to the 2×4 board using wood screws lining up evenly on the top and sides. Tip: to avoid splitting, you will want to pre-drill first
  • Repeat with the other shorter board (these are going to be the “legs” of your narrow sofa table)

drill

  • Attach the longer board (the top of the narrow sofa table) to the legs placing your screws into the 2×4 board (not the leg board)

boards

Stain & Seal

Because I whipped my narrow sofa table together quickly out of scrap boards, I skipped this step. If you sofa table is going to be seen from the sides in your room, or if you want a more finished look, add this step. Here is a picture of me sealing my living wall project.

  • Apply stain according to the directions and allow it to completely dry
  • Brush a coat of Polycrylic and allow it to completely dry
  • Apply a second coat of Polycrylic
  • Allow to completely dry

I want to let you know, this isn’t the sturdiest of sofa tables. If you have children, excited fur babies, or monkeys in your home you may want to opt for a sturdier tutorial. However, if you just need a little bit of a landing area behind your sofa is going to be smashing it up against the wall to help hold it there, then this narrow sofa table will do the trick!

sofa table

Now that you’ve got the steps to build a narrow sofa table, what are you going to put on it to help add function and style to your living room? Also, I love connecting with you on Instagram. Snap a picture of your sofa table and tag me @urbancottageliving.

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DIY Faux Leaded Glass Window

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This DIY faux leaded glass window project that will take your contractor grade window and make it look like a piece of art.

small bathroom window over bathtub with faux leaded glass

My house was built in 1942 but the bathroom was remodeled sometime in the 1980’s. That update included a plane, Jane, white vinyl window without any trim. Borrrring.

Eventually, custom chunky trim was added to my window to match the medicine cabinets when I did my budget bathroom renovation and then the faux leaded glass window was added.

Here are the directions on how you can easily complete your own faux leaded glass window project.

Supplies

Measure and Design

Decide what leaded glass window design you want on your project. Doing an online image search for “leaded windows” will give you hundreds of patterns to choose from.

Draw your faux leaded glass window pattern on graph paper before you start. Measure the window of your actual project then draw the outline of the window on the graph paper. If you are faux leading a large window, you will need to tape several pieces of graph paper together to get the size you need. Using a pencil, start measuring out where you want your faux leading lines to be.

faux leaded glass window pattern on drawn on graph paper with a ruler

Transfer the Pattern to the Window

There are a couple of ways you can transfer your faux leaded glass window pattern to the project window. Using the dry erase marker, measure out your window using a ruler and mark in the increments where you want your lead to go with the dry erase marker. You can see in my example photo, I did this for every inch. After you have your measure lines marked, draw your pattern directly on the window using the dry erase marker.

small bathroom window with dry erase marker dots and a ruler.

The other way to transfer your faux leaded glass window pattern is by taping your graph paper pattern on the outside of your project window. You will need to go over your pencil lines in a dark black marker before you do this to make it easy to see where your pattern will be traced once you hang it on the window. After you hang your pattern on the outside of the window, trace it on the inside using the dry erase marker.

Apply the Faux Leaded Glass Window Lines

Gather all of your supplies together near your project window. Using your finger or a small dry rag, erase your first faux leaded glass window pattern line and replace it with a piece of the Gallery Glass Instant Lead Line. Using small scissors, snip it to size. Taking the tweezers, manipulate the instant lead line exactly where you want it to go. Repeat this process being careful not to overlap lead lines. Work methodically from one side to the next until your faux leaded glass window lines are all in place.

Apply the Liquid Lead

Drop a small bead of Gallery Glass Liquid Leading on each of the intersections of your faux leaded glass window. Allow the liquid lead to dry and touch up any areas you feel you need a second dot.

gallery glass product lead and liquid lead on window

Notes

I did my faux leaded glass window on a frosted bathroom window. This window was smooth on one pane and bumpy on the other pane. I found that the instant lead lines were not sticking to the bumpy surface. To solve this problem, I simply added a little bit of Tacky Glue to each strip and applied it with tweezers.

small bathroom window over bathtub with faux leaded glass

More Faux Leaded Glass Window Ideas

This project was so easy, I keep dreaming up other ways to use it! I plan to do this same pattern on my kitchen sink plant window. I also have a few empty glass doors left over from a cabinet I repurposed. I am going to design a holiday pattern on one and hang it up at Christmas time. Comment below share your faux leaded glass window plans.

