Mindful Swap Series : Dresser Knobs
Who knew power of something so small?
Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future Mindful Swap Series posts!
Ian and I have had the same bedroom furniture for over 9 years…
Though I do base my life and businesses around being as friendly to our planet as possible, our motive for keeping these pieces hasn’t been solely for the sustainability aspect as much as the monetary side of things.
Ian was gifted the set in high school, and when we moved in together after graduating college, we had so very little money (I’m sure many of you can relate). At age 22, we were gratefully accepting whatever free furniture donations we could get in order to furnish the simple one bedroom apartment where we were starting our life together.
The pieces then followed us to our first home 2 years later (where we still live currently), and have even survived multiple renters during the year we lived in Bellingham, Washington.
Though I was originally able to decorate around the set and make a bedroom space that felt good to us, the pieces had never been furniture items that sparked joy in me. So, upon our return home from the PNW last Fall, I was inspired to finally make some changes due to my growing obsession with interior design combined with an “adult” sized savings account.
Since then, I’ve painted the walls a warmer white, removed the mirror over the dresser (because who really loves to see their disheveled self first thing in the morning upon waking up?), changed the rug, and replaced the bed-frame (which will be in a future Mindful Swap Series).
BUT, the dressers had to stay.
Since my budget wasn’t massive, I had to pick which items were most important to replace or buy, and the dressers weren’t at the top of the list. Though I don’t love the wood tone and finish, they also worked just fine and I figured I could make do for a few more years. But there was one thing I just had to change…
THOSE DANG KNOBS!
The original silver knobs were small, boring, had a harsh edge that dug into your fingers, and didn’t match the earthy mood I was going for. Thankfully, switching out knobs is an easy thing to do and cheaper than purchasing new dressers.
The one thing that isn’t easy is finding 22 matching knobs without buying new ones. Thankfully, the design gods graced me after months of searching, and I was finally able to score a set of 25 bronze metal knobs for $15 on Facebook Marketplace. Huzzah!
As soon as I got home from meeting that godsend of a stranger in a public parking lot, I ran up the stairs clutching the dirty, heavy, hole-ridden plastic bag that he gave me. I immediately began swapping out those silver life-suckers for my new bronze beauties and holy moly y’all…
I truly didn’t realize how much a knob can change your life.
In the early morning darkness of the next day, I went to get dressed, forgetting that I had replaced the knobs. My fingertips had 9 years of history in them from opening and closing those drawers, and it was a shock when my hands felt hugged instead of scratched.
On the show Capturing Home, Designer and Photographer Amy Neunsinger said that hardware is like the jewelry of your home. It’s worth saving the budget for quality handles and knobs because they not only elevate a space, but you’re also touching and interacting with those pieces every day.
This is divine truth being spoken. Though my knobs weren’t expensive, and they are oh-so-simple, even the minimal upgrade made a world of difference to the look and feel of my space.
I love that the vibe of the dressers feel more natural and cohesive with just this simple swap. The knobs blend in with the wood tone, but they also have some weight and depth with the rounded shape. When I am cuddled up in bed, or reading a book in my corner nook, I look up at them and I smile - a little more joy filling my chest than before. When I touch their smooth surface throughout my day-to-day life, I feel a sense of comfort slide up my arm and send a reminder to release a bit of the tension I’ve been holding.
Holistic design involves creating a space that inspires wellness, and our living spaces truly have such incredible power to impact our daily lives for the good.
It doesn’t have to take much to help your home feel a more peaceful place, and everyone deserves a peaceful place to come home to.
If you similarly have a piece of furniture that you don’t love, but you don’t want to or don’t have the means to trade them out for something else right now, I hope this feels like an accessible and exciting option. You can find pre-loved knobs at local thrift stores or antique shops in addition to Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. As a sustainable designer, I always encourage buying new as a last resort option!
So much love to you all, and as always, thanks for being here. ❤️
Cheers,
Kathryn
(click the photos in the gallery to view them larger)
Do you like the idea of the Mindful Swap Series, where every month I share ways you can swap out things in your house to enhance your day-to-day wellness?
