I was inspired by a post from Leena at Onshore a few weeks ago about taking an ordinary, everyday object that had to be in view and making it prettier.

While decorating and organizing are very important in making your home a happy, easy place to live, it’s also important to think about the little things.  The little things that are actually pretty ugly, but we don’t even notice because that’s just what [fill in the blank] always looks like.

Here are 4 things we can either replace or dress up what we currently have:

     1. Notebooks

Take a look at these adorable (and simple) DIY upgrades to plain notebooks.  Wouldn’t they be prettier on your desk or kitchen table?  And a bonus, these two would be much cheaper than buying a pre-made pretty notebook. 

A Beautiful Mess

Twig and Thistle

     2. Key chains

Still have a little rubber #1 sign holding your keys together because it was free?  This is another simple (and possibly free) DIY.

Design Love Fest

    3. Trash cans

For the smaller bins throughout the house, how about covering them with twine or paper?

The Creek Line House

Little Green Notebook

Or for a bigger one, like in the kitchen, there is always IKEA’s pretty metal ones:

IKEA

     4. Contact lens cases

The ones pictured are for sale at Target.  I have the blue owl and it only cost $3.

Leena also brought to light ugly smoke alarms, and Kelly made me think about upgrading my silverware drawer organizer (how pretty would a wooden one be lined with a bright color?)

Any of these inspire you?  Any other objects you would add to the list?