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small bathroom window with plant, jar, and candle on the ledge

10 Tips to Find Your Exterior House Color

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No matter what size your house is, painting the exterior of it is a big decision.  Though we have been told you can’t judge a book by its cover, the exterior paint color of your house does present the first impression to the rest of the neighborhood. Here are ten tips to help you find the perfect exterior paint color.

1. Find inspiration

When you don’t have the slightest idea on where to start with choosing your home’s exterior paint color, start with other people’s houses. You don’t need to take weeks or months doing this. Give yourself a deadline and focus—a couple of days should be enough.

Walk or drive around the neighborhood. Whether you live in a planned community, a historic district, or on a farm, chances are some of your neighbors are going to have a similar house size, shape, and era to your home. At first, don’t pay attention to the actual color. This first step is to help you find a feeling, a vibe, or a theme. When a house pops out and grabs your attention or has a good feeling to you, snap a picture. If you don’t want to feel too much like a stalker or a private investigator, take note of the address and look it up online when you get home. Google street maps or a realtor site such as Zillow are easy places to look.

Hop on the internet and do some searches for exterior paint color on websites such a Houzz, Pinterest, and HGTV. If you know the style of your house (bungalow, cape, ranch etc.) enter that into your search. If you have no idea what style your house is, then use search words like “small, single story, or split level” that apply to your house.

2. Collect all of your ideas in one place

Collect all of the inspiration for your exterior house color in one place. You can print them out and put them in a folder. You can digitally save them all on a Pinterest board, a notebook in Evernote, or a Google photo album. It doesn’t really matter how you collect them, just get them all in one place.

3. Narrow down and eliminate

Once you have all of your inspiration in front of you, study and see what pops out as a similar theme (dark with light trim, light with dark trim etc.) or color scheme? Do you see a pattern of theme or color? Great! This is an excellent start in narrowing down your exterior house color. Eliminate the random pictures that don’t fit into the theme or color scheme.

What if you just don’t see a repeated pattern of what you like? Don’t panic–you either need to collect more inspiration or you need to enlist a friend. I suggest you ask someone you trust and has a little bit of natural decorating talent to take a look at your inspiration collection. Have them see if they can find a theme or color scheme. If you are still having trouble, then skip to tip number nine.

4. Roof color and landscaping

When narrowing down the decision of what color to paint the exterior of your house, take into consideration the color of the roof and your landscaping. You need to make sure the color you end up with, is going to look good with these two things.

If you know you are going to be replacing your roof soon, then be sure your house color is going to look good with the new roof, not the existing one. Your roof is going to last you 30 years and a good paint job should last you seven to ten years so plan ahead.

A similar rule would apply if you have a lot of man-made landscaping features, called hardscaping. This would include things like retaining walls, stained concrete, brick walkways and the like. If your retaining wall is brown stack stone or your walkway is red brick, be sure to keep this in mind when you envision your final house color.

5. The neighbors

This tip applies to you if you live in a city or suburban neighborhood more than if you live on a big piece of land. If you want to maximize your curb appeal with the exterior color of your house, make sure you take into consideration the house color on either side of your house and the color of the house directly across the street.

If the neighbor next door has a bright yellow house, your house isn’t going to stand out or have much curb appeal if your house is bright yellow too.

I find this tip to be especially important if you live in a suburban neighborhood that mandates specific color schemes for your development because your choices are restricted. If your neighbor to the right has a light tan house and your neighbor to the left has a light gray house, you’ll want to do something different even if it isn’t your first choice.

6. Agree on a color

If you are the only one making the decision on what color to paint the exterior of your house, then skip ahead. However, if you are living with a partner, you both want to have good vibes when you pull in the driveway after work and are welcomed by the sanctuary you call home.

