Asked on Mar 13, 2014

Need Ideas For This Space!

ToyPrincess
by ToyPrincess
I am looking for ideas on what I could do with or put in this space! I am tired of fake flowers & top soil! A few things for consideration are 1. The lights are pretty much there to stay. ( electricity is not something I mess with! )
2. I don't want to spend a lot of money. I just really, really need a change!
3. If I can Google it and find good, clear directions and or watch a good how-to video I can do about anything! But I'm not mechanical minded!
This is to show you the width! That's my flip flop which is a size women's 10.
I also have a small version on the other side of my steps. It's no more than 4 ft. long at best!
  11 answers
  • Z Z on Mar 14, 2014
    By the looks of the small planter on the right, the light come loose therefore could be laid on their sides. If that's true then I'd remove all the other plants and statuettes and have a solid top made for each of them.
    • See 1 previous
    • Z Z on Mar 14, 2014
      @ToyPrincess, I would think the top could come off somehow. Can you get a close up of the light fixtures please. I can't imagine that they are all one piece, but they could be, of course. I've never looked that close at one before. Never had the need to.
  • Okay, since you cannot mess with electric, then have you thought about getting rid of the dirt (shop vac) and then replacing it will colored stones, rocks, marbles? and instead of using fake flowers you have maybe invest in the looks like real orchids to put in there. Now since the box is deep, I would somehow line it or fill it with something before adding about 3" of the colored stuff so you do not have to invest that much in it. Just a thought...good luck
    • ToyPrincess ToyPrincess on Mar 14, 2014
      I have thought about the stones/marble idea! I looked into flower foam to put underneath it, WOW , that stuff cost a lot more than it should! Any suggestions on a cheaper alternative? Any suggestions other than orchids? I guess I have looked at flowers so long, no matter how good it would look, (and it sounds beautiful) I'm like "NO FLOWERS, NO FLOWERS, NO FLOWERS!" Like it's my new motto or something! LOL
  • What about just filling it with a couple bags of river pebbles from the store and then put colored rocks on top. If no flowers, then I would suggest thinking about those twig sculptures that are outrageous in price (you see at hotels and furniture stores). maybe even think about some wrought iron or metal stakes with colored balls on the end? Personally I would walk the aisles of a Garden Ridge, Hobby Lobby, etc for ideas. My ideas usually come from Lowes or Home Depot LOL good luck
    • See 1 previous
    • @ToyPrincess actually I was thinking that a water feature here would be so awesome (if you have no kids, pets LOL) making a water feature like you see in hotels where it comes from the top and slides down the glass. and recirculates. the base would be perfect for the water but you have electric so my thought blew up LOL
  • Diane Woods Diane Woods on Mar 14, 2014
    Perhaps just use the box as a base and get or make a book case to put on top, The bottom shelf could be glass, or replace all the shelves w/glass. Then you have light underneath and make a curio of sorts.
    • ToyPrincess ToyPrincess on Mar 14, 2014
      @Diane Woods I am REALLY liking your idea! Never thought of that! I'm having a little trouble coming up with a picture of it in my head though! Trust me, if I can't visualize it, I'll never be able to explain it! I talk in circles most of the time anyway!
  • Johanna Eldridge Johanna Eldridge on Mar 14, 2014
    Maybe I just have an unusual number of electrical engineers in the family, but it shouldn't be too hard to get someone to walk you through the process of removing the electrical. It is not at all difficult to *remove* electrical safely as long as you know how to turn it off at the breaker box. If you are going to go to the trouble of changing out the fake garden planters and lighting, you might as well go all out and achieve what you really want by removing the lighting. If you love the idea of the benches and storage for the space, I would say there is no time like the present to learn a simple new skill-- Turning off the right breaker and removing unwanted wiring! I am inferring that either you or the previous homeowner DIYed the wiring and the planters, so it won't be that hard to achieve and you will feel wonderful at your achievement! Then, once the wiring is removed, how about having some girlfriends from church or your neighborhood come over to brainstorm some ideas... and go hit the shops or even the 2nd hand stores for a thrifty re-do?
    • ToyPrincess ToyPrincess on Mar 14, 2014
      I AM the handyman, builder, fix-it, DIY'er in my family! I have an unusual amount of people in my family that make money with their mouth! Haha! Anyway, after yiu cut the breaker off, would you just snip it & cap it?
  • Here's something a little different, I would remove the boxes, handrail and post, and install wrap-around stairs. Since the area is already wired some simple LED lights can be installed in the risers for ambiance and safety.
    • See 3 previous
    • @ToyPrincess sorry I totally missed your reply. I can certainly come up with something, if you like.
  • Katie Katie on Mar 15, 2014
    I love @Robert Johnson"s idea. It would really open up your space.
  • Arlene Fitzpatrick Arlene Fitzpatrick on Mar 15, 2014
    I like the bookcase idea as the spindles really "date" the house. Remove or make the posts beefier by enclosing them on all four sides. I also like the water feature idea ... wallboard, river rocks (Dollar Store anyone?) set in plaster-type materials (waterproof of course), circulating pump (about $30)....good to go.
  • L L on Mar 16, 2014
    Interesting to see Southern Home Imporvement suggestion. I showed my husband the photo, and the first thing he said was to also remove the spindles/railing, and the box, and make is a wrap around stairs. Totally opening the space up. Plus actually easy to do. Great minds think alike. :)
  • Sue Ellemor Sue Ellemor on Mar 16, 2014
    Post and rails definitely need to go. The place will look twice the size. Either make wrap round stairs as suggested , with LED lights or use the glass with under light idea but think about shelves that are also made of glass and put coloured glass ornaments or vases on them. The more light the better
  • Jcraw Jcraw on Nov 12, 2016
    I'm not a fan of wrap stairs, but if you're doing that, could you make the left side deep enough to hold your display cabinet? It looks small enough and that way won't look like it's crammed in the corner, but a true display cabinet.