This morning as I am writing this, I am sitting in the corner of my bedroom that was once the final resting place for all of my clean laundry that never seemed to find its way into my closet. You know what I’m talking about. Those corners of your home where you let your clean laundry just hang out and rot in a giant heap of ‘I will deal with this later.’ As of today, that is no longer where my vanity sits. In fact, it’s changed my entire morning routine.
I used to do my makeup in the bathroom. For years. Hunched over the sink. Squinting into the cold, harsh overhead light. Which, as far as lighting goes, makes your skin look either very pale or very orange. I kept my makeup bag on the bathroom counter. So I had to move all of my mascaras, lipsticks, etc. all over the place every single time I brushed my teeth. Again, not exactly the peaceful morning experience I was looking for.
Then I saw an ad on my phone for second hand furniture. Because, yes, that is what people do on a Sunday afternoon. We scroll through ads and pretend we have better things to do than our responsibilities. Anyway…I scrolled through and saw this beautiful compact white desk. It wasn’t fancy. Just 30 inches wide with two small drawers. It was $40.00. The lady selling it said it was from IKEA. She thought it was the HEMNES line, but she really wasn’t positive. The only thing wrong with it was that it had a few scratches on top. But it looked sturdy. Thirty dollars. If I did mess it up, well, I wasn’t losing my shirt.
My problem was finding a spot to put it in my bedroom that wasn’t taking away from the already cramped space. My bedroom is 3′ x 3.5′. Not bad for London, but not huge. The bed dominates the majority of the room. Along one wall there is a built-in wardrobe. I can do nothing with that. So, that leaves the corner near the window, where the mountain of dirty laundry sat.
I took my measurements twice (this is a lesson I learned the hard way from a previous bookshelf debacle) and the desk will fit with about 6″ of clearance on either side. Plenty of room, but not too much.
Next up was the mirror. I love those big, flashy vanities with the lights surrounding the mirror. However, they are so large and would have taken up the entire corner. I decided to go with a simple round mirror, approximately 20″ in diameter. I bought it from a vintage store in Hackney for $18.00. It had a thin brass frame that looked nicer than the generic cheap mirrors you can find anywhere.
At this point, I was getting a little crafty with the lighting. I learned early on that good light can greatly enhance your makeup application. However, I knew I wouldn’t be able to wire in any special lighting (rental living). I purchased a couple of battery operated LED strips that you attach to the back of a mirror. They produce a beautiful soft warm white light. Not too yellow, not too blue. Plus, they recharge via USB. A set of 2 cost about $25.00. They last for weeks on a charge.
However, the true game changer was when I added a small table lamp to the area. I purchased an adjustable brass desk lamp from a local charity store for $10.00. It was a little tarnished, but a little metal polish cleaned it up nicely. Now I have the option of using both the strip lights and the adjustable desk lamp to get the lighting just right. The strip lights provide even lighting and the desk lamp provides a focus-free zone, eliminating any shadows.
One of the most important features I wanted in this vanity was storage. I didn’t want makeup and brushes spread all over the place. The desk drawers hold my essentials such as foundation, concealer, and everyday lipstick. However, I needed something for the odds and ends that seem to multiply overnight. Lip balms that somehow magically appear, lost hair ties, and earrings that I remove and instantly forget about.
I found a set of clear acrylic drawer organizers that fit perfectly inside the desk drawers. These are essentially small boxes of various sizes that separate and display your items. No more digging through the drawer to find that one shade of eyeshadow that always seems to be stuck at the bottom of the pile. The total cost was about $15.00 from Amazon. They make the small drawer space feel organized.
On the desktop, I have a minimalist approach. Only the items I use on a daily basis, and a small ceramic dish for jewelry. I also have a small succulent (why not?) and a candle that I light while I apply my makeup. It may sound silly, but there is something nice about developing that little ritual before starting your day.
The only other item I had to purchase was a stool. Proper vanity stools are typically either too wide for the space or way too pricey. I settled on a simple wooden stool from a popular Scandinavian furniture company. It was $12.00. It fits completely under the desk when not in use, keeping the floor clear.
In total, I spent about $125.00. I think that was a reasonable price for changing how I spend my mornings. And, wow, the results are impressive. Instead of frantically applying my makeup while still half asleep in the bathroom, I actually sit down, take my time, and feel more put together before I head out the door.
And, the best part? It doesn’t take over the room. The white desk blends into the walls and since everything has a designated place, it appears intentional rather than cluttered. When friends come to visit, they comment on how it makes my bedroom appear to be more adult, like I have my life together (little do they know about the condition of my kitchen cabinets).
If I were to do anything differently? Possibly splurge on a chair with a back. The stool becomes uncomfortable during long morning routines. Also, the mirror could be a tad bit larger. However, I fear that anything larger would take away from the available space.