Keep working on the elimination process but this time as a team. Rule out any colors that neither of you likes. If you get stuck, know there is going to need to be some compromise.

When we painted our little urban cottage, I would have loved for it to be dark gray. John doesn’t like gray houses but he likes dark houses. So, this helped us narrow down our search for the perfect color and we looked at dark colors we both like.

7. Don’t be boring

I’m not saying to paint your house purple—unless you live in a Victorian surrounded by other pastel ladies or on a Caribbean island. One of the biggest disappointments after you paint your entire house can be that it is not bold enough. If you really want to add curb appeal, push yourself a little. Go a couple steps darker or a couple steps lighter.

Add a pop of color with your front door. This is the easiest place to have fun and be whimsical. If you get bored with the color of your front door, or you just hate it, you can easily change it.

8. Get rid of distractions

Just because your house has a giant round vent at the top peak of your roof, doesn’t mean you should trim it out. Unless this is the first thing you want people to see.

What I mean is, you should not paint every vent, dryer outlet or bathroom fan flap your trim color. This is going to draw your eye straight to all those little things and clutter up the overall feel of your house. This also applies to corner trim if your house has that. Some of the things you are going to want to paint on your house the main body color are attic vents, electrical boxes, gutter downspouts, corner trim, exterior conduit or plumbing, and basement windows.

9. Don’t be afraid to hire an expert

You also shouldn’t be afraid to hire a professional. Choosing the color for the exterior of your house is a big deal. Paying an interior designer or a painting contractor for a consultation will cost you upfront. However, in the long run, it could save you thousands by not having to repaint an entire house and ensuring it is a house color you are going to love.

10. Paint test patches

You don’t want to skip this tip. Once you have chosen your exterior paint color, the final step is to test it out on your house. All the major paint stores will sell you small cans of paint for around eight dollars. I suggest you get at least three choices in different shades of your chosen color as well as one or two choices of trim color.

Pick up a bag of inexpensive foam brushes and paint generous test patches of each color next to a window. Paint the different trim choices on the window frame so you can see all of the choices together. Paint your test patches on different sides of your house.  Do your test patches a day or two before you paint the entire exterior of your house. You’ll want to go out and look at the sample colors different times of the day and in different lighting.

Make your final decision and go for it. Painting the exterior of your house is one of the best things you can do to up its curb appeal. More importantly, you want your house to be your home and to invite you with a good feeling every time you pull into the driveway.

 

 

DIY Living Plant Wall

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DIY your own living plant wall in a few easy steps. I made three hanging boxes out of reclaimed fence boards and hung them in my bedroom.

Plants add oxygen to the room which gives you better sleep. Plants are grounding and peaceful. I want my bedroom to be a place of relaxation.

Because the bedroom is so small, I had the idea to add a living plant wall. This accomplished two things – it added lots of plants and it doubles as a piece of art. Win, win!

I made my living plant wall out of reclaimed fence boards, but you can make yours out of reclaimed barn wood, pallet wood, or even new boards if you want.

The following step-by-step instructions include supplies to build three 26 x 4.5 x 5.75 boxes. You can adapt the measurements and number of boxes for your living wall design. Some of my supplies are affiliate links. When you purchase from my website. I may receive a commission. This does not cost you any extra and helps support Urban Cottage Living.

Supplies

Tools

  • Scrub brush
  • Dishsoap
  • Measuring Tape
  • Saw – I used a chop saw
  • Hammer
  • Stapler

  • Cut

    • Fence boards – cut six pieces 26 inches long and six pieces at 3.5 inches long.
    • 2×4 studs – cut six pieces at 25 inches long. Note, you will want to adjust the length of your 2×4 boards if your fence boards are a different thickness than .5 inch.

Wash

If you are using salvaged boards like I did, make sure you wash them really well. I scrubbed mine with a firm brush using dish soap and water. Allow them to completely dry.

Dry

  • Let your boards completely dry after washing.

Assemble

  • On a flat surface, lay out your 2×4 stud with your end pieces. The 2×4 is going to be the bottom of your box.
  • Run a zigzag line of glue along the 2×4.

Tip: Using a 2×4 as the bottom of your box instead of another fence board, is because it is thicker. This will help hold your box together better.

    • Place one of the 26-inch boards on the glue, lining up the bottom and then ends flush.
    • Nail with six finishing nails to secure.

 

  • Flip over and repeat keeping the end pieces in place to keep the box square and level.

  • Glue nail your end pieces.

Seal

  • Allow the glue to dry completely.
  • Brush a coat of Polycrylic on your boxes.
  • Allow to completely dry and repeat.
  • Allow to completely dry.

Tip: Sealing your boxes will bring out the grain and character in the wood. This will give a similar look to as if the boards were wet.

Add Hooks

  • Decide what side of the box you want to be the front.
  • Set the box front side down on a flat, solid surface.
  • Measure one inch from the outside of the box lining the hook to be right at the top.
  • Mark the holes with a pencil.
  • Using the screws that come with the picture hangers, attach to the back of the box.

Attach Liner & Hang

  • Staple pond liner or heavy duty trash bags to the inside of your boxes one inch below the top.
  • Measure where you want your boxes to hang, mark where the wall screws need to go.
  • Install your wall screws using molly screws if necessary.

Tip: Fold the pond liner under one-inch to give a clean look. If you are hanging directly on sheetrock, you will want to use molly screws to hold the weight of box once filled with dirt and plants.

Add Plants

  • Play around with the layout of your plants before you plant them.
  • Fill the boxes with potting soil and plants
  • Water the plants

Tip: You may want to unhook the boxes from the wall and take them outside or to the garden shed for planting the plants.

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Small Bedroom Big Style

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One of the biggest rules I break in traditional decorating is the one that says you shouldn’t paint a small room dark because it will make it feel smaller. While this can be true, there is nothing that says you shouldn’t break the rules if you love it.

Because my house is so small and there aren’t a lot of places to go escape, I wanted to create a space that felt like a retreat. Scroll down the before pictures below and get a little insight into my plan. Then, keep scrolling to read my reason behind the design and how it all turned out.

Before Pictures + The Plan

The Plan: Paint the entire room dark gray. Build a living wall next to the hat rack out of reclaimed fence boards.

The Plan: Find a mirror for above the dresser and accessorize. Paint the diffuser gold.

The Plan: Replace this thin trim to match the big window as close as possible since that trim is original to the house.

The Plan: Build a floating shelf above the bed out of reclaimed fence boards. In the future, replace it with a giant tufted headboard.

The Plan: Repaint all of the trim and doors with a fresh coat of bright white paint. Patch the big hole in the wall where an old security system panel was mounted.

The Plan: Replace the lamps with my old desk lamps and spray paint them gold.

The Plan: Spray paint the hardware on the filing cabinet nightstands gold.

The Results

Even though the walls are dark, the three windows let in a lot of light. The contrast of the dark walls with the saltillo tile, gold accents, and lighter wood really makes everything just pop!

I made the living wall out of reclaimed fence boards in an afternoon. The living wall and rustic hat rack help give the room a nod to nature. Adding natural elements make the room feel relaxing.

The mirror and candlesticks are thrifted. I spray painted the Young Living diffuser metallic gold. The ladder and blanket were both gifts.

Here you can see the new window trim. The style now matches the original trim on the big window.

Fresh white paint on all of the trim and doors makes everything clean and fresh.

The lamps used to be in the office of my big house. I repurposed them here and spray painted them metallic gold.

Filing cabinets make fantastic nightstands. They are the perfect height and deeper than a traditional nightstand so they hold twice as much. The hardware was spray painted metallic gold. 

Final Touches

Brass accents contrast nicely with the dark gray walls. The plant pot and candlesticks were thrifted. The wine barrel candle holder was a gift and the iron garden decor came out of my old house.

You can find all of the details on how to make the rustic hat rack here.

I have had so much fun collecting the brass candlesticks. I think the mother of pearl set is my favorite! What part of my small bedroom, big style makeover do you like the best